A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PATRIOT ROWER
Competitive rowing requires a maximum effort of up to 6
minutes during sprint races. Rowing involves use of all the body's large muscle
groups: legs, back, and arms. Since the muscle mass is large, the demand for
oxygen during a race is much greater than for most other activities. Hence, a
high level of muscle development and aerobic conditioning is required for peak
performance in the sport.
Workouts tend to resemble those for middle distance runners with strength
training thrown in. You can see a typical workout schedule below:
- We'll get to the boathouse pretty much as early as we
can during the school year. This allows the crews to get their equipment and
the coach's launches prepared and checked. When that's done, we usually have a
couple of minutes to stand and talk before practice starts.
- We generally begin with a short warm-up run along the
river to get our heart rates up and the muscles limber.
- We stretch as a team whenever we can. If not, crews can
stretch together with the coxswain or stroke leading. It's really important to
stretch muscles warm so you don't tear something. That would be a definite
no-no!
- Practice begins, generally along the following lines:
- In the beginning of the season, we do lots
of light rowing while working big-time on technique.
- As everybody gets more comfortable rowing,
we will add in short intervals (of a couple of minutes) at maximum effort,
but pretty slow strokes. These are really kind of nice. This is the first
time in the season when we really get to stretch our legs and go fast. All
the time, we're still working on technique.
- It doesn't take us long to move into
longer interval rowing. These hurt a little more. Since this is the length
of sprint races, they're frequently a good indication of how we'll do.
- As we get closer to racing, especially in
sprint season, coaches will give us shorter, quicker pieces. These last
anywhere from 45 seconds to 4 minutes, and make you row as fast as you can,
then rest between each one. It's really great to go absolutely as fast as
you can. Especially closer to racing season, we discuss the good and bad
aspects of each one while we're resting. When we start up again, we try to
correct what was wrong with the last one. Technique matters even more on
these, as it has to be second-nature to row this fast.
- Racing... It's unlike anything you've ever
done. There's a certain thrill in hurdling down a race course as fast as you
can possibly go, the words of your coxswain pushing you further. It's
exciting to pass boats up and beat them. Or, somebody will try to pass you,
and your whole boat gets this wild burst of energy, and you walk off and
leave your opponent far behind. It's magical. This alone would be reason
enough for me to row.
- Practice on the water is followed by calisthenics and
strength training.
In the event of inclement weather, we'll row inside on
ergometers (indoor rowing machines that we typically call "ergs"), or we'll do
calisthenics.
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