Rowing WOD 2/27/13: 4RFT – 400m Row, 20 Push Ups, 10 Box Jumps – Post Time and Plan

Rowing WOD 2/27/13:RRC Get Some!

4 Rounds For Time …

400m Row

20 Push Ups

10 Box Jumps (30/24 inches)

To game a WOD or not to game a WOD… Last week we did a fun Rowing WOD that started and ended with the erg.  The middle of that workout included decently heavy snatches, which are one of the most complex lifts.  They must be respected on their own and especially in the middle of a WOD.  One of our regular Renegades from across the country posted his time and apologized for having gamed the rowing portion.  He posted a great score and I say no apology needed.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about that instance as I watch everyone attack these WODs.  TheRR Snatch Catch ability to feel your body pre, during, and post WOD is invaluable.  Is it under a lot of stress?  Has it recovered with enough sleep and nutrition?  Are you feeling great?  These are questions you need to be asking yourself on a regular basis and the answers will play into whether you decide to game a WOD or go all out from 3,2,1, GO!

When approaching a Rowing WOD or any WOD for that matter it helps to develop a game plan just like a 2k race plan.  It may be, that you feel great and are looking for a solid training day, so you decide to go hard and see how long you last.  On the other hand it may be a competition with more WODs to come later in the day, or perhaps it’s preparation for the Open and the Games that are coming up.  Lastly, you may know that you could execute the rowing portion as prescribed, but you want to tackle the other movements, for example the snatch in last weeks WOD.  I believe that’s what our Renegade had in mind and that’s totally fine as long as you know your plan, you commit to it, and you execute.

In today’s Rowing WOD you will have to decide again whether to game it or just go all out.

Mike w/ nice Preparation on the recovery!

Mike w/ nice Preparation on the recovery!

If you are training to drop your 2k time under 7 or 8 minutes I’d love for you to have a game plan.  Look back at last Thursday’s 6x400m intervals and see what you were able to hold.  If you held your 2k race pace for every piece then perhaps you try to do the same here.  If you know push ups and box jumps will drain you, then commit to a game plan that allows for some slippage.  Do the first piece at 2k pace, second piece at a split of 2k+5, third at 2k+7, and fourth at 2k+5.  If you’re still just getting into rowing then work on pulling a consistent split, maintaining form when it gets tough, and be efficient.

Post your time, game plan, and whether or not you executed to comments!

Rowing WOD 2/26/13: 3 x 2k w/ 5min Rest – Post Goal Split and Experience

Rowing WOD 2/26/13:RR 2x2k

3 x 2k w/ 5min rest

1st 2k: 

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

Rest 5min

2nd 2k: 

  • 750m @ 2k+3
  • 250m @ 18 spm (paddle light)
  • 750m @ 2k+1
  • 250m @ 18 spm (paddle light)

Rest 5min

3rd 2k: NSCF 2K

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

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 that 7 minute or 8 minute mark in your 2k or you’re competing in the open next week, 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 2/23/13: 6 x 400m w/ 1:30 Rest – Post Avg Splits

Rowing WOD 2/23/13:

6 x 400m w/ 1:30 Rest

Jack the dog watching for consistency!

Jack the dog watching for consistency!

  • Focus: Consistent Race Pace

Yesterday we worked on the start and finish of the 2k.  Today’s Rowing WOD is focused on the middle.  Specifically that third 500m into the last 400m of the race.  For those that did a 2k last weekend and didn’t quite hit their goal, you realized that we need to get better at consistency through the middle of the race.  The start and finish can set you up and seal the deal, but the middle of the race is where you must commit to  reach your goal.

Row each piece at your goal 2k split.  For example, if you want to row an 8:00 2k then your 2k split would be 2:00 and you should row every stroke of today’s workout at a 2:00 split.  When I say every stroke, I mean it.  You need to find a rhythm that you can hold while maintaining that goal split each and every stroke.  If you want to step your game up another notch you could even take video of your monitor and count the number of strokes you’re not at that goal spilt.  Perhaps you challenge yourself with a penalty and do 1 push up or 1 burpee every time the split reads something different during the workout.

