Women's Rowing Forum: What Motivates You To Erg???

[old] DavidA · Post by **[old] DavidA** » January 21st, 2005, 3:30 pm

Sorry to but in here, but my wife continued using the erg through most of a couple of her pregnancies with no troubles for her or the babies. (She is a physician and is very careful about taking care of herself and the fetuses.) David

[old] Rhody · Post by **[old] Rhody** » January 22nd, 2005, 1:17 pm

I also like the idea of a Women's Forum. I have never joined a forum in my life, so this is a first for me. Reading the stories of so many different kinds of people is very motivating for me. My husband bought me a C2 for Christmas last year when I told him I wanted a rowing machine. I was expecting your standard run of the mill Sears special, and was quite surprised by what he bought! He told me he had done extensive research and decided that it was worth spending the money to buy the best. The first year I used it for a while and then slacked off due to work stress and long hours, which of course was the worst thing I could do, the cardio workout being such a good stress reducer! I started again around Thanksgiving, and since the holidays have been able to use more self-discipline to get myself out of bed in the morning and row. Not surprisingly, I now have a profound increase in my energy level and mood every day, I arrive at work feeling fully charged and ready to deal with anything! I've only lost a couple of pounds, but can really feel a difference the shape of my body and how my clothes fit. I started out pushing myself to go for twenty minutes (including warm up and cool down), then added the warming and cooling time to the twenty minutes. Then of course I realized I would only have to go a little longer to get to 5K (my comfortable pace at this point is 2:30/500). Now I am going for 30 minutes, a little longer on the weekends when I don't have to be somewhere at a specific time. I find that 30 minutes goes by quickly and am starting to think I want to go longer. On the days I don't erg, I not only feel guilty but miss it. I compete against myself by keeping my log up to date. Given the fact that I am 45 and quite overweight, I am happy that I am not the lowest on the ranking! Each time I move up a little I am very excited. My brother dropped dead last year at the age of 51 from massive heart attack. My mother died for other reasons at 50, and I realize that if I don't do anything now, then I might only have another 5 years or so. I would not want my kids to have to go through that. My BIGGEST motivator though, is that I really want to be able to row on the river. We live near Pittsburgh PA where there are plenty of rivers. I am hoping to be able to join a local club this spring, and my husband has promised me that if I lose enough weight he will buy me my own scull to use in the good weather. I tell my teenagers that when I turn 50 I want to row in the Head of the Charles! Anyways, thanks for all the motivation. And good luck to all of you!

[old] CAROLE MAC · Post by **[old] CAROLE MAC** » January 24th, 2005, 7:03 am

wow .........some great experiences here.... Well I am back from my race at Glasgow had a great weekend it always surprizes me what a great bunch of folk ergers are ... I only had to race to secure the Silver place in the whole series and I did just that . I arrived at the hotel Sat night to be met by the Grand Prix girls ..they had bought me a lovely pink hat to match my cast... and they made me wear it for the race . I did 9min 14..not a brilliant time but good for one legged and I was taking it easy ..smiling and talking... to everyone .....was very strange racing with no pressure . Mind you I couldnt resist trying to go fast for the last 100 metres ..hit a couple of 1.51's at 58spm ...just using my arms ... I am off to the hospital this afternoon to see how the leg is haling and possibly a new cast .... well it has been written all over now too ... it was clean til yesterday!!!!! .... my favourite slogan up to now is ...."sod the lady red here is the lady in pink".....

[old] brcolburn · Post by **[old] brcolburn** » January 25th, 2005, 11:44 am

Welcome! There are a lot of inspirational stories out there just waiting to be shared. Let's hear yours!! What motivates you to sit down and erg? What's worked (or not worked) to help keep you motivated?? My own kick-in-the-butt is that I'm planning a solo, self-contained bike tour of a bit of England and Wales in May. I keep visualizing all those dang hills I have to get up! I can't bike every day...especially on the days I work...so erging helps keep the cardiovascular conditioning at some respectable level. Being a part of a team (we're #3 ) has definitely helped motivate me...don't want to let them down... OK...your turn... Deb Ford [/quote]

