2k problems

Question
hi, i am a high school girl, 5'8" & 130 lbs. my 4k is 2:10 average split which i have been told is decent. however, problems arise with my 2k; i pull a 2:08 average split. i have been told that the difference between 2k and 4k should be about 4 to 10 splits lower on the 2k. however, before 2k erg tests, i psych myself out and while pulling the piece, i have trouble keeping the rating up and the split down, even though i am capable of rowing at high ratings on the water. i am on the first varsity boat at my school, however, i do not believe that i will be able to stay on the A boat much longer if i keep having "mental erging issues" during 2k pieces. do you have any suggestions as to how i can attack these pieces with a postive mindset, and how i can keep from stressing myself out in order to reach my sub-8 goal? thank you!

Answer
Hi Alice: One thing you might want to try is to do a 2K piece WITHOUT looking at the performance monitor.  Just cover it up with a shirt or something.  It's obvious that you are psyching yourself out and panicking when the splits start to rise midway through your piece.  Without that negative mental input, you might be more relaxed.

You might want to try settling a stroke or two lower than you are currently doing in your 2K piece after your start and 20 or 30 strokes at a high cadence.  You may be rowing too high and have nothing left for the last 500.  Do a power 20 midway through the piece.  When you get to the last 500, just think to yourself, "I only have 50 strokes to go."  Just bang it out in the end.

I wouldn't worry too much about losing your seat based on just erg scores.  If your boat is moving well with you in it, why would they take you out?  The coach would do something like a seat race if he decided someone might be considered to replace you.  

Good Luck/AP