Row v Run

I really wanted to run today, but my knee and foot were both not feeling super great... So I ended up "going for a row".  It ended up being a nice 10k, and took about 40 minutes.  I didn't row quite as hard as the other day... only about 150 watts at about 25 strokes per minute... so... yeah?  Distance: 10k row.

Also, you may remember me mentioning that I've actually read people seriously claiming that rowing is a better workout than running.  Internet-folk say the darnedest things.  So here is a quiz for you...

Below is my heart rate data for two workouts.  Both are about 40 minutes.  I'd classify my exertion level as "moderate", with a strenuous finish.  One is a 10k row.  The other is 4 mile run.


Avg HR: 143 / Max HR: 168


Avg HR: 160 / Max HR: 182

So which is which?  That's right... #2 is the run.  And to those crew-folk (who don't read this blog) who respond "oh, should should just be rowing harder"... I'm not sure that's a valid argument.  I mean, yes, I could row harder, but I could also run harder... soon neither are sustainable for that amount of time.  For instance:

"hey did you know chewing your food is a better workout than running? ... yeah, you just have to chew a lot harder".

See?  Eventually that breaks down.  Running is a crazy good workout... so long as my knees dont' fall apart.  (other "best" options?  probably swimming and cross country skiing...?)

Food was pretty good today... granola bar for breakfast, small salad for lunch, and outstanding (yet probably not super healthy) fish tacos for dinner.  Oh, also, I had a "breakfast cookie".  Food: B

Magic number ... 220.6 lbs.