[old] siameeser · Post by **[old] siameeser** » January 28th, 2005, 3:18 pm

Hi, I started C2 rowing due to crossfit.com. Crossfit mixes Olympic lifting, powerlifting, bodyweight exercises, kettlebells, rowing and running. On the recommendation of Crossfit's members I purchased a lightly used C2 off Ebay for a nice price. While I'm not real good at rowing, I do enjoy it! I used to post my rowing times in the logbook, but somehow got out of the habit. I started again today with a poor 10K time. I don't row real often, (just when it's part of the Crossfit workout of the day), so I shouldn't be disappointed with my time... Kelly

[old] sharon hodge · Post by **[old] sharon hodge** » February 3rd, 2005, 10:40 am

[FONT=Arial]<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(grams @ Jan 16 2005, 02:52 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Having all these nice long muscles and great shoulders. Makes my legs look great in jeans. Being able to do most anything I want to physically. Having the endurance to carry on with extended physical effort. Being nicknamed 'Iron Woman' by the biking group on our last Elderhostel trip for my ability to do the hills. Knowing how to pace myself. Looking 10 years younger than before. (It helps that my hair isn't grey yet...) The endorphins put me in a good mood all day. grams </td></tr></table> My husband and I have been runners for over 20 years. He was way more competitive than me and ended up paying the price for being a bit too ambitious. He can no longer run due to foot and hip problems so he bought erg. He encouraged me to use it. My thought was, why, with running it isn't necessary. Finally after much encouragement I conceeded. Shortly thereafter I was diagnosed with MS. Even though I had just completed the Chicago Marathon and knew I was in great shape it was quite the jolt. After the diagnosis I really threw myself into more rowing. That is when I became hooked on it. I honestly believe that with drug therapy and using the erg on a daily basis I can ward off progression of the MS. When I went through a back issue related to the MS the rowing was the only thing that made the back feel better. The back issue lasted for almost a year and there were times it was so painful that I could not even run, but rowing alleviated a great deal of the pain. Talked to my nuerologist about the affects of rowing and she was baffled but said to continue it if it was making a difference. The erg is the best form of exercise ever. The running is great but it doesn't do what the erg does. After 20 years of running the upper body was rather emaciated in appearance. Most runners who don't cross-train have very thin upper bodies. Now, with the erg my arms are actually muscular. First time in my life the upper body has had definition. The erg will be a part of my daily routine for the rest of my life. Sharon

[old] CAROLE MAC · Post by **[old] CAROLE MAC** » February 3rd, 2005, 12:35 pm

Thanks for sharing that Sharon... another fantastic effort.... feel humble now ....

[old] Bufflehead · Post by **[old] Bufflehead** » February 9th, 2005, 6:21 pm

All these stories are great! Sharon - I admire your positive attitude. A lot of folks would throw in the towel for lesser things. Here's hoping the rower keeps the MS at bay for many years! Sue

[old] HUN_08 · Post by **[old] HUN_08** » April 17th, 2005, 8:04 pm

Okay, so I am a 15year old Frosh. at the HUN School of Princeton and I just did a 2k for my first time ever wthis week. Our coach sort of not really told us how to plan it, but it didn't help. My time was a 8:52.03 or something like that i dono the .03. But anyway, I am 5'11 and 130 lbs so I guess that time is okay for a 1st go around. But, you see there is a girl on my team who is about 5'8 mayb 150-155 lbs and she pulled 8:36 or 26 something like that. It has been driving me crazy and I have been erging 2k every day for the past week and only dropping a few seconds. I can't stand that I can't beat this girl. IS the reason she pulls more because she weighs more and has more strength?? Any answer would help me.

