Novices:
It's exam week. If you have done as I requested, then you are prepared. If you haven't, then it's time to study hard and do the best you can. If you're walking into your exam in a panic, then remember that feeling for next exam time and get your work done so there isn't a mad scramble.
What have you done this week to build a championship team? Are your grades going to help push the team over the top, so there won't be extra 2ooom tests? Have you put in any workouts this week? There is a 5 x 5min this Saturday and your first 2ooom test on Monday. Are you going to be ready to do your best, or will the 5 x 50 jumpies and cross-countries be in your future?
I've been in the gym twice this week, and I'll be there again in 6 hours. And I'm fat, old and out of shape.
Championships are built months before they happen. It's the oldest cliche in sports. It's also true. Are you building a championship today?
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Frustration
It's that time of the year. The mid-January blahs. The weather is miserable, schoolwork is interminable and indoor training is simply a grind. I know where everyone is.
Yeah right you say? It is true; I understand exactly where everyone is. In some form or fashion, this is a frustrating time of year. Improvements are painful to grasp, the work load is increasing and the coach is demanding more. How can I understand this? Simply look at this picture, and please ignore the terrible outside grip.
Now, that mean-looking devil in the stroke seat is long gone. He isn't coming back. The problem is that nobody who sees this picture thinks I'm the same guy. So I've started (gasp) working out again. Scary thought, huh?
No, the erg didn't break when I sat down on it. No, I don't even look at the monitor. No, it's not snowing in hell. Yes, I still fit in that unisuit. (Sort of.) My goal is to at least look like that guy in the picture and be able to get in a boat this summer.
So, anybody who is a little frustrated right now, I feel your pain. Really, I feel pain. I'm ten million meters from being that guy again, but the memory of what that guy could do is frustrating. So if you're not exactly where you think you should be, keep at it, because I need to keep at it as well.
Yeah right you say? It is true; I understand exactly where everyone is. In some form or fashion, this is a frustrating time of year. Improvements are painful to grasp, the work load is increasing and the coach is demanding more. How can I understand this? Simply look at this picture, and please ignore the terrible outside grip.
Now, that mean-looking devil in the stroke seat is long gone. He isn't coming back. The problem is that nobody who sees this picture thinks I'm the same guy. So I've started (gasp) working out again. Scary thought, huh?
No, the erg didn't break when I sat down on it. No, I don't even look at the monitor. No, it's not snowing in hell. Yes, I still fit in that unisuit. (Sort of.) My goal is to at least look like that guy in the picture and be able to get in a boat this summer.
So, anybody who is a little frustrated right now, I feel your pain. Really, I feel pain. I'm ten million meters from being that guy again, but the memory of what that guy could do is frustrating. So if you're not exactly where you think you should be, keep at it, because I need to keep at it as well.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Merry Christmas
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Here comes the Boom
A new workout playlist by DJ Coach.
Thunderstruck by AC/DC
Ready, steady Go by Paul Oakenfold
Any way you want it by Journey
Heart of a champion by Nelly
Wheel in the sky by Journey
Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down
Don't stop believing by Journey
Stupify by Disturbed
Voices by Disturbed
Radar Love by Golden Earing
When worlds collide by Powerman 5000
Here comes the Boom by P.O.D.
Sand Storm by Darude
Du Hast by Rammstein
Total time: 60 minutes. (hint, hint)
Comments welcome.
Thunderstruck by AC/DC
Ready, steady Go by Paul Oakenfold
Any way you want it by Journey
Heart of a champion by Nelly
Wheel in the sky by Journey
Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down
Don't stop believing by Journey
Stupify by Disturbed
Voices by Disturbed
Radar Love by Golden Earing
When worlds collide by Powerman 5000
Here comes the Boom by P.O.D.
Sand Storm by Darude
Du Hast by Rammstein
Total time: 60 minutes. (hint, hint)
Comments welcome.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Time Off
I've mentioned this multiple time in past posts, but time off for the team really doesn't agree with me as a coach. I sit around during normal practice times and brood about the guys eating junk food, playing computer games and getting into trouble. (Skiing anyone?) It's ironic, given my memories of my own precious time off from training in days long gone. They were precious, wonderful events, sometimes little mini-vacations taken to New York City or other states in New England. Mostly, I would sit around and rest my mind.
Surprising? Shouldn't be to anyone who understands the sport. Intense mental concentration is required for good rowing training. Up to 90 minutes per day of ignoring your body's pain threshold while concentrating on perfecting a full-body motion. That takes a lot of mental energy. It's a "grind" that doesn't injure, but slowly saps the joy of the sport from the athlete. Simply put, indoor training isn't fun.
So why do I as a coach now hate time off? Two reasons. For every training day skipped after three to four in a row, the athlete loses double of the progress made over that time. Thus, two weeks off will set the athlete back one month, and so forth. Kind of makes one wonder why do the training in the first place.
