Hey everybody! I use the term “TMS” to describe a target pace while erging (exercising on the rowing machine). So what is it? TMS (Two-thousasnd Meter Split) is the average 500m split time from your personal best 2k erg. Concept2 has a pace calculator to determine the average 500m split time if all you have is the final number for the piece. Just enter your distance and time, then hit “Calculate Split”. Here’s mine:

concept2.com

I round up to 1:43 for my TMS number.

This is a great way to set an intensity metric based on an individual athlete’s abilities. Say, you want to do an intense 250m piece. You set your pace goal to be TMS-15. If you want to have an easy distance piece, use a goal of TMS+10. The lower the 500m split time, the more intense the piece is.

I have a funny story about mistaking what the split time is. I was on an erg at the YMCA pulling a 1:45 split at about a 24 stroke rate. A fellow in a Crossfit shirt comes up and said, “If you go a little faster, you’ll be able to get that to a 2:00”. I gasped in reply, “That would be worse…” He raised his hands in disgust and said, “Just trying to help…” and walked away. I looked for him after my piece and couldn’t find him. Oh well…

Have fun!

Charlie