[old] Debra · Post by **[old] Debra** » April 17th, 2005, 10:18 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(HUN_08 @ Apr 17 2005, 07:04 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Okay, so I am a 15year old Frosh. at the HUN School of Princeton and I just did a 2k for my first time ever wthis week. Our coach sort of not really told us how to plan it, but it didn't help. My time was a 8:52.03 or something like that i dono the .03. But anyway, I am 5'11 and 130 lbs so I guess that time is okay for a 1st go around. But, you see there is a girl on my team who is about 5'8 mayb 150-155 lbs and she pulled 8:36 or 26 something like that. It has been driving me crazy and I have been erging 2k every day for the past week and only dropping a few seconds. I can't stand that I can't beat this girl. IS the reason she pulls more because she weighs more and has more strength?? Any answer would help me. </td></tr></table> Weight may have something to do with it if the weight is because she is fit. Just because you are taller you cannot assume you will be faster and/or stronger. I'm about 5'7" and have been able to beat out many taller women because of strength and fitness. Also, what other sports have you done before? What other sports has the other girl done before? These could be factors. What about technique? Maybe you're not using your legs and back properly? Why are you only doing 2k every day? Are you going flat out each time? Why not try some real workouts that would get you in better shape for a 2k like some 5k or short, faster sprints like 6x 500m? Maybe you need a better fitness base. Good luck! Don't give up! Debra (rowing since 1984!)

[old] sailorgirl · Post by **[old] sailorgirl** » April 21st, 2005, 2:22 am

I love this topic! Reading all of the stories really made me evaluate my own motivational factors for why I sit on the erg and row 4-5 times/week with sweat stinging my eyes every timel So here goes.... After 2 kiddos and 2 ectopic pregnancies (both requiring emergency surgeries) all within less than 5 years, 20 pounds crept on me quickly (went from a 2/4 to a 6/8, back to a flabby 4/6). Sailing Regattas just take too much time and it's hard to get back to shore if there is an emergency with kiddos, cycling - same thing, running - am I kidding?!?!?! Not good to run with extra poundage to lug around! Eliptical, great for some of my workouts and variety, but....the erg takes concentration and technique. I love that about the erg. It is total mind - body involvement, similar to Pilates for me. With my music on at the gym, it get in to a rhythm that is so amazing, so similar to marathon training - an hour goes by quickly! In addition, the motion of erging is similar to sailboat racing on a small dinghys, involving your whole body. Very effective type of workout, I no longer feel as thick-waisted in my pants. I have never felt like I had a waistline (even at a size 2 - more like a straight up and down boy figure), but this rowing gig is actually creating a waistline on me. Most likely an illusion because I never really developed my lats like now. That's motivating enough just right there! My vanity prevails even at my age Most of all, I fantasize about joining our local rowing association (after my kids are school aged) and crewing with a novice team. I really miss the camraderie of sailing with a crew! Sometimes when I'm erging, I close my eyes and imagine what it would be like to row on the water with a team sprinting toward the finish line........Crazy I know!

LindaM · Post by **LindaM** » April 21st, 2005, 8:41 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(sailorgirl @ Apr 21 2005, 01:22 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Sometimes when I'm erging, I close my eyes and imagine what it would be like to row on the water with a team sprinting toward the finish line........Crazy I know! </td></tr></table> Not crazy! Totally sane and totally healthy. Check out <a href='http://www.usrowing.org/itemdisplay.asp?id=963' target='_blank'>http://www.usrowing.org/itemdisplay.asp?id=963</a> Also look for Learn to Row Days and Learn to Row Programs at community boat houses, rowing clubs, even local colleges. Or think about attending novice classes at a rowing camp. <a href='http://www.concept2.com/resources/summercamp.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/resources/summercamp.asp</a>

[old] sailorgirl · Post by **[old] sailorgirl** » April 22nd, 2005, 11:43 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(LindaM @ Apr 21 2005, 04:41 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(sailorgirl @ Apr 21 2005, 01:22 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Sometimes when I'm erging, I close my eyes and imagine what it would be like to row on the water with a team sprinting toward the finish line........Crazy I know! </td></tr></table> Not crazy! Totally sane and totally healthy. Check out <a href='http://www.usrowing.org/itemdisplay.asp?id=963' target='_blank'>http://www.usrowing.org/itemdisplay.asp?id=963</a> Also look for Learn to Row Days and Learn to Row Programs at community boat houses, rowing clubs, even local colleges. Or think about attending novice classes at a rowing camp. <a href='http://www.concept2.com/resources/summercamp.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/resources/summercamp.asp</a> </td></tr></table> Thanks Harly for the great resources!!!