Get consistent and get after it!

Post your average split for each piece to comments.

Rowing WOD 2/22/13: 800m Row; 4Rds – 4 Snatches, 8 T2B; 400m Row – Post Time

Rowing WOD 2/22/13:

Renegades practicing their start and settle!

Renegades practicing their start and settle!

Complete All For Time …

800m Row (Like start of 2k)

then,

4 Rounds Of …

4 Snatch (115/85 lbs.)

8 Toes to Bar (sub V-Ups if no bar)

then,

400m Row (Like finish of 2k)

In the coming weeks we’ll be working on two parts of a 2k race.  The ends and the middle.  Today’s Rowing WOD is focused on the ends, meaning the start and the finish.  A good start can set you up for a personal best and a solid finish can seal the deal.  The key to a good start is getting the flywheel moving quickly without taxing your body.  That’s where a sprint start comes in.

A sprint start is usually a short stroke, followed by a longer stroke, followed by a full stroke.  We like to say 1/2 stroke, 3/4 stroke, full stroke, or 1/2, 3/4, full.  Some athletes will get even more precise and do a five stroke sprint start, 3/4, 1/2, 3/4, Lengthen, Full.  Once the fan is moving, keep it moving with 7 to 10 high strokes above a 36 stroke rating.  This will bring your average split down.  As long as you keep it quick and light your body won’t feel it.

Grab a training partner and get after it!

Grab a training partner and get after it!

However, as soon as you finish your high strokes it is important to settle to your race pace.  Otherwise lactic acid will start to build up and your legs will be on fire.  In today’s Rowing WOD be sure to settle to your 2k pace by 200m in so that you can be ready for the snatches and toes to bar.  Once you get into the last 400m be sure to paddle in at your 2k pace and then sprint all out at the 250m mark by negative splitting.  A good goal would be to have an average split for the last 400m that is faster than the average for the first 800m.

Post your time for the workout and average splits for each piece to comments.

Rowing WOD 2/20/13: 3RFT – 500m Row, 10 HSPU, 15 KB Swings – Post Time

Rowing WOD 2/20/13:

3 Rounds For Time …RR KB Swing

500m Row

10 Handstand Push Ups

15 Kettle Bell Swings (1.5/1 pood)

This past Sunday at CRASH-B’s it was amazing sitting in the stands and watching the finals of the men’s and women’s open division.  In the last heat of the day the front row of ergs was filled with giants.  The top two athletes who fought tooth and nail to the finish line were holding a pace of 1:29 /500m every stroke for the whole race except the start and finish where they sprinted even faster.  It’d be interesting to see how they’d do in the Open, especially if a 2k row pops up this year.  They would probably crush the field with times around 5:50 for 2,000 meters.

However, it’d be interesting to see where they’d end up in all of the other workouts that might include snatches, muscle ups, double unders, thrusters, toes to bar, box jumps, and who knows what else.  They might do alright, but the more well-rounded athletes would no doubt take over.  So, all of you well-rounded athletes who can crush olympic lifting, box jumps, toes to bar, and any other functional movement … what will you do to make up ground on the elite rowers when a 2k pops up again?

Shane FarmerToday’s Rowing WOD is a good place to start.  Whenever a WOD pops up that includes rowing plus two or three additional movements it helps to have a game plan for the erg going in.  If you know the upper body and posterior chain will be taxed from the handstand push ups and KB swings then sitting down on the erg you should be ready to focus on suspension at the catch.  Stand up off the quads to get most of your power.  When you feel ready, start to bring in the posterior chain more.  Breathing will also be a good thing to focus on when you hop back on the erg.  You want to be recharged and ready to go for the next round of handstand push ups.

Pace and stroke rating will be key, because they can provide a target for you to focus on and hit.  If you know your 2k split, a good goal would be to hold that through the first round and adjust up or down from their depending on how you feel in the second and third round.  When your muscles start to build up metabolic waste and the pain creeps in, try to keep the stroke rating quick and light above a 30 (s/m) rather than long and heavy.

Post your time and focus to comments!