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Back in the Fall '99 issue of the Update, we invited runners who row (and rowers who run) to let us know how their 10k times compared between the two sports. Since then, we have heard from quite a few people about their cross-training experiences with running and rowing. We're not sure we can offer a definitive theory on the correlation between the two, but we're quite sure you'll enjoy hearing some of the stories.
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They're Different! I ran for about 20 years, until my knees started bothering me and I switched to rowing. I ran
several 10ks in my thirties. The best time I was ever able to achieve (after running over 100
miles in more than a month of preparation) was 45:20. Now I am over fifty and use my rowing
machine about 4 times a week. Without much hard work, I am able to row a 10k in 38:30. I have
a feeling I could do much better if I ever seriously trained for a 10k row. That is a 15% better
time on the rowing machine, which I believe is significant. I am 36 years old, and have been rowing on my ergometer (Model B) regularly for approximately 9
years, which includes through 2 pregnancies. I started running approximately 2 years ago. Perhaps
it is because I have been rowing so much longer, but I am considerably faster on the ergometer than
I am on the street. My fastest 5000meter row, done February 28, 1999 is 20:56.2. My fastest 5000meter
run, done in a local 5K race on May 23, 1999 is 23:29. My best time for a 10K row is 43:21(May 1999),
and for a 10K run is 49:53 (May 1999). I am a runner, mostly of marathons (2-3 annually), but also run 10Ks as part of my training.
My PB is 43:6. I bought a C2 rower about 3 years ago for cross-training. Nowadays, I generally
do rowing distances in the 5-6K range, but I used to do 10Ks when I first bought the machine. Even
then, I was only rowing about twice a week, but my PB for 10K was 40:08 at a damper setting of 7.
In other words, I am a runner whose best running time is worse than his worst rowing time. I suspect
this means I'm in the wrong sport, at least from a performance standpoint. Broad shoulders and
ample upper-body strength aren't a lot of help in running. On the other hand, I'm an outdoor
kind of guy, and that's where the running is. Only the Canadian climate keeps me indoors. |
They're the Same! It's like you read my mind: I'm one of those runners who uses the rower for
cross-training, and I've noticed for years the striking similarity of my running and rowing 10K
times. 10K run; 38:50, row: 37:28. I recently read your newsletter and found it interesting that you're comparing running
times with erg times. I happen to be both an avid rower and runner. My best 10k erg is 37:40 and 10k
run 37:50. For some reason I never made the obvious correlation between the times. With thirty-five years of competitive running and "only" ten years of rowing for complementary fitness,
I find that the times, as you suggest, are very close. I actually use the rower as a better or honest monitor
for dehydration, overtraining and threshold capabilities. My advice to cross-trainers who are expecting a close
match is to compare training times only...there is an awful tendency to compare the race times of your specialty
and then expect the same for the complement. Big mistake. |
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Conclusions? Well, as you can see, for some people the correlation is remarkable, and for others
non-existent. What's up? Our review of the data we received suggests that there are a couple of factors
which may determine whether or not you will see a run/row performance correlation.
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