Monthly Archives: September 2015

Rowing WOD 9/22/15: 6×2:00 w/ 1:30 Rest – Post Splits and Favorite Drag Factor

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How’s it going Renegades?  Apologies for not posting over the past week or two.  I’ve been busy getting one of my new teams up to speed.  I’m now the Head Coach for the Wayland-Weston Crew Team.  I hope to get back on a regular posting schedule this week.  One thing we’ve been focused on at WW is Posture, Connection, and Suspension.  Give this Rowing WOD a shot and let me know your thoughts on those three skills.  How does one lend itself to the other?

Rowing WOD:

Suspension Drills

Recover to Strength in order to Suspend!

6 x 2:00 w/ 1:30 Rest,

@28 s/m for all

  1. @2k+3, Damper Set at 8
  2. @2k+3, Damper Set at 6
  3. @2k+3, Damper Set at 4
  4. @2k+3, Damper Set at 2
  5. @2k+3, Damper Set at 5
  6. @2k+3, Damper Set at Favorite

Check Drag Factor

Recently we’ve been reviewing the fundamental skills of posture, control, and connection.  Today we’ll take the idea of connection one step further as we feel what it means to suspend from the oar handle.  Suspension is all about using our body weight to hang on the oar and help accelerate the handle all the way through the drive.  The key is not to create any force Upward off the seat, but to just become weightless off your seat while keeping in contact with it.  Everything – forces, handle height, chain – needs to be HORIZONTAL when we row!  NO need to do extra Work (W = mgh) by moving stuff up and down every stroke, keep it horizontal!

Drills we’ll cover include the Stand Up/Sit Down drill to get the feeling of suspending above the seat.  Remember this is an exaggeration to get the correct sensation and feeling of good connection.  We will also do the Strap Drill where we statically hang and suspend from the handle while maintaining our body angles and strong postures.  Then we’ll do the Strap Drill dynamically by letting the strap out slowly and trying to hold suspension all the way through the drive.

In today’s Rowing WOD we’ll be varying the damper to find where we’re most efficient.  Over the next week play around with the damper to find where you’re most comfortable/efficient .  When you find a damper setting you like, check the drag factor so you can begin using a consistent drag factor.  For more information on Drag Factors read this article: http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training/tips-and-general-info/damper-setting-101

For today’s 2min pieces, try to focus on good connection and suspension while keeping a consistent split for all 6 pieces.  After you’re done look back at the memory to see what your average stroke rating was for each piece.  Whatever piece felt comfortable/efficient and was done at a stroke rating of 28-32 might be a good drag factor for you.  Take a couple of minutes to set the damper to that number and check the drag factor on the monitor.  Remember that drag factor and try to use it next time you row to see if you still like it.

Post your average splits and favorite drag factor to comments!

********** IMPORTANT *************

The biggest thing to focus on and practice right now is the fundamentals!!!  Body Preparation by Half Slide is Key and Connection to move the handle with the seat out of the Catch is key!  If you can Prep and Connect, the suspension will come.  Whenever focusing on suspension ensure your abs are engaged and you have a solid hollow body!  Protect those discs!

If you have any questions let me know!

Here is a quick video of the strap drill.  It’s a fun challenge to do dynamically. If you like what you see, come try it and train with the Renegade Rowing Club!  The Renegade Rowing Club practices Tuesdays at 6:00am and Wednesdays at 6:00pm at CrossFit Boston.  Let me know if you’re planning on coming… pat@renegaderowing.com

Rowing WOD 9/10/15: RR Warmup, Deadlift, 1/2 Helen, RR Warm Down – Post Splits, Load, and Times

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Rowing WOD:RR-BC Men Deadlift

1. 2k Row @5k+10

2. 1 Mile Run (moderate pace);

3. Deadlift

  • 5@40%, 5@50%, 5@60%
  • Max Reps @70%
  • 5@50%
  • Focus on Form, Rhythm, and Speed on the Drive

4. 1/2 Helen – 3 Rounds For Time…RR-BC Men KB Swing

  • 200m Run
  • 12 KB Swings (1.5 pood/1 pood)
  • 6 Pull Ups

5. 1 Mile Run (easy pace)

6. 2k Row @5k+8

This can be fit into a 2 hour practice with time in between each piece for mobility and rest.  Push yourself, Have Fun, and keep good form.

