Rest Day 12/13: Mobilize your hips!

Rest Day 12/13:

Mobilize your hips!

Pidgeon with Banded Hip Distraction!

Pidgeon with Banded Hip Distraction!

In rowing the longer your stroke the more you can move the boat.  There are a couple of different ways to lengthen your stroke: lunge with the torso, lay back further, or compress the hips/legs more.  The first two are not ideal because they promote poor posture, are inefficient, and can lead to injury.  If you can mobilize your hips to get further up the slide, while keeping a strong position to apply power, you can row like a giant.  Almost all of the power in the rowing stroke comes from the legs and hips, so it’s important to take care of them.  While you enjoy a day off today take at least 15 minutes to work through some hip and hamstring mobility.  A couple of good stretches for the mobility we need include the pigeon stretch and lunge stretch.  Add a jump stretch band for joint distraction and you’ve got a recipe for a solid mobility wod.  Checkout MobilityWOD.com for more!

Rowing WOD 12/3: 4 x 10min w/ 1min Rest – Post Avg Splits

RR LaybackRowing WOD 12/3:

4x10min w/ 1 min Rest 

As Follows:

4min @18 Steady, 1min @20 Pressure

4min @18 Steady, 1min @20 Pressure

1min Rest

4min @20 Steady, 1min @22 Pressure

4min @20 Steady, 1min @22 Pressure

1min Rest

4min @22 Steady, 1min @24 Pressure

4min @22 Steady, 1min @24 Pressure

1min Rest

4min @24 Steady, 1min @26 Pressure

4min @24 Steady, 1min @26 Pressure

Do you know what your strengths and weaknesses are?  Are you good at long distance pieces or do you lose focus and consistency?  Are you strong during 500m pieces but can’t maintain power for anything longer?  Or perhaps your peak power needs improvement?

In Training and Rowing we are constantly trying to improve our skills and strengthen our goats.  Take a look at your performances and accomplishments for the month of November.  What needs work or could use some improvement?  Take that to heart and if you can only fit in a couple of Rowing WODs per week, focus on the ones that will strengthen those weaknesses.

Today’s focus is developing the consistency and aerobic base to maintain pressure at race pace for longer pieces.  During the Steady State portion try to pull the same 500m Split every stroke.  Effort should be such that you can hold a conversation, but you are aware of your breathing.  During the Pressure portion ensure the split drops as the stroke rating increases.  It should be harder to get out full sentences during the one minute of Pressure.

Post your Average Splits and what you plan to focus on in the coming weeks!

Rest Day 12/2: Where’s the closest Rowing Club to you? – Find out and share!

Rest Day 12/2:

Where’s the closest Rowing Club to you?

Are they holding any indoor rowing competitions this winter?

If you drive by a nice body of water or are lucky to live near one, there is a strong possibility that there is a rowing club nearby.  If you need a break from holiday shopping or are recovering from a holiday party last night, sit down and do some research.  What bodies of water do you drive by or see every day?  Go online and check if there’s a rowing club on them.  Then try to find out if they hold any indoor rowing events this winter.  Share what you find and what opportunities there might be for other rowing athletes to compete this winter.

I’ll be up checking out the Lake Sunapee Rowing Club in New Hampshire this weekend as a guest.  They’ve invited me to talk about cross training for rowing and I can’t wait to tell them about all of the fun I’ve been having with CrossFit Boston, Wayland Weston Crew, Community Rowing, and of course Renegade Rowing.  Also, if you’re looking for a chance to compete come test your stuff at the Renegade Rowing League’s second race on December 15th at CrossFit Boston!

Post any thoughts to comments!

Rowing WOD 11/23: “The Gobble Gauntlet” – Post Time

Rowing WOD 11/23:

“The Gobble Gauntlet”

800m Run

50 Sit Ups

800m Run

40 Air Squats

800m Run

30 Burpees

800m Run

20 Push Ups

800m Run

10 Split Squat Jumps

Hopefully you got up and did something fun and active yesterday while you enjoyed all the food.  During the holidays you may be traveling or away from an erg, so be sure to stay active and get creative with your workouts.  Today’s Rowing WOD may not involve the erg, but it’s fun to do with friends and family.  Keep a consistent pace and keep pushing.  This is a good one to work on your endurance.

Post Time to comments!

Rest Day 11/22: Happy Thanksgiving! – Tips for Healthy Holidays!

Rest Day 11/22:

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and get a chance to eat some good food with friends and family.  Below is a great post from Alex Black of Wicked Good Nutrition on how to enjoy yourself and stay healthy this holiday season!

Image c/o funnycutestuff.com

GOBBLE GOBBLE! Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving marks the first feast of the many you’ll eventually have during a typical holiday season. While Thanksgiving is a time to eat good food, celebrate family and cultural traditions, and enjoy being around loved ones, it can be those things without completely derailing the diet you’ve been crushing lately. Because, the holidays don’t have to be a 6 week hiatus from all healthy habits. Here are a few tips to help you stay on track AND enjoy delicious, tasty foods this holiday season.

…Get the Tips Here! ...