Why I Train: A Scientific NHRC Survey

Well, this article was fun to write. And it should have been published in January as a motivator, but failing that, we are putting it out there now as rainy day reading.

Using our authority as the Ministers of Information, the Catch editorial board shot around an email last December asking two questions: "What motivates you to train over the winter?" or "My best winter training tip is (explain)." Not everyone responds to our authority, you understand, and we got a couple suspicious emails of the “Why me?” or “What do you really want to know?” variety. Almost everyone is afraid that pounds lost during the summer months will find themselves and reattach to our reluctant frames; the fear of having to get back into shape after having spent a winter on the couch eating potato chips is clearly pervasive. And Paul Roy’s training tip cannot be published in a family-oriented blog like this one. But we got some other great responses that we want to share with you.

From Karyn Gallagher: “I would love to come up with something quick witted, but nothing is coming to me, so I will give the drab honest answer.

“There are a variety of things that motivate me to train during the winter. One thing, of course, is not wanting my girth to widen. However, there are things beyond this. A major motivating factor is not wanting to disappoint my teammates in regards to my fitness (or lack there of) come April when I return to the water. In addition, I am highly motivated by the erg.” Oh Karyn, we groaned in our heads. Motivated by the erg? And you look like such a *normal* woman.

“Yes, I realize this is not normal,” she continued, as if she knew our thoughts, “but those numbers talk to me. I like numbers, especially when I see those splits dropping. Exercising over the winter helps me keep those splits low. Knowing my teammates are training as well also motivates me. Due to scheduling issues, I'm not able to make the tanks during the winter months. It is more likely that I will hop on the erg, go to the gym, or go for a run on the days my teammates are at the tanks. I plan my routine to include doing the erg test pieces on the same day as they are done in Payne Whitney. I need to maintain fitness so that I do well on these.

“The last thing I can think of that motivates me during the off season is a goal. Some years, I have planned to run a road race or more during the winter months to keep me going. Last year I did the Thanksgiving to Christmas Concept II erg challenge and then focused on the CT Indoor Regatta. To survive these endeavors, I needed to continue to train. I hope you are now enlightened on what makes Karyn tick during those chilly winter months.”

Bob Nash wrote us, “I train in the winter for the same basic reasons that I row in the warmer seasons: I enjoy the sport of rowing and I like to stay in good physical condition.

“My winter workout plan includes two main components: free weight exercises and rowing on my erg. The free weight portion of my workouts assists in muscle building preparation for the next season’s rowing. The other portion of my winter workout, maintains a good cardio-vascular base for the following season.”

Eric Danneman, our president, is motivated by thrift. “I'm amortizing the cost of my erg,” he tells us, “By the end of this winter season it will have cost me less than a penny a stroke.” If you’d like him to start on yours, give him a call. His training tip? “Make each penny count.”

Diane Kelly asked us, “So…When *are* we going to row!!?” She continued, “My motivation to train year round, not just the winter, is to keep my mental health intact! But training in the winter for rowing gives me a good jump on the spring rowing season. I can't deal with the aches and pains of not training for long periods then jumping in a boat!!”

Ian Duthie agrees with Diane. “I like to maintain a certain level of fitness over the winter. Otherwise it just takes too long and it's too hard to get back to speed at the beginning of the season.” His best winter training tip is “a high focus on leg exercises using weights, increasing reps and weight as competition season approaches. I also do 3x5,000m ergo's a week staying under 20minutes, edging down towards 19minutes as the season approaches. I throw in the occasional 1000m sprint staying under 3minutes 30seconds.”

Vic Altschul’s motivation? “The prospect of annoying Baxter Walsh in the spring.” His training tip? “Merciless masochism.”

And what’s Baxter up to? “My motivation is to contain my weight and maintain my aerobic conditioning. And to beat Vic. Training is mostly dull, painful, inconvenient and annoying. Anyone who trains for the hell of it needs to re-evaluate his/her priorities.”

That’s true, Baxter, beating Vic would definitely be worth it. And Vic? Go for it. We’ll be watching. The rest of you? Get in gear.