Introduce yourself

[fleabane]

Thanks Izcait - that has got my interest going - more chocolate!!.

Seriously have a birthday coming up v soon and hubby has been wondering what to get - not quite sure how he will take a weights bench but its worth a try - could get a few lessons in at the local gym then keep it up at home - am relieved to hear it does'nt change the way we look in the same way as it does the chaps - might end in divorce

Jxx

[kwhite05]

Hi everyone,
I'm a graduate student, with lots of field work in the summer time, but no exercise apart from walking my dog in the winters - so I've decided that in preparation for when I have to start tracking my gophersnakes again in April, I will row!
I just got my new model D erg last night - very exciting! I first rowed about 5 years ago in university - on the novice team, although I was the cox in a womens lightweight 8, not a full time rower. I trained a bit on ergs with the team in the following year, and was quite into it, enough to convince my parents that they needed to get an erg and start rowing, which they did. It was my mom who recently convinced me that I should get an erg of my own to get back in shape (haven't rowed in over 3 years), and that I should definitely get online on the forums - so here I am!
Katy

[JulieB]

Hi. My Concept 2 model D just arrived yesterday. Hubby Curt helped set it up and I'm ready to go. I just don't quite know where to start. I'm 44 and live in Wisconsin just outside of Madison. My goals are weight loss (ideally about 40 pounds, but I'd be really happy with 30), and to get in better shape and heart healthy. I work at home as a medical transcriptionist, so I spend many, many hours sitting at the computer. When the weather is nice, we get out and hike on the weekends, but it just hasn't been enough to keep the pounds from adding up over the years... and I feel sluggish and out of shape. I have a 22-year-old daughter, a 19-year old son, a 6-year-old daughter... and a grandson who will be 2 on Valentine's Day. I want to be healthy, fit, and have the energy to keep up with all of my kids! I just joined Ducks in a Row, and as soon as I figure out what everything on that monitor means, I'll start logging. I look forward to being on the forums!

[Bob S.]

I just don't quite know where to start.

Start with learning proper technique. Check out:

http://www.trainright.com/articles.asp? ... ay&uid=828

for a brief summary. There are several online videos around as well, but I had problems trying to log onto the one that I thought would be the best. Also, C2 has DVD that usually comes with the erg and Xeno has a series of DVDs for sale from the Iron Oarsman.

Bob S.

[lzcait]

Hi Jean...what a great birthday present...a weight bench so you can get all toned and fab! My Valentine's gift 2 years ago to my husband was three year memberships to our gym and sessions with trainers...put it in a card that said "I love you so much I want to keep you forever and ever." He got the easy trainer...I got the trainer from hell! Who I love to death now...but we won't tell him or he'll definitely make me work much harder! Suggestion on your weight bench: there are so many out there, you might want to go work out at the gym for a few weeks and take those lessons BEFORE you buy the bench. They could possibly head you in the right direction so you get exactly what you want...there are so many varieties out there it boogles my mind!

Cait, who cannot wait for Sunday...weather in the 60's...time to kayak!

[fleabane]

Thanks Cait - great idea - and I love the present re your hubby - hope the kayaking goes well - rainy cold and yukky here - am very jealous

Let us know how you get on and in the meantime will continue on my bench mission

Jxx

[gently_down_the_street]

Hello,

My name is Mélanie and I have been waiting years to get my hands on a concept 2... and my dream finally materialized 2 weeks ago. I am now the VERY proud owner of a C2 model D, PM3. I am still learning about proper technique (had a sore lower back after the first few days... it's now better), and how to work all the buttons... and am not sure how to use RowPro quite yet, but I'll get there!

I am mommy to three active little boys (8,3,2) and wife to a (not-so-active hubby.

I am glad to be on here, although I won't be sharing my times just yet (tee hee, they're pathetic)... I just rowed my first 5k today (in less than 28 minutes) and then did a few 500m to get my heart pumping... wow, what a workout! As I write this, sweat is pouring down my back (sorry for the visual).

I chose an erg. because of my work (2 jobs) and my kids (another job), I can't get to a gym and pilates and yoga are great for flexibility (ahem) but I need to work out some agression once in a while

I would like to trade 5 pounds of fat for 5 pounds of muscle... I'll keep rowing... row, row, row my erg, gently down the street ... hi hi ha ha

Take care all, will be chatting you girls up for sure!

Mélanie (excuse the english eh? I am french-Canadian).

[fleabane]

Hi Melanie

Welcome to the mad house - and your English seems perfect to me - but then I'm British!!!!

