Discussion: Things

Things will get better.

I'd say they already have...on the rowing machine anyway. Charlie cranked an amazing 1:48 for 500m, the same as his time last year. Pretty good when at least one category is telling you in your 70's, that you're not losing a step!

Just for fun, I looked up my best time when I was 73 years old: 1:53.7 I wonder what coach is rowing these days?

I try not to go under 2:00, that's a lot of work.... and I will give props for going out and running more. As long as it doesn't make you hurt, it's the best way to keep fit for orienteering.
(Dang, now I'm going to be challenged to see what I can do.)

It's the best way to keep fit for orienteering even if it does hurt. Actually, if there's enough mountain laurel and greenbriar around, and it doesn't hurt, you're probably not doing it right.

Not sure what enough greenbriar would be, and I might think I already have enough. That is, virtually none. However, despite all the progress this summer, the overall supply of mountain laurel is ample.

I think the occasional fast piece on the rower is pretty useful for building strength and gauging performance. I find I can row a 500 piece virtually as fast as I can without really trashing myself. Somehow, the distance that beats me up the most is 1,000. So far this fall I haven't rowed anything longer than 2000. I think I need to start rowing some 5000 pieces, but I have to work up to it emotionally, if not physically. Anyway, I was favorably impressed that I could still row a reasonably paced 500 without any significant training.

I think the kind of hurt coach is referring to and the kind of hurt Swampfox is referring to, are two different kinds of hurt. The latter of which tends to have consequences only in the short term; the former which can be pretty harmful in the long term.

Right. I find I usually get caught up by the coach version before I can get to the SF version. Rowing is generally easier on the body, although I had a period 15 or so years ago when I was rowing 10,000 to 15,000 meters a day and I screwed up my hands. Took about a year for them to calm down.

But I do want to get back to running. I was encouraged to have been able to go 6 miles the other day with no particular ill effect.