pre- NSR 2

Getting ready to go down to Princeton again for another around of selection races. Ben and I have been continuing to find new speed every time we get on the water and are just flat out excited to see what we can do over 2k. Today we did some easy rowing with some spice thrown in( i.e 1/4,1/2 slide rowing) just to get some quickness going. That is not a problem in this boat. More importantly, today we found some improvements in stability, run, and pure boat speed. In some more challenging bouncy tailwind conditions we were forced to really set the bodies on the dead slide and prepare the blade early. It allowed for a very predictable and easy pick up at the front turn of the stroke. There was increased speed, decreased effort, and increased sustainability. That is a golden combination. We were finding 1.46-1.48 splits at below our 2 mmol heart rates, just by preparing, jumping, hanging, and preparing again. In order to keep the speed up over a 2k race, the rhythm cannot be fragile, it has to be rock solid, subconscious rhythm. Your worst stroke needs to be acceptable. It seems to me that rowing at a very high level is not about taking the one fastest stroke on the course, its about never taking a really bad one. Just consistent and purposeful strokes at a race rate 220 times or more. I think Ben and I have shown recently that the repeatability of our stroke is quite high. We have laid down some pretty competitive times for 500 and 1000 m since being up here, but we now need to test the strength of that rhythm. It will be tested in the 4th and 5th minute. That is where it is under the most pressure, it doesn't necessarily flow, and you need to find the peace amidst the chaos. It will be interesting to see where that breaking point is for us. Regardless, I know he and I will have a lot of fun. At times I think maybe we are not serious enough, but honestly I think that is a strength. We don't get to high or too low, we just kinda roll with it. It feels like we are going down to Princeton for a party, and well, we are. And it's on the course!