Sore bottom

[Jeffreyleigh]

I'm currently training to do a 100k later in the year and am putting in some 2-4 hour training sessions . I have a Gel seat pad, I wear two pairs of " good quality" underwear and two pairs of biking underwear over that before putting on my shorts
and I row " correctly " and I get " arse" sores despite all of this ( might be in part down to sweat and motion movement ?!) has anyone experienced similar " long term " issues and has anyone got a " cure " PLEASE ???

[Cyclist2]

I asked the moderator to move this to the proper sub-forum, so keep your eyes open.

Biking shorts have the padding in the wrong place, and underwear probably has seams in the wrong place. Get a pair of rowing specific shorts (C2 or JL Racing are two good stores). That with the gel pad may be enough. For really long rows, have two or three different pads that you can switch out to change the pressure points.

Good luck!

[Jeffreyleigh]

Thank you for your advice , I've ordered some concept 2 shorts . Generally I've found the biking underwear ( Gonso) has been helpful not sure how much help switching pads will do ( why not just flip over the one you're using ?) but I've got
several so I might as well try it , and I'm amazed that concept 2 haven't come up with someing specific , I know I'm not the
only person who has this issue . Anyway , thanks again for taking the time to respond I'll see if the new shorts and alternating the Gel pad help at all.

[bisqeet]

a decent pad works womders.
rather like a bike saddle - you need to find the right one for you.

I usually cycle commando, as I don't like the seams on my skiddies - always seem to run and pinch a cheek.
Rowing has different difficulties.

I may be old age making a show and my body parts losing the fight with gravity - but i do appreciate some duds that hold the veg in, stop em dangling on the slide - if you know what i mean.

I'm also thinking about doing a 100k soonish - and was actually contemplating rowing in speedos...hmmmm.

What i used to use (and was well comfortable, was a towel wrapped around bubble wrap. Also cut up the wifes yoga mat and coated it in bubble wrap.
not as comfortable and of course there were other non desirable side effects.

bought a gel pad (skwoosh) and am prettty hapüpy with that - although doubling up with a towel might also be an option for the big 100k.

what also helped was rowing strappless.

It really helps with the technique and you avoid rolling back over the sitzbones - mainly because falling off the erg is quite embarresing - especially in a gym.

concept2 do have a decent seat pad - from what i've heard its quite comfortable.

happy ergo-ing

[jackarabit]

Sore, tired cheeks (glutes kneaded a few thousand times passing over the ischial tuberosities) are peculiar to rowing/erging. Saddle sores (inflammation/infection at site of friction chafing) are more typically complained of by cyclists. In either case, I don't see an advantage of four of five layers of fabric between bottom and seat. A chamois pads the perineum in bike shorts. Relief holes or depressions in seats relieve pressure on rowers' sitzbones. Almost all athletic shorts or compression shorts without seams in the butt to seat contact patch work fine for me. I like Arizona board shorts (roomy) in a big topical floral print (different) and sometimes 3/4 lengths compression tights or even track suit pants in winter/drafty conditions. Pads are a good addition to the C2 stock seat. I like the SORE-NO-MORE.

[Jeffreyleigh]

Well guys some interesting responses, I doubt if rowing naked in the gym will be appreciated by many ...if any , so that's out
I use the concept 2 pad and it's fine for shorter distances , I've tried garden seat pads underneath the Gel pad , I've tried
Pillows, cushions , baby cream etc...etc... rowing without a strap is good for technique but not when you're trying to row
fast times . I'm dubious about the towel and bubble wrap idea although it's worth investigation . Could be right about several layers of material nit being much benefit . I've just ordered some rowing specific shorts on the off chance they
do make a significant difference . Yoga mats and more bubble wrap , maybe just variation on a theme . I'm hoping my
Bum will toughen up over the next few months to enable me to execute my 100k but I'm not confident at the moment .
Thanks for all the suggestions though .

