Rowing WOD 9/26/15: 30 Burpees and 5k Test – Post Scores

Rowing WOD:

Where do you test? Why? Come test yourself at the CrossFit Rowing Trainer Course!

30 Burpees For Time

5k Row for Time

It’s been another month of epic training.  How have you progressed?  Have you been consistent in your work?  Now is the time to test where we’re at and re-focus as the championship head racing season draws near.  It also happens to be the 26th of September, a great day to do 30 Burpees!  I’ll be doing them on Monday when I turn 30 on September 28th.  Good luck, have fun, and get after it!

How well does your body process and use oxygen to do work?  How long can you sustain work?  Today’s assessment will give you an idea of both your aerobic capacity and endurance.  Set your monitor for 5,000 meters and get after it.  Be sure to record your time, average 500m split, average stroke rating, and average watts.  This will give you an idea of your work capacity over about 20 minutes.

For those wondering why we’re doing such a long test and how to attack it, think of this as a Girl Wod like “Mary”.  The athlete who can efficiently and effectively move their body weight will be able to consistently do more work aerobically without having to dip into anaerobic energy stores.  Also, when tackling “Mary”, good competitors will go in with a game plan based on what they know they can maintain.  The first couple of rounds may be used to ease into the work without flying and dying.

Whether you’re a Vet or Novice, the goal should be to maintain a consistent 500m split and stroke rating throughout the whole piece.  If this is your first 5k aim to build your confidence by negative splitting.  Start the first 1k at a moderately hard pace that you can consistently hold.  Then every 1k after that try to pull a little bit faster, perhaps 1 split second every 1k.  What you should avoid is going out to hard, say 1:45 /500m, and then dying half way through to limp in at a split of 2:00 /500m.

Novices should try to maintain a stroke rating of 24 to 26.  Vets should work on executing a race plan, maintaining their splits, and rowing at a stroke rating of at least 26 to 28.

Let us know how you do!  Post your results to Comments.

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

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

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.

Rest Day 9/2/15: 15min of Mobility – Share Your Focus

Rest Day:

BC Men's Crew pushing it out during Cindy

15min of Mobility

In rowing the longer your stroke the further you can move the boat and ultimately the faster you can go.  Same thing applies indoors, rowing on the erg.  The only problem with that equation is your positioning.  Are you in a strong position at the catch and finish?  Today is a day to work on mobility and improve that positioning.  Take at least 15 minutes, ideally longer, to work on your tight spots.  What limits you?  Ankle flexion at the catch?  Shoulder mobility at the finish?

Share where you tend to be tight during a row as well as your problem areas for WODs. What are you doing daily to work them out?

Share your thoughts to comments!

Rowing WOD 9/1/15: 2k Row, 1Mile Run, Deadlift, AMRAP7, 1Mile Run, 2k Row – Post Score and Splits

Rowing WOD:

BC Men Review Deadlift and Squat form with PVC Pipes outside of CRI's Harry Parker Boathouse last week.

1. 2k Row @5k+5

2. 1 Mile Run @70% Effort;

3. 10 Rounds of 4 Deadlifts @40%

  • Rounds start every 30 seconds
  • Focus on Form, Rhythm, and Speed on the Drive

4. As Many Rounds As Possible in 7 Minutes

  • 5 Box Jumps (20″ Box)
  • 5 Goblet Squats (45#)
  • 5 Push Ups

5. 1 Mile Run @70% Effort

6. 2k Row @5k+5

Today’s Rowing WOD is an opportunity to use rowing as a warmup and cool down.  The deadlifts are for form and speed on the bar in hopes of transferring power/skill to the boat.  Push hard in the AMRAP and get that heart rate and breathing up.  This was the first practice that the Boston College Men’s Crew Team did with Renegade Rowing last year.  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 the AMRAP, and splits held for the rowing and running.