Ducks In A Row - Introductions

[[old] Kelebek]

Hello Ducks. <br /><br />I'm Marian and I live in New Zealand, right by the beach on the Kapiti Coast. It is amazingly beautiful here sometimes. <br /><br />I started rowing in late June 05 when my gym decided to do the Million Metre Challenge. We have three cranky old C2 rowers at the gym but we decided to give it a go (you have to expect some of the equipment to be a bit old when annual membership is less than $US250 a year!!). Well we finished the Challenge and I kept on going - next week I'll hit half a million. <br /><br />Yesterday I rowed a half marathon and joined The Ducks. I row virtually alone at the gym so it can be hard to motivate myself. Thankfully an old chap called Eric eggs me on my telling me I'm lazy when I am have to sip my water!!<br /><br />I'm married to Richard and we are undergoing fertility at the moment trying to have a baby. The specialist reckons the rowing is really helping my condition (polycystic ovaries) and we are hoping to get pregnant soon. I'm 5'10" and was 108 kgs about eight weeks ago. I'm refusing to have my measures and weight done till I've hit a half million. PCOS girls have real difficulty loosing weight because we have insulin issues. The flip side is I have high testosterone so I whip most of the men in the gym on the rower!!! <br /><br />We have an elderly cat and five cockatiels, so I am a real bird fan. I'd like my DIAR name to be Blue Duck (its an NZ native rare species).<br /><br />Richard is running around the house puffing about sports socks so I guess that is my cue to get down to the gym with him. He has taken up rowing too.<br /><br />Marian

[[old] Kelebek]

Hiya<br /><br />Forgot to ask : Are there any other New Zealand members in DIAR?<br /><br />Regards<br />Marian

[[old] Cindy G]

Hi I'm new to Ducks. I started rowing this year to lose weight . I broke my R ankle 2.5 yrs ago and have had 3 surgeries including the last which was an ankle fixation. Since running that type of exercise is no longer in my future I decided to do this. My husband uses it for training. He is an avid kayaker. I hope to get back in the boat soon. Well I'm amazed at how great I feel and how great the flexibility in my ankle is. Hope I can add more and more meters for the group.<br />PS weight is coming off...amazing how much you gain with a total of 28 weeks in a cast ! Quack to all.

[[old] sirrobin]

<!--QuoteBegin-AmyH+Sep 22 2005, 02:30 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(AmyH @ Sep 22 2005, 02:30 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I'm an ipod and audio book fanatic and have found that listening really helps to pass the time. <br /><br />I've just been focused on increasing my distance in the 30" - does nayone have other suggestions - should I alternate with 2000m? - my objectives are weightloss and overall fitness.<br />Amy <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Amy, I too would like to know how you use your iPod when rowing. I've contemplated using a biking shirt with pockets in the back, but I'll have to lose more weight to find one that fits me. (5'5" over 200 lbs.)<br /><br />Regarding other suggestions, I do several things to keep me going - besides "Just Rowing" -- which is not to be discouraged! I do the Thirty-minute Thursdays to see if I can improve my ranking each week. Once a month on the 5th, I do a 500 meter "race" and on the 20th I do a 2000 meters. I just try to improve on my last one and see how I rank. These faster pace workouts are a challenge for me. They stretch me and they teach me what I'm capable of. One more thing I have just started to do is do a 1/2 marathon on a 3-day-weekend such as Labor Day. It takes me about 2 hours and a lot of mental preparation, but I've done two so far and feel really good about it.<br /><br />There are plenty of other suggestions on the C2 Workout Library (http://www.concept2.com/05/training/tra ... rkouts.asp) -- many geared specifically for weight loss.<br /><br />Good luck & have fun!!<br />Robin

[[old] Kelebek]

