Before getting on the rower, I mention to the coach that I am all about efficiency. He tells me to watch how the class moves during the first five hundred meters and then again at two thousand meters.
As I objectively observe the class, the difference is staggering. These are all solid athletes who have put lots of time in on a rower. Although the form for the first five hundred looks textbook, by the time we get to two thousand, everyone is cheating on form. They are breaking even the most basic rules of moving efficiently. People get tired or distracted, and the small simple steps start to break down— compounding into a longer, harder workout.
After two thousand meters, the coach smiles at me and walks to each rower, correcting form and reminding us all of the simple basics.