Tag Archives: mental toughness

Rowing WOD 8/10/13: CF Rowing Total – Post Score

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Rowing WOD 8/10/13:

CF Rowing TotalRR UVM Men Alumni HOCR 2012

Row 1′-1′-1′

Squat 1-1-1

Press 1-1-1

Deadlift 1-1-1

The last time we performed the CF Rowing Total was in March and I wrote the following post.  I wanted to update everyone and see where we’re all at before testing our 5k next week.  I’m still working on the Renegade Rowing Standards I mention below, but I have found a group willing to push themselves to be better both in the boat and out.  Boston College Men’s Crew will be training with me in the gym starting at the end of August.  I’ll have more details on the programming soon and you can expect weekly updates to follow their progress through the season.

The CF Rowing Total is meant to test your power and strength in the 1 minute range on the erg.  It’s also an opportunity to test your functional strength.

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National Erg Standards

Many countries post national standards that athletes need to hit in order to tryout for the national team.  Below I’ve linked to the standards posted online by US Rowing and Rowing Canada.  In the coming month I hope to define Renegade Rowing standards for athletes looking to be competitive in both Rowing and CrossFit.  A good starting place is for athletes to see how they compare to elite rowers.  It’s a goal of mine to find a group of athletes that can train regularly on the water and in the gym without having to rely on hours and hours of steady state.  Would you like to help me?  How far off are you on the 1 minute test, 2k, and 6k?  Feel free to share your thoughts on the subject and what you’d like me to include in the Renegade Rowing Standards.

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Today’s Rowing WOD

After doing a dynamic warmup, do a good 10 minute warmup on the erg where you build up to race pace above a stroke rating of 30 for a few bursts.  When you’re ready to go, set the monitor for intervals time with 1 minute on, 4 minutes off.  The goal is to do as much work as possible in a minute.  Be sure to paddle for a minute after each attempt to help your body deal with any lactic acid that may start to build up.

Heavy DeadliftThe stroke rating is open, but keep good form.  Don’t compromise you’re body.  Maintain a strong posture at all times.  Anyone can pull hard for a few strokes, but those with functional rowing form can build throughout the minute test, stay safe, and produce the most power.

In rowing there are three things you can vary to go faster.  Force, distance, and time.  The best rowers know how to combine all three… row harder, row longer, and row faster.  Basically, put more force into the handle, row as long as possible every stroke without compromising your body, and increase the stroke rating.

After making three attempts on the erg, setup for and perform the three lifts.  Make sure to roll out your back, hips, and hamstrings as needed in between lifts.

Renegade Rowing Team Pushing Their Boundaries!

How much Strength and Power do you have?  Your score for the CF Rowing Total will be
Max Average Watts + CF Total Score.

Post your total as well as each individual result from the row, squat, press, and deadlift to comments.  Report the max average Watts for the best Row.

Rowing WOD 8/9/13: 6RFT – 500m Row, 20 Push Ups – Post Time and Splits

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Renegade Rowing Practice earlier this week.

Renegade Rowing Practice earlier this week.

Rowing WOD 8/9/13:

6 Rounds for Time (20min Cap)

500m Row

20 Push Ups

As we begin training for the fall season it’s important to work in some longer pieces to build up our endurance and prepare ourselves for head races.  Head Races are anywhere from 4k – 6k in distance and take around 15 minutes or more to complete.  They are run like time trials with one boat starting at a time.  Mental toughness is key to keep intensity up and push hard enough to catch the boat in front of you.

In today’s Rowing WOD you’ll need mental toughness to keep pushing through the middle rounds.  Imagine there’s a crew just ahead of you.  Chasing them down is the only option.

Pick one split you can hold all the way through each piece.  If possible try to negative split each round.  On the push ups get full range of motion and scale as necessary.  You can scale by elevating your hands, giving yourself a target, or decreasing the volume to 15 or 10 per round.

If you’re looking to spice things up and have some more fun try this on the water.  I did this workout in a single off of the docks at Community Rowing this Wednesday.  It was pretty epic.  Can’t wait to have a group of Renegades doing workouts like this on the water with me.  If you’re interested let me know!

Post time and splits to comments!

