Rowing WOD 2/2/16: 10 x :40 On, :20 Off – Post Avg Split

Rowing WOD:

10 x :40 On, :20 Off (Race Pace)

Get After It!

Get After It!

If you’re looking for an edge in Tabata This, Fight Gone Bad, or simply your Tabata Row, today’s Rowing WOD is the perfect opportunity to build your consistency on shorter pieces.   The focus is maintaining race pressure and mentally executing a race plan.  The goal is to be consistently strong through all 10 pieces.  During the 20 seconds off, paddle lightly at a stroke rating of 14 – 16 to recover.  Focus on your breathing and form.

The first two pieces should be executed like the start of a 2k race; sprint start, high ten, then settle to an efficient race pace.  The second three pieces should focus on holding a consistent race pace and stroke rating, around 32 for vets and 28 for novices.  The third section represents the third 500 of the 2k where mental toughness is key to keep the split from jumping up.  The last two pieces are an opportunity to either practice your sprint to the finish line or hold strong if you’re really feeling it.  When finished you will have 10 data points you can compare to see where extra focus will be required during your next 2k or first 2k if you’ve never done one!

CRASH-B’s are within the month!  Really dial in your game plan and attack each piece.  This is when you should have your race plan dialed in and really get comfortable with pulling the splits you plan to hold during the race.  Focus on consistency and make every single stroke count.

Post your average 500m split to comments and share your game plan.

Rowing WOD 2/1/16: Steady 5k for Technique – Post Focus

Rowing WOD:

Steady State 5k

Checkout everyone's preparation for the catch!

Checkout everyone’s preparation for the catch!

  • Focus on Technique

For both Novice & Vets, today’s Rowing WOD is a chance to take a step back and focus on technique.  For those that are recovering from the big game, it’ll be a good way to get back into training this week. Each 1k of the 5k should be spent working on a different technique fix. By the end of the workout you will have been able to work on five technique points.

There is no fixed split or stroke rate today, but you should be working at a Perceived Rate of Exertion of about 80 – 85%. Just take the time to get good strokes in, and work out some kinks.  See if you can grab a friend to chat with throughout the piece.  Training with others is a lot more fun and showing someone a new sport is awesome!

Post what you focused on for technique and if you were able to share rowing with anyone!

Rowing WOD 1/30/16: 6 x 650m w/ 1:45 Rest – Post Splits

Rowing WOD:

6 x 650m w/ 1:45 Rest

Bob, Dave, and Mike after hitting the 8x500m hard this week!  Solid Guys!
  • FOCUS: RACE STRATEGY

Are you ready for CRASH-B’s or your closest indoor event?  The World Indoor Rowing Championships are less than a month away on February 28th.  You’ll definitely want a game plan going in. This is a Rowing WOD we did in December and today is a chance to test your training and see if you’re ready to go.  Use today’s Rowing WOD to test out your race strategy. Perform the first two pieces with a focus on consistency in stroke rating and splits. If you’re feeling solid try to go a little bit faster each consecutive piece.  If you have your splits from December try to improve upon them and finish stronger on the last couple of pieces.  Over the next two weeks we’ll be dialing in our speed with shorter intervals, so get after it today.  Now is the time to see what you’ve got and push yourself.

Post your average splits for each piece to comments!

Rowing WOD 1/26/16: 8 x 500m w/ 2min Rest – Post Splits and Focus

Rowing WOD:

8 x 500m w/ 2min Rest

Competitors crushing the 2k at the Third Race of the Renegade Rowing League!

1st/2nd – Like start of 2k

3rd/4th – Like 2nd 500 of 2k

5th/6th – Like 3rd 500 of 2k

7th/8th – Like finish of 2k

We attacked this Rowing WOD in December.  Look back at your results and see if you’re ready to step it up another notch.  This is a great opportunity to focus on a few tactical aspects of the 2k and get in some solid race pace work.  Try to keep a consistent pace over all 8 or “negative split” toward the end if you’re feeling good.  Negative splitting means you pull a faster split than you did the last piece.

As a quick review for novice rowers, race pace over 2,000m will be at a stroke rating of 28 − 32 strokes per minute and a consistent 500m split.  The lower the split the better.  Good things to focus on include breathing, getting the knees down, driving through the heels, quick hands, and being smooth.  I also like to coach a smile or grin 10 just to take yourself out of your body for a second, have some fun, and then refocus with a fresh mindset.  Focus on one positive thought for 10 consecutive strokes and you’ll be that much closer to your goal.

Post your split for each piece and share what you focused on!

Rowing WOD 1/25/16: Double Pyramids – 2x19min w/ 2min Rest – Post Distance

Rowing WOD:

Double Pyramids

2 x 19min as follows …

Both Mike and Bob have really started to develop suspension and ratio, keep it up guys!
  • 4′ @18 s/m, 3′ @20, 2′ @22, 1′ @24, 2′ @22, 3′ @20, 4′ @18

2min Rest

  • 4′ @20, 3′ @22, 2′ @24, 1′ @26, 2′ @24, 3′ @22, 4′ @20

Going into the Games season many athletes need to work on their rowing efficiency.  Taking a little extra time before the Open to focus on rhythm, timing, and overall form will go a long way in performance come game day.  Today’s Rowing WOD is a great opportunity for any athlete, experienced or not, to get a sense of form and rhythm without the pressure of intensity and competition.  Sometimes it’s good to slow down for an active recovery day in order to go harder and faster later on down the road.

Rhythm and Endurance are two necessities for successful competition in longer WODs.  A great example would be the KB Swings and Pull Ups found in “Helen”.  Those who find a consistent rhythm can flow through the movements naturally and rely on their aerobic endurance without dipping into their anaerobic energy supply.

In today’s Rowing WOD the focus is developing rhythm and endurance.  Another word for rhythm in rowing is Ratio.  By varying the ratio of the drive to the recovery rowers can maintain the same pace or split, but work more efficiently and make the stroke feel lighter or heavier.

When going from an 18 stroke rating to a 20 you should focus on more pressure with the legs and quickly redirecting the hands through the finish.  This will help increase the stroke rating while leaving you the same amount of time to sit up, breathe, and relax as you slide forward on the recovery.

Post you’re distance rowed to comments as well as your thoughts on Ratio.