Good 2k Score for 15-year-old

[boydgoodri...@serrahs.com]

I am a freshman in high school and I just finished the season as stroke seat on my school's men's freshman 8. I am about 6' to 6'1'' and 155 lbs, and my end-of-the-season 2k 2 weeks ago was a 7:04.8. Is that a good pace for my size? And also, what should I shoot for by the beginning of varsity head racing season? I plan to train hard over the summer. Also, I have been weighing in my mind and talking with the coaches about whether to keep my weight down for lightweight rowing or to try to "pack on the pounds" to get bigger and stronger. Any thoughts? Thanks a ton.

[sully]

On May 7, 4:25 pm, boydgoodrichgavin2...@serrahs.com wrote:
> I am a freshman in high school and I just finished the season as stroke seat on my school's men's freshman 8. I am about 6' to 6'1'' and 155 lbs, and my end-of-the-season 2k 2 weeks ago was a 7:04.8. Is that a good pace for my size? And also, what should I shoot for by the beginning of varsity head racing season? I plan to train hard over the summer. Also, I have been weighing in my mind and talking with the coaches about whether to keep my weight down for lightweight rowing or to try to "pack on the pounds" to get bigger and stronger. Any thoughts? Thanks a ton.

If you ran on the cross country team in the fall, joined the swim
team or wrestling team in the winter, ran track and field or rowed in
the spring, and raced a single in the summer, engaged in a year-round
strength building program, and rode your bicycle everywhere instead of
driving, your erg score will be as good by your senior year if not
better than if you rowed on the junior team, and you'll have
opportunity in sport you won't likely have in college.

Do NOT go on a weight loss program at your age. no way, even in
wrestling.

[James HS]

On Wednesday, 8 May 2013 00:25:48 UTC+1, boydgoodri...@serrahs.com wrote:
> I am a freshman in high school and I just finished the season as stroke seat on my school's men's freshman 8. I am about 6' to 6'1'' and 155 lbs, and my end-of-the-season 2k 2 weeks ago was a 7:04.8. Is that a good pace for my size? And also, what should I shoot for by the beginning of varsity head racing season? I plan to train hard over the summer. Also, I have been weighing in my mind and talking with the coaches about whether to keep my weight down for lightweight rowing or to try to "pack on the pounds" to get bigger and stronger. Any thoughts? Thanks a ton.

I think you might be better off asking on a site such as the Concept 2 sites www.concept2.co.uk/forum

I would also think you should ask your coach - as he/she will know you more to put your scores in context.

Personally I think doing anything to 'restrict' your weight at 15 is not good unless lightweight is your natural state - and if gaining weight through exercise (again limit your weights work at 15) is 'natural' for you then go with that.

Your coach is in the best place to advise.

James

[Henry Law]

On 08/05/13 00:25, boydgoodri...@serrahs.com wrote:
> I just finished the season as stroke seat on my school's men's freshman 8

You're doing well, by the sound of it. According to Concept 2 rankings
you're in the top 25% in the USA for men your age. Bear in mind that
many of those just sit on the machine; they won't have rowed stroke in a
successful crew, and probably couldn't.

You know how when, at the end of the outing, the coach gets you all in a
circle and asks for comments, one by one, and by the time it gets to you
the other guys have all said everything? That's how I feel.

... but then, you say it anyway so here goes.

1. Do not do anything to restrict your weight; lots of things happen to
young men in the 15-20 age range and you could turn naturally into
either a 6' 6" man-monster or a perfect 71Kg boat-mover. Don't forget:
your prime as a rower could be ten years off.

2. Ask your coaches and trust what they say. If you don't trust them
(maybe you don't, if you're asking here) then find one that you do
trust. Perhaps join a local club and row in the vacations?

--

Henry Law Manchester, England

[davie...@gmail.com]

On Wednesday, May 8, 2013 7:20:17 AM UTC+1, James HS wrote:
> I would also think you should ask your coach - as he/she will know you more to put your scores in context.

>

> Your coach is in the best place to advise.
>
>
>
> James

I frequent the rowing group on Reddit from time to time. It is largely populated by US high school and college rowers and, judging by the stories on there about what their coaches say and do, I would advise approaching the coach with some caution. Some of the misinformation is frankly terrifying.

So I would start with the coach but get 2nd opinions elsewhere (the Rowing Illustrated forums have the most knowledgeable people WRT rowing training and nutrition IME)