Second, there are days like today. High 50s, partly sunny and a calm, flat river. I wanted to go on the water so bad. I know that the guys probably wouldn't gain anything much from one day out there in December; rowing teams need several days on the water in a row before a measurable gain in technique or boat skills is evident. I just wanted to be out on the river in a launch, watching a boat. It's been a long time already and I'm antsy for the spring.....
....And it's only December. Blast.
Surprising? Shouldn't be to anyone who understands the sport. Intense mental concentration is required for good rowing training. Up to 90 minutes per day of ignoring your body's pain threshold while concentrating on perfecting a full-body motion. That takes a lot of mental energy. It's a "grind" that doesn't injure, but slowly saps the joy of the sport from the athlete. Simply put, indoor training isn't fun.
So why do I as a coach now hate time off? Two reasons. For every training day skipped after three to four in a row, the athlete loses double of the progress made over that time. Thus, two weeks off will set the athlete back one month, and so forth. Kind of makes one wonder why do the training in the first place.
Second, there are days like today. High 50s, partly sunny and a calm, flat river. I wanted to go on the water so bad. I know that the guys probably wouldn't gain anything much from one day out there in December; rowing teams need several days on the water in a row before a measurable gain in technique or boat skills is evident. I just wanted to be out on the river in a launch, watching a boat. It's been a long time already and I'm antsy for the spring.....
....And it's only December. Blast.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
5th Central Biathlon
Good morning and welcome to the 5th annual Central Catholic Biathlon. Go to Regatta Central to see the results come in.
Over 150 lunatics think getting up before dawn to race 10,000 meters on the erg isn't crazy enough. They want to run 6 miles after the erg in 22 degree cold. What are they racing for? Not money, (I don't think you could pay anyone enough for this), nor fame (no, the international press isn't here). They are racing for the most valuable items in rowing: a shirt, and bragging rights.
Over 150 lunatics think getting up before dawn to race 10,000 meters on the erg isn't crazy enough. They want to run 6 miles after the erg in 22 degree cold. What are they racing for? Not money, (I don't think you could pay anyone enough for this), nor fame (no, the international press isn't here). They are racing for the most valuable items in rowing: a shirt, and bragging rights.
Friday, December 01, 2006
A warm November
It's really hard not to be out on the water when it looks like this. Just two days ago. Mid 60s, level low and water flat. I know that I'll be wishing for these kind of conditions sometime in March, when the river looks more like a whitewater rapids course. Instead, I sent the boys out for a run.
Am I cruel? No, not yet. The Central Biathalon is coming up in a week, and the guys need to be ready for a long run, so off they went, with much groaning. We're not the Central cross-country team, but the running does them some good. Runs like this build mental toughness in ways my shouting can't.
Now, fellows, we need to talk about timing and concentration, just a little......
I'm not putting these shots up here to embarrass anyone or put down my own crew. I just want to make a point. Concentration is very important in rowing. I've said before that a crew is like the offensive line in a football game. They have to practice together in order to be successful. However, unlike football, a crew must do everything in unison, all the time. The concentration level required is very high.
This is a very dusty, old cliche, but it's true: "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect." --V. Lombardi.
Concentration isn't something that can just be turned on when the time comes in a race. It has to be practiced. Every day, every stroke, every lift, every stretch. So, let's lock this timing and concentration down.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
A good day
I've been looking forward to this sight. Two freshman 8s for Central on the water. Though this was our last day on the water for the fall, I'll be referring to today throughout the winter. Successful crews have competition at practice. Successful crews have lots of novices to keep the momentum of past years moving forward.As we start winter training, I'm in a very hopeful mood. I see the makings of a good class of guys. They get along well and pull hard. As can be seen in this photo and the others I've uploaded to the album, there are technical issues aplenty to correct. Somehow, that is comforting to me. If there was a lack of courage or belief in themselves, I would be concerned. If they were apathetic about practice or didn't enjoy the sport, I'd be concerned. If they didn't pull hard, I'd be angry. Endurance, pain tolerance and technical issues can be improved.
As Ron White once said, "You can't fix stupid." I'll extend that remark to "You can't fix yellow." These boys are smart and have courage. That's a great place to start the winter.
Categories: Rowing, Photo, CC, Teamwork
Friday, November 10, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Cold Weather Rowing
We're on the water this week, and the weather is looking good for the next few days. I'm sort of concerned about this; I would prefer colder temperatures. Why? The boys need the "seasoning" of rowing in cold weather.
It's really simple. People in general and teenage boys in particular don't learn when they are told something. If I tell somebody that it is very cold outside and they need a coat, they'll pull a jacket out of the closet. If they stick their head out the door and get a facefull of sleet, they'll pull out the winter parka with cloves and a hat.
