Rowing - 2k Test Feb. 27, 2008

Today was a staple of college rowing--the 2k test. How fast can you row 2,000 meters?

In some teams, the answer to that question could determine whether you get seated in the A-boat or not. Of course, a 2k score isn't the only factor that coaches weigh. Your weight, and skill as a rower also factor in. I've always done fairly well in 2k tests, especially when weight is factored in.

This year, however, the 2k test is purely for pride and for my personal goals. I'm not eligible to row on the Univ. of MD team anymore because I have participated in major regattas for 4 years (in other words, my eligibility is up). So, I'm entering the world of sculling for my final semester of college. I'm training on my own, but I decided to take the 2k test with the team.

My plan for today looked like this...

2000m	01:45.0		500m	01:38.0
1500m	01:44.0		400m	01:36.0
1000m	01:40.0		300m	01:34.0
500m	01:34.0		200m	01:32.0
avg split	01:40.8		100m	01:30.0
total time	06:43.0		500m avg	01:34.0

The 2k is broken into 500 meter portions. I planned a specific average speed (measured in m:ss.s/500 meters) for each of the four 500 meter portions. The last 500 meter stretch is broken down further into 100 m portions. The idea is to start the piece at a lower speed (higher split) than your ultimate goal. Then, to finish with a lower split. This is called "negative splitting."

But what I actually did was more like this...

2000m	01:44.7		500m	01:39.0
1500m	01:44.2		400m	01:40.0
1000m	01:40.3		300m	01:39.0
500m	01:37.8		200m	01:36.0
avg split	01:41.7		100m	01:35.0
total time	06:47.0		500m avg	01:37.8

What I did wasn't exactly to plan, but it was pretty close. I didn't have as much as I thought I would in the last 500m. I'll adjust my splits for next time so that the first 3 500 meter portions are one split-second less, which will move my overall average split right where I want it.

Also, I will train like hell...

Baltimore CX Stage Race v1.0 Feb. 17, 2008

My latest adventure in cyclocross has been Jim's stage race in Baltimore. We raced 5 stages and went to 4 bars from 9 AM to 5 PM. I've never had so much fun in Baltimore. Here's Jim's post about it on his blog.

I stole some pictures from his post. But for the best content, you have to watch his helmet cam video of the first stage.

MABRA State Championships Nov. 25, 2007 Taneytown, MD

This was my second race, and I think I definitely entered the wrong category. When I saw the categories online, I figured since I was under 23, I should register for the Men's Under 23 Cat 3/4 race. Well, That meant that I would be racing in a "B" race. I guess I was in a "C" race last time. Those guys are way better than the Cat 4 athletes that I raced in Sykesville. They started the under 23 at the same time as all of the open men, so I started last again, and had to fight for position the whole race. It was an uphill battle. I finished third in my category, seconds behind number two. Unfortunately, there were only three entries in the under 23 category.

The course was killer, too. All killer, no filler (thanks Sum 41). Off the start, the course had an hour-glass effect. If you didn't start in the top ten, you probably wouldn't finish there. Results are here. Unfortunately, they don't include times, so I don't know how I did in comparison to all the other competitors in my race. I'd guess right around 66th percentile.

These pictures are of a hill. It's steep, muddy, and on a turn. On the first lap, I slid under the yellow tape at the top. I dismantled the fence while pulling my bike out. They probably weren't too happy about that. The next two laps, I had to dismount early to keep that from happening again. The last three laps, though, I had it figured out, and zipped through the hill with no problem. Most people dismounted at the bottom of the hill instead of attempting to ride through it.

Here's a video of that same hill--In perfect execution!

A portion of the course involved two small walls. This is the "forced dismount" section that is typical of cyclocross races. This was probably my weakest part of the race. I haven't developed the technical skills to be able to handle it well. Although somehow Allison took this video of me looking quite smooth. It does look smooth. What it doesn't show, though, is that I had spent the last 1.5 laps trying to pass the guy in the blue. I finally did it right before this section, and as you can see, he passed me back. In the end, I got him on the flat, paved straightaway. I'm much better at that.

Here's the video

And finally, I have some photos taken by these fine people, which I fooled around with, and turned into these. They are full-resolution images, so you can click on them for the real deal if you like.

Race Pace 'Cross - Nov. 11, 2007 Sykesville, MD

This was my first bike race ever, not to mention cyclocross race. I placed 18 of 43 in the Men's Cat 4. The results are here. A picture from that race is below. Here's Jim's report via the Proteus bike shop's cyclocross blog.