Newbies

[old] Coach Gus · Post by **[old] Coach Gus** » January 10th, 2005, 8:16 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (little weed @ Jan 10 2005, 03:23 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> oo er. i didn't mean to offend anyone. i just didn't understand how you all went that fast on an 'easy' session. sorry. jane  </td></tr></table> If this was was directed at me, I apologize for the misunderstanding. My post was meant as a joke and was intended as having fun with what you wrote. I thought it was very funny in a good way and I admired your willingness to share the story.

[old] Mark Keating · Post by **[old] Mark Keating** » January 10th, 2005, 8:37 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (Mark Keating @ Jan 10 2005, 10:07 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>You may want to try a few strokes, using your legs only, with your body in an upright position. I think you will find it (nearly) impossible to push yourself off the seat as long as there is tension on the cable. </td></tr></table> Not sure what this whizbang was thinking when he dispensed this valuable little tidbit! Doesn't work - don't try it - ignore completely! It is the action of the arms pulling the chain that keeps one from falling off the back. At least, I think so. Mark

[old] PaulS · Post by **[old] PaulS** » January 10th, 2005, 8:38 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (tboy1414 @ Jan 10 2005, 12:02 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> Hi Avid, Not sure of what the solution is to the rash, but i have the same thing on my arse. Its quite a site, its like a rugburn, only nastier. Funny as it sounds, for now, i put vaseline on it to help stop the friction and it helps with the pain.  </td></tr></table> Maybe there is too much "rug" there, "only nastier". I'm not going to comment on the "quite a site" (sic) mention because that would be dangerously close to violating standards. Mr. Keating, did you mean "smart ass" or 'ass smarts' comments?

[old] Mark Keating · Post by **[old] Mark Keating** » January 10th, 2005, 8:47 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (PaulS @ Jan 11 2005, 12:38 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Maybe there is too much "rug" there, "only nastier". I'm not going to comment on the "quite a site" (sic) mention because that would be dangerously close to violating standards. </td></tr></table> <table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE </td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Mr. Keating, did you mean "smart ass" or 'ass smarts' comments?  </td></tr></table> I think we both know the answer to that one!

[old] little weed · Post by **[old] little weed** » January 11th, 2005, 4:27 am

thank goodness! i didn't want to offend anyone, especially as i need all the help i can get from the experts. jane x

[old] little weed · Post by **[old] little weed** » January 11th, 2005, 8:22 am

i did a 30 min today after a little bit of a strapless paddle (which felt very little different to how it is with straps - my toes come up as i pull the handle though). for my 30 mins i tried to keep at 24 spm with a little 30 second sprint every 5 mins @28spm. i managed 6527m with a split time of 2:17.9. this is much better than yesterday's effort at 6000m - an extra 527m in 1:43. this gave me a score of 861 on the nonathlon. YIPPEE. my best score yet (actually, the overall pattern there is lowest scores on shortest distances and higher on longer distances - but that may be because i did the longer rows more recently and after a period of concentrating on technique) i also discovered that sweatbands are clearly a useful garment and not a fashion accessory. i had sweat dripping into my eyes at the end, YUK, and also got a tiny bit shivery in the last couple of minutes - do you think my temperature went up? my pulse was 175 at the end after my last 30 second sprint. i am going to spend the rest of the week consolidating a bit - strapless rowing, and working on 2k @ maybe 26spm, as well as some slower stuff, trying to get a stronger pull. i would quite like to try and get my nonathlon 500m, 1k and 2k up to a score of 800. i definitely feel my 'slow' training in the last couple of weeks has had very positive benefits. jane

[old] CAROLE MAC · Post by **[old] CAROLE MAC** » January 11th, 2005, 9:44 am

well done Jane keep at it the Pb's will come thick and fast for you for some time yet . Are you going to follow a training plan?? ie the Interactive Plan on the British site (which I can't get into again gggggggggggggggggggggrrrrrrr) or are you just going to see what you feel like doing??