<!--QuoteBegin-Cindy G+Sep 24 2005, 10:55 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Cindy G @ Sep 24 2005, 10:55 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi I'm new to Ducks.  I started rowing this year to lose weight .  I broke my R ankle 2.5 yrs ago and have had 3 surgeries including the last which was an ankle fixation.  Since running that type of exercise is no longer in my future I decided to do this.  My husband uses it for training.  He is an avid kayaker.  I hope to get back in the boat soon.  Well I'm amazed at how great I feel and how great the flexibility in my ankle is.  Hope I can add more and more meters for the group.<br />PS weight is coming off...amazing how much you gain with a total of 28 weeks in a cast  ! Quack to all. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi Cindy,<br />I can fully understand foot problems. In July last year I ripped the muscles off the base off my heal. I couldn't walk the pain was incredible (considering I have had a spinal injury and can't feel cut glass in my feet!). It came right slowly but it killed me driving a stick shift for almost a year. <br /><br />Just when my foot was coming right, I went to Rarotonga on my honeymoon and my husband spent the week driving the rental scooter over EVERY pothole in the roads with me sitting on the back wheel. I came back with all the muscles in my rump pulled out of shape and bruised. Heaps of painkillers and physio later and still in pain I started rowing. The rowing has actually helped me more than any painkiller for either my foot or my rump.<br /><br />Cheers

[[old] Kelebek]

<!--QuoteBegin-sirrobin+Sep 24 2005, 01:53 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(sirrobin @ Sep 24 2005, 01:53 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-AmyH+Sep 22 2005, 02:30 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(AmyH @ Sep 22 2005, 02:30 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I'm an ipod and audio book fanatic and have found that listening really helps to pass the time. <br /><br />I've just been focused on increasing my distance in the 30" - does nayone have other suggestions - should I alternate with 2000m? - my objectives are weightloss and overall fitness.<br />Amy <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Amy, I too would like to know how you use your iPod when rowing. I've contemplated using a biking shirt with pockets in the back, but I'll have to lose more weight to find one that fits me. (5'5" over 200 lbs.)<br /><br />Regarding other suggestions, I do several things to keep me going - besides "Just Rowing" -- which is not to be discouraged! I do the Thirty-minute Thursdays to see if I can improve my ranking each week. Once a month on the 5th, I do a 500 meter "race" and on the 20th I do a 2000 meters. I just try to improve on my last one and see how I rank. These faster pace workouts are a challenge for me. They stretch me and they teach me what I'm capable of. One more thing I have just started to do is do a 1/2 marathon on a 3-day-weekend such as Labor Day. It takes me about 2 hours and a lot of mental preparation, but I've done two so far and feel really good about it.<br /><br />There are plenty of other suggestions on the C2 Workout Library (http://www.concept2.com/05/training/tra ... rkouts.asp) -- many geared specifically for weight loss.<br /><br />Good luck & have fun!!<br />Robin <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi Robin<br /><br />My husband uses his iPod when he rows. He takes a longer chord for it and it has a little clip on it about half a metre down the chord. He clips the clip to the bottom of his t-shirt and puts the rest of the chord and the iPod on the floor under next to him. He swears it does not drag the iPod along and works absolutely fine. He doesn't stick the chord down the inside of his shirt - he tried that and 'it gets stuck in my rolls of fat' was his his comment. The only annoying thing he does is shake his head around to the music which can be a bit distracting to the rest of us. <br /><br />I just row and listen the rower. I can get it to make the exact noise I do when I have an asthma attack! Oddly I find that really soothing. I do a set amount a day and alternate 10K, 6K , 10k, 6K, rest, 6K and 3K. I find the 10K a whole lot easier than the 6K - I dunno why. Yesterday I did my first half marathon, it sort of just happened as I was feeling good. I might try for the full marathon next week if my blisters heal up a bit. <br /><br />Cheers

[[old] freya]

Hi<br />I also broke my ankle and have alarge number of pins and plates holding it together. The plaster came off in March but it took me a few months before I could stand on it for any length of time; it ached and my leg just doubled in size.<br />I started rowing again inAugust when I realised exactly how much weight I had put on. It has taking time for the flexibility to improve BUT I am getting there. I row with a TV on a chest of drawers and am working my way though all the DVDs. I find if I put subtitles on I can keep up with the plot if the rower is a bit noisy. <br />One DVD will do about 4 lots of 30 mins and with a good film the time goer very quickly.I am not aiming for record breaking times just long steady rows to get the weight off and keep me away form food between meals. The best is I feel so much better really buzzy and the weight is slowly dropping off. Why does it go on so quickly and take so long to lose?<br />

