Lightweight Eats

Rowing has a very strange race and training calendar. Because we have two seasons, we have racing scheduled for most of the year. At the elite level, we race 4-6km in the late fall season and race 2km in the late spring and summer.

The 2000m distance is the primary race distance and is the focus of our season. As such, the end of summer marks the end of our training year.

In the fall, we try to focus on longer training and building our training base while also preparing for the fall racing season. This is the most awkward season--do you focus long-term on preparing for spring or do you do the work that will best prepare you for fall racing?

Once the fall season ends, training shifts focus to volume work. This is the season of epic workouts: two to three hour bike rides and 10-mile runs.

There is nothing quite like slogging through two hours on the bike at heart rate 130. Fortunately, I've learned some tricks to help pass the time! I'm a huge fan of watching movies on my computer, chatting with friends and even doing work online from the bike seat.

Epic runs are a bit harder to manage. I hate carrying water with me, so I get super thirsty. I also inevitably have to use the restroom, which severely restricts my list of possible routes. I listen to music, enjoy the scenery and spend time thinking. Sometimes, I menu plan or figure out what I'll eat when I get back. Now, I can also check my heart rate or my mileage.