Tag Archives: inspiration

Rest Day 10/23/14: How do you get motivated? Share!

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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 10/18/14: Head of the Charles is Here! 3k, 2.5k, 2k – Post Avg Splits

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Rowing WOD:

Crews Warming Up on Friday

3k Row

  • (@5k+4 Pace)
  • 6min rest

2.5k Row

  • (@5k+2 Pace)
  • 5min rest

2k Row

  • (@5k Pace)

Boat Trailers at FALS

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 5k.  Come up with a plan and execute.  Be consistent with your splits and stroke ratings for all three.  If possible go a little bit faster on each piece.  Vets might try for a pace of 5k+3, 5k+1, 5k for each successive piece with a stroke rating of 28-32.  Find your efficient stroke.  Novices should focus on one form fix for each piece and work hard.

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

What is your favorite part of Head of the Charles Weekend?

Rowing WOD 10/17/14: “Regatta Gone Mad” – Post Time

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Rowing WOD:

WW Raced twice at the Textile in Early October

“Regatta Gone Mad”

50 Deadlifts (95/65 lbs)

2k Row

25 Power Cleans (95/65 lbs)

2k Row

50 Push Ups

When training for big races rowers will enter two or three events in one day at smaller regattas leading up to their main race.  Think of the Games, going from one WOD to another WOD within a matter of hours.  Now imagine the WODs are back to back 5k rows or back to back 2k rows that are max effort as fast as your mind and body will go.  It sounds crazy but if rowers can get through a couple of long regatta weekends in early October they’re much more prepared when late October rolls around.  When they only have one race to focus on they’re fresh and mentally strong.  Getting through a tough workout can really build your confidence when it comes time to push the intensity on race day.  Today’s Rowing WOD is on the longer side.  Focus on good efficient movement and stay mentally strong during the row.  This will give you a taste of what it’s like to row back to back races at a regatta.

Post your time to comments!

Rest Day 10/16/14: Where do you row? How about at the Renegade Rowing Club?

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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?

Last year 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.

If you’d like to come check us out and get more info about the Renegade Rowing Club, please join us for Coffee and Bagels at CrossFit Boston (114 Western Ave, Allston, MA) this Sunday (10/19/14) at 10:30am.  After we chat and enjoy some food we’ll head over to the Charles River and cheer on all of the crews competing in the 50th Head of the Charles Regatta!  Shoot me an email if you plan to drop by! – pat@renegaderowing.com

Rest Day 10/9/14: Go For a Walk! Along the Charles if Possible!

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Rest Day:

BC Men Spinning at the Canoe Kayak Dock - close to the finish line of the HOCR

Go For a Walk! Along the Charles if Possible!

Life get’s crazy, especially this time of year as we gear up for fall parties and the holidays.  Speaking of Holidays, the Head of the Charles is known to rowers as Rowing Christmas.  Every year on the third weekend of October, rowers past and present gather to remember the good old days and push themselves to the limit against the best in the world.  If you can get outside today, go for a walk along the Charles River.  You will more than likely see other random people both tall and small looking at the bridges and turns scouting their line for race day.  Keep an eye out for coaching launches filled with coxswains doing the same thing from the water.  The biggest regatta in the world is just over a week away.  Time to get excited!

Never seen the Head of the Charles Regatta before?  Try the following today!  Take 15 minutes today to stop.  Breathe.  And go for a walk.  If you’ve got a river or body of water nearby go for a stroll and watch some rowing.  How does the boat move in relation to the body?  What part of the stroke does the boat move the fastest?  How’s the form look compared to your erging?

If you’re lucky enough to do this please share your thoughts, where you were, and what you saw!