Today’s Rowing WOD is an opportunity to use rowing as a warmup and cool down.  The deadlifts are for strength and muscular endurance.  Form and speed on the bar should be the focus in hopes of transferring power/skill to the boat.  Push hard in Helen and get that heart rate and breathing up.  If you can do this on the water even better!  This practice should take no longer than 2 hours.  Cut out some of the running if you’re strapped for time.

Post your load for the Deadlift, score for Helen, and splits held for the rowing and running.

Rowing WOD 9/8/15: 4x2k w/ 4min Rest – Post Splits

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Rowing WOD:

One more week until the Renegade Rowing Team races at the Rumble on the River!

4 x 2k w/ 4:00 rest

  • Visualize the middle of our next 5k
  • 1st @5k+5
  • 2nd @5k+3
  • 3rd @5k+1
  • 4th @5k or @5k-1

While it’s good to constantly vary your training to push your boundaries, there is something to be said about repetition to build your confidence!  Today’s Rowing WOD is an opportunity to build your aerobic capacity and work on a couple of tactical and technique fixes.

Have a game plan for each piece including the split and stroke rating you want to hold.  Ideally each piece will be done a little bit faster.  If you’re working on efficiency or sequencing, focus on one fix each piece.  Perhaps you find your breath and rhythm on the first.  Or maybe it’s sequencing and body preparation that needs attention on the second.  If you choose the right pace it will build your confidence and you will be ready to tear up your next 5k and Rowing WOD.

Post your average 500m split for each piece to comments.

Rowing WOD 9/4/15: 4x5min w/ 2min Rest – Post Avg Splits

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Rowing WOD:

Renegade Rowing Practice this week!

4 x 5min w/ 2min Rest

  • @5k+1
  • @5k
  • @5k-1
  • @5k-2

When competing we need to be able to follow a game plan and execute it with control at full intensity, whether it’s a 5k row or a snatch ladder.  Many of you are looking to break an 18min or 20min 5k.  Those that can develop a race plan, hit their splits, and stick to their stroke ratings will come out on top and crush that goal.

Today’s Rowing WOD is all about focusing on that control and execution at full intensity.  Each piece should be full pressure trying to hold your ideal race pace.  You should visualize what it will be like in the middle of your 5k and what you will do to maintain mental toughness.  Be smooth, be consistent, breathe, and execute!

All week we’ve been flirting with higher volume, longer pieces, and that 5k pace.  Think back to your 5k Test and where it got tough.  Mentally prepare yourself to crush it.  Be ready for the pain, accept it, and push through!

Post your average 500m splits for each piece to comments as well as your 5k Goal!

Rowing WOD 9/3/15: 5RM Front Squat, 3/4 Cindy, 2k Row – Post Load, Score, and Split

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Rowing WOD:

BC Men's Crew and I doing a Row, Run, WOD, Run, Row!

Warm Up: 1 Mile Run (moderate pace)

1. 5RM Front Squat

2. 3/4 Cindy – As Many Rounds As Possible in 15min

  • 3 Pull Ups
  • 6 Push Ups
  • 12 Air Squats

Cool Down: 2k Row @5k+3 (Perfect Form)

Today is another opportunity to build strength and work capacity while focusing on the sport specifics of rowing.  Get in a good warmup by running a mile and then warming up your front squat.  When you’re ready, attack the front squats and focus on keeping your elbows up, staying connected, and spreading the floor.  During 3/4 Cindy focus on quality reps/movement with good breathing and consistent pace.  Split it up as needed being sure not to go to failure on any single rep.  It will take twice as long to recover if you do.  When you cool down on the erg, every stroke should be perfect.  Focus on posture, control, and connection.  Keep level hands, be smooth, and breath.

Post your 5RM Front Squat, Score for 3/4 Cindy, and Average Split for the 2k.

Below is the Boston College Men’s Crew Team testing this WOD out earlier this week.