Tiggs

yep.

worked well...got big...got strong. no drama

milo

yes.. regularly

Tiggs

lol- just us then!

Franx

I have never heard of people being 'done' for steroid usage in rowing, although that doesn't mean it's never happened...

As it stands, I'm not convinced that 'roids would make any significant difference in rowing anyway. The thing is, it's a combination of stamina and technique, and in nearly all cases, there's more to be gained from better technique, than by more power.
Towards the start and the end of a race, it does help if you're able to power past the rest of the field, but this would perhaps not be enhanced by steroids anyway, as it also relates to a power-to-weight ratio. If for example, your average weight in the boat is 90kg, and your 2k scores on the ergo machine are the same as a crew weighing 110kg, assuming technique is the same, the lighter crew will evidently go faster on the water.
There might be more power there, but it isn't a sport for bodybuilders as such.

During the middle of the race, as someone quite rightly said, there's probably more to be gained from relaxing, and getting the whole thing to move together etc, than putting on power bursts, as it's not always necessary...
Controlled aggression, combined with an ability not to tense up, is the way to do it.


On the concept erg though, as you say, attack it like a nutter - although there's a lot to be gained from long, controlled strokes, as is the case in the boat. It's a lot less to do with technique, although there is some involved - how many non-rowers can achieve a sub-6 minute time for 2k? not that many. But all the top heaveweights are down there in the 5:40s-50s.....

Lightweight rowing is a different thing as far as drugs go. It's a lot more related to technique and aerobic fitness than outright power, as you've to make a crew average weight of 70kg. Everyone tries the legal stuff - things bothfor weight loss, and the likes of creatine (used not for weight gain, but controlled, to promote better recovery etc...)

By the way - What time do you get? Sub 6? Best I ever managed was 6.34, but then I'm a lightweight - 68kg when I did that one...

Tiggs

i got low 5.50's.

when i worked in a gym i was 110kg at 6'6.

i never used the rower for exercise but liked to do it now and again just because i was fast. i entered the odd local gym competion but never did the indoor championships because of how much gear i was using.

at 6'6 and 20 stone i had a decent reach on the ergo and some power....the roids made me a bit stroppy which helped as well.

i was just gifted if i had been put in a boat at age 10 i'd be a millonaire by now......thats life!

Franx

5.50s Very good.
There's next to nothing stated in the rules of the indoor champs about drug usage, but if you were down in the 5's, you might be tested, as apparently they're allowed to test anyone.

I've never done particularly well down there anyway. It's not a nice atmosphere to compete in. Too hot, and although the race weight for lightweight was set at 75, I lost far too much, and raced at 69kg, not with a very good time either. Don't do it - unless you're about to break a record.

No money in rowing mate. It's a nasty sport. Takes years to get good at it, and there's barely any sponsorship, except for the very best. Although the likes of Pinsent & Cracknell are sponsored, and seem to do quite well out of it they're few and far between, and among the only 'professional' athletes in rowing in the UK. Almost everyone else has to pay their way, as I found out

Tiggs

i was at the indoor champs most years as it took place at my gym.

ppl were getting tested and that wouldnt have looked good!

i was there when searle was there in his poncy union jack leotard!

T

ps- i would have thrashed pinsent

Scumbag

Still interesting.
I know exactly what you mean about the middle section of relaxing...exactly the same in a 400m on the track... fast yet relaxed, tense up too early, or push too hard and it all goes horribly wrong.
I still think having a greater power to weight ratio would be useful, but I've not got much experience in rowing. Again, I'm thinking that if a 5k runner would take steroids to enhance performance, in a (greater %) weight bearing activity, why shouldnt rowers. I take your point about technique...I did a bit of competitive swimming, and it is just as much important there. Yet I've heard of swimmers taking steroids (and lots of rumours of the chinese who tend to conveniently disappear outside the major championships...same as on the track). I would argue that the recovery ability between training is the big plus for these more aerobic based sports...if it means you can get an extra weights session in during the day, and still recover, it gives you extra time to work on technique

wrt the glory...it was a bit like that on the track 10-15 years ago...the big names were rolling in it, but everyone else made absolutely bugger all from it...I had a mate who ran a number of smaller internationals over 400hurdles, and his entire career earnings were a £50 voucher to offset his gas bill, and local sponsorship from a greengrocer, and butcher in Handsworth for a few quids worth of food per week

camk

Why not remove the ban on any drugs, think of the policing time it would free up. Not to mention the dealers and organised crime going out of business.

