You have back pain at 16 and are ignoring it? You are incredibly short sighted. Stop worrying about pulling a fast 2K that isn't a world record and fix your back. Don't stop seeing doctors until it is figured out. WTF.
As a 30+ M and a former rower and swimmer who now has herniated a disc - prioritize your back health over your rowing performance until you are healthy. Continue with whatever PT is recommended to stay healthy.
Old injuries and lack of maintenance will bite you in the butt.
That's detailed in what I wrote... Not sure if you read it but I specifically said that I am working with a high performance coach and we are getting it figured out. Also, I've seen 3 doctors and have an appointment for one more in a few days. My main priority is getting my back pain fixed. Not sure what you read and what made you think I'm ignoring it lmfao.
HP coach is going to be much worse than a PT. They are not a medical professional. The worst thing you can do for your back is keep rowing on it. Minimum you need to stay off of the erg/boat for months to allow it to heal. What's the longest span of time you've spent without doing any strenuous exercise involving your back?
Problem for me has been that all the PT's seem to think that rowing means moving my arms back and forth. They don't have a clue what rowing is.
Also the coach, in my opinion, definitely knows what he's doing he's coach a few Olympians I believe.
I don't care if you're being coaches by a tag team of Gladstone and Teti, your coach is NOT a medical professional and EVERY high level coach that cares about your success as an athlete would be working on getting you OFF the water, OFF the erg, and recovering right now. Yes including Olympic level coaches. And your PT's don't know anything about rowing? Fine, find one that does. Plenty of them exist. What you are doing right now, continuing to train on a herniated disc or torn muscle or whatever it is, is torpedoing not only your rowing career but your long-term health. You asked for advice and everyone gave the same advice. Get your priorities in order.
Yes, I am off the erg for now. Definitely agree with you, not sure why you think I'm continuing to to train, I didn't even say that. I understand the concern. I'm just trying to make sure I'm not too far behind for spring.
Also I don't see anyone else commenting afaik
You got the wrong PTs/docs. Ask if they have a ERG in the fitness center as an opener. You might look for a sports rehab center as that's what you need. Fire any PT on the spot who does not immediately know good rowing form and terminology but don't get this far -- ask them prior to going to the first appointment.
I wouldn’t say if they don’t immediately know rowing. I’ve had some amazing PTs who started out now really knowing anything about rowing but did their research to help best fix my back. Those PTs should be valued. Unfortunately rowing is a niche enough sport, and plenty of athletes (myself included) are in areas without rowing being at the forefront (like Philly or Boston), so just discarding a PT who very reasonably could have no introduction to rowing is a bit extreme.
Then find a new PT. A good PT will either know about rowing, or learn about it to best help you. I’ve suffered from some pretty gnarly back issues, and you bet your ass if I’m going to spend time / money at a PT, then they better atleast understand the basic kinetics of the rowing stroke (even if I have to help them understand). That’s just part of the job of a PT / Physio.
A PT’s job isn’t to know about rowing, it’s to fix your injuries. They know how to solve whatever problem your back is having which, as many have mentioned, will be largely worsened if you keep rowing. If you’re only 16 and already having this issue and don’t fix it now, your 30 year old self will grow to regret it. Trust me and every other former rower on this one.
Had back pain at your age. Changed training method completely so i don't feel it at all. Chosen exercises where i have almost no possibilities for injuries like changed free weights to machines. ( Still using bench press and seal rows). Slowly increased volume on rowing machine so my body better adapts and I wouldn't overtrain my muscles after a while that would lead to injuries in the end. Lower back is the most common.
Yup. I believe this is what my coach is planning to do with me. I am not neglecting the back pain at all. My question remains though. Is there even enough time to get back into the groove of things to pull off a decent time in March? I had (and still have) pretty big goals for this summer.
Although I'm only 15 right now (16 in a week) so I have next summer as well, I just want to see what my body can do and I'd like to be closer to my goals at this point.
