Technique

Question
Hi Al, Have just competed in The Australian Masters Games in the 500m and 1000m events, but, apparently due to overtraining (Started feeling very tired after a month of Boot Camp, cycling, running, weightlifting etc) my times were a little slower than my Aust records, which for the lightweight 75-79 yrs group are 500m 1.47 and 1000m 4.03.

My question is, while watching the lower age group of 70-74, some rowers appeared to be stroking at only a moderate, comfortable pace and not stressing themselves, while others appeared to be working harder.  Checking damper settings after the race, they were all set at 5, yet the moderately paced rowers finished with faster times.  How can this be?  I was not able to see actual spm's but there seems to be an unknown technical force at work.  I'm puzzled.

Answer
Hello Again, Graham: I know where you are coming from.  When I competed competetively years ago, I scratched my head in puzzlement when I would watch a race and see the crew in the lead almost look like they were taking a leisurely Sunday paddle with their girlfriends in tow while the trailing crews were rowing at a higher stroke rate and looked as though they were rowing in a slave galley at battle.  It's like my best friend.  I could lift more weights than him, outrun him at any distance, and probably beat him in any other sport -- but I could never outrow him.

Rowing is a sport where each rowers tiny perfections over the competition is rewarded with being able to propel the boat faster.  Likewise, each flaw does the reverse.  In a boat, there are many factors that can optimize efficiency.  On an erg (which can't tip or flip over), it could be a quicker catch, better application of leg drive, better recovery:stroke time ratio, some other item unbeknownst to me, or a combination of all of these.  So when you watched these moderate-paced rowers move so well and efficiently, I would attribute it to the fact that, unlike yourself, who started rowing fairly late in life, these rowers may have been rowing competitively since the 1950s!  They have thousands of miles of experience under their belt -- and that edge is hard to overcome.

You have come a long way and are near to their level.  It looks like you simply burnt yourself out for the Aussie Masters.  It happens all the time in this sport where a crew just overdoes it and then its diminishing returns as the excess training merely breaks down a body still fighting to recover from earlier workouts.  Maybe, cut a day out of your training regimen and head to the pub.

Regards/AP