Rest Day 11/5/15: Announcing the Renegade Rowing League 2015/16

Rest Day:

Renegade Rowing League is Back!

Announcing the Renegade Rowing League 2015/16

2k Row CRASH-B Style @CFB

December 12th, January 16th, and February 20th

 If you’re in the Boston Area on December 12th, come to CrossFit Boston at 100 Holton St, Brighton, MA at 8am to compete Head to Head CRASH-B Style.  There’s a $15 Entry Fee and prizes for winner’s of all age categories.  There will be holiday drinks and socializing afterwards with athletes from all over the area.

Mike and Mike attacking the 2k at the RRL - Are you ready for the Renegade Rowing League?

We’ll have 10 ergs hooked up to one another and displayed on the wall via a projector so that competitors and spectators can witness how fast each boat is going.  The 2k Row is a test of how much pain and glory athletes can endure over seven to eight minutes.  Grab some friends, come on down, and get after it.  This will be the first of three 2k competitions called the Renegade Rowing League, which is a good lead up to the CRASH-B Indoor Rowing World Championships at the end of February.  Anyone is welcome to come test themselves to see how they stack up.

If you’re interested in competing please register here!  The Renegade Rowing League will use the same event categories as CRASH-Bs.

Shout out if you’re training for the Renegade Rowing League and CRASH-B’s!

Rowing WOD 10/30/15: Peak Power and 2k Test – Post Peak Power and 2k Time/Split

Rowing WOD:

The Ladies getting after it at the Renegade Rowing League last year!

Peak Power Test

then

2k Row

If there were one Rowing WOD that could show you how far you’ve come in the forging of Elite Fitness, this would be it.  The Peak Power Test will give you a sense of the raw power you can put into one stroke.  The 2k test has been referred to as the “Fran” of rowing due to the burning lungs and legs it leaves you with.  The 2k row is like nothing else in sport.  It requires both power and endurance.  Do you have what it takes to push through the pain?

For the Peak Power Test set the monitor for 20 seconds of work and 2 minutes of rest.  Start by paddling a couple of strokes to get the fan moving and then go for max watts.  It may help to video the test or have a partner watch to tell you the highest watts you pulled in just one stroke.  During the 2 minutes of rest paddle lightly or roll out.  Take 3 or 4 tries to find your max wattage starting with the damper set low and increasing the drag each successive try.  At some point you’ll find a drag that you like and gives you the most power.  Your score for the Peak Power Test is the Max Watts pulled in just one stroke.

For the 2k Test, set the monitor for 2,000 meters and execute a race plan.  The most successful race plans are the simplest.

Try this…

Starting 3 strokes (Half, 3/4, Full)

7-10 High Strokes

Settle to race pace (your goal 500m Split, this requires a Ratio shift – take time to sit up and breath on the recovery!)

Pull a consistent spit +/- 1 split second through the body of the race

@250m to go, Sprint for the Finish Line!

Post your Peak Power (Watts produced in 1 stroke) and 2k time to comments!

Rest Day 10/29/15: Head of the Fish, 2k Prep, and Renegade Rowing Club!

Rest Day:

It was a solid end to the season! Time to turn it up for the Winter Season!

Head of the Fish is this Weekend!  I hope you’re planning on dressing warm because it’s going to be cold and wet.  I’ll be in town Saturday night and coaching on Sunday.  Hope to see some Renegades there!

Announcing the 2015/16 Renegade Rowing Club!

It’s that time of year again.  The weather has gotten cold and no one wants to row in the cold.  Now is the time to get pumped for training in the gym and crushing your 2k on the erg!  The 2015/16 Renegade Rowing Club will be held at 6:30am on Friday mornings at CrossFit Boston in Brighton, MA.  Practices will start the first Friday of December, 12/4/15.  The cost for the Renegade Rowing Club will be $177 for the whole winter.  We will be training for the Renegade Rowing League, which will be held in December, January, and February leading up to CRASH-B’s.  Who’s game?  Email me if you plan on joining the Renegade Rowing Club, pat@renegaderowing.com.  There are only 16 spots available in the club, so let me know sooner rather than later!

What’s your 2k Race Plan?

Get hydrated, eat well, and get a good sleep.  It’s been a solid three days of training/testing.  Be sure to take the time to mobilize those quads, hips, and hamstrings.  In training we ask a lot of our quads whether it’s rowing or running stadiums.  Show them some love even if it’s painful.  Do it!

For those that have been following the Rowing WODs you’ve probably noticed we are in the middle of a testing week.  We tested the 5k on Monday, the 1′ domain and 1 RM for our lifts on Tuesday, and our general fitness on Wednesday.  If you’ve missed those or are looking for the ultimate test, Friday will be a chance for you to attain 7 or 8 minutes of glory.  Start thinking of your goal and developing a race plan that will get you there.

Post thoughts on your 2k Race Plan, Goals, and if you will be joining the Renegade Rowing Club!

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!

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.