LJ
LUNA-TICS Astro-rower-naut Team Room - Hangin' Out Together
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thomaspinckney
- 500m Poster
- Posts: 67
- Joined: November 19th, 2007, 10:59 am
- Location: Gaithersburg, Md
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robert.hess
- Paddler
- Posts: 4
- Joined: January 12th, 2008, 5:58 pm
Just thought I'd log in and say Hi.
For those of you doing long time in the seat, the Concept2 seat pad is great. I have been using them for a few years now. I know I can't do more than 17K without a sore butt! You really don't want a very cushioned seat pad. You'll spend a lot of energy deforming the pad instead spinning the erg (the same is true of bike saddles). I also use rowing shorts. They don't chafe and are slightly padded.
If you are planning a long row, make sure you prepare. Not only with training, but supplies. Keep hydrated. If you are rowing more than a few hours, eat (I use sports gels). I keep extra bandages next to the rower. If I think I am getting a hot-spot, I bandage it immediately - it doesn't help to get a blister and then miss a few days of rowing. Don't forget to take a stretch break.
Keep up the good work LUNA-TICS!
For those of you doing long time in the seat, the Concept2 seat pad is great. I have been using them for a few years now. I know I can't do more than 17K without a sore butt! You really don't want a very cushioned seat pad. You'll spend a lot of energy deforming the pad instead spinning the erg (the same is true of bike saddles). I also use rowing shorts. They don't chafe and are slightly padded.
If you are planning a long row, make sure you prepare. Not only with training, but supplies. Keep hydrated. If you are rowing more than a few hours, eat (I use sports gels). I keep extra bandages next to the rower. If I think I am getting a hot-spot, I bandage it immediately - it doesn't help to get a blister and then miss a few days of rowing. Don't forget to take a stretch break.
Keep up the good work LUNA-TICS!
Long rows
Yikes! How many hours are some of you putting in on the erg? I can bike a multi-day event, but am less capable in the rowing arena. I generally break my rowing into a couple of segments - and not just because it fits my schedule better.
What's your secret to getting past the 45 minute mark on the erg?
What's your secret to getting past the 45 minute mark on the erg?
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Kristine Strasburger
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1003
- Joined: December 18th, 2007, 5:46 pm
- Location: Central Nebraska
- Contact:
Well, I always like to pop a movie in, and row through the whole thing. Keep a bottle of water near by to grab a drink from, and get up to stretch for 30-60 seconds about every half hour or so, eat a few of my favorite cookies or other small quick carb (not the healthiest thing to eat during exercise, but justified for the moment!), and keep plodding away at it. Before you know it, you are done, and have gone far.
As far as fitting it into my schedule? Getting up extra early in the morning, or finding some other 3 hour time block (to allow for stretching) takes planning. I usually look at my schedule for the week, and plan when I can fit in the longer rows. When we are not doing the JVC it is a lot easier, as you can usually get in a 10000 meter row in under an hour once you are up to that many meters.
On the marathon challenge, Yes!, I'm up for it. I use the Holiday challenge to build up to the JVC, and then use the next two months to keep my conditioning level up, and build up to the marathon challenge. In order to prepare for the marathon row you really should read what C2 says about preparing and rowing it, and read it soon.
You will want to make sure you do several half-marathon rows, and another intermediary row or two (measuring a distance between the half and the full marathon) before trying the full marathon. I do this every year in preparation for the marathon to make it achievable. And every year I swear I will never do another marathon row once it is done. You WILL be sore, no doubt (unless maybe you are one of those super-long rowers), but it is an achievement worth going for. It usually takes me around 3 1/2 hours to do the marathon because I get off to stretch so much (you have to count elapsed time- not just time rowing- in the marathon challenge.)
As far as fitting it into my schedule? Getting up extra early in the morning, or finding some other 3 hour time block (to allow for stretching) takes planning. I usually look at my schedule for the week, and plan when I can fit in the longer rows. When we are not doing the JVC it is a lot easier, as you can usually get in a 10000 meter row in under an hour once you are up to that many meters.
