Erg Golf

Last night I tried a new workout called Erg Golf. The idea is that you row "holes" of a certain number of meters. For example the first hole is 365 meters and the object is to get the lowest time possible. The scoring is set up with a 1:45/500m pace on every hole, with the longest hole at 525 meters and the shortest 150 meters.

Well, I finished eight holes ok, and then on the ninth, which was 525 meters, I died. I got about 200 meters in and then I could barely finish it at a crawl. So now I know where I stand. I was trying to go for the 1:45 pace; next time maybe I'll try 1:50. It's amazing the difference between those five seconds. Ultimately it's the difference between a 7:00 2k and a 7:20, which is considerable. And my goal for the 2k this winter is roughly 7:20. I was able to pull that in Dec. of 2007 and I pulled a 7:15 in March of 2006, granted that second one was near my peak conditioning at St. John's. Next time around I'll try to finish all 18 holes.

Yesterday marked my 10th workout since Jan. 2nd. More than I've worked out in a long time. I'm feeling some sore spots/painful spots, of which I'm trying to be mindful. One spot is in my shoulders and near my spine between my shoulder blades. My housemate showed me some exercises I can do to strengthen those muscles. The problem, she thinks, is that I hold my head too far forward and those muscles are stretched out too much. The solution is to strengthen the opposing muscles that hold my head back over my shoulders. I've had this same kind of pain in the same shoulder area before. Maybe these exercises will help.

Today I plan on doing a long, steady state workout, perhaps two 30 minute pieces. Another note: I have increased my drag up to about 110 or the middle of the 4 on most ergs.

Happy errrrrrggging.


p.s. I did a 10k. Felt pretty good.