A majority of Force curves looked ideal this afternoon. I could even go so far as to say nearly every force curve looked ideal.

What is even more amazing is that I would not hesitate to describe the perceived exertion as low to moderate intensity. I felt no heaviness or effort in the hour I was rowing.

Also this workout reaffirms an observation from past rows. The force curve becomes smoother and closer to Ideal when I do two things: (1) take the time to finish the slide before I drive off the stretcher; and (2) couple the drive and the draw.

But how do you tell when it is time to drive off the stretcher on an erg?

For years I have written about being unhurried at the catch without ever quite appreciating what is meant by this. Then a few months ago I finally found what I had been looking for when I realized that the recovery isn't finished until the blades are adequately immersed.

Such insight, however, is relevant only so long as I am rowing on water where you know that it is time to drive off the stretcher when the blades are adequately immersed. But on an erg how do you tell? How do you know when what Harry Mahon calls “the bit out of the water” is finished?

"Obviously there is really only two phases of the stroke — the bit in the water and the one out. For me it is just important that you get the right relationship between them — it’s maximizing the effect in the water and then letting the boat do the rest while you don’t loiter idly in the recovery." — Harry Mahon

If the Indoor Dynamic Rower has taught me anything, it is this — if I take time at the Finish, if I pretend that I am immersing the blades adequately, my force curves looks better and my split times improve. All I need is imagination at the catch.

Doesn’t this once again prove that power is most useful when it is disciplined?