On the marathon challenge, Yes!, I'm up for it. I use the Holiday challenge to build up to the JVC, and then use the next two months to keep my conditioning level up, and build up to the marathon challenge. In order to prepare for the marathon row you really should read what C2 says about preparing and rowing it, and read it soon.
You will want to make sure you do several half-marathon rows, and another intermediary row or two (measuring a distance between the half and the full marathon) before trying the full marathon. I do this every year in preparation for the marathon to make it achievable. And every year I swear I will never do another marathon row once it is done. You WILL be sore, no doubt (unless maybe you are one of those super-long rowers), but it is an achievement worth going for. It usually takes me around 3 1/2 hours to do the marathon because I get off to stretch so much (you have to count elapsed time- not just time rowing- in the marathon challenge.)
☆~Kristine~☆
I love this challenge! Kristine you are keeping me focused, motivated and inspired! I agree with the "pop" in a movie strategy. Subscribe to Netflix for unlimited monthly movies and let the good times roll. A few years ago I watched the entire 4 seasons of Felicity and then moved on to conquer Sex and the City.
Keep up the great work, everyone!
Keep up the great work, everyone!
Re: Long rows
I row about 1 hour or 75 minutes. Today was the first day I made it past that. It was 80 minutes and I was very proud of myself. I think you just gotta stick with it. I was so proud when I was able to make it to the 6k mark and now I row twice that more often than not.Kona2 wrote:Yikes! How many hours are some of you putting in on the erg? I can bike a multi-day event, but am less capable in the rowing arena. I generally break my rowing into a couple of segments - and not just because it fits my schedule better.
What's your secret to getting past the 45 minute mark on the erg?
LJ
LJ
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thomaspinckney
- 500m Poster
- Posts: 67
- Joined: November 19th, 2007, 10:59 am
- Location: Gaithersburg, Md
Thanks for the great info about preparing for a marathon. As a newbie, I find that about an hour or so at a time (about 10,000 meters) is pretty good without killing myself. Most of the time I've been rowing around 13,000 meters twice a day (I have time since I'm retired). I have to play catch up (to get my goal of 500,000) due to a chest cold (makes breathing difficult), but believe I will accomplish it. I've rowed 20,000 meters, but never a marathon, so this will give me something to shoot for.
I'm sure my rear-end will hurt and my low back (I have low back problems) but have found the Concept II rower the ideal piece of equipment for me. I think Kristine's 3 1/2 hour row
is probably the pace I will be setting for myself too.
With one member already hitting an amazing 500,000 meters, it kind of leaves it open as to who will be second or third in total meters rowed. However, it's been a friendly time and I enjoy each day to see who's pushing along.
Something that has not come up: where we all are from. Yep - one team, but wondering where others on here reside?
FYI: I live in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
I'm sure my rear-end will hurt and my low back (I have low back problems) but have found the Concept II rower the ideal piece of equipment for me. I think Kristine's 3 1/2 hour row
is probably the pace I will be setting for myself too. With one member already hitting an amazing 500,000 meters, it kind of leaves it open as to who will be second or third in total meters rowed. However, it's been a friendly time and I enjoy each day to see who's pushing along.
Something that has not come up: where we all are from. Yep - one team, but wondering where others on here reside?
FYI: I live in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
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robert.hess
- Paddler
- Posts: 4
- Joined: January 12th, 2008, 5:58 pm
I just rowed a marathon this weekend. I find the hardest thing to fight is the boredom. In the summer I cycle - I can change the route, see new scenery, etc. The erg can be real boring. I do pop a video in the DVD player to help the time go by.
Once you get thru a half marathon, then target 25K, and then a 30K. I usually row only between Sept and Feb. I can hit a half marathon in early October (I still have good aerobic capacity from the cycling). I usually target the Halloween challenge to hit a 31K. A few weeks into Nov. I then hit the marathon. I am a little late doing marathon-length rows this year (I tell myself I will never do them again - but I do).
The first time I did a marathon I was wiped out for a few days. However, I went out for a bike ride the day after my recent marathon - just pace yourself. Good Luck!
