Rowing WOD 11/26: 1k, 3×3′ w/ 1′ Rest, 2×3′ w/ 1′ Rest – Post Total Distance and Experience

Prepare your body earlier in the recovery for a better catch.

Rowing WOD 11/26:

1k @24-26 s/m (note average 500m split)

4′ rest

3 x 3’ On 1’ Off as follows (holding 1k split):

            3′ @26 s/m, 25 s/m, 24 s/m

(rate changes every minute)

            3′ @25, 24, 23

            3′ @24, 23, 22

4′ rest

2 x 3’ On 1’ Off as follows (holding 1k split):

            3′ @26, 24, 22

            3′ @24, 22, 20

One thing that all good athletes have in common is a sense of efficiency.  The athlete that can maintain proper mechanics and spend the least amount of energy to complete a task will be able to push harder and farther compared to the athlete that just flies and dies.  Todays Rowing WOD introduces a key concept to being efficient in rowing and may improve your efficiency in longer wods.

Start the workout by rowing 1,000m at 24-26 strokes per minute.  Effort should be about 60% – 75% as if you were jogging a half-mile, don’t go all out.  The average split for the 1k will be your goal split to hold through all of the 3 minute pieces.  Set the monitor for 3′ of work and 1′ of rest.  Each 3-minute piece is broken into 1-minute sections that should be rowed at the designated stroke rating.

In order to hold the goal split while decreasing the stroke rating you must perform a ratio shift.  A ratio shift changes the timing of the stroke on the drive and the recovery.  For example, shifting from 1 on the drive: 2 on the recovery, to 1 on the drive: 3 on the recovery.  This is a challenging workout.  Use it to develop a sense of efficiency.  A proper ratio shift maintains the power per stroke but allows the rower time to breath and prepare for the next stroke.

Post Total Distance and your Experience with ratio shifts.

Below are some pictures of Mike T. on Saturday after working on staying connected through the finish.  What does your finish look like? Is it efficient?  How fast do your hands move through the finish?  … Just a few things to think about as we continue to work on suspension through the stroke and balanced finishes.

Rest Day 11/25: Who is your team? – Share who you rely on for support and accountability

Rest Day 11/25:

Who is your Team?

If you want to be your best you’ll need others to push you and help you be your best in training.  Checkout how the Renegade Rowing Club pushes and supports each other even in their warmup.  Surround yourself with good people and the possibilities are endless.

Share your team to comments even if it’s a solid training partner.  They’re priceless!

Rowing WOD 11/24: 8 x 2 min w/ 1min Rest – Post Avg Splits for Each

Rowing Feet Out! Well done staying connected to the footboards through the finish!

Rowing WOD 11/24:

Warmup: Suspension and Finish Drills

  • Banded Drive

  • Feet Out Rowing

8 x 2min w/ 1min Rest as follows:

2′ @28 (2k+4)

2′ @30 (2k+2)

2′ @2k Race Pace

2′ @2k Race Pace

2′ @2k Race Pace

2′ @2k Race Pace

2′ @33 (2k-1)

2′ @34 (2k-2/Open)

Today we’re continuing our work and discovery of maintaining pressure through the drive so that we can have a clean, balanced finished.  The goal is to be smooth an efficient stroke after stroke to save energy for later in the race, like the 3rd 500, when things really get tough.  When rowing feet out try to suspend all the way through the drive.  Time the finish so that you don’t tuck the hips, fall off your sit bones, and/or dump down into the finish.  The idea is to focus on pointing the toes just as you draw the arms to the body.  If you can imagine placing your body at the finish so it can immediately swing forward with control then you’ll be ready to breath and get hungry for the next catch.

In today’s workout dial in that suspension each piece and be consistent with your pressure.  You should aim to keep your split to the prescribed pace +/-1 spilt second.  In the coming weeks we’ll be building up to longer pieces at race pace, so build up your confidence now by picking a split you can hold every piece.  If you execute each piece according to plan then get after it on the last one and see how much you have left in the tank.  When things get tough always focus on your breathing and being consistent with your effort on each stroke.  Smooth is fast!

Post your average split for each piece to comments!

Here are a couple of videos from the drills we covered last Tuesday with the rear of the erg elevated and rowing feet out.

Rowing WOD 11/23: “The Gobble Gauntlet” – Post Time

Rowing WOD 11/23:

“The Gobble Gauntlet”

800m Run

50 Sit Ups

800m Run

40 Air Squats

800m Run

30 Burpees

800m Run

20 Push Ups

800m Run

10 Split Squat Jumps

Hopefully you got up and did something fun and active yesterday while you enjoyed all the food.  During the holidays you may be traveling or away from an erg, so be sure to stay active and get creative with your workouts.  Today’s Rowing WOD may not involve the erg, but it’s fun to do with friends and family.  Keep a consistent pace and keep pushing.  This is a good one to work on your endurance.

Post Time to comments!

Rest Day 11/22: Happy Thanksgiving! – Tips for Healthy Holidays!

Rest Day 11/22:

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and get a chance to eat some good food with friends and family.  Below is a great post from Alex Black of Wicked Good Nutrition on how to enjoy yourself and stay healthy this holiday season!

Image c/o funnycutestuff.com

GOBBLE GOBBLE! Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving marks the first feast of the many you’ll eventually have during a typical holiday season. While Thanksgiving is a time to eat good food, celebrate family and cultural traditions, and enjoy being around loved ones, it can be those things without completely derailing the diet you’ve been crushing lately. Because, the holidays don’t have to be a 6 week hiatus from all healthy habits. Here are a few tips to help you stay on track AND enjoy delicious, tasty foods this holiday season.

…Get the Tips Here! ...