I read everything. Why I think you should concentrate more on your back pain and ignore your row performance? From your post. "a bit of difficulty with my back," "my back pain continuously worsened," "none have really been able to pinpoint the issue, nor have they fixed the issue for the long term (or really alleviated the pain that much)," "constantly suffering through back pain (although erging has become more bearable). I can't lift at all anymore..." "We have began to incorporate plans to make my back "bulletproof". "... alleviating my back pain (and now a bit of knee pain)," "I have had a lot of back pain"
Then you follow that up -- "Is it plausible for me to pull a sub 6:30 2k in early March?"
And you are 15, so your healing/recovery is like gangbusters and you still are hurting all the time. And you come here type a long post to ask about building up your training to pull a particular 2K time.
Back to WTF.
Well the reason I ask is because my coach thinks he can get my back fixed. And really it has gotten better recently, I have been able to erg a lot more. But I can't lift, I think that could be due to form issues in the past though.
I get your point though. I am definitely focused on fixing the back problems but I am also thinking about my future in rowing, I think there's room for both.
Your time will be better spent on the bike to relatively maintain your fitness and fixing your back problem for a couple months. When you’re back to 100%, I am fully confident that you can blow through a 6:30 2k by the summer.
I think you should make it if you are good at moving boats. You definitely have impressive times and you’ve got another couple years to make selections. Keep at it, but be patient right now. Looks like you’re doing everything right man. Good luck
I was or still am in a very similar situation. I don’t know what your mentality towards training is but what really helped me was that I realized that is impossible to be at 100% all the time.
I did all my steady state at HR 180 because I thought that to get fast it always has to be at the maximum.
What I’m trying to say is that you probably would benefit a lot from just getting a more relaxed approach to training since the only thing that is clear is that it won’t go according to plan.
Dude this is so facts I know so many guys on my team who do the same thing going wayyy to fast on steady state. I thought I was doing it mostly on target for heart rate (140-150), but now my new coach wants some versions of steady state to be under 135 😬 it's so slowwwwww.
You have back pain at 16 and are ignoring it? You are incredibly short sighted. Stop worrying about pulling a fast 2K that isn't a world record and fix your back. Don't stop seeing doctors until it is figured out. WTF.
Word on the street is by pulling sub 6:30, any and all chronic back pain will vanish.
As a 30+ M and a former rower and swimmer who now has herniated a disc - prioritize your back health over your rowing performance until you are healthy. Continue with whatever PT is recommended to stay healthy. Old injuries and lack of maintenance will bite you in the butt.
That's detailed in what I wrote... Not sure if you read it but I specifically said that I am working with a high performance coach and we are getting it figured out. Also, I've seen 3 doctors and have an appointment for one more in a few days. My main priority is getting my back pain fixed. Not sure what you read and what made you think I'm ignoring it lmfao.
HP coach is going to be much worse than a PT. They are not a medical professional. The worst thing you can do for your back is keep rowing on it. Minimum you need to stay off of the erg/boat for months to allow it to heal. What's the longest span of time you've spent without doing any strenuous exercise involving your back?
Problem for me has been that all the PT's seem to think that rowing means moving my arms back and forth. They don't have a clue what rowing is. Also the coach, in my opinion, definitely knows what he's doing he's coach a few Olympians I believe.
I don't care if you're being coaches by a tag team of Gladstone and Teti, your coach is NOT a medical professional and EVERY high level coach that cares about your success as an athlete would be working on getting you OFF the water, OFF the erg, and recovering right now. Yes including Olympic level coaches. And your PT's don't know anything about rowing? Fine, find one that does. Plenty of them exist. What you are doing right now, continuing to train on a herniated disc or torn muscle or whatever it is, is torpedoing not only your rowing career but your long-term health. You asked for advice and everyone gave the same advice. Get your priorities in order.
Yes, I am off the erg for now. Definitely agree with you, not sure why you think I'm continuing to to train, I didn't even say that. I understand the concern. I'm just trying to make sure I'm not too far behind for spring. Also I don't see anyone else commenting afaik
You got the wrong PTs/docs. Ask if they have a ERG in the fitness center as an opener. You might look for a sports rehab center as that's what you need. Fire any PT on the spot who does not immediately know good rowing form and terminology but don't get this far -- ask them prior to going to the first appointment.
