Rowing WOD 11/13/13: “Row For It!” 3RFT – 750m Row, 15 Deadlifts – Post Time and Load

Rowing WOD 11/13/13:

“Row For it!” (AKA – Fight For It)

3 Rounds For Time:

750m Row (Race Pace)

15 Deadlifts (40% 1RM)

In a 2,000m race the pain really starts to kick in after the first thousand.  If you can be prepared with mental thoughts to stay strong and Fight for your goal split, every stroke for 750m after that first 1k, then you’ll be able to open the flood gates and sprint at 250m to go.  A key to having solid mental thoughts is building confidence in your training leading up to the race.  Have cues to repeat, especially cues that you can attach to specific moments in time or sessions you crushed like today.

In today’s Rowing WOD build and settle to your current 2k split right away.  You want to be in full control of your stroke rating, breathing, and split.  Hold solid, consistent pressure every stroke of each 750m piece.  Know that when things get tough and the pain tells you to stop, you can hold strong and fight for every stroke.  Bring that same focus to your Deadlifts.  Keep a neutral spine and focus on efficient movement through the hips.  Push through the heels and build the speed on the bar as you extend your hips.  Focus on keeping tight abs and feeling the connection of the hips and hands as you pry the bar off the floor.  Try to bring the feeling of a solid deadlift to your rowing and use the cue “heels down” as one motivational thought during that 750m Row.

Post your time to comments and share your mental cues!

Rowing WOD 11/12/13: 1k, 6x250m, 4x:45 On, :15 Off – Post # of Strokes at Goal Split

Rowing WOD 11/12/13:

c/o Row2k.com

c/o Row2k.com

1. 1k Row @26 s/m

– Moderate Intensity (Row like you’re out for a steady jog)

*Note your average split for 1k

2. 6 x 250m Row w/ :30 Rest

– Row each piece at the average split from the 1k above

– Stroke Ratings are as follows:

@25 s/m, @23 s/m, @21 s/m, @26 s/m, @28 s/m, @30 s/m

3. 4 x :45 On, :15 Off

**Practice each piece as if it were the start of a 2k

**When you settle count the # of strokes where you hold your goal 2k split

For the first part of today’s Rowing WOD, row at an intensity similar to Jogging focusing on Smooth Form and Body Preparation by 1/2 Slide.  Try to incorporate the ideas and skills of Posture, Control, and Connection.  Today we’ll be working on ratio at different stroke ratings and varying the pressure we exert each stroke.  At lower stroke ratings like 20 − 24, the ratio should be 1:2 or 1:3, 1 count on the drive, 2 or 3 counts on the recovery.  By controlling our seat as it slides forward we can make sure we’re preparing our bodies for the catch.  The goal is to turn our force and momentum around without any extra effort.  Remember, we want to drive our body weight backwards toward the finish line, not throw it forward toward the Catch/Start of the Race.

When varying stroke rating during a piece use the pressure with the legs on the drive and the speed of the hands through the finish to vary the rating.  If you want to increase the stroke rating and maintain power, think “drive the legs down faster and quick hands away” out of the finish.  If you want to decrease the stroke rating without losing power, keep the same pressure on the drive and hand speed through the finish, but slow the seat down as it slides forward on the recovery, this is what I mean by “Control the Recovery”.

The goal for these pieces is to learn how to vary the pressure at different stroke ratings while maintaining the same split.  The idea being that eventually we’ll find an optimal stroke rating where you just keep spinning the flywheel every stroke without letting it slow down to much and thus save energy and avoid fatigue.  What we’re ultimately working towards is Efficiency!  Instead of slogging along and duking it out at a slower stroke rating like a 24 for our 2k, we want to be able to row quick and light between a 28 − 32 when needed.

For the third part of the workout you’ll row like the start of a 2k race.  Perform a 3 stroke starting sequence (Half Stroke, 3/4 Stroke, Full Stroke) then a High 10, then settle to your 2k race pace for each of the 4 pieces.  The goal is to learn how to get the flywheel moving and the split down without jacking up your legs.  Then the even bigger goal is learning how to settle immediately to you’re race pace and be consistent.  Count how many strokes you can take at your 2k pace once you settle, no higher, no lower.
In terms of preparing to race 2,000 meters, the goal is to continue building our confidence in maintaining a consistent split as well as develop the ability to change our Ratio/Rhythm as we row at different Stroke Ratings.  We want to get a taste of what the start will be like and what is required to settle to race pace so we don’t Fly and Die!
Post your best :45 second start and settle.  How many strokes did you take at your goal 2k split?