[old] grams · Post by **[old] grams** » January 11th, 2005, 1:14 pm

Hi ladies, I was a 'newbie' in 2003. I posted this Sept of 03. I thought it might help for you to get the distaff point of view from an old lady. The comments in parentheses are what I am doing now, after a year and a half. I got my Concept March 28, so had been at it for 5 months when I wrote this. Never rowed before, but tried my grandson's machine and loved it so bought a used one. I started at 1/2 hour, which felt really long-then 45 minutes, then an hour, then half marathons once a week(1 hour 50 mins) and did my first marathon in July. 4 hours & 2 minutes. (My 2nd marathon was 3 hours 43 minutes) My times are slow by 'guy' standards, but then I'm 5' 3", and started off at 160 pounds, female, and (almost) 61 years old. Reached 133 lbs in September. my times hold up well on the nonathlon with others in my age category. My advice: *Slow down-spm around 24-27 are good for the hour or longer rows. I generally speed up during the 2nd half of the session. (now I am down around 19-21 spm and just as fast. A slower recovery and stronger legs for the drive is the reason) *Not so much drag-my machine is set at 3, or 120 on hte meter (now around 105-110) **Get a good seat cover. I have a large gel-filled bicycle seat cover on my machine. It's called a 'pain-killer' and I got it at REI. My bum wasn't even mildly tender after my 4-hour row, which is saying a lot. (I can't say enpugh about this seat cover. It is wonderful) *Find something to do. TV, loud music, whatever will keep you occupied. Don't keep glued to the PM numbers. You will then be able to concentrate more on perfecting your stroke, and less on the speed thing. One session a week I work on bettering my nonathlon numbers and watch the PM3, and the other sessions I try not to look. I take a peek towards the end of my 'don't look' sessions, but not before. (I still do this, too many numbers psych me out) I lost about 30 pounds, and most of what is left is muscle now. It looks good, and I'm almost down to finding those 'abs of steel' that are there, but not yet quite visible. (I had to get an entirely new wardrobe, what a blast!) My husband didn't want to row so he started cycling, and we both look and feel great. Go for it, and let us know how you are doing in 3 months. I'm sure we will all be amazed, and so will you. ***Just one more thing.... For the longer slower rows, don't use the foot straps at all for the whole session. Don't watch the numbers, and concentrate on your form. You won't rely on them to bring you forward, and your form will be better. Once you have the form and rhythm, then you can use them on the speed rows to increase the spm. (I consider a speed row to be above 25 spm. Aerobically I can't keep up the intense fast stuff for more than about 500 meters) I worked up to the longer sessions by simply going longer when I reached my time goal on a day when I felt good. I find that setting a time rather than speed or distance goal works well, and I am usually surprised when I look at my splits to see that I had some good times posted, usually to the faster music. Same for the marathon. I had worked up to a 1/2 marathon about once a week. The training info online suggested increasing that by increments till you get to 3/4 marathon for a couple of sessions. I added another 1/2 hour (not a set distance) to a couple of them, and then on the third one I was going to add another hour. When I got to the 3/4 distance mark, I said, 'piece of cake', put on some Greek folk music and kodo drumming, and went for it. Every night I celebrate with a beer in my Marathon mug. Let us all know how you are doing. Don't get blown away by the macho stuff on hte forum. There are lots of ladies lurking out there.

[old] PaulS · Post by **[old] PaulS** » January 11th, 2005, 1:41 pm

Hi Grams! Where ya been? What "macho stuff"? argh, argh, argh, Oo, OO, OO, ee, EE, EE Thumpah, thump, thump!!!!

[old] little weed · Post by **[old] little weed** » January 11th, 2005, 2:27 pm

carole, i SHOULD get me a plan sorted! i have printed one out but i'm not sure which one it is. i'll investigate the uk site as well (my daughter says i'm sad, but she has a coach 6 days a week). i will have a good think about this over the weekend, then get started on a plan next week. i feel brilliant! thanks for your post, grams. how long did it take you to train for your first marathon? i can't imagine ever being able to do that. do you watch tv whilst doing a marathon, or a dvd, or something? it's nice to see more ladies about! a new wardrobe - that's gotta be worth all the pain. jane

[old] grams · Post by **[old] grams** » January 11th, 2005, 3:31 pm

I've been pouting. Nursing my golfers elbows. I've taken to erging underhanded for spells to help with it. Not up to speed again yet. Still want to trade a D handle for a C as a trial, or have you done that by now? Latest project: getting ready to do some travelling with my husband and taking my erg along. If you want a laugh check out my Sportsmobile: Go to www(dot)owtechwebs.com/camper. Anyone know anything about old Dodge 318 engines? I have an idling problem with my new toy. Re the marathon: Fom April 1 to July 04. bout 4 months. I was still a heavyweight, so I did another one as a lightweight in December 04. The first one was done to good old rock& roll. For the next one I erged around the world musically with the cds I collect when we travel. Greece, Turkey, Hawaii, England, Mexico. Anything with a basic ethnic beat. i know how long each cd is, approximately, so I can tell how long I have been erging without looking at the meter. grams

[old] PaulS · Post by **[old] PaulS** » January 11th, 2005, 3:38 pm

I've got an extra C handle laying about if you need it for your test, just let me know, or give a call if you are in the neighborhood.

[old] grams · Post by **[old] grams** » January 11th, 2005, 5:17 pm

I would like to take advantage of your kind offer when the weather gets a little warmer. No sense in putting my little Honda on the icy streets here with all the crazy drivers. I'll email you next week. grams

[old] little weed · Post by **[old] little weed** » January 12th, 2005, 7:03 pm

i have stopped getting blisters. is that a good thing? (from a technique point of view - obviously the absence of pain is a good thing!) jane

[old] Lyse01 · Post by **[old] Lyse01** » January 14th, 2005, 1:35 am

To change the topic a bit... It seems most people here have their own ergs. (I'm jealous, but I have no money to get my own, no space to store it, and no ability to bring it with me through several projected moves in the next two years. Go Navy.) So, who out there uses an erg at a gym? How do you deal with longer rows? My own experience: I was on the women's novice crew at college and had to quit because of scheduling conflicts, but still love to erg. I tend to row a lot of long pieces - 5000m is my standard because I can do that with a warmup in under a half hour. If there's no real demand for the ergs, I feel comfortable staying on longer, but, especially at school, there are a lot of people that erg and I can't justify to the gym monitor my desire to row for over an hour. Does anyone else run into this problem? Oh, and Jane, it's more the placement of the callouses (sp?) than their presence that's relevent to your technique. Unfortunately, while I can visualize the hands of my crew friends, I can't remember which parts of those disasters were from cold, wet oars and which were from the erg, nor what was considered "good technique." -Liz

Concept2 Forum

Newbies

General

General

General

General

General

General

General

General

General

General

General

General

General

General

General