The Torch

4 x 7 min this morning. Very humid around here compared to California but it hasn't bothered me a whole lot. I warmed up feet out to the start, about 3k, then started the first piece with a slight tailwind. Nice and flat though. Right away I was surprised with how fast my GPS was telling me I was going. The rates are 20 for 3 min, 24 for 2 min, 28 for 1 min, and 32 for 1 min. At 20, I was rowing under 2 min split which is a decent accomplishment in itself. As the rate came up, I stayed long, and just kept the splits dropping. I am starting to feel like when you suspend your body weight properly, there is not a ceiling to how fast the boat can go. As I got to the 28, I was rowing under 1.50 and when I hit one minute to go, I tried to find the end of the speedometer at 32 spm. It seemed to be about 1.41 per 500. My last 250 was 51 seconds which is WR pace for the lightweight single. Who knows my GPS might be malfunctioning but it was a really encouraging piece to have. To feel the speed is building at the end of a piece like that gives me a lot of confidence. I like to rate in the 34-36 range during a race so to be able to hit WR pace at 32 is solid. It has been great being on a flat body of water with no current and little boat traffic. Newport beach is great for training all year, but its tough to beat this place in the summer. The warm water probably has something to do with fast splits but thats part of the game. I have some tough tests over the next few days that will show me just how fast I am going...so I am excited. In order to be the US LM1x this summer I will have to do my process better than ever before. Today was a good step towards that. Easy ss this afternoon.