So have been away....

Once again being out of the country has slowed my improvement - back for a while now so hopefully can pick up where I stopped. Rowed yesterday for the first time in a while. Not too bad. Steady 20 minutes - slower than normal with a higher heart rate than in the past (+170). So how did I know my heart rate then? Well for my birthday I received a heart rate interface cable from Rebecca, my girlfriend. This has helped me greatly to understand performance - level of workout etc. RowPro also uses your heart rate to pace workouts so an essential piece of kit.

So will be picking up the pace over the next couple of weeks. Rowing, Squash and back to badminton. Must work off hotel food and drink !!

Plan to change my workout plan this week. I feel its time - a little more experienced and a better ability to answer the prep questions asked by RowPro. I may post the plan...

Row Row Row your boat a little longer down the stream :-)

OK - so tonight was the first 40 minute session - managed it OK but struggled once more with pins and needles in my left foot. Got to about 25 minutes and needed to stop to walk it off. Other than that felt pretty good - a little annoyed about the pins and needles but I'm seeking a resolution to that. If anyone has any ideas then let me know. I have heard that it could be due to a number of reasons (sitting position, posture, etc) but to date nothing has changed. Just short of 10,000 meters which is annoying - would have made the ten if it was not for the 2/3 minute stop.

Anyway squash tomorrow so will be a good way of seeing how my fitness is going. I'm expecting a very hard game.

Calling any other RowPro User !!

If your a RowPro user and you want to have a row let me know !! Would be good to have a training partner and someone that can share ideas with.

Two days back....

Two days back into the swing of things.....yesterday I had a 25 minute rowing session. Everything OK - a little slower than usual given the small break to the US last week. Only other problem I need to look into is pins and needles in my feet (mainly left foot) - tends to come on late into a session - I hear it could be to do with the way that I am sitting.

As a result I focused on a technique row tonight - 3000 meters - felt OK and thankfully no more tingle!

Rowing machine now over the 100,000 meters mark which is good - I see many on ebay with less meters for sale.....must keep on going !

Next purchase - heart rate monitor and interface - keep losing out on eBay, think I will opt out and go straight for the concept shop online.

Been away again !

OK, another week out of the country, back on the rower on Monday - hopefully my previous progress will not be a complete wash out. My blog entries to come next week !

Technique rows going to plan

This week I have following the training plan. First couple of weeks is focusing on technique. Have completed three sessions so far, all of 2000 meters. Now have a couple of rest days until Sunday when I carry out a 3000 meter technique row. Another week and then it starts getting more serious. Longer rows and interval training.

Total meters rowed to date is now > 80,000 meters.

In addition to the rowing I went to Badminton last night. Pleasantly surprised by fitness - not as bad as I had originally thought.

Onwards and Upwards

OK - so with crimbo over let the training begin.

One of my presents this year was a 12 month subscription to the Rowpro software, I have since setup a training plan and started to follow this closely. First few weeks cover technique which will help to improve on and build up a strong rowing action. A slow strokes per minute rate required (18-21) and short distance covered (2000 meters).

First few sessions have been enjoyable - trying out the software and rowing additions received for Christmas. The new seat pad has made for a more comfortable ride as have the rowing mitts.

After my technique row I decided to go for a quick 500 meter dash - completed in @ 1:47 pace which I was happy with. My aim to complete 1000 meters at this pace.

Hopefully my next post will have some details on the online rowing community which I'm looking to get involved in....watch this space.