Hi all, my first post on the board but I have been reading for the last couple of weeks what's going on.
I only started running 14 weeks ago and the total I do each week is a 10 k run tuesdays and 5k warm up run (this one before a circuit training session) on Thursday. The reason I do it is the coach of the rowing club I row for insists on it. I must admit that I enjoy the running when running with others and can even "drag" myself of bed occasionally for the odd solo run but I would much prefer to go sit on a rowing machine for an hour. But I was just wondering if anyone knew the benifits for rowing fitness that running might bring?
Also though I can run at a pace which is not fantastic compared with a lot of people (10 k in 41.12) I never seem to run "easy" if anyone understands what I mean by that? maybe my technique needs work or something?
thanks in advance anyway to any replies
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Happy running/rowing!
I found that when I started running (and others for that matter) that my calves were wrecked the next day!
I know rowers must over develop some of the muscles in their quads, and not the ones for running, by the feel of my legs when I run. I think if I ever do get pain now it's in my Abductors? Not sure if that's the right part but right at the very top of the leg at the front of the body. It's a bareable pain put there sometimes all the same.
On the rower I can breeze along without my heart rate rising too much whereas when I run it quickly rises and depending on the session I'm doing I can get it to max out, something I've never managed to do on the rower. It could be that I'm not developed enough in terms of muscle power to be able to push it enough.
In short stick with the running sessions I remember a documentary about Redgrave and Co and they used to do a fair amount of running (which they hated). It didn't do them any harm.
I personally have found the best way is to take a very quick stretch break in the middle, either that or just shuffle around
Rowing develops most of the muscles in the body and the training regime around it is based on concentrating on individual parts of the body.
Consequently it includes heavy and light weight training and longish runs about the 5 to 7 mile mark. This would then be followed by an "outing" on the river.
Typically a club rower will train four night a week plus weekends. When I was at it these sessions would be 2 to 3 hours each including boat time.
On the subject of numb bums its just the same as cycling really, you become immune after a while. The only time I ever suffered was on the Boston Marathon which is/was a 32 mile event from Lincoln to Boston. As a sucker for punishment I used to do it is a single scull i.e. on my own.
There you would pad the seat as much as possible. By the end you would be is some discomfort though.
towels, stretching are all very well, but it still hurts....in fact, rowing does hurt...running is sooooo much easier....although when i was a proper rower (i use that term loosely) i used to find running hard.....i used to do an hour erg with a split of 2.10, run at 10 minute mile pace and weigh 11 stone, now i do 30 mins erg with a split of 2.30 , run at 7-8 min mile pace and weigh 8 stone ...hmmmm think i'll stick with the running, and the erg for cross training....i can feel the pain just from typing the word....erg.....
PS: As a relatively experienced runner I would say that my average HR is always a lot higher when running.
I now have a Tunturi rower at home, not as good as a Concept 2 but smaller and a fraction of the cost. I use the rower for a bit of cross training and for when I am injured. I have found that unless I do fartlek, 1 hour of rowing is not as tough as 1 hour of running. So in answer to the question, running definitely helped my aerobic fitness for rowing.
Incidently, having had a two week break from running due to injury and working only on the rower, I have found that I feel a lot stronger when running, especially on hills.
I believe the HR is lower on a rowing machine as it's weight bearing unlike rowing.
Also i remember when I first started and couldn't use my muscles properly (ie pulled with my arms and back not the legs) i felt I could never could a proper work out. But believe me you can really really tire yourself out no matter what the length of the session on the ergo is
My hubby is a Concept 2 rower and does the odd marathon distance - used to use bubble wrap (careful which way you fold it or it [email protected] at you!!!) until he bought a seat pad, now has little trouble.
I never use the pad or wrap plenty of my own padding!
Since erging my whole body feels stronger and I'm sure it's helped my running by strengthing my core and allowing me to keep up the mileage without pounding my knees.
I would love to get a C2 at home, but unfortunately we haven't the room inside.
So, I'll have to make do with my cycle home trainer.
Why have we turned to the roads and fields?
running is my 1st sport.
I'd suggest you take a good look at the Concept website - http://www.concept2.co.uk/training/technique.php - for some technique tips. I suspect that as a runner you are probably capable of a much better time than that.
I would aim to be pulling sub 10mins. That would be a consistent 500m split of 2:30. But give yourself plenty of time to get there, you are going in the right direction.
But with the erg technique is a big NB. Both from performance and injury prevention perspectives.
Where did you find this thread, thought it disappeared to the planet of lost threads, never to be seen again
Have not rowed in ages, used to d so on concept 2 in the gym, but as i am no longer a member and can't afford one of these magnificent machines.
I do have a basic rower at home which i've used from time to time running is more dominant now
But thanks anyway something to think about if i conme into money, get an obscene payrise (highly unlikely) or i join a gym again.
I didn't even realise it was over a year old!!! I'm not very observant obviously. I think i found it under the Best of Training links or something like that...I'm a rower who runs as part of training and i do races (running) in the rowing off-season so anything to do with rowing tends to get my attention.
Personally if i was just a runner i'd never go within a mile of an erg, it's way too technical, i've never seen anyone in a gym use it properly and rowers/ergers nearly always suffer back pain/injury at some stage.
Anyhow, G'luck with your running.