Lifelong Rowing Blog

    



Photo Credit:  J. Zydeck

Lifelong Rowing Blog #23

 

A Competitive Spirit

 

Swimming was always the hardest part of my first attempts at a triathlon.  That’s why I so much enjoyed biathlons, just the biking and running.  Arriving at the venue, I was pretty excited, a good chance to win a medal.  I was none too happy when my biggest competitor  in my age group had a technical issue and my husband, Bob, the former bike mechanic came to the rescue…pretty small of me.

 

Watching the Olympics and the commercials I am bombarded with an abundance of hugs in the swimming pool, the track, and the gymnastics venue.  The pictures hit the mark, sincerely appreciating each other’s accomplishments.

 

At one of my many jobs, I had a woman supervisor who competed in sharpshooting competitions.  I once asked if the other woman competitors were friendly.  “Are you kidding me, they hate me because I usually win” she said sadly.

 

Hopefully the competitive world and I have changed for the better.

 

Animal Sightings:  

 

In the last month I have spotted two cormorants high in the trees above the Chicago River.  I think it’s a good sign, hopefully the water is getting cleaner.

 

Rowing Drill:

 

For years I have been working on clean ‘finishes’. Nothing has really helped the situation until my coach Bill suggested I scull with just my thumb and index finger. I do it for about 500 meters as part of my warm-up or cool down.  If this is one of your struggles try it, for some reason it works.

 

Rowing Workout: (Concept 2’s Workout of the Day, August 2)

 

Stroke Rate Changes.   One of my self-talk sayings, “Power at any stroke rate.”

 

After your warm-up, row 5000 meters varying your stroke rate as follows: row 1000 meters @22, row 1000 meters@24, Row 1000 meters@26, row 1000 meters @28 and 1000 meters @24

 

Safety Tip:

 

Here’s a great safety audit from USRA.  It covers every aspect of rowing especially geared to club, high school and university crews.

 

https://usrowing.org/documents/2021/2/12/USRowing_Safety_Audit_Checklist_v2.pdf

 

Ciao for Now!

 

 

 

Terra Levin

Lifelong Rower

312.925.9895

 

 

 

 

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