Today marks the 8th. day of my winter training this month. While it's winter school break, and everyone's decided to take this time to relax and do other stuff, I've taken the challenge of coming back and starting my training early...SOLO.
At the onset of coming back to the erg room, I was intent on following the Pete Plan (http://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/the-pete-plan/). The goal was to hit the bricks early on the erg so that I can hopeful hit a 7 minute 2K on the erg. Right now, after 3 years of rowing, my best 2K time is 7:24. But I've never pushed myself as insanely as I was planning to.
Right now, I must say it's gotten much harder every single day. In addition to following the plan 5 days a week (since last week) I've been adding 3-4 nights of weight training a week. Only 8 days into my program, and I'm learning quickly how mentally and spiritually taxing all this solo working out is. I look and feel stronger, but the wear and tear on the spirit is immensely draining.
I've been trying to find a way to avoid this "winter training slump" so many rowers experience but so far I haven't found one that's good for the long term. I did find a great short-term one though: the Rocky movies and soundtracks. They are great! Honestly, they were the only reasons I was mentally able to finish my first week through and through.
But what happens when they become overused? That's what I'm trying to figure out now. Hopefully I'll be able to follow up my routine training soon. Until then, I guess it's continue the grind and pray my spirit doesn't die.
Each year since 1856 (except during the first two world wars), a elite crew from Oxford and Cambridge Universities race each other in a gigantic regatta called simply "The Boat Race." It's a grueling 4.25 mile race where the two crews go head-to-head with millions of people along the sidelines cheering throughout the 17-22 minutes of hell.
For me personally, these guys are just inspiring to watch. And even more so knowing that they have to stick it out for at least 6 whole months.
For me personally, these guys are just inspiring to watch. And even more so knowing that they have to stick it out for at least 6 whole months.
For many, the end of Turkey day (Thanksgiving Week) marks the end of the fall rowing season. For collegiate rowers, it is the end of the 5k and 6k races.
Thus begins the winter training season. Experience has taught well that this is the most difficult part of the entire rowing regiment. Most of the winter days in the US Northeast is spent cross-training in heavy clothing layers, doing calisthenics, or sitting on the erg machine. All this with the knowledge that the spring season is literally months away.
But, take special attention. This is where the best separate from the rest.
"Medals are won in the winter. We only pick them up in the spring."
It should always be remembered that the winter is the time for building up to the spring peak.
-Stay consistent.
-Stay focused
-Stay determined.
-DON'T BLOW YOUR LOAD IN THE FIRST MONTH!
Thus begins the winter training season. Experience has taught well that this is the most difficult part of the entire rowing regiment. Most of the winter days in the US Northeast is spent cross-training in heavy clothing layers, doing calisthenics, or sitting on the erg machine. All this with the knowledge that the spring season is literally months away.
But, take special attention. This is where the best separate from the rest.
"Medals are won in the winter. We only pick them up in the spring."
It should always be remembered that the winter is the time for building up to the spring peak.
-Stay consistent.
-Stay focused
-Stay determined.
-DON'T BLOW YOUR LOAD IN THE FIRST MONTH!
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