Lightweight 2k

Question
Al, I am a 135 lb 5'7 freshman/rookie. I did a year of Novice rowing. I am losing weight to become a lightweight. My 6k was 25 minutes, and I am wondering what 2k I should shoot for in the S Spring.. I have no prior 2k experience except for one Novice year which was very bad ( 8: 50), howeveer I think I have improved. What should I shoot for?

Answer
Hi Again, Lucy: Your 8:50 is not as pathetic as you make it out to be.  It's better than 30-35% of the rowers your age out there.

Shoot for at least 10-15 second increase to 8:40-8:35.  That will put you in the Average of better-than-average time for lightweight girls.  Then each year, shoot for another 10-second reduction.  By senior year, you will be close to 8:00, which is an excellent time.

Good Luck/AP