We performed this WOD last Wednesday. Here is a chance to improve your performance. In today’s Strength and Conditioning WOD really focus on good connection and suspension with the legs. In this workout you will perform the work as follows: complete 12 calories on the erg, then 12 box jumps, then 12 push ups, then 11 calories, 11 box jumps, 11 push ups, … and so on. Coming off the push ups your arms may be feeling it so work for efficiency and power with the legs on the erg. Also, be sure to strive for virtuosity and complete each rep of the box jumps and push ups according to the standards of performance. For box jumps you’re hips must be fully open above the box and for push ups your chest must touch the ground. For maximum fun grab a partner and have a High Noon Showdown! Who can make it to 1 first? 3-2-1 Go!
I’ve always loved sports, especially when it comes to learning and competing at new sports that I don’t get to play often. Whenever we learn something new it’s far to easy to try to learn a couple of basics and then go full speed. Whether it’s golf, tennis, running, olympic lifting, rowing, or any other sport. The thrill of competition and grace in motion that sports played at full speed creates is amazing. Full speed competition elicits that feeling of joy and excitement that we all live for. However, a couple of problems usually arise at one point or another in our performance at full speed, especially if we take it up to full speed to quickly.
1. We lose form and things get sloppy. Basically the wheels come off.
2. We need more speed to out perform our competition, but it’s just not there.
Drew’s new Catch Positioning
Over the past couple of weeks I’ve experienced this situation with many of the athletes I coach, both on the water rowing and in the gym training. We’re always fighting for more intensity and boat speed, but too often something falls apart and our true potential is never reached.
Personally, I’ve experienced a similar situation while learning the piano. I currently take lessons once a week and have worked up to playing 4 songs and almost all of the scales, but my progress tends to stumble when I go to fast. It seems easy when I play a scale or a song slowly, so why not pick up the speed and just figure out how to not make mistakes playing faster? Well because it just gets sloppy and I never really learn what I’m doing wrong or better yet, what I can be doing better.
After being turned on to two great blog posts on slow motion practice, one from the music world and one from the golf world, I decided to share this idea with the rowing and strength training world that I hope you all partake in.
First, read through the above two blog posts and think about how slow is super slow. To often we think we’re going slow, but we could be going slower. Then, go out and practice super slow motion movements in your warmup. Be mindful, find the points where your focus lapses or you make a mistake, figure out how you can be more efficient, smoother, and more consistent. If you can take at least 20 minutes to practice this I guarantee you will find more boat speed, achieve more power, and perform at a higher level.
Here is Drew performing the Reverse Pic Drill in a single. Think about how many hours of slow motion practice, balance, and boat feel it has taken for him to get to this point. Look at where he slows things down to find better balance, feel, and connection to the boat and water. For him to make this better and go faster at full speed, he will probably need to practice this even slower. Now it’s your turn, get on an erg, setup a barbell, or get in a boat and master your movement skills with super slow motion. It’s harder than you think.
Today’s Strength and Conditioning WOD is inspired by the beach to warm-up those that aren’t lucky enough to live in warm weather year round. You might not be doing this one at the beach, but it should be just as fun. Try to remain consistent on your 500m intervals.
Post your time to comments! Who’s Ready for the Beach?
Row Each Piece @28-30 s/m at the following paces: 2k+5, 2k+4, 2k+3, 2k+2
While it’s good to constantly vary your training to push your boundaries, there is something to be said about repetition to build your confidence! Today’s Rowing WOD is an opportunity to build your aerobic capacity and work on a couple of tactical and technique fixes.
Have a game plan for each piece including the split and stroke rating you want to hold. Ideally each piece will be done consistently or a little bit faster. If you’re working on efficiency or sequencing, focus on one fix each piece. Perhaps you find your breath and rhythm on the first. Or maybe it’s sequencing and body preparation that needs attention on the second. If you choose the right pace it will build your confidence and you will be ready to tear up your next 2k and Rowing WOD.
Post your average splits and experience to comments.
How did that 2k go? Now that we know where we’re at, it’s time to get back to work. Today’s Rowing WOD is a chance to commit to your new 2k split from last Saturday and work on digging deep when the going gets tough. Every round is an opportunity to fight for that split, just like in the third 500m of a 2k. Focus on good form with the push ups and pull ups to strengthen our shoulders in different planes and promote good connection through the core. Attack each round like it’s your last and rely on that 30 seconds of rest to reset and do it all again. A good goal is to go sub 20 minutes.
Renegade Rowing 