Lightweight 2k times

Question
Hi there, I've been rowing for less than a year (spring season and I'm about halfway through fall). I'm around 5'8 and I wight between 115 and 117 pounds. So far, my best 2k time was around a 2:12 split, and a 8:45 overall. This is so much higher than everyone else on my team, most of whom are clearing 8:00. I just wanted to know what was the average and what I should shoot for, because I realize that being a lightweight I should probably have slightly different goals. Thank you so much.

Answer
Hi Becca: I don't know how old you are, so I'm assuming you are between 15 and 16.  While your time is below average for girls your age, it's not altogether hopeless.  Your time is better than 30% of the 2K times posted by lightweights your gender and age on the CII Database.  You are only 10 seconds behind the averge time.  You also have to consider that you are 10-15 pounds lighter than other lightweights.

The median (50%) time is 8:36.  So that should be your goal for this spring.

Based on your height and weight, I think you can improve your time through continued rowing experience and adding 10 to 15 pounds of muscle through smart nutrition and a weight traing program.

Good Luck/AP