Rowing WOD 8/7/13: AMRAP25min – Row, GtO, Push Ups – Post Rounds + Reps

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Rowing WOD 8/7/13:

As Many Rounds As Possible in 25min of…Renegade Rowing League December

Round 1

  • 250m Row
  • 5 Ground to Overhead (135/95 lbs.)
  • 5 Push Ups

*Every Round double the distance and add 5 reps to each movement

Round 2

  • 500m Row
  • 10 GtO
  • 10 Push Ups

Round 3 

  • 1k Row
  • 15 GtO
  • 15 Push Ups

Round 4

  • 2k Row
  • 20 GtO
  • 20 Push Ups

etc…

Today’s Rowing WOD is an opportunity to practice mental toughness and pacing.  When you feel fresh in the beginning try to remain efficient and don’t blow up.  The goal is to keep an even pace all the way through.  Try to pick one split and hold it for each erg piece.  Also have a game plan for the clean and jerks and push ups.  Try to touch and go unbroken, but know exactly how many you’ll do before taking a short break.  Manage your rest and keep moving.  When things start to get tough and painful through the middle focus on form and have a couple of positive thoughts ready to go.  Stay focused on making each rep clean and staying in the moment.

Row well and work hard.

Post your score, rounds + reps, to comments.

Rowing WOD 8/6/13: 3x2k w/ 5min Rest – Post Goal and Experience

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Rowing WOD 8/6/13:

3 x 2k w/ 5min rest

Checkout the Renegade Rowing Membership if you'd like to row in Boston!

Checkout the Renegade Rowing Membership if you’d like to row in Boston!

1st 2k: 

  • 750m @ 2k+5
  • 250m @ 18 spm (paddle light)
  • 750m @ 2k+3
  • 250m @ 18 spm (paddle light)

Rest 5min

2nd 2k: 

  • 750m @ 2k+4
  • 250m @ 18 spm (paddle light)
  • 750m @ 2k+2
  • 250m @ 18 spm (paddle light)

Rest 5min

3rd 2k: 

  • 750m @ 2k+3
  • 500m @ 18 spm (paddle light)
  • 750m @ 2k+1

Have you ever wished you could get a feel for Fran before competing so that you know what to plan for mentally and physically?  If you’ve been trying to break a 7 minute or 8 minute 2k, you’re probably wondering, what will it feel like?  How should it be paced?  What can I do to improve upon my last 2k?

Today’s Rowing WOD is a great way to test out the race pace you’d like to hold on your next 2k.  Set the monitor for 2,000m of work and 5 minutes of rest.  During the first 750m hold the prescribed pace and really execute with form and efficiency.  Then paddle out for the next 250m .  At the 1000m mark build back up and row the next 750m at the prescribed pace.  Finish with a  paddle to recover.  The second and third 2k will be executed similarly.

To see your consistency during the race pace portions set the monitor to record split lengths of 250m.  This is done on the screen when you enter the work and rest.  After the workout go into the memory and check it out.

Post your goal 500m Split and how you executed the 750m portions of today’s Rowing WOD.

Rowing WOD 8/3/13: 500m Test – Post Time, Avg Split, and Stroke Rating

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Rowing WOD 8/3/13:

Bringing it home in the sprint! Checkout the Renegade Rowing Membership!

Bringing it home in the sprint! Checkout the Renegade Rowing Membership!

500m Test

Today is the day!  We’ve been focusing on improving our 500m time all month.  Now is the time to get it done.

How well does your body operate at max effort for 2 minutes?  How much power can you maintain before pain and metabolic waste slows you down?  Today’s assessment will give you an idea of your work capacity in the 2 minute time frame using all three metabolic pathways – phosphagen, glycolytic, and oxidative.  You’ll be pulling from both anaerobic and aerobic energy systems.

Set your monitor for 500 meters and get after it.  Be sure to record your time and average stroke rating.

Whether you’re a Vet or Novice, the goal should be to have a strong start, settle for 10 to 20 strokes, and then sprint all out for the last 200m.  Stroke rating should be high, above 30 s/m.  A good goal would be 5 split seconds faster than your 2k split.

Let us know how you do!  Post your results to Comments.