Rowing WOD 4/15/14: 4 x 1k w/ 4:00 Rest – Post Fastest and Slowest Times

Rowing WOD:

Coach Pat up on stage at the Newport Navy Base Rowing Workshop

Coach Pat up on stage at the Newport Navy Base Rowing Workshop

4 x 1k w/ 4:00 rest

  • Execute Race Pace
  • Row like it’s the middle 1,000m of a 2k

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 consistently or 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 2k and Rowing WOD. Below are some goals and times to think about.

Post your fastest and slowest times!

Interval Time = 3:15; Goal 2k Time = 6:30

Interval Time = 3:30; Goal 2k Time = 7:00

Interval Time = 3:45; Goal 2k Time = 7:30

Interval Time = 4:00; Goal 2k Time = 8:00

Interval Time = 4:15; Goal 2k Time = 8:30

Interval Time = 4:30; Goal 2k Time = 9:00

Rowing WOD 4/14/14: “The Castle” – 21min of Work with Ratio Shifts – Post Distance

Rowing WOD:

RR Rowing Workshop at Newport Navy Base last week!

RR Rowing Workshop at Newport Navy Base last week!

“The Castle”

Row for 21min as follows…

3′ @20 s/m, 3′ @24, 3′ @28, 3′ @26, 3′ @28, 3′ @24, 3′ @20

  • Focus on Rhythm and Ratio

As we head into Regionals and the Games, many athletes will need some extra time on the erg to focus on rhythm, timing, and overall form.  Today’s Rowing WOD is a great opportunity for any athlete, experienced or not, to get a sense of form and rhythm without the pressure of intensity and competition.  Sometimes it’s good to slow down for an active recovery day in order to go harder and faster later on down the road.

Rhythm and Endurance are two necessities for successful competition in longer WODs.  A great example would be the KB Swings and Pull Ups found in “Helen”.  Those who find a consistent rhythm can flow through the movements naturally and rely on their aerobic endurance without dipping into their anaerobic energy supply.

In today’s Rowing WOD the focus is developing rhythm and endurance.  Another word for rhythm in rowing is Ratio.  By varying the ratio of the drive to the recovery rowers can maintain the same pace or split, but work more efficiently and make the stroke feel lighter or heavier.

When going from a 20 stroke rating to a 24 you should focus on more pressure with the legs and quickly redirecting the hands through the finish.  This will help increase the stroke rating while leaving you the same amount of time to sit up, breathe, and relax as you slide forward on the recovery.

Post distance rowed to comments along with songs that helped you stick to each rating!

A project that I’ve started thanks to Renegade Rower Mike T. is how to help people feel the proper rhythm and ratio by rowing to music.  Music can motivate us to push hard and row longer, but it can also give us a sense of timing.

If you have Spotify, I’ve created a playlist for each stroke rating.  Each playlist is named “Renegade Rowing @(insert stroke rate)”, so for songs that you could row to at a 20 the playlist is named “Renegade Rowing @20″.  If you have favorite songs that go well at certain stroke ratings please feel free to add to the playlists on Spotify.  Thanks Mike T. for kick starting this project and I hope this helps motivate everyone to find better rhythm and ratio!

20 s/m: Renegade Rowing @20

22 s/m: Renegade Rowing @22

24 s/m: Renegade Rowing @24

26 s/m: Renegade Rowing @26

28 s/m: Renegade Rowing @28

30 s/m: Renegade Rowing @30

32 s/m: Renegade Rowing @32

34 s/m: Renegade Rowing @34

36 s/m: Renegade Rowing @36

Rowing WOD 4/12/14: 2.5k, 2k, 1.5k – Post Avg Splits

Rowing WOD:

Rowing Workshop with Newport Navy Base on Wednesday!

Rowing Workshop with Newport Navy Base on Wednesday!