And get those times up - it really does'nt matter what others look like - its your achievements that count

Have fun

Jean xx

[gently_down_the_street]

Thanks for the welcome...

I'll be trying the 10k tonight, but I still feel like my form needs a little help (in more ways than one... tee hee)... I feel like my arms and abs are doing all of the work, and my legs aren't doing their fair share (come on legs!)... and yesterday, half-way through my 5k, my right foot just cramped up... should I be rowing without straps?? I've been reading and I'm not sure if that'll help my form or just make it worse....

à tantôt,

Mélanie

[fleabane]

Melanie - as a newbie myself I found rowing without straps really helped focus me on my technique - give it a go - it won't make things worse

[MomofJBN]

I'll be trying the 10k tonight, but I still feel like my form needs a little help (in more ways than one... tee hee)... I feel like my arms and abs are doing all of the work, and my legs aren't doing their fair share (come on legs!)...

Welcome, Melanie! Form is definitely important, both to avoid injury and to get maximum distance/speed. (Watch the DVD that came with your erg.) I found that I had to concentrate on building up my abs for many weeks before I could really give my legs a work-out. Work on building your base before you try to improve your times.

Schenley

[nefertiti1102]

Hey everyone!

My name's Marie. Just got back into rowing after a six year break (did it in high school and for one year in college before leaving the team due to increasing academic demands). In spite of previous training, I feel like a novice all over again! My form is fine but I am going to have to bust butt to get my times to what they used to be. I've been back on the erg for three weeks now and I am already wondering why I didn't keep up with this on my own time even when competitive rowing was too time consuming. Unlike, it seems, most here, I don't own a concept 2, but I do have a gym that has several. My ultimate goal would be to get back into race shape and join a local club. I miss being on the water!

Looking forward to being a part of the community here.

[Boxing Diva]

Hi! I posted on Feb. 13, 2007 when I ordered my C2. I did so under weight loss and weight control, so if anyone wants to read it you can. Since I am new at this, I was unaware of all of the different forums until one of you replied and told me about your "Ducks in a Row" group. You have no idea how I great I felt after learning about this.
I will be 50 years old come June. I have been more physically fit and active as an adult as opposed to when I was a child. As a child, I was actually overwight and suffered much as a result. Now, I suffer from what a dear friend calls "A.O.A.S." - Adult Onset Athlete Syndrome - I "think" I'm an athlete, so I act like one! Anyway, I have been boxing since 2004 and did cardio kickboxing, jiu-jitsu and mostly ran before this. I completed 4 full marathons and three half marathons with a slew of little races. Last year I had serious knee surgery, so my running days are over. I trained on a C2 last summer and I found that the workout was as close to doing repeated rounds on a heavy bag. When I was done I felt it throughout my entire body. Due to circumstances beyond my control, my workout schedule was severly cut down. As I refuse to compromise my fitness health and sanity, I decided to give myself an early Birthday gift - because I'm worth it. I won't have to worry about finding a sitter for my son, or missing my workouts.
I have struggled with my weight despite my training, but I am now eating a lot healthier and watching my carbs (I LOVE bread!). I know, without a doubt, I will achieve my goals. I look forward to posting my photo and becoming a duck.
Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to read this. It means a lot to me. I read a lot of your intros and they made me cry with joy. I feel like I'm gaining a lot of sisters!
Maybe I'll get it by Monday-Tuesday!

Thanks for listening,
Boxing Diva

[Widgeon]

Welcome gently, nefertiti and boxing diva! Glad to have you all on the womans forum. Love the image of the erg traveling down the street. Also got a chuckle from A.O.A.S.

My poor husband and children suffer with as much managed interest as they can to me reciting split times etc. A few years back, my son, about 3 at the time saw me huffing and puffing while going after a PB, and started shouting at me to slow down so I wouldn't hurt myself. After finishing the peice I had to coach the poor little guy to shout "faster mommy, faster" under such circumstances.

I've now got the kids intermittantly on the erg . They are both quite proud of the certificates and pins they have acheived on the rower. I don't know how old your kids are, but they may be able to go after the awards for rowing with you.

Keep up the good work, boxing, let us know when you get that erg!

Pam

[Boxing Diva]

Hi Pam
I got my C2 this morning. I took my time, read all the instructions and put it together. I took my first 5 minute maiden voyage and it was love at first sight. My son also tried it, and he is now committed to do it every time I do it. A wonderful thing. I have to run an errand, then I plan on plaing wih the PM3 and getting going. Thank you for all of your good wishes. I will probably be writing back later with a trillion questions about training.
I am so psyched!

Barbara
(aka Boxing Diva)