Once you get thru a half marathon, then target 25K, and then a 30K. I usually row only between Sept and Feb. I can hit a half marathon in early October (I still have good aerobic capacity from the cycling). I usually target the Halloween challenge to hit a 31K. A few weeks into Nov. I then hit the marathon. I am a little late doing marathon-length rows this year (I tell myself I will never do them again - but I do).
The first time I did a marathon I was wiped out for a few days. However, I went out for a bike ride the day after my recent marathon - just pace yourself. Good Luck!
training question answer
Concept2 has a bunch of different training suggestions on-line to increase your speed or meters) or decrease your time. There are also suggestions on increasing VO2 rates, extra.
I have found that endurance pieces have helped my in my 2000 meter time. I just rowed a 2000 meter piece in under 8:00 minutes, a feat I only accomplished three times in college. I graduated nineteen years ago and this is the first time I've done it since. I am bragging I know.
I have also found that increasing my stroke rate one or two strokes a minute pays off after a while.
Training with a lower damper setting help with increasing stroke rate. Raise the damper setting a little for timed pieces. I am on the heavier side so dont mind more resistance but try to increase my aerobic capacity by rowing "faster."
Jane in Yakima, WA
I have found that endurance pieces have helped my in my 2000 meter time. I just rowed a 2000 meter piece in under 8:00 minutes, a feat I only accomplished three times in college. I graduated nineteen years ago and this is the first time I've done it since. I am bragging I know.
I have also found that increasing my stroke rate one or two strokes a minute pays off after a while.
Training with a lower damper setting help with increasing stroke rate. Raise the damper setting a little for timed pieces. I am on the heavier side so dont mind more resistance but try to increase my aerobic capacity by rowing "faster."
Jane in Yakima, WA
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thomaspinckney
- 500m Poster
- Posts: 67
- Joined: November 19th, 2007, 10:59 am
- Location: Gaithersburg, Md
Thanks for the info. It really helps with staying with our goals hearing from others. Presently, I'm rowing for distance but have viewed the training plan for a marathon and believe I'm off to a good start. I've only been rowing for a short time, but my lifestyle has changed with the exercise and diet changes along with a 19# weight loss as of today since the day before Thanksgiving. I've had four people ask me: "are you losing weight?" 
That alone (and the smaller pant's sizes) is an incentive to keep me going. I'm hoping some skinny guy will be on the erg for the marathon!! Cheers!!
That alone (and the smaller pant's sizes) is an incentive to keep me going. I'm hoping some skinny guy will be on the erg for the marathon!! Cheers!!
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Kristine Strasburger
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1003
- Joined: December 18th, 2007, 5:46 pm
- Location: Central Nebraska
- Contact:
Last year I watched all three Lord of the Rings extended version movies during the marathon (still had some movie left at the end, though!)
You can edit your forum profile to show where you are from. Some of you have done that already, and some have not.
Also, if you look at the year-round LUNA-TICS team (use the left-side bar link for University/Club standings to find the team name, and then click on the number on the left to view the team), you will see a little more than half of our JVC team with pictures and bio blurbs as entered in to their C2 profiles, along with where people are from. We have team members from all over the globe- Check it out!
I am going to send out a "Half-Way Point" email in just a minute, and encourage the rest of the team to visit the Team Room here if they haven't already. It would be great to see more of the team here!
Everyone is doing a fantastic job! Keep it up! Only 16 days left!
You can edit your forum profile to show where you are from. Some of you have done that already, and some have not.
Also, if you look at the year-round LUNA-TICS team (use the left-side bar link for University/Club standings to find the team name, and then click on the number on the left to view the team), you will see a little more than half of our JVC team with pictures and bio blurbs as entered in to their C2 profiles, along with where people are from. We have team members from all over the globe- Check it out!
I am going to send out a "Half-Way Point" email in just a minute, and encourage the rest of the team to visit the Team Room here if they haven't already. It would be great to see more of the team here!
Everyone is doing a fantastic job! Keep it up! Only 16 days left!
☆~Kristine~☆