Rowing WOD 11/6:

1. 1k Row @26 s/m

– Moderate Intensity (Row like you’re out for a steady jog)

*Note your average split for 1k

2. 6 x 250m Row w/ :30 Rest

– Row each piece at the average split from the 1k above

– Stroke Ratings are as follows:

@25 s/m, @23 s/m, @21 s/m, @26 s/m, @28 s/m, @30 s/m

3. 4 x :45 On, :15 Off

**Practice each piece as if it were the start of a 2k

**When you settle count the # of strokes where you hold your goal 2k split

For the first part of today’s Rowing WOD, row at an intensity similar to Jogging focusing on Smooth Form and Body Preparation by 1/2 Slide.  Try to incorporate the work we did on Saturday with Posture, Control, and Connection.  Today we’ll be working on ratio at different stroke ratings and varying the pressure we exert each stroke.  At lower stroke ratings like 20 − 24, the ratio should be 1:2 or 1:3, 1 count on the drive, 2 or 3 counts on the recovery.  By controlling our seat as it slides forward we can make sure we’re preparing our bodies for the catch and turn our force and momentum around without any extra effort.  Remember, we want to drive our body weight backwards toward the finish line, not throw it forward toward the Catch/Start of the Race.

When varying stroke rating during a piece use the pressure with the legs on the drive and the speed of the hands through the finish to vary the rating.  If you want to increase the stroke rating and maintain power, think “drive the legs down faster and quick hands away” out of the finish.  If you want to decrease the stroke rating without losing power, keep the same pressure on the drive and hand speed through the finish, but slow the seat down as it slides forward on the recovery, this is what I mean by “Control the Recovery”.

The goal for these pieces is to learn how to vary the pressure at different stroke ratings while maintaining the same split.  The idea being that eventually we’ll find an optimal stroke rating where you just keep spinning the flywheel every stroke without letting it slow down to much and thus save energy and avoid fatigue.  What we’re ultimately working towards is Efficiency!  Instead of slogging along and duking it out at a slower stroke rating like a 24 for our 2k, we want to be able to row quick and light between a 28 − 32 when needed.

Rowing WOD 11/3:

Join the Renegade Rowing Club @CFB Tuesdays at 8pm, Saturdays at 8am!

6 x 2min On, 1min Off as follows:

2′ @ 20 s/m (+9 sec above 2k avg split)

1′ rest

2′ @ 22 s/m (+7 sec above 2k avg split)

1′ rest

2′ @ 24 s/m (2k split +5)

1′ rest

2′ @ 26 s/m (2k+3)

1′ rest

2′ @ 28 s/m (2k+1)

Today marks the first day of the Renegade Rowing Club for winter training.  Can you believe it?  There are holiday cups at Starbucks, decorations up in stores, and I might have even heard some holiday music on the radio.  The best part of it all is that CRASH-B’s is right around the corner.  Yes, they may not be until February, but time flies over the holidays.  So we’re kicking off winter training today and we’re going to continue to perfect our technique, hone our 2k tactics, and build our confidence to crush that erg every single week until CRASH-B’s.  If you want to join us just follow along and fit a few Rowing WODs in every week, along with your normal training and lifting in the gym.  Choose WODs that will build upon your weaknesses and don’t be afraid to crush your favorites.

Today we’ll review three key skills to rowing on and off the water.  Posture, Control, and Connection.  After a couple of drills we’ll be hitting today’s Rowing WOD.  Really control the stroke rating and fight for the prescribed split.  Be smooth and be consistent every stroke.  During the rest paddle in slow motion, really emphasizing and thinking about the timing of the stroke and where your body is in space.