Tag Archives: inspiration

Rest Day 3/23/14: What does your stroke look like and what can you improve?

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Working the skill of Suspension with athletes from MSCF!

Working the skill of Suspension with athletes from MSCF!

Thank You MSCF!

Yesterday I had an awesome afternoon at Mountain Strength CrossFit in Winchester, MA.  We put on a Renegade Rowing Workshop and helped 10 participants improve their rowing  technique and knowledge.  Everyone had a blast, rowed well, and walked away with some solid drills and experiences to put into play this week.

Every participant got a copy of the Renegade Rowing Stroke Tool to critique their stroke via video review.  If you’d like a copy or some help with your stroke please shoot me an email and we’ll get you on the right track.

7 Ergs in a Subaru … Who's got 8?

7 Ergs in a Subaru … Who’s got 8?

It’s been a fun weekend of firsts.  First time that rowing has been included in the CrossFit Games Open and the first time I’ve fit seven ergs into my car.  Previously my record was four and yesterday we found a way to make it seven.

I hope everyone has a relaxing Sunday and is getting ready for the last week of the Renegade Rowing Training cycle.  7×1 Strength Days coming up!

Rowing WOD 3/22/14: 6 x 1:30 On / 1:30 Off for Max Calories – Post Favorite Drag Factor!

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Rowing WOD:

CFB getting after some rowing! Renegade Rowing Team Sign Ups!

CFB getting after some rowing! Renegade Rowing Team Sign Ups and RRL 1k Sign Ups!

6 x 1:30 On / 1:30 Off for Max Calories as Follows:

1. @Damper of 10

2. @D4

3. @D8

4. @D6

5. @D2

6. @D5

  • FOCUS: Efficiency!
  • Post which piece you achieved Max Calories and the corresponding Damper Setting.
  • Then, set the Erg to that damper setting and figure out the Drag Factor.
  • Post your Favorite Drag Factor to comments.

Strength WOD:

7×2 Shoulder Press @87.5%

  • Post Loads to Comments

Conditioning WOD:

AMRAP 7min

15 Calorie Row

10 Toes to Bar

5 Wall Balls (20/14 lbs.)

  • Use the Drag Factor from the Rowing WOD.
  • Practice your transitions for “14.4”.
  • Post Score to Comments

Are you ready for “14.4”?

To be honest, I wasn’t.  I have been dreaming for the last three years that rowing would be included in the Open.  This year I had pretty much given up on that dream.  But now it’s finally here!!!  Rowing has been thrown into an epic chipper and now the world is wondering what Damper they should row on.  Or is it the Drag Factor they should be looking for?

I coached the CFB morning crew through “14.4” on Friday morning and my advice to them was to sit tall, be smooth, and be efficient.  I told every athlete that asked about damper settings to choose their most efficient setting.  No need to get crazy and try something you haven’t done before.  Set the erg to how you’re used to rowing and then row well.

If you don’t know where you’re most efficient, today’s Rowing WOD is a good opportunity to figure that out.  Each piece you’ll have an opportunity to try a different Damper Setting.  After you’ve finished be sure to go back in and determine the Drag Factor associated with your most efficient Damper Setting.  The Drag Factor is what you’re really after so that the feel of the erg will be the same next time you attempt “14.4”.  If you have time and would like to try out your new Drag Factor, give today’s Conditioning WOD a shot.

Focus on clean transitions, go hard, and have some fun!

Post your thoughts on the best Drag Factor for “14.4” to comments!

Rest Day 3/16/14: Happy St. Patrick’s Day Weekend! – Hope you enjoy it!

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day Weekend everyone!  I hope you get a chance to watch some awesome parades, wear green, and celebrate with friends.  Imagine if Boston dyed the Charles River Green for us to row on tomorrow….

c/o rowing.uchicago.edu

c/o rowing.uchicago.edu

RR Team and RRL1K Announcement! and Strength WOD 3/6/14: 5×5 Back Squat @80% – Post Loads

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Checkout the Renegade Rowing Team and Renegade Rowing League 1k!

Checkout the Renegade Rowing Team and Renegade Rowing League 1k!

Want to race on the water this Summer?  Consider joining the 2014 Renegade Rowing Team – Check it out and Sign Up Here!

Want to get inspired and commit to training for the Summer Rowing Season? Consider the 2014 Renegade Rowing League 1k – Check it out and Sign Up Here!

Rowing WOD:

15′ PYR26 (Pyramid @26s/m)

3′, 2′, 1′, 2′, 3′, 4′ (@22s/m, 24, 26, 24, 22, 20)

4′ Rest

15′ PYR26 (Pyramid @26s/m)

3′, 2′, 1′, 2′, 3′, 4′ (@22s/m, 24, 26, 24, 22, 20)

  • Post Splits to comments @26 and @20 for both pyramids

Strength WOD:

5 x 5 Back Squat @80%

  • Post Loads to Comments.

Conditioning WOD:

4 RFT

400m Run

20 Wall Balls (20/14 lbs.)

10 Push Ups

  • If it’s to cold outside to run then sub a 500m row.
  • If you don’t have space for wall balls then sub DB Thrusters.
  • Post time to comments.

Today’s focus is strength.  Use the pyramids in the Rowing WOD for a good warmup and skill session to dial in ratio and control.  Then get in a couple of warmup sets and whatever mobility you need before attacking the Back Squats.  Keep your chest up, lock your breath in, and spread the floor.  Drive through those heels as you fight through the hole.  Put all of your focus and effort into your working sets to get the most out of today.  If you’ve got the time give the Conditioning WOD a shot and empty the tanks.

One more day until we find out what’s in store for “14.2”!  Make sure you’re mobilizing and recovering well.

Have fun and go hard!

Rest Day 3/2/14: Who’s doing “14.1” again? – Share

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The Morning Crew at CFB attacking 14.1

The Morning Crew at CFB attacking 14.1

The CrossFit Games Open has begun and “14.1” was announced on Thursday at 8pm EST.  It is actually a repeat of the very first open workout “11.1”.  I was lucky enough to know what CrossFit was at the time and can remember cheering on the athletes of CrossFit Morristown competing in Montclair, NJ that year.  On Thursday night I decided to give it a go at CrossFit Boston and let me tell you it is an epic workout.  I don’t think I’ll do it again, but that topic always seems to be hot.  Will you do “14.1” twice to try and better your score?  Will you be consistent with that strategy for each weak of the Open?  There is definitely something to be said for the learning curve and figuring out how to best game a workout for yourself.

Please share if you’ve given it a shot, what you scored, and if you’ll be doing it again before Monday night!

I got 263 Reps.  Good Luck!