Rest Day 10/3/13: How do you incorporate rhythm/skill in everyday practice?

Rest Day 10/3/13: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?

Rowing WOD 10/2/13: 6RFD – 7 Thrusters, ME Row – Post Total Meters Rowed

Rowing WOD 10/2/13:RR Thruster

6 Rounds for Distance

1:30 On, 1:30 Off

7 Thrusters (95/65)

Max Effort Row

Score is Total Meters Rowed

Today’s Rowing WOD is an opportunity to pick up the intensity and push yourself.  Each round you’ll have 1 minute and 30 seconds to complete 7 thrusters and then row as many meters as possible.  Keep track of how many meters you row each round.  During the rest control your breathing and get focused on the next round.  As you fatigue be sure to keep a solid core in both the thruster and the row.  Don’t collapse, keep a big chest, and use those legs!

Post your total meters to comments.

Rowing WOD 10/1/13: 12 x :40 On, :20 Off – Max Effort – Post Avg Split

Rowing WOD 10/1/13:

BC Men Spinning at the Canoe Kayak Dock

BC Men Spinning at the Canoe Kayak Dock

12 x :40 On, :20 Off

  • Max Effort

If you’re looking for an edge in Tabata This, Fight Gone Bad, or simply your Tabata Row, today’s Rowing WOD is the perfect opportunity to build your consistency on shorter pieces.   The focus is maintaining race pressure and mentally executing a race plan.  The goal is to be consistently strong through all 12 pieces.  During the 20 seconds off, paddle lightly at a stroke rating of 14 – 16 to recover.

The first three pieces should be executed like the start of a 2k race; sprint start, high ten, then settle to an efficient race pace.  The second three pieces should focus on holding a consistent race pace and stroke rating, around 32 for vets and 28 for novices.  The third section represents the third 500 of the 2k where mental toughness is key to keep the split from jumping up.  The last three pieces are an opportunity to either practice your sprint to the finish line or hold strong if you’re really feeling it.  When finished you will have 12 data points you can compare to see where extra focus will be required during your next 2k or first 2k if you’ve never done one!

Post your average 500m split and total calories to comments.

Rowing WOD 9/30/13: “Spicy Steady State” – Post Distance

Rowing WOD 9/30/13:

Renegade Rowing Team - Racing at the Rumble on the River

Renegade Rowing Team – Racing at the Rumble on the River

“Spicy Steady State”

2 x 20min w/ 4min Rest

Complete Each 20min as Follows:

  • 4MIN @ 24, STEADY, 1MIN @ 28, FULL PRESSURE
  • 4MIN @ 24, STEADY, 1MIN @ 30, FULL PRESSURE
  • 4MIN @ 24, STEADY, 1MIN @ 32, FULL PRESSURE
  • 4MIN @ 24, STEADY, 1MIN @ 34, FULL PRESSURE

Steady state rowing is good for building aerobic base and rhythm.  However, it can be easy to get lazy and slump, compromising your posture and inviting overuse injuries.  Today’s Rowing WOD is an example of “Spicy Steady State” and allows you to keep your focus throughout the piece.  During the four minutes steady try to focus on one technique fix or breathing.  Then when you bump up the intensity for a minute, see if you can apply that technique fix to pulling lower splits at full pressure.

Post your total meters rowed to comments!

Rowing WOD 9/29/13: How do you get Motivated? – Share

Rest Day 9/29/13:RR UVM Men Alumni HOCR

The Head of the Charles is taking place in three weeks.  A lot of rowers have used the Head to get motivated by setting goals to place in the top 20, top 10, or top 3.  I hope you can come check it out and witness one of the most awesome rowing events in the world.  If you can’t, what is motivating you this October?  Below is an excerpt from a great blog on motivation by Alex Black of Wicked Good Nutrition.

How do you get motivated?

The Land of Motivation

Motivation can be tough. It can be hard to find your way to Motivation-land, and once you get there, it can be even harder to stay. It takes at least a month to turn a behavior into a habit, and that month will typically be rife with challenges. Because, you know, the minute you decide to give up sugar or beer the next three social outings your friends plan are a baking pot luck and outing to your favorite craft beer bar…

On top of that, some research suggests it can take up to 3 years to reset your body’s homeostasis (sense of balance) at a new weight. What this means is, if you lose 20 pounds, it can take 3 years before your body recognizes this as its new and healthy weight.

But all that aside, there are a few tricks you can use to help you get motivated and stay motivated. These include:

…Read More Here…