Rest Days 8/31/14 − 9/1/14: Enjoy Labor Day Weekend!

BC Men back on the water in the Barge last Thursday

BC Men back on the water in the Barge last Thursday

Congrats to all those that tested their 5k yesterday!  Hopefully you PR’ed and everyone executed a solid game plan.  Labor Day Weekend is a time to rest, relax, and have some fun with family and friends.  With that in mind get outside and be active.  Grab a friend and go a hike a mountain or hit a swimming hole.  Play some golf or go for a ride.  I wish you all a happy Labor Day Weekend and I look forward to hitting training hard with you on Tuesday!

All the best!

Coach Pat

Rest Day 8/28/14: Go Eat Some Watermelon!

Rest Day:

Go Eat Some Watermelon!

Below is a blog post from Alex Black of Wicked Good Nutrition.  Read all about a recent study on watermelon and then tell us what you think.  Will you be sucking down some Watermelon after our 5k on Saturday?

Super Power for Watermelon

We all know watermelon is a delicious summer fruit. But some new research has indicate that it might also be a recovery aid – results of a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry showed that a compound found in watermelon juice may help athletes recovery after exercise.  … Click here for the whole post! …

Rest Day 8/24/14: Which distances do you prefer? Short or Long?

Rest Day:

Which distances do you prefer? Short or Long?

The video below is from last years Renegade Rowing Team practicing their first 20 stroke piece in preparation for the sprint race at the Rumble on the River.  After we finished one of the rowers commented that they would rather do the shorter stuff all the time.  While short fast sprints can be adrenaline filled fun, there’s also something fun about chasing down a boat in a time trial style head race.

Share your thoughts and preferences to comments!

Rowing WOD 8/19/14: 3k, 2.5k, 2k – Post Avg Splits

Rowing WOD:

More pics from Rowing/Running/Wod/Running/Rowing coming soon!

3k Row

  • (@5k+3 Pace)
  • 6min rest

2.5k Row

  • (@5k+1 Pace)
  • 5min rest

2k Row

  • (@5k Pace)

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…

Why is Rowing Fun?

Rowing WOD 8/16/14: 2x2k w/ 4min Rest – Post Splits During On

Rowing WOD:

Renegade Rowing Practice - Imagine Today's Rowing WOD on the water.

2 x 2k Row w/ 4min Rest as follows …

1st 2k: 

  • 750m @ Race Pace
  • 250m @ 18 spm (paddle light)
  • 750m @ Race Pace
  • 250m @ 18 spm (paddle light)

Rest 4min

2nd 2k: 

  • 750m @ Race pace
  • 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’re competing in the Renegade Rowing League this winter I’m sure you’re thinking about that 2k.  What will it feel like?  How should it be paced?  What can I do to improve upon my last 2k?

While our focus over the next two months is the 5k, it doesn’t hurt to build ourselves up by staying familiar with the 2k distance.  Look back at your results from last Tuesday and try to go faster.  You only have two 2k’s to do today.

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 your ideal race pace and really execute with intensity.  Then paddle out for the next 250m .  At the 1000m mark build back up and row the next 750m at race pace.  Finish with a  paddle to recover.  The second 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 to achieve it.