Thus and so, the guys need a really cold, nasty practice. With wind, a little rain and some rough water. Those conditions will come during the spring racing season, and they need to have the equipment to deal with rowing in wintry hell. More importantly, they need the attitude to row in bad conditions. Rowing in the nasty cold takes a special mindset. You have to say to yourself, yep its cold. But they're colder. They don't want to be out here, but I just want to beat them, so let's race. Crews that pull hard and lower on the rating will win in nasty water. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have the right boat.
Pittsburgh crews must row in bad conditions because the weather doesn't get nice around here until mid May. Here's a football analogy: who is happier on Christmas Eve, when it's 33 degrees and the sleet is slanting down in Cleveland, the Browns or the Tampa Bay Bucs? The Browns may stink this year (and the Bucs may not be much better), but I'm picking the team that spends more time in nasty conditions.
So, after all those links, here's a few that our readers might be able to use. Parents, here is a great list of Christmas ideas.
Pogies, those hand covers that won't come between the skin and the oar.
Fleece long socks, which I liked better than long tights because they don't bunch up under the knee at the catch.
Under Armour. Man, I wish we had this company when I was rowing. Great stuff. Look over the long tights, and cold weather shirts.
Rain Suits. What do these have to do with rowing? Simple. If an athlete is wet, cold and shivering when they push off the dock, then they are already beaten. A lot of time is spent sitting around dripping tents or walking around in the elements. I've seen hundreds of athletes with great "foul weather" rowing gear in their backpacks arrive at the course with a water "resistant" jacket and jeans. Nothing else. They are soaked to the skin and blue in 30 minutes. How can anyone compete then?
Mustang Suit. Do any rowers need this? No. The team supplies our coxswains with suits. But there is nothing warmer or more comfortable. I love mine. Just putting a shout out to Mustang for a great product.
Waterproof sleeping bag. Expensive? Yep. Am I insisting on this? Not yet. Look around a little. But I'll leave a little thought here. We put up tents for the athletes to rest in and keep out of the weather. Those tents are usually near the water so everyone can watch. Tents near the water are usually on some type of slope, so water will drain through the tent on the ground. People might not be getting rained on, but anyone and anything on the ground will sometimes be sitting in freezing mud, if not flowing water. Think about that when you're taking a sleeping back on a trip to keep warm. Hard to keep warm and dry if the exterior is cloth.
Categories: Rowing
It's really simple. People in general and teenage boys in particular don't learn when they are told something. If I tell somebody that it is very cold outside and they need a coat, they'll pull a jacket out of the closet. If they stick their head out the door and get a facefull of sleet, they'll pull out the winter parka with cloves and a hat.
Thus and so, the guys need a really cold, nasty practice. With wind, a little rain and some rough water. Those conditions will come during the spring racing season, and they need to have the equipment to deal with rowing in wintry hell. More importantly, they need the attitude to row in bad conditions. Rowing in the nasty cold takes a special mindset. You have to say to yourself, yep its cold. But they're colder. They don't want to be out here, but I just want to beat them, so let's race. Crews that pull hard and lower on the rating will win in nasty water. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have the right boat.
Pittsburgh crews must row in bad conditions because the weather doesn't get nice around here until mid May. Here's a football analogy: who is happier on Christmas Eve, when it's 33 degrees and the sleet is slanting down in Cleveland, the Browns or the Tampa Bay Bucs? The Browns may stink this year (and the Bucs may not be much better), but I'm picking the team that spends more time in nasty conditions.
So, after all those links, here's a few that our readers might be able to use. Parents, here is a great list of Christmas ideas.
Pogies, those hand covers that won't come between the skin and the oar.
Fleece long socks, which I liked better than long tights because they don't bunch up under the knee at the catch.
Under Armour. Man, I wish we had this company when I was rowing. Great stuff. Look over the long tights, and cold weather shirts.
Rain Suits. What do these have to do with rowing? Simple. If an athlete is wet, cold and shivering when they push off the dock, then they are already beaten. A lot of time is spent sitting around dripping tents or walking around in the elements. I've seen hundreds of athletes with great "foul weather" rowing gear in their backpacks arrive at the course with a water "resistant" jacket and jeans. Nothing else. They are soaked to the skin and blue in 30 minutes. How can anyone compete then?
Mustang Suit. Do any rowers need this? No. The team supplies our coxswains with suits. But there is nothing warmer or more comfortable. I love mine. Just putting a shout out to Mustang for a great product.
Waterproof sleeping bag. Expensive? Yep. Am I insisting on this? Not yet. Look around a little. But I'll leave a little thought here. We put up tents for the athletes to rest in and keep out of the weather. Those tents are usually near the water so everyone can watch. Tents near the water are usually on some type of slope, so water will drain through the tent on the ground. People might not be getting rained on, but anyone and anything on the ground will sometimes be sitting in freezing mud, if not flowing water. Think about that when you're taking a sleeping back on a trip to keep warm. Hard to keep warm and dry if the exterior is cloth.
Categories: Rowing
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