2.5k (@2k+5)

5min Rest

2k (@2k+3)

4min Rest

1.5k (@2k+1)

Why is rowing fun?  One reason is that it provides a challenge in learning technique to be as efficient as possible while working everything from your head to your toes.  Elsewhere in sports and training, if you’ve tried the Pose Method of running you may understand the beauty of focusing on technique and the perception of what your body is doing in space. Focusing on form and technique gives your mind something to work toward rather than complaining about how much your legs burn.

Today’s Rowing WOD is a good opportunity to focus on one or two form fixes but get after it as well.  Set the monitor for Intervals Variable and enter the work/rest accordingly.  This WOD has the potential to build your confidence in the 2k by holding specific splits for long distances.  Come up with a plan and execute.  You want to have mental cues on form, breathing, and effort to fall back on the second your mind starts to wander.  If possible grab a friend and take turns coxing each other through each piece.  Be consistent with your splits and stroke ratings through each piece.  The stroke rating for this workout should be around a 28-32, but everyone needs to find what works.  Find your efficient stroke.  Novices should focus on one form fix for each piece and work hard for consistency.

RR DadWhy is Rowing Fun?

Post your Average 500m Splits to Comments along with an answer to this question…

Rowing WOD 4/11/14: AMRAP12 − 250m Row, 10 DL, 10 HR Push Ups – Post Score and Avg Splits

Rowing WOD:

Ever think about how you put the boat in the water?  Learn how!

Ever think about how you put the boat in the water? Learn how!

As Many Rounds As Possible in 12min …

250m Row (@2k+3 to 2k+5)

10 Deadlifts (185/125 lbs)

10 Hand Release Push Ups

Rowing finally showed up in the Open this year.  What does that mean?  Going into Regionals or any competition this summer you will need to be prepared for more Rowing WODs!  If the organizers decided to throw in a short rowing piece with high load movements over a long duration you need to know exactly what pace you can hold to remain efficient and stay in contention.  You’re ability to row might not win a WOD, but it will set you up to win it with the other movements.

Today’s Rowing WOD is all about holding a consistent pace on the erg and pushing through the deadlifts and push ups.  If you want to get the full effect of this workout and be ready for competition you can’t coast.  If you can hold a pace of 3 split seconds slower than your 2k you will crush this.  It won’t be easy, so stay positive and focus on being smooth.  Keep breathing and get hungry for your next competition whether it’s in your own box or at Regionals.

Post the number of complete rounds plus additional reps to comments.  Also include your average splits for each 250m piece.

Rowing WOD 4/10/14: “Hamilton” 3RFT – 1k Row, 50 Push Ups, 1k Run, 50 Pull Ups – Post Time and Splits

Rowing WOD:

Try the RWOD with 8 other people and see if you can row together! -MSCF Rowing Workshop

Try the RWOD with 8 other people and see if you can row together! -MSCF Rowing Workshop

“Hamilton”

3 Rounds for Time …

1k Row, 50 Push Ups

1k Run, 50 Pull Ups

From time to time CrossFit creates a new WOD that is a step above all the rest.  These are called Hero WODs.  They are named after Heroes who have given their lives in the line of duty.  Every time we perform a Hero WOD is an opportunity to think outside ourselves and push a little bit harder for those that put themselves in harm’s way for us.

Over the past couple of weeks we have been preparing ourselves physically and mentally to crush this workout in its entirety.  Today’s Rowing WOD is the full thing, an awesome Hero WOD named Hamilton.  Today is the day to push ourselves harder, execute our rowing, and honor Hamilton.  Your focus should be to push the pace on the running, push ups, and pull ups.  Figure out how you’re going to game each movement to get through it the fastest.

On the 1k Row I would like to see everyone execute the first 1k of your 2k race plan.  We will be testing our 2k again soon and today is a great opportunity to build confidence and hit your new 2k splits.  Start quick and light, settle with breathing, and execute every stroke with balanced power.  Stay strong mentally and physically.  Look back at what you did last week and try to hold a consistent pace through the whole workout.  If you can, negative split the run and the row to make each round a little faster than the first.

Execute your game plan.  Smooth is Fast!

Post your time and average splits for the 1k’s to comments.