milo

that has always been my take on it.

if someone wants to do drugs, they're going to do drugs.

why not legalize it and make sure people are getting safe, correct drugs. hell, you could even tax it.

that is, for adults who are responsible enough to make an intelligent decision about their lifestyle.

i do prefer to uk's stance on drugs to the us' however. if i was still living there and chose to live my life the way i do here, i'd be in the slammer right now.

unclebuck

Somehow appropriate to have DJ Teisto providing the music for the opening ceremony.

The Iraq team got an extra big cheer lol.

UB

andrewdelvard

Sub 6? There are 18 people in the whole country who have managed this.
Matthew Pinsent being number 1 with a 5:47.9
Nothing against you Tiggs, given me a chuckle plenty of times but you should either be at the current (or past) Olympics or...You're telling porkies.

Tiggs

lol- this has been discussed before.

when i was between 18 and early 20's i was one of the fastest indoor rowers in the world. i did this on the rowers sat in my gym where i worked, i also did it on various rowers at other gyms where i trained.

i never competed in anything very official and have no proof other than a few medals for some local things i won at my gym.

the net is a big place.....if you spend enough time on it you will meet ppl who are the best at something........well you just meet me - well done!

T

just to add- rowing sub 6 because you are 20 stone and full of drugs does not get you into a boat at the Olympics!

Tiggs

Matthias Siejkowski went sub 5.40 at 35 years!!! hes 6'10......doesnt make it easy but a bit of height makes it simpler. Anyone 6'6 plus with a bit of stamina and bulk can row fast. there just aint many ppl that fit that.

andrewdelvard

OK Tiggs, I've never seen anything in your previous posts to sugest "Billy Liar Syndrome" so I'll accept what you say (you don't need to thank me )
What outstanding ability you/have/had. Pity you never represented your country.

Tiggs

i''ve heard that a few times from my Mum! She blames herself for not putting me in a boat at 8 years old! (so do i!)

Now im 30 one of my plans was to start training again so i could be No 1 in the 40 + age group in 10 years! .........but i have a feeling all my efforts for sporting achievment may be dumped on my kids - there is NO way they are going to get to 30 and have someone say "ohhh, you could have been good at that with a bit of pushing!)

Franx

I think not? The world record's in the 5.38 region, which is a little ridiculous.... If someone's 20 stone, with a lot of power, and aerobic fitness to match, there's no reason why this wouldn't be possible....
Don't forget that the British ergo champs in Brum are in November as well - which isn't the time of year when the top people are doing 2ks. It's all long distance work that time of year, and as far from the main 2k summer season as it gets. Tis why people don't get very good times. That, and the place is bloody awful...


Sub 6? 18 people? there's a lot more than that, I'm sure. I know 4 people just off hand, who aren't racing the olympics. All the coxless 4 guys at Athens are sub 6, as are most (but not all) of the guys in the 8. I rowed with one of 'em the other year, when I was doing the international stuff. 5.59, he got - he's 6'9" though, and very good

Doesn't work like that though. 20 stone's a lot for a rower, and it doesn't represent how fast someone'd be in a boat. Takes more than that, as I said There is a bloke who used to be an internaitonal swimmer - 6ft 11, and 19-20 stone. Problem was, he was just too heavy, and too big for the boats. Lightweight rowing in fact, is a very similar speed to h/w on the water. We have to make up for it, via good technique, efficiency and erm..lightness

Who's that sprint cyclist from Scotland? Is it Chris Hoy? If I remember, he's absolutely stacked, and indeed, he did well, but I don't think he won the competition (commonwealth, I think - was on telly), and was beaten by someone a lot smaller.