January Testing

We are heading into the late January testing sessions. On Monday this week we went through the lactate step-test and later this week is the 6km and 2km erg tests. It will be a good to see how our training has come along over the past few month and progressed to now. I previously completed the lactate step test on my own before I was invited to join the LWT guys.  Below is a shot of the lactate step testing (Rares was stuck in Vancouver from the ferry cancellation). We are waiting for the official results, but I know that I was able to push through one more step keepin my lactate below 0.4 mmol before I made the final push. (more info on this later)

Above: Travis getting the finger-stick to take a blood sample. He may have a secret weapon that allows him to push harder than most!

Erg Test Oct. 18th 2010

Oct. 18th, 201o. First Erg test of my "new" training regime.

I have been getting somewhat ready for this for 4 weeks. I knew it was coming and in a round-about way got my body (and mind) motivated.
In the lead up to the Test, I did 2weeks of Tues and thurs morning Erg workouts involved with 19min rate pyramids (4',3',2' etc. - SR 22,24,26,28,26,24,22) or 18min (3', 2',1',3',2',1',3',2',1') of similar rate. Two days before I tried a practice 6km all alone and I just slogged and battled through it to a 22:23.

A little bit I dont understand about my own motivation and training. For example, I move to a new city for this Rowing goal, I find a job that works for a rowing schedule, plan my daily life around this rowing - yet, sometimes I can't even finish (or start) a workout. It seems so backwards that I can easily let my mind slip and find excuses to sleep in or even stand up in the middle of an erg workout set and walk around.... One thing I completely know - is that most of the time I need to have people around to finish a quality workout.

The Monday night erg test was just Jerry and me with Coach Doug supporting and certification for us. I just mimicked Jerry's WU: 20-25 min easy with 5-10 race pace power tens. A good washroom break and then just start it. Stroke rate to maintain: 28, most of the time was able to - I just timed it up with Jerry and kept pushing. I waivered a bit in the middle dropping to 1:45-1:47 split, but a good hard push at the end. I ended with 20:32! 2sec over what I planned. I was very happy with it. 320W avg. I have a baseline and room to improve.

Goal 20:10 and under by December!