help with fall training

Question
I am a lightweight rower (145 lb) and I'm 5'10". My 2K is currently 7:02. I'm running cross country in the fall, erging in the winter, and rowing in the spring; Will my rowing training hurt my running, or vice versa? And should I row erg pieces in the morning during cross country season to maintain muscle memory/technique?

Answer
Hi John: I assume you are in high school.  Your erg time is above average (7:15) for 15-18 year old lightweights -- probably in the 60th percentile.

Your question is tough to answer.  What's your priority, cross country or crew? Which sport do you expect to do in college? Which sport are you better at (i.e., gives you the best chance for an athletic scholarship).  If crew is your #1 sport, then you should just row in the fall and not do cross country.  If everyone else is rowing in the fall, and you are doing just cross country, then I think you will be behind your crewmates somewhat in the spring.  I would say you definitely would want to supplement your CC workouts with ergometer workouts.  But I would avoid the erg if you have a cross country race within 24 hours.  the good news is that cross country is a good substitute for rowing.  In college, I recall I can beat several of the cross country and track runners over certain distances

But if your school only offers crew as a spring sport, then I think your fall erg workouts in the morning along with CC is a good strategy.  But I would just do 2-4 erg workouts a week and I would avoid it on the day or day prior to a race.

Good Luck/AP