Introduce yourself

[A CREW R]

I got my C2 Model D about a month ago. I am LOVING it. I rowed for Santa Clara University Womens Crew from 1977-1980. I was one of the first 3 women at the University to row all four years. This was back before there was such thing as a Concept 2 - our erg was a great big ugly blue contraption that looked like it could have been used by the Inquisition! I do remember wishing we could afford the new Dreissigacker Oars! After graduation, I donated one oar to the school.

I rowed for a few years at LBRA after graduation, but career came first. Then marriage then kids. I tried running to get back into shape, but just couldn't take the pounding.

As luck would have it, I found my used C2 on Craigslist. Rowing is a bit like bike riding, you never really forget how. I like having the erg at home. I can row in the afternoon while the kids do their homework.
One day they'll learn to row.

-Gina

[polrobin]

Hey all,

I got an erg as a Christmas gift two years ago and used it on and off until recently. Now I'm with the fire dept and our gym here has a Concept 2, so I'm using it daily. I've just started entering my log times in that area, so I'm hoping to keep it up.

It should be a great way to lose weight and get in better shape, eh?

Glad to see you all. I've signed up to be a duck (I think it's called) but am not certain of what that entails.

Thanks,
Polly

[Kiwi_Rower]

Hi Polly, welcome to ducks in a row (and erging regularly!). Being part of a team just means your metres are added to the ducks total metres for the season, and you can compare how the DIAR are doing compared to the other teams. You can also see how you are doing compared to other ducks, so it's a good motivational tool to move up and beat the person just ahead of you.

Gina - a belated hi Hope the afternoon rowing is going well. Not sure if you joined ducks also but you're more than welcome to!

[blue_heron]

I'm Mary, a nursing home administrator who was rowing pretty steadily, then fell off the wagon. anyone out there looking for a training partner? I find it's a little easier to get motivated if I know someone else is working along with me. ok, I admit I'm weak. thanks.

[blue_heron]

by the way, I'm number 176334. if this isn't the right place to look for a partner, could someone please direct me? thanks.

[estene16]

Hey,

I started rowing a few months ago just to get into shape. The gym I belong to has 2 rowers, and I really enjoy it. The staff told me about this site, and encouraged me to set a goal.

I look forward to the education!

~Kristene

[LandLocked]

Hi, just testing my account because I've recently reactivated it. I've been rowing off and on, trying to get a regular workout pattern established.

[Storm Petrel]

This was back before there was such thing as a Concept 2 - our erg was a great big ugly blue contraption that looked like it could have been used by the Inquisition!
-Gina

Made me smile Gina.
I'm 50 and was a member of Rutgers first women's crew. Our ergs were huge torture devices with over sized wood oar handles and a drag weight basket coach was always throwing more poundage into. I absolutely loved them, unlike the indoor tanks we rowed in when the river froze. We scrounged to start up the team, had to practise in the wee morning hours when the men weren't using the boathouse and dock and used hand-me-down wooden shells from the men's teams. I also had the pleasure of rowing at Annapolis with my brother when we were both undergrads and he rowed there. The best sport I've ever been involved in, and although it seems like a lifetime ago, I still really miss rowing. I hike/jog an average of 1000 miles/year in the woods and hills with my dog, and live a very rural lifestyle. I've been looking for an erg and hence found this forum. I feel like a little kid waiting for it to arrive. I can't wait. I have some back, hip, achilles, wrist and arthritis issues and am looking forward to the low impact/high intensity workouts I remember.

[A CREW R]

Welcome Kuiu Kate, yes, I did love that old erg. Not having winter to deal with we never had to row in tanks. But we did suffer from dry lakes and had to drive 50 miles to and from practice. Our shell was named the Big Oak - guess how much that thing weighed! We did actually win races in it though.

Have you read The Red Rose Crew? Brings back great memories - I'm sure you'll recognize some names.

-Gina

[Storm Petrel]

Welcome Kate, yes, I did love that old erg. Not having winter to deal with we never had to row in tanks. But we did suffer from dry lakes and had to drive 50 miles to and from practice. Our shell was named the Big Oak - guess how much that thing weighed! We did actually win races in it though.

Have you read The Red Rose Crew? Brings back great memories - I'm sure you'll recognize some names.

-Gina

Dang, that's dedication to make that kind of a drive everyday!
Big Oak....LOL....sounds like our old scows! We did well in ours as well, but what a revelation when we were donated the team's first fiberglass racing shell (christened Ethyl after the woman who donated her ).

