Category Archives: Motivation

Rest Day 10/16/14: Where do you row? How about at the Renegade Rowing Club?

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Rest Day:

Where do you row? In a Gym? On the Water? With a Rowing Club?

Rowing as a sport has been exploding over the last couple of years.  I’d love to hear from everyone.  Where do you row?  I’ve been in touch with many followers of the Renegade Rowing WOD as well as gym owners who have started their own rowing clubs.  If I can help you take rowing to the next level please let me know.

It’s been said that Rowing Is Passion!

How do you incorporate rowing into your everyday training and what makes you passionate about this amazing sport?

Last year Renegade Rowing was lucky enough to be interviewed by Alexa Pozniak of Boston.com for a video and article on why rowing can be such a great fitness tool and how local rowers are training for the Head of the Charles.  Having the opportunity to spread my knowledge and passion for the sport with the athletes of Wayland-Weston Crew, Boston College Men’s Crew, CrossFit Boston, and followers of Renegade Rowing is what I live for.  Seeing all of you improve and find passion in rowing is what it’s all about.  Feel free to share this video and article with your friends and look us up when you’re in Boston.

If you’d like to come check us out and get more info about the Renegade Rowing Club, please join us for Coffee and Bagels at CrossFit Boston (114 Western Ave, Allston, MA) this Sunday (10/19/14) at 10:30am.  After we chat and enjoy some food we’ll head over to the Charles River and cheer on all of the crews competing in the 50th Head of the Charles Regatta!  Shoot me an email if you plan to drop by! – pat@renegaderowing.com

Rest Day 10/12/14: Go For a Run! Good Luck at NH Championships!

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Rest Day:

During head race season, crews warmup with a 5k row. Then they race back. Epic!

Go For A Run!

There a couple of awesome half marathons this time of year in New England.  The Smuttynose Half was beautiful last weekend and the Newport Half should be amazing down in RI this weekend.  Good luck to all those competing!  If you’re not participating in a race this weekend get outside and go for a nice recovery run.  Nothing crazy, just get outside, get moving, get warm, and get your breath going.

Good Luck at NH Championships!

This weekend is the second race weekend of the regatta season in New England.  Yesterday was the Head of the Kevin on the Charles and the Head of the Housatonic down in CT.  Today is the NH Championships.  Good luck to all crews in their final prep race for the Head of the Charles!  Get after it!

Rest Day 10/9/14: Go For a Walk! Along the Charles if Possible!

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Rest Day:

BC Men Spinning at the Canoe Kayak Dock - close to the finish line of the HOCR

Go For a Walk! Along the Charles if Possible!

Life get’s crazy, especially this time of year as we gear up for fall parties and the holidays.  Speaking of Holidays, the Head of the Charles is known to rowers as Rowing Christmas.  Every year on the third weekend of October, rowers past and present gather to remember the good old days and push themselves to the limit against the best in the world.  If you can get outside today, go for a walk along the Charles River.  You will more than likely see other random people both tall and small looking at the bridges and turns scouting their line for race day.  Keep an eye out for coaching launches filled with coxswains doing the same thing from the water.  The biggest regatta in the world is just over a week away.  Time to get excited!

Never seen the Head of the Charles Regatta before?  Try the following today!  Take 15 minutes today to stop.  Breathe.  And go for a walk.  If you’ve got a river or body of water nearby go for a stroll and watch some rowing.  How does the boat move in relation to the body?  What part of the stroke does the boat move the fastest?  How’s the form look compared to your erging?

If you’re lucky enough to do this please share your thoughts, where you were, and what you saw!

Rest Day 10/5/14: Good Luck Rowers at Textile River Regatta!

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Rest Day:

All the oars at last years Textile River Regatta!

Good Luck to all rowers competing at the Textile River Regatta today!

I’ve been coaching the Boston College Men for the past month and while they’re not racing at the Textile I can’t wait to see the results from one of the first big regattas of the fall.  It’s the first race of the season and it’ll be awesome to see where everyone stacks up leading into the Head of the Charles!

If you’re in the Boston area, head up to the Merrimack River in Lowell to check it out.  If not, go find a race near you and see what the sport of rowing is all about!

Share your experience and pictures!

Rest Day 10/2/13: How do you incorporate rhythm/skill in everyday practice?

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Rest Day:BC Men WU

How do you incorporate rhythm/skill in everyday practice?

Rhythm and Balance are two skills needed in the boat and in the gym.  One way to improve a skill is by deliberate practice on a regular basis and making every act an act of conditioning.  Showing your body and brain how to move properly over and over again in many different situations will force it to adapt and make a movement second nature.  The simple task of taking the blade out of the water and putting it in the water in time with the rest of your crew is one example.  Below is a video of the BC Men’s Crew Team practicing building 30’s and the chop spin.  How do you spin the boat?  Have you ever tried the chop spin?  Do you use spinning the boat as an opportunity to improve rhythm, balance, timing, and feel?