Breast Cancer Awareness Team Daily Rowing Diary

[Kristine Strasburger]

I am not the author of the following posts. These are the daily postings from Brian, the man who is rowing this 2008 JVC for Breast Cancer Awareness. He is blogging on myspace, and I am making copies of his blog entries and others' comments to him here. Feel free to post an encouraging message to Brian here or on his myspace page:

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... 2038671373

Here is Brian's picture from his team file page:

[Kristine Strasburger]

Eradication of Breast Cancer--{my first blog}
Disclaimer: Please bear with me as this is my initial foray into blogging. I have posted a few messages here and there, but otherwise this is new territory for me.

No one likes breast cancer, so I guess it's a suitable first victim for blogging against...

Doesn't it seem like the things we like the least are oftentimes the hardest things to get rid of? There are plenty of examples of this, feel free to list one if you decide to post here. My space on MySpace is hereafter to be dedicated to getting rid of things that totally suck in the world. My classmates in junior high did vote me 'most ambitious...'

The idea itself is really kind of mundane, but I'd love to hear other people's suggestions on what I can do to improve it. So here it goes:

I've just returned from the local BJ's with 9 cases of Gatorade and a bunch of water. My plan over the next month is to raise awareness for breast cancer by rowing 2000 miles on an indoor rowing machine that's sitting here next to my computer. The Concept 2 company ( www.concept2.com )that made the rower sponsors a "row as far as you can" event every January, and I decided that rather than just expend a mind-numbing amount of time and a bunch of calories going nowhere, I would try to make there be a point to the whole thing.

So if you've gotten this far, let me further say that I at least know a little about what I'm getting into. I have a degree in Nutrition and a minor in Exercise Science, both from good schools, so I know how to fuel myself and how to recover. I have some experience in distance rowing--my personal best is a bit over 1000 km in a month (this past fall) which took me roughly 85-90 hours total. Yeah, my goal is roughly three times that much, and would probably establish a new world record, but if I were an ant I'd be the kind who thinks he could move a rubber tree plant.

So what am I asking, exactly? Well, for a bit of encouragement of some kind, and perhaps for others to demonstrate a willingness to take some of their time to click over to a breast cancer website (any legitimate one will do) and find out more about where we are in terms of research. Getting involved in the things you're interested in is the best way to help those things along. Show some interest, please. I'm earmarking 250 hours of the next month to the hope that it encourages others to take even just a small amount of their time and chip in. And if my body or mind fails me somewhere along the way, I swear to everything that is holy I will at least be ON that seat for the full amount of time, or until I finish.

Remember, everyone has a mother, a sister, or a daughter--and if that doesn't stir you up enough, realize if you didn't already that men can get breast cancer too. Do something good for the next few minutes. Think about it.

Brian's First Blog entry Posted by Brian on Thursday, December 27, 2007

[Kristine Strasburger]

Ok, Day 1 went off more or less as planned. Logged 85,000+ meters in about 6.5 hours total time. Was looking forward to sleep by the time I was finished, and then got in bed and remembered that the first thing greeting me the next day was another 100,000 meters (or so I had planned.) At the moment, I'm 33,000 into that set. Just finished two soft pretzels and my tenth or eleventh Gatorade.

Posted by Brian on Wednesday, January 02, 2008 at 9:09 AM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Ok Day 2 went somewhat as planned, but I'm losing time. Turned in about 117,000 meters for a total of 202,841 after roughly 15.5 hours total. It's late and I need to head to bed. Dreading what I'll feel like tomorrow...

Posted by Brian on Wednesday, January 02, 2008 at 9:26 PM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Didn't get up at the scheduled time, so I missed my morning row. Then faced the hour commute into work at the hospital...8 hours later and another 45 minutes home. Not sure which I'm enjoying less at this point, work or "not work." So, after getting just a scant 5 hours of sleep last night...back at it today for a rather tough 78,000 meters. Three day total is now 280,150 and I'm 9,079 behind schedule. Mostly been averaging a bit under 2:24/500 --I love math so I'll do it...works out to about 22.4 hours...check back later to make sure I'm still alive in a few days.