[bisqeet]

Well guys some interesting responses, I doubt if rowing naked in the gym will be appreciated by many ...if any , so that's out
I use the concept 2 pad and it's fine for shorter distances , I've tried garden seat pads underneath the Gel pad , I've tried
Pillows, cushions , baby cream etc...etc... rowing without a strap is good for technique but not when you're trying to row
fast times . I'm dubious about the towel and bubble wrap idea although it's worth investigation . Could be right about several layers of material nit being much benefit . I've just ordered some rowing specific shorts on the off chance they
do make a significant difference . Yoga mats and more bubble wrap , maybe just variation on a theme . I'm hoping my
Bum will toughen up over the next few months to enable me to execute my 100k but I'm not confident at the moment .
Thanks for all the suggestions though .

actually - i found it got "worse".
reason being, lost a lot of mass around the butt cheeks from too much training.


the strapless is only meant for slow paces, and to improve technique.
you shouldn't rock back over the sitzbones, rowing strapless learns you this
you do get used to it thoughh...

[Jeffreyleigh]

Thx once again for your input , you are correct about the idea of rowing strapless and as you say maybe I'll just get " tougher" over the next few months .

[bisqeet]

Thx once again for your input , you are correct about the idea of rowing strapless and as you say maybe I'll just get " tougher" over the next few months .

But regarding the 100 k. I was thinking about splitting it into 20 x 5k ( or 10k. 20k) with a rest between. Simply to be able to stand up and release tension there.
How are you planning yours
In not planning on a specific time, just completion

[Jeffreyleigh]

My plan for the 100k is to do it in 7:30mins at an average of 2:15.0 pace . I will be entering the distance and inputting 5k splits so I can concentrate on my pacing , I will hydrate beforehand and every 10k I'll be topping up ( possibly 8k) , I will
get up and stretch then at the same time . I've given myself 6 months to train for it which should be enough. Completing
it isn't good enough for me ( previously the furthest I've done is a Marathon ) as the boredom of not having a time in mind
will kill the brain . My main issue at the time is my "arse" becoming uncomfortable but as I increase my weekly long row
I'll know what my capabilities are . What's your training like at the moment ?

[bisqeet]

The last 10 months has been mosty long slow stuff.
typically R18 HM distance at about 2:05 - 2:08 pace - HR capped 135
I think i'm onto #110 or so, I did 1 fast piece a week to break up the boredom - whatever th CTC or ITC or what i felt like.

I changed to the Eddy Fletcher Marathon Plan in January, which is a 12 Week course (i'm doing one extra rotation tho = 16 weeks), which is 5 sessions a week
ranging from 4x15 Min intervals to HM distances - roughly about 100k / week.
mostly HR capped stuff ~ 90% HRMax

I plan on doing a fast Marathon at the end - probably target 2:45 or so (current is 2:47) and a fast HM (sub 80 minutes) before the season ends next month.

I was planning on doing it after the crazy bear (30 HM's in 40 days) last year - but it was so cold i decided to wait till it got warmer.
No fixed date - for the 100k attempt - need to clear my calendar and get the HM (last of 2016/17 seasons goals) out of the way first.

[Jeffreyleigh]

Well it sounds like you know what upyoure doing and have a plan to work from so that should put you in good shape . I was going to see Eddie Fletcher to get a HR test and programme but he's been very busy so I'm " manufacturing" my own
programme and schedule . I usually do an interval session each week and alternate that between doing 1000m intervals x 15
with a 3 minute rest and doing 4 x 5k intervals off of a 5 minute rest . I did a marathon in 2010 in 5 seconds under 3 hours ( 2:07.9) at age 56 ( Hvy) which I did off of not a lot of training and at 28spm avg . I'm hoping to beat that in training for this
100k but at the moment I'm several minutes off of that . Anyway , let me know how your training goes , with a Marathon
time of 2:47 I figure you're years younger than me !!

[Ripples]

2Tom's Butt Shield has been highly recommended by long distance paddlers. "Long distance" = 30+ mile training days and 300 mile events.

https://www.amazon.com/Butt-Shield-Skin ... r=8-1&th=1

[Jeffreyleigh]

That's interesting , I've just ordered a can so I'll let you know how I get on , this could be the " miracle " cure I've been
hoping for , and may allow me to concentrate on my rowing rather than my arse !! Thanks .

[Cyclist2]

2Tom's Butt Shield has been highly recommended by long distance paddlers. "Long distance" = 30+ mile training days and 300 mile events.

This sort of product is for friction and skin irritation. Is that your problem? Or is it sore muscles? My glutes take a month or so to stop hurting when I start up seriously in the fall and they still let me know they are working when I do longer workouts. I need a pad to stop the pain of rocking on the sit bones on that hard C2 seat, but have never had "saddle sore" problems.