Rowing WOD 11/11/13: 4x10min Spicy Steady State w/ 1min Rest – Post Distance

Rowing WOD 11/11/13:

The Ergs at CFB are ready  for Renegades!  Do you have what it takes?

The Ergs at CFB are ready for Renegades! Do you have what it takes?

4 x 10 min Spicy Steady State w/ 1 min Rest

10′ @ 18 s/m**

10′ @ 20 s/m**

10′ @ 22 s/m**

10′ @ Increasing Stroke Rating as follows

       (5′ @24, 3′ @26, 2′ @28)

**First 3 Pieces – Row 4min Steady, 1min @-3 split seconds, 4min Steady, 1min @-3 split seconds

**Hold the same stroke rating all the way through each piece, but vary the pressure with your legs depending on whether you’re rowing steady or 3 split seconds faster

This is a great opportunity to work on the rhythm and consistent effort needed in long WODs with movements like kettlebell swings and sumo deadlift high pulls.  Focus on maintaining consistent pressure through each stroke and every piece.  Rate of Perceived Exertion should be around 60% – 70%.  Effort level on the last piece is open and should be based on how you feel.  Set the monitor for intervals-time with 10 minutes of work and 1 minute of rest. During the rest stand up and stretch out your back and foam roll any areas that feel overly tense.

Novice rowers should focus on one part of the stroke for each piece, like a horizontal handle path or trying to row feet out.

Vets should be dialing in their consistency.  During the last piece Vets should be focused on bringing their 500m split down as the stroke rating increases.

Post the total distance rowed to comments.

Rowing WOD 11/9/13: 6x2min On, 1min Off Varying Rates – Post Splits

Rowing WOD 11/9/13:

6 x 2min On, 1min Off as follows:

2′ @ 20 s/m (+9 sec above 2k avg split)

1′ rest

2′ @ 22 s/m (+7 sec above 2k avg split)

1′ rest

2′ @ 24 s/m (2k split +5)

1′ rest

2′ @ 26 s/m (2k+3)

1′ rest

2′ @ 28 s/m (2k+1)

1′ rest

2′ @ 30 s/m (2k)

The Renegade Rowing Club will be starting Monday, December 2nd at 6:30pm at CrossFit Boston.  Winter training will take place every Monday leading up to CRASH-B’s in February.  Do you have what it takes?

Can you believe it’s almost Thanksgiving?  There are holiday cups at Starbucks, decorations up in stores, and I might have even heard some holiday music on the radio.  The best part of it all is that CRASH-B’s is right around the corner.  Yes, they may not be until February, but time flies over the holidays.  So kick off winter training today and continue to perfect your technique, hone your 2k tactics, and build your confidence to crush that erg every single week until CRASH-B’s.  If you want to join us just follow along and fit a few Rowing WODs in every week, along with your normal training and lifting in the gym.  Choose WODs that will build upon your weaknesses and don’t be afraid to crush your favorites.

Think about the three key skills to rowing on and off the water.  Posture, Control, and Connection.  Really control the stroke rating and fight for the prescribed split.  Be smooth and be consistent every stroke.  During the rest paddle in slow motion, really emphasizing and thinking about the timing of the stroke and where your body is in space.

Post your Average 500m Split for Each Piece to Comments!

Pat at 2010 CRASH-B Sprints from Coach Pat on Vimeo.

Rowing WOD 11/8/13: AMRAP10 – 250m Row, 2 HSPU – Post Avg Split and Total HSPU

Rowing WOD 11/8/13:

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

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

As Many Rounds As Possible in 10 minutes of …

250m Row

2 Hand Stand Push Ups (Add 2 HSPU every round)

***THE SECOND ROUND WOULD LOOK LIKE THIS:

250M ROW

4 HSPU … ETC.

Functional movements like squats, deadlifts, kettle bell swings, box jumps, wall balls, and ROWING require a constant awareness of midline stability and core strength.  In order to achieve the smooth, powerful motion we’re looking for in all functional movements we must be able to maintain a solid midline at all times.  Today’s Rowing WOD is a good burner that will test that midline stability.  If you have hand stand push ups be sure to keep that midline locked in through the whole motion.  If you don’t have hand stand push ups modify by kicking into a hand stand, pausing to make sure you have the midline tight, and then kicking back down.  Once you’re back on the floor do a regular push up before kicking into the next hand stand.  All athletes should look to go hard on the row, but fight for consistent splits each round.

Post your average split and total hand stand push ups to comments!