Posted by Brian on Thursday, January 03, 2008 at 9:13 PM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Had to imagine I was a slave on a Viking longboat to make it through parts of today. Started off okay, and then pace dropped down to just under 2:30/500. I doubt if I'll be able to go faster than that on average for a while, so I suppose I'll have to spend longer on the seat. The road to success weaves its way through the swamp of misery. Four days: 375,402. 11.7% finished.

Posted by Brian on Friday, January 04, 2008 at 9:20 PM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Another 80,000 brings me to 455,000. Trying to figure out where to find more time, because it's looking like I'll need it. 14.1% finished.

Posted by Brian on Sunday, January 06, 2008 at 12:37 AM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Another 101,000 comes to 556,800. Hurting in places where it shouldn't...actually looking forward to work tomorrow, because the drive both ways and work itself will keep me off 'that thing' for most of the day. Thanks to Kevin, Karen, and Jim for writing. Jim, the formula is Gatorade + Clif Mojo bars + noodles + protein powder + Vaseline + lots of sleep. Extra strength Tiger Balm doesn't hurt either, but it's crazy expensive.

Posted by Brian on Sunday, January 06, 2008 at 11:16 PM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Please keep up the good work. And please keep posting your blog. It is and inspiration for me to erg through the pain for 90 minutes a day when I don't go to the gym. And info about nutrition, and split times is a guidline for my smaller distances (I want to be able to do a Marathon). My Mum had breast cancer and I know awareness can be life saver.

All the best. Looking forward to following your fantastic endeavor.
Abdul

Posted by Abdul on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 2:23 PM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Well, I managed to squeak out just over 640,000 by the end of day 8--which was supposed to be a semi-rest day. Something kind of strange happened though, which I have to think was nutrition-related. That being my split times for the last couple sets coming down under 2:24/500 despite having climbed almost into the 2:30's in the last couple days. I've been trying to cram down as much food as possible, though sometimes sleep is the priority. Row on and off for 6 or 7 hours then eat, sleep for 3 or 4, and get back up and start over again. BTW for those wanting to start doing long distance rows, DO NOT risk hyponatremia...in other words, get plenty of salt in your diet, and drink Gatorades instead of water when you can. You need the calories anyway--about 5,200/100,000 meters.

Posted by Brian on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 9:23 PM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Day 9...new pb, with 139,788 meters covered today. Split times came down for most sets under 2:20/500, and it actually wasn't quite as painful. Still no significant blisters, believe it or not. Halfway through my third case of Gatorade... 24.2% finished.

Posted by Brian on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 9:14 PM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Day 10...130,466 covered. Pace mostly below 2:20/500 today. Pretty tired now, and sore--looking forward to work tomorrow :S 910,843 = 28.28% finished.

Posted by Brian on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 9:37 PM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Ok, that last 70K pretty much hurt. My back at times feels like someone's been whacking me with a crowbar, and I'm getting a blister on my heel. The good news is my mom brought some audio books over and I'm 6/19ths of the way through "The Three Musketeers" (which is excellent so far...) I did manage to successfully petition for another day off toward the end of the month, so I won't have as many of these kind of days (I hope.) 11 days, 977,941 meters covered..."only" 2,242,479 meters to go.

Posted by Brian on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 11:04 PM

[Kristine Strasburger]

Hi Brian, I am very impressed with all of your rowing and the name of your team. I appreciate the dedication you are giving to the rowing challenge and breast cancer awareness. Every time I log on to the team stands, there you are at the top and i just had to say wow.
I am team Luna-tics. I am also a pastor who leads our church in lighting a pink candle on our alter for best cancer several worship services a year.
Keep up the good work.
Jane
(PS you may want to add your email to your profile since you have invited people to email you).

Posted by jane on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 11:33 PM

[Kristine Strasburger]

So I woke up this morning not feeling too great--some surprise there. I decided to finish the New York State Bluebird Society newsletter--which I am, at least for the moment, editor of. That having gone off without hitches despite taking 3 hours of time I could ill afford to spend on my day off, I resolved to row without sleeping for the remainder of the day. It is now roughly 13 hours later--4:30 am, and I'm quite ready for the daily repose. 12 days + 4.5 hours finished, and I'm now past my previous month best, set this past fall. 1,101,336 and 34.2% finished.

Posted by Brian on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 1:33 AM