No I haven't read The Red Rose Crew.
Hadn't heard of it. Just did a board search and found the references to it and Drawn to the Rhythm. I'm going to have to read them both! Thanks so much for the tip!

[Hendo]

Hi everyone,
I am a 47 year old master rower who started rowing about five years ago as support for my children who also row.
I grew up on dry land on a farm so always had a few fears about the deep dark depths of the water, but I have conquered those fears now and am proud of it.
I row for fun, but am also part of a competitive team of both men and women who row in local regattas, state champs as well as at a national level.
I train on the ergo about 3 times per week and at the moment 7 times per week on the water (it is three weeks to nationals).
I love the buzz that it gives me and the focus on exercise and relaxation in my otherwise stressful life.
I am interested in hearing from anyone else who does this thing competitively on the water -particularly with regard to structured training.
We have coaching but our preparation is not always the best. Be good to see what others do.

cheers.... Hendo

[Storm Petrel]

Hi everyone,
I am a 47 year old master rower who started rowing about five years ago as support for my children who also row.

I train on the ergo about 3 times per week and at the moment 7 times per week on the water (it is three weeks to nationals).
I am interested in hearing from anyone else who does this thing competitively on the water -particularly with regard to structured training.
We have coaching but our preparation is not always the best. Be good to see what others do.
cheers.... Hendo

Welcome aboard Hendo!
I've been off the water for quite awhile, but there are quite a few here who are training OTW as well as their ergs. There is also a sub-forum on the board just for OTW http://www.c2forum.com/viewforum.php?f=23.

[Meri]

Hello all,
I have spent time looking at many of the introductions and feel Ducks in a Row is the right place for me! Had my Model D 2 years-took about 8 months off due to skewed priorities thinking I was just too busy. Exercise is a necessary discipline and I do love rowing as long as I just keep going. I am a physical therapist in an academic setting with an interest in geriatrics. I will be 53 in June, have 2 teenage boys. Husband is a professional chef; we love food and wine-weight loss a challenge. Thanks to other rowers who have introduced me to the China Study and to weight loss forums, I have improved my diet a bit. All the women in my family (except me) have osteoporosis. I belive many women lack upper body and trunk strength. I hope to promote rowing as a great exercise option and perhaps do some osteoporosis research. I hope I've used this forum correctly. It's a bit confusing. Best of luck to all this season!
Meri

[Storm Petrel]

Hello all,
I have spent time looking at many of the introductions and feel Ducks in a Row is the right place for me! Had my Model D 2 years-took about 8 months off due to skewed priorities thinking I was just too busy. Exercise is a necessary discipline and I do love rowing as long as I just keep going. I am a physical therapist in an academic setting with an interest in geriatrics. I will be 53 in June, have 2 teenage boys. Husband is a professional chef; we love food and wine-weight loss a challenge. Thanks to other rowers who have introduced me to the China Study and to weight loss forums, I have improved my diet a bit. All the women in my family (except me) have osteoporosis. I belive many women lack upper body and trunk strength. I hope to promote rowing as a great exercise option and perhaps do some osteoporosis research. I hope I've used this forum correctly. It's a bit confusing. Best of luck to all this season!
Meri

Welcome Meri
I'm a new duck as well.
I remember when our two boys were still at home, and how little time was left for self. Good on ya for making exercise time for you! A large number of the women in my family also suffers from osteoporosis. I think I've managed to elude it so far because I've always had an extremely active lifestyle. I have been diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis (repetitive trauma) though, and am using my new erg to recover from a back injury. I'd be interrested to hear about your osteoporosis/PT/rowing research some time!

[Pammie]

Hello
I just signed up to this forum tonight.

I am female, 38 (39 on Tuesday oh deary me) a tad under 5'4" 10st 2lb at the mo. Have put the weight on. Have always i enjoyed the rowing machine in the gym, can't afford one of my own and haven't the space for it anyway. So have hopefully started using it this week over 17000 metres over 4 visits.
I am mainly a runner had an ankle injury a few weeks ago, back running now but am determined to combine the 2 sports. Did the Dublin Marathon last October but didn't run really for 5 months afterwards hence the weight gain (+20lbs) And i'd agree i have fairly strong legs but a weaker upper body.
Thats all i can think of for now

Pammie