Pondering the Beginner Pete Plan

[mitchel674]

BPP 1.2. I haven't done much interval work in the past 2 months. Pretty pleased to be able to hold 30spm at the end here without much break in form.

[Nomark]

I find that there's a balance with stroke rate and the stroke quality.

It can be very easy (as I did in my first year) to allow the quality of the stroke to deteriorate because I was going slightly faster by rating up if you don't keep an eye on it.

That's a very good point. My W/min definitely drop at higher rates, even if the total is higher. I guess that's (another) thing to work on - consistency of stroke!

On with the plan. Yesterday was a quick 500m for the challenge. Decided to go for a pb. Got one but wasn't that happy - 1:44.7. I would've been delighted a week ago, but I just did a 1.45.0 as a 7th rep a few days ago, so I was expecting a bigger improvement. My max stroke seems to be at about 1:39 pace so I guess my strength is letting me down. And then my endurance went by the last 100m and I limped home, crossing the line at 2:10. So I guess my endurance is also letting me down lol

Onto the real plan today, 6.4 6000m. The suggestion was aim for the same pace as earlier in the week at a lower stroke rate. I decided to aim for 20s/m but row pace semi-blind with the display on calories while I watched TV. Still ended up too fast. I can live with it but I'd like to slow down to a proper SS one day. Maybe a time based workout would be better as at the moment I can rationalise that I'm getting it done quicker, whereas time is time so no benefit in going faster. I might try an hour to force myself to slow down.

Code: Select all

Time	Meters	Pace	S/M	
27:22.1	6,000m	2:16.8	20
5:28.9	1,200m	2:17.0	20
5:33.2	2,400m	2:18.8	20
5:26.1	3,600m	2:15.8	20
5:35.2	4,800m	2:19.6	20
5:18.7	6,000m	2:12.7	20	

Tomorrow may be 6.5, optional 3x1500 reps. Which will be interesting because next week 7.2 is 4x1500. Curious to see the difference.