Rowing WOD 10/18/14: Head of the Charles is Here! 3k, 2.5k, 2k – Post Avg Splits

Rowing WOD:

Crews Warming Up on Friday

3k Row

  • (@5k+4 Pace)
  • 6min rest

2.5k Row

  • (@5k+2 Pace)
  • 5min rest

2k Row

  • (@5k Pace)

Boat Trailers at FALS

Why is rowing fun?  One reason is that it provides a challenge in learning technique to be as efficient as possible while working everything from your head to your toes.  Elsewhere in sports and training, if you’ve tried the Pose Method of running you may understand the beauty of focusing on technique and the perception of what your body is doing in space. Focusing on form and technique gives your mind something to work toward rather than complaining about how much your legs burn.

Today’s Rowing WOD is a good opportunity to focus on one or two form fixes but get after it as well.  Set the monitor for Intervals Variable and enter the work/rest accordingly.  This WOD has the potential to build your confidence in the 5k.  Come up with a plan and execute.  Be consistent with your splits and stroke ratings for all three.  If possible go a little bit faster on each piece.  Vets might try for a pace of 5k+3, 5k+1, 5k for each successive piece with a stroke rating of 28-32.  Find your efficient stroke.  Novices should focus on one form fix for each piece and work hard.

Post your Average 500m Splits to Comments along with an answer to this question…

What is your favorite part of Head of the Charles Weekend?

Rowing WOD 10/15/14: RR Warmup, SDHP, Team Chipper, RR Warmdown – Post Scores

Rowing WOD:

BC Men Spinning at the Canoe Kayak Dock - close to the finish line of the HOCR

1. 2k Row @5k+7

2. 1 Mile Run (easy pace);

3. EMOM10 – MR Sumo Deadlift High Pull @75/55 lbs.

  • Every Minute On The Minute for 10min Perform…
  • Max Reps in 20sec
  • Focus on Form, Rhythm, and Speed on the Drive

4. Perform in Teams of 4 – Split Up Work As You See Fit

  • 50 Slam Balls (20/15 lbs.)
  • 100 Partner Squat Med Ball Throws (20/14 lbs.)
  • 100 Ring Rows

5. 1 Mile Run (easy pace)

6. 2k Row @5k+7

Today’s Rowing WOD is an opportunity to use rowing as a warmup and cool down.  The sumo deadlift high pulls are for power and speed on the drive.  Form and speed on the bar should be the focus in hopes of transferring power/skill to the boat.  Push hard in the metcon and get that heart rate and breathing up.  There’s a video below of the Boston College Men’s Crew Team using Renegade Rowing for their daily practice.  They’ve been working hard in preparation for the Head of the Charles this weekend.  If you can do this on the water even better!  This practice should take no longer than 2 hours.  Cut out some of the running/rowing if you’re strapped for time.

Post your scores to comments.

Rest Day 10/9/14: Go For a Walk! Along the Charles if Possible!

Rest Day:

BC Men Spinning at the Canoe Kayak Dock - close to the finish line of the HOCR

Go For a Walk! Along the Charles if Possible!

Life get’s crazy, especially this time of year as we gear up for fall parties and the holidays.  Speaking of Holidays, the Head of the Charles is known to rowers as Rowing Christmas.  Every year on the third weekend of October, rowers past and present gather to remember the good old days and push themselves to the limit against the best in the world.  If you can get outside today, go for a walk along the Charles River.  You will more than likely see other random people both tall and small looking at the bridges and turns scouting their line for race day.  Keep an eye out for coaching launches filled with coxswains doing the same thing from the water.  The biggest regatta in the world is just over a week away.  Time to get excited!

Never seen the Head of the Charles Regatta before?  Try the following today!  Take 15 minutes today to stop.  Breathe.  And go for a walk.  If you’ve got a river or body of water nearby go for a stroll and watch some rowing.  How does the boat move in relation to the body?  What part of the stroke does the boat move the fastest?  How’s the form look compared to your erging?

If you’re lucky enough to do this please share your thoughts, where you were, and what you saw!

Rest Day 10/5/14: Good Luck Rowers at Textile River Regatta!

Rest Day:

All the oars at last years Textile River Regatta!

Good Luck to all rowers competing at the Textile River Regatta today!

I’ve been coaching the Boston College Men for the past month and while they’re not racing at the Textile I can’t wait to see the results from one of the first big regattas of the fall.  It’s the first race of the season and it’ll be awesome to see where everyone stacks up leading into the Head of the Charles!

If you’re in the Boston area, head up to the Merrimack River in Lowell to check it out.  If not, go find a race near you and see what the sport of rowing is all about!

Share your experience and pictures!

Rest Day 10/2/13: How do you incorporate rhythm/skill in everyday practice?

Rest Day:BC Men WU

How do you incorporate rhythm/skill in everyday practice?

Rhythm and Balance are two skills needed in the boat and in the gym.  One way to improve a skill is by deliberate practice on a regular basis and making every act an act of conditioning.  Showing your body and brain how to move properly over and over again in many different situations will force it to adapt and make a movement second nature.  The simple task of taking the blade out of the water and putting it in the water in time with the rest of your crew is one example.  Below is a video of the BC Men’s Crew Team practicing building 30’s and the chop spin.  How do you spin the boat?  Have you ever tried the chop spin?  Do you use spinning the boat as an opportunity to improve rhythm, balance, timing, and feel?