Key points
- Reference pace is your estimated 2K split — the anchor for every pace target the coach writes.
- Confidence rises as more recent tests accumulate and falls when history is thin or stale.
- When confidence is low, the coach leans on rate caps and effort language instead of a hard split.
- A new 2K, 5K, or steady test tightens confidence faster than any other input you can give.
- If the target on Monday felt too easy and the target on Friday felt too hard, confidence is the missing piece.
Sources and further reading
- Concept2 — Workout of the Day and pace boats— Reference for how pace boats and steady-state targets are anchored in real testing data.
- British Rowing — Go Row Indoor: Pacing— Plain-language pacing guidance for indoor rowers, used to anchor effort language in the coach.
- Pete Plan — Testing and reference pace— How the Pete Plan uses a small number of tests to anchor progressive targets.