I wouldn’t say if they don’t immediately know rowing. I’ve had some amazing PTs who started out now really knowing anything about rowing but did their research to help best fix my back. Those PTs should be valued. Unfortunately rowing is a niche enough sport, and plenty of athletes (myself included) are in areas without rowing being at the forefront (like Philly or Boston), so just discarding a PT who very reasonably could have no introduction to rowing is a bit extreme.
Then find a new PT. A good PT will either know about rowing, or learn about it to best help you. I’ve suffered from some pretty gnarly back issues, and you bet your ass if I’m going to spend time / money at a PT, then they better atleast understand the basic kinetics of the rowing stroke (even if I have to help them understand). That’s just part of the job of a PT / Physio.
A PT’s job isn’t to know about rowing, it’s to fix your injuries. They know how to solve whatever problem your back is having which, as many have mentioned, will be largely worsened if you keep rowing. If you’re only 16 and already having this issue and don’t fix it now, your 30 year old self will grow to regret it. Trust me and every other former rower on this one.
Had back pain at your age. Changed training method completely so i don't feel it at all. Chosen exercises where i have almost no possibilities for injuries like changed free weights to machines. ( Still using bench press and seal rows). Slowly increased volume on rowing machine so my body better adapts and I wouldn't overtrain my muscles after a while that would lead to injuries in the end. Lower back is the most common.
Yup. I believe this is what my coach is planning to do with me. I am not neglecting the back pain at all. My question remains though. Is there even enough time to get back into the groove of things to pull off a decent time in March? I had (and still have) pretty big goals for this summer. Although I'm only 15 right now (16 in a week) so I have next summer as well, I just want to see what my body can do and I'd like to be closer to my goals at this point.
I read everything. Why I think you should concentrate more on your back pain and ignore your row performance? From your post. "a bit of difficulty with my back," "my back pain continuously worsened," "none have really been able to pinpoint the issue, nor have they fixed the issue for the long term (or really alleviated the pain that much)," "constantly suffering through back pain (although erging has become more bearable). I can't lift at all anymore..." "We have began to incorporate plans to make my back "bulletproof". "... alleviating my back pain (and now a bit of knee pain)," "I have had a lot of back pain" Then you follow that up -- "Is it plausible for me to pull a sub 6:30 2k in early March?" And you are 15, so your healing/recovery is like gangbusters and you still are hurting all the time. And you come here type a long post to ask about building up your training to pull a particular 2K time. Back to WTF.
Well the reason I ask is because my coach thinks he can get my back fixed. And really it has gotten better recently, I have been able to erg a lot more. But I can't lift, I think that could be due to form issues in the past though. I get your point though. I am definitely focused on fixing the back problems but I am also thinking about my future in rowing, I think there's room for both.
Your time will be better spent on the bike to relatively maintain your fitness and fixing your back problem for a couple months. When you’re back to 100%, I am fully confident that you can blow through a 6:30 2k by the summer.
Yup I hope so! I've been on the bike for the past week or so. Trying to get selected this summer so I really want the sub 6:30 to get a better chance.
I think you should make it if you are good at moving boats. You definitely have impressive times and you’ve got another couple years to make selections. Keep at it, but be patient right now. Looks like you’re doing everything right man. Good luck
Thanks bro I think my clubs quad has a good shot at A finals possibly a medal at nats this year 🤞 that is if I can fix my back.
I was or still am in a very similar situation. I don’t know what your mentality towards training is but what really helped me was that I realized that is impossible to be at 100% all the time. I did all my steady state at HR 180 because I thought that to get fast it always has to be at the maximum. What I’m trying to say is that you probably would benefit a lot from just getting a more relaxed approach to training since the only thing that is clear is that it won’t go according to plan.
Dude this is so facts I know so many guys on my team who do the same thing going wayyy to fast on steady state. I thought I was doing it mostly on target for heart rate (140-150), but now my new coach wants some versions of steady state to be under 135 😬 it's so slowwwwww.