[[old] Cindy G]

<!--QuoteBegin-freya+Sep 24 2005, 07:17 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(freya @ Sep 24 2005, 07:17 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi<br />I also broke my ankle and have alarge number of pins and plates holding it together. The plaster came off in March but it took me a few months before I could stand on it for any length of time; it ached and my leg just doubled in size.<br />I started rowing again  inAugust when I realised exactly how much weight I had put on. It has taking time for the flexibility to improve BUT I am getting there. I row with a TV on a chest of drawers and am working my way though all the DVDs. I find if I put subtitles on I can keep up with the plot  if the rower is a bit noisy. <br />One DVD will do about 4 lots of 30 mins and with a good film the time goer very quickly.I am not aiming for record breaking times just long steady rows to get the weight off and keep me away form food between meals. The best is I feel so much better  really buzzy and the weight is slowly dropping off. Why does it go on so quickly and take so long to lose? <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />

[[old] Cindy G]

<!--QuoteBegin-freya+Sep 24 2005, 07:17 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(freya @ Sep 24 2005, 07:17 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi<br />I also broke my ankle and have alarge number of pins and plates holding it together. The plaster came off in March but it took me a few months before I could stand on it for any length of time; it ached and my leg just doubled in size.<br />I started rowing again  inAugust when I realised exactly how much weight I had put on. It has taking time for the flexibility to improve BUT I am getting there. I row with a TV on a chest of drawers and am working my way though all the DVDs. I find if I put subtitles on I can keep up with the plot  if the rower is a bit noisy. <br />One DVD will do about 4 lots of 30 mins and with a good film the time goer very quickly.I am not aiming for record breaking times just long steady rows to get the weight off and keep me away form food between meals. The best is I feel so much better  really buzzy and the weight is slowly dropping off. Why does it go on so quickly and take so long to lose? <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />The plates and pins I am very familiar with! I noticed that after the 3rd surgery that my ankle was far less swollen, but the strength was of course just not there. When I first started stretching was the key the achilles is very short due to the lack of use and you have to be careful, I got more swelling when I first started and was discouraged..don't be.. it goes away and the flexibility comes back it's the best drug around and all it takes is time : <br />Keep on rowing I did my personal best today.<br />Cindy

[[old] AmyH]

Hi Robin,<br /><br />Thanks for the suggestions - I will check out the workout library and maybe even attempt a 1/2 marathon one of these days. The 30" thursdays sound fun also.<br />To use the ipod - I have one of those cases with a belt clip that works well on the waist band elastic. I still have abit of a problem with the earphones flying out when I push the pace a bit - but I'm going to try a different pair.<br /> thanks again,<br />Amy<br /><br /><br /><!--QuoteBegin-sirrobin+Sep 24 2005, 01:53 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(sirrobin @ Sep 24 2005, 01:53 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-AmyH+Sep 22 2005, 02:30 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(AmyH @ Sep 22 2005, 02:30 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I'm an ipod and audio book fanatic and have found that listening really helps to pass the time. <br /><br />I've just been focused on increasing my distance in the 30" - does nayone have other suggestions - should I alternate with 2000m? - my objectives are weightloss and overall fitness.<br />Amy <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Amy, I too would like to know how you use your iPod when rowing. I've contemplated using a biking shirt with pockets in the back, but I'll have to lose more weight to find one that fits me. (5'5" over 200 lbs.)<br /><br />Regarding other suggestions, I do several things to keep me going - besides "Just Rowing" -- which is not to be discouraged! I do the Thirty-minute Thursdays to see if I can improve my ranking each week. Once a month on the 5th, I do a 500 meter "race" and on the 20th I do a 2000 meters. I just try to improve on my last one and see how I rank. These faster pace workouts are a challenge for me. They stretch me and they teach me what I'm capable of. One more thing I have just started to do is do a 1/2 marathon on a 3-day-weekend such as Labor Day. It takes me about 2 hours and a lot of mental preparation, but I've done two so far and feel really good about it.<br /><br />There are plenty of other suggestions on the C2 Workout Library (http://www.concept2.com/05/training/tra ... rkouts.asp) -- many geared specifically for weight loss.<br /><br />Good luck & have fun!!<br />Robin <br /> </td></tr></table><br />

