New to Rowing - Help with foot/leg positioning

[pfala]

Hi All!

I started rowing 3-4 weeks ago, I'm a 5'2" lady, 35yo. I've had a series of unfortunate accidents/injuries/etc over the past two years which had left me virtually unable to workout - now that I have clearance to workout, I am overjoyed! Anyhoo... I need some help!

There's something weird going on with my finish and recovery with my legs. When my legs are extended and I'm driving to the finish, my left leg feels loose and wants to move in an uncomfortable (almost wild) way, I'm finding myself pushing my heel down and pulling my toes towards my body to stiffen that leg. My right leg, I have no problems with. I've checked again and again to make sure that I'm connected and strong through the drive, but once I get my legs extended I end up with this trouble. I couldn't finish my measly 5k today because my leg was bothering me so much - unbelievably annoying and frustrating.

In case this matters: I am using the damper on 4, and I have tiny feet, with the heel cup in the 0 position - this has allowed the strap to go across the ball of my foot. I'm wearing flat soled minimal sneakers.

I'm not sure what to do, if things will improve in time, if I need to do more strength training for my legs (I have a personal training session on Wednesday), or what.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[G-dub]

hi, welcome to erging! One of the best ways to get help with technique, especially about something that doesn't sound typical or is hard to describe, is to take a video and then upload so that the experts can get a look. Would it have anything to do with your injury? Is one leg longer than the other? Is one leg stronger than the other for some reason, like after an injury to a leg?

[pfala]

I was thinking about taking video if I couldn't get it worked out - and I will do it if my current solution still gives me trouble. Thanks G-dub.

I seem to have resolved the issue by rowing strapless. Oddly enough, my time, spm, and power has improved as well. I'm currently rowing 26.16/5k, at an average of 25spm on a damper setting of 4. For me, this is fast and hard. Took a couple of rowing sets to get comfortable with it (I almost flew off the back of the seat the first time), but now I enjoy rowing with straps.

The right leg is slightly longer than the left, the left has an old knee injury (torn meniscus, surgery, and the knee cap isn't aligned correctly) that acts up, and the right leg had a gastroc tear in June. I think each leg has its strengths/weaknesses at this point, and it is showing.

[Alissa]

Another thing to think about trying is single leg rowing (to allow focus on each leg and its issues separately). If you use C2 slides (or the dynamic), you just plant the foot that you're not rowing with on the ground, and proceed. Another approach would be to put the non-working leg on a skateboard.

You can find discussions of both approaches on the board.

If you decide that the major problem is the difference in leg length, get a specialist to prescribe an orthotic of appropriate size to take care of the difference. (Not sure whether you need a physiotherapist or what, but there are people who can create a shoe/lift combo that will eliminate the length difference.)

HTH,

Alissa