Rest Day 10/22/15: How do you get motivated? Share!

Rest Day:

Racing the Single at HOCR!

How do you get motivated?

The Head of the Charles took place last weekend in Boston.  A lot of rowers used the Head to get motivated by setting goals to place in the top 20, top 10, or top 3.  If you got a chance to check it out please share your thoughts and pictures.  Did witnessing one of the most awesome rowing events in the world get you motivated to commit toward your own goals or an upcoming event?

I’m looking forward to getting the Renegade Rowing Club up and running for the winter and training for CRASH-B’s.  More details on the Renegade Rowing Club and the Renegade Rowing League will be out next Thursday, so keep a look out!

Approaching Western Ave. Bridge at HOCR!

Below is an excerpt from a great blog on motivation by Alex Black of Wicked Good Nutrition.  Check it out and tell us how you’re getting motivated this Winter!

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 you 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!

Rowing WOD 10/21/15: 4k Row w/ Control and Burpees – Post Time and # of Burpees

Rowing WOD:Burpees and Rowing

4k Row w/ Control*

  • Row @26* s/m
  • 80% Effort
  • *Perform 5 Burpees every time the stroke rate deviates from a 26 for more than two strokes

Executing a game plan during a competition can really help keep you mentally strong and allow you to push right until the end.  A big part of developing a game plan on the rower is to develop your ability to control stroke rating and effort, how many strokes do you take per minute and how much force do you apply to the handle.

Today’s Rowing WOD is all about dialing in that ability to be precise, hold a stroke rating, and put out a consistent effort every stroke.  Each time you start rowing you’re allowed 5 strokes to get to a 26 stroke rating.  After that you’re only allowed two consecutive strokes not at a 26 stroke rating.  It’s ok if every now and then you deviate as long as within two strokes you get the rating back to a 26. Pick a split that you can maintain at 26 s/m and be consistent with your effort each stroke, it should be hard to say a full sentence.  Each time you catch yourself taking three strokes not at a 26 hop off the erg and do 5 Burpees.  If you’re looking for fun make them lateral erg burpees seen above.

Post your time and number of Burpees to comments!

Rowing WOD 10/19/15: 3x15min w/ 4min Rest – Post Distances

Rowing WOD:

Tryout for the Renegade Rowing Team this Friday!

3 x 15min w/ 4min Rest

Varying Stroke Rate as follows

  • 4min @ 20 s/m; 75% Pressure,
  • 3min @ 22 s/m; 80% Pressure,
  • 2min @ 24 s/m; 85% Pressure,
  • 1min @26 s/m; 90% Pressure,
  • 2min @24 s/m; 90% Pressure,
  • 3min @22 s/m; 90% Pressure

Today’s Rowing WOD will give athletes a chance to focus on a couple of technique fixes as well as gaining confidence to keep their head in the game every stroke for 15 minutes.  Pick a goal split you want to hold for each stroke rating and see how consistent you can be each time you’re at that rating.  Try to be a little more consistent and push a little bit farther each piece.  A good goal is to bring your split down by 3-5 seconds every time the rating shifts up.  When the rating shifts back down your goal should be to hold the same split you were holding on the last stroke rating.  Focus on smooth rhythm, vary the pressure of your drive and the length of your recovery to shift ratings, and breathe.

Report in with your distance rowed each piece.

Rest Day 10/16/15: Where do you row? In a Gym? On the Water? With a Rowing Club?

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?

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.

Throw Back Thursday: Renegade Rowing Interview via Boston.com