Rowing WOD 10/29: “Sandy” – AMRAP 20 − 500m Row, 15 Push Ups – Post Score

MPSRA Fall Championship Regatta in Cape Cod as Hurricane Sandy moves up the Coast!

Rowing WOD 10/29:

“Row Sandy”

As Many Rounds As Possible in 20 Minutes of …

500m Row 

15 Push Ups

*Row each consecutive piece @14 s/m, @16, @18, @20, @22, … each round increase stroke rating by 2 beats

**If more than 3 consecutive strokes are taken at a different stroke rating, stop and complete a 5 Burpee penalty and then start that round over.

Now that the fall rowing season is winding down it’s time to take a week to gather ourselves before winter training kicks in to high gear.  Rowing Clubs will be popping up at gyms across the country over the next couple of weeks to begin training for indoor rowing events.  To set yourself up for a good indoor season take some time this week to really dial in your control, form, technique, and understanding of the stroke.  This week will include Rowing WODs to help build the skill set of the novice rower and refocus the veteran rower.  If you’re new to the sport of rowing take some time to feel out the stroke and go slower.  Veterans can challenge themselves by building power and ratio at the lower stroke ratings, but don’t over do it.  Their will be plenty of hard work in the coming weeks.

Post Score and Thoughts to Comments!

Rowing WOD 10/26: Peak Power then 2k Row – Post Scores

Rowing WOD 10/26:

Peak Power Test

then

2k Row

If there were one Rowing WOD that could show you how far you’ve come in the forging of Elite Fitness, this would be it.  The Peak Power Test will give you a sense of the raw power you can put into one stroke.  The 2k test has been referred to as the “Fran” of rowing due to the burning lungs and legs it leaves you with.  The 2k row is like nothing else in sport.  It requires both power and endurance.  Do you have what it takes to push through the pain?

For the Peak Power Test set the monitor for 20 seconds of work and 2 minutes of rest.  Start by paddling a couple of strokes to get the fan moving and then go for max watts.  It may help to video the test or have a partner watch to tell you the highest watts you pulled in just one stroke.  During the 2 minutes of rest paddle lightly or roll out.  Take 3 or 4 tries to find your max wattage starting with the damper set low and increasing the drag each successive try.  At some point you’ll find a drag that you like and gives you the most power.  Your score for the Peak Power Test is the Max Watts pulled in just one stroke.

For the 2k Test, set the monitor for 2,000 meters and execute a race plan.  The most successful race plans are the simplest.

Try this…

Starting 3 strokes (Half, 3/4, Full)

7-10 High Strokes

Settle to race pace (your goal 500m Split, this requires a Ratio shift – take time to sit up and breath on the recovery!)

Pull a consistent spit +/- 1 split second through the body of the race

@250m to go, Sprint for the Finish Line!

Post your Peak Power (Watts produced in 1 stroke) and 2k time to comments!

Rowing WOD 10/24: 3RFT – 500m Row, 40 AS, 30 SU, 20 Push, 10 Pull – Post Time

Rowing WOD 10/24:

Renegade Benchmark

3 Rounds For Time:

500m Row

40 Air Squats

30 Sit Ups

20 Push Ups

10 Pull Ups

As a Renegade Rower you should be developing broad, general, and inclusive fitness as well as your competence in the sport of rowing.  Today’s assessment is a way to test your abilities in both.  It should give you an idea of your work capacity in the 12-15 minute range.  Try to row each 500m piece at a consistent pace to stay fresh for the other movements.

Post your time and strategy to comments.  What stroke rating and 500m split did you try to maintain?

Rowing WOD Demo with Renegade Rowing: 

Rowing WOD 10/22: 5k Row – Post your results

UVM Alumni 8+ on Saturday!

Rowing WOD 10/22:

5k Row

It’s been over a month since our last 5k, how has your aerobic capacity and endurance improved?  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.

The Head of the Charles was this past weekend and it was awesome.  Beautiful weather, tons of boats, and lots of hard work paying off.  For many crews the Charles is the end of the road in the fall or at least the last big regatta.  Before we head indoors for the winter it’ll be good to know where we stand.  That’s what this week is for.  Also, if you’ve never done a 5k this will give you a sense for what the Head of the Charles is like.  Just imagine an ever-changing stadium around you with killer bridges and collisions galore as you row.

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 26 to 28.

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

Rowing WOD 10/19: Max Pressure 2x1k, 2×500, 2×250 – Post Avg Splits for Each

Sunset on the Basin! It’s the week of HOCR! Get Excited!

Rowing WOD 10/19:

Max Pressure

2 x 1k w/ 5:00 Rest

2 x 500m w/ 3:00 Rest

2 x 250m w/ 1:30 Rest

Have you ever seen a WOD posted in your gym like 5-5-5-5-5 Back Squat and that’s it?  Did you think that would be a good day to take off because there’s not much to it and you’d rather go to a session with more stuff?  Well snap out of it and hit that WOD hard next time.  Results come from High Intensity and you’re ability to push your boundaries a little further everyday.  If you never test your limits you’ll never know what you’ve got.

Todays Rowing WOD calls for Max Pressure and is a test of your ability to consistently perform at your highest intensity.  Set the monitor for Intervals Variable and input 1k, 5min rest, 1k, 5min rest, 500m, 3min rest, 500m, 3min rest, 250m, 1min30sec rest, 250m, 1min30sec rest.  Pick a 500m Split and a Stroke Rating you plan to hold for each distance.  The first time you perform that distance execute that pace (split and SR) as consistently as possible.  When you repeat the distance try to be even more consistent and go a little bit faster.  

Remember, the goal is to row at max pressure for every piece.  Focus on your split and stroke rate and row at high intensity with good form.

Post your average 500m splits for each piece to comments!