[[old] mallard]

Hi guys...<br /><br />Just browsing the forum after a long break during which my rower was consigned to a shed outside as we had the whole house rewired and decorated. I'm moving it back into its rightful place this afternoon after work - I can't wait!<br /><br />On the I-Pod/MP3 thread - and given that this is a women's forum - I put my MP3 player down the front of my top and wedge it in the front of my bra! I still have plenty of cable left for movement, and I can still get to it if I need to change any of the tracks. <br /><br />Back to the forum to keep browsing.

[[old] AmyH]

I think I'd need to put mine in one of those under-water cases first! i worry that I'd drown mine in sweat...<br /><br /><br /><!--QuoteBegin-mallard+Sep 28 2005, 12:23 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mallard @ Sep 28 2005, 12:23 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi guys...<br /><br />Just browsing the forum after a long break during which my rower was consigned to a shed outside as we had the whole house rewired and decorated.  I'm moving it back into its rightful place this afternoon after work - I can't wait!<br /><br />On the I-Pod/MP3 thread - and given that this is a women's forum - I put my MP3 player down the front of my top and wedge it in the front of my bra!  I still have plenty of cable left for movement, and I can still get to it if I need to change any of the tracks.  <br /><br />Back to the forum to keep browsing. <br /> </td></tr></table><br />

[[old] mallard]

You have a point !!!

[[old] holladay]

an intro"duck"ion:<br /><br />5 foot 8, 37 years old. I live in Indiana and am in charge of some of the university's teaching laboratories (pharmacy and organic chem). I have one child, a daughter, Danae, who is five, and I have been married to John for 12 years. <br /><br />I started rowing the day before Thanksgiving 2004. I was able to complete 101K in the HC. I have had problems with my feet and although I couldn't stand or walk for long periods of time, I could row for 45 minutes without aggravating my feet. I enjoyed rowing and did so consistently until March when I had surgery on both feet. Eight weeks in bed eating comfort food and I gained back some. (Good news, much less foot pain now, and I am much more mobile!) <br /><br />I am having a hard time getting back into the habit of rowing. I promised yesterday that I would row today and I did! (2000 m with three breaks). Promising all the other ducks I would do it, gave me the insentive to carry out my promise. Thanks for the pond!<br /><br />In order to write this profile, I had to look up some numbers (I used to keep a log of meters and weight). My PB (or is that worst) weight was 220 lb (99.8 kg) before thanksgiving last year. I was down to 197 lb (89.4 kg) before surgery. Today I am at 204 lb (92.5 kg) (yes, I just went weighed myself.)<br /><br />I am fortunate to have a C2D in my basement but am ashamed to say it has gotten quite dusty since March. I promised my husband last November that if I bought another piece of equipment it would not become a laundry rack. I am glad I found all you ducks on the pond. I look forward to sending out "duck calls" to encourage others.<br /><br />Has anyone tried "wireless" head phones? The ipod's ear buds constantly fall out.<br />Currently, I broadcast my ipod to the radio with an FM transmitter. The downside is that I have to be careful about the books I listen to as I have a 5 year old. (I get my books from the library or from audible.com) If I need to listen privately, I row in a tee-shirt with a front pocket.<br /><br />I have always liked the wood duck. I tried to find a male and a female but for now I will just post the picture of the male. <br /><br />Susan

[[old] woolsmith]

Hey Susan!<br /><br />I have some wireless earphones, but I haven't used them on the C2. I don't perspire, I SWEAT! I tend to sweat so much that I think the larger earphone size would make me crazy(er). I've worn them around the house when I was cleaning, and I got pretty sweaty underneath the earphones. It'd be my luck to short the things out and ruin them. I've never been able to keep those dang earbuds in either. And no matter how I position them, they make my ears sore. <br /><br />I'm bad, I just crank up the radio so I can hear it over the erg.<br /><br />Maybe the C2 Model E will have a built-in satellite radio and DVD player, hey? <br /><br />--Jen in WI