Australian Distance Champs

[lindsayh]

the urban rowing gym in Brisbane is working hard to create some racing opportunities this year including the "Australian Distance Indoor Rowing Champs" yesterday.
First try so small numbers but I thought it was a good enough reason to go.
So I flew for 90 minutes each way for an afternoon of the erg doing stuff I am not very good at - crazy. Spent some $$ as well of course. Hoping to nail a strong 60'as don't do them often and it really is my weakest event.
probably only 20+ there mostly some locals and regulars at the gym.
there was a 10k and 60 minutes at 3pm then 5k and 30 minutes at 430pm.

so 2km w/u
60' @1:57.1 = 15360m = new PB
sr28 df 122

1:57.4
1:57.4
1:57.3
1:57.1
1:57.3
1:56.2

then 30'r
then 5km @1:59.8 ('warm down"!)

Quite pleased really - the 60' felt good with not a hint of slowing and nailed it! I always wonder how much I left behind worrying about finishing.
It helped doing it with others especially with them encouraging and more especially next to David Williams (48yo) who did 17390 @1:43.1 which I think is a PB for him too. Dave did a 1:12:55 HM 2 weeks ago as well - a real machine.
A 47y guy came up from Canberra and did a 33:59 10km which is pretty good for a relatively new erger as well (and a 20" PB).

[bisqeet]

Some great talent down under.
Must be all those pie floaters on the diet, either that or vegimite

[lindsayh]

Some great talent down under.
Must be all those pie floaters on the diet, either that or vegimite

Thanks Dean there might be something in the water. There is a small group of dedicated racers and someone like David W would be outstanding anywhere.
I can honestly say that I have never eaten Vegemite though! (and most reading this wouldn't know what we are talking about!)

[Bloodbuzz Corio]

Nice work Lindsay - good on you for making the trip - from your other thread looks like Drummoyne in Sept might be your main racing opportunity in Sydney? Hopefully you can get a bit more travel in and compete in a few other events during the year!

[bisqeet]

Some great talent down under.
Must be all those pie floaters on the diet, either that or vegimite

Thanks Dean there might be something in the water. There is a small group of dedicated racers and someone like David W would be outstanding anywhere.
I can honestly say that I have never eaten Vegemite though! (and most reading this wouldn't know what we are talking about!)

I workef in Melbourne for a few months..was thinking about moving there for a while, but it feel through...
Great country, amazing people..

[lindsayh]

Nice work Lindsay - good on you for making the trip - from your other thread looks like Drummoyne in Sept might be your main racing opportunity in Sydney? Hopefully you can get a bit more travel in and compete in a few other events during the year!

Thanks Rohan
The plan this year is Queensland IRC in May (that is 2 days 6 events), then the AIRC back in Brisbane in June, then the event in Sydney in September and the Pan Pacific masters games in November which is 4 events over 2 days. I turn 65 in September so this is all in preparation for Boston '17 all being well - I will decide mid year.

[Hillclimber]

the urban rowing gym in Brisbane is working hard to create some racing opportunities this year including the "Australian Distance Indoor Rowing Champs" yesterday.
First try so small numbers but I thought it was a good enough reason to go.
So I flew for 90 minutes each way for an afternoon of the erg doing stuff I am not very good at - crazy. Spent some $$ as well of course. Hoping to nail a strong 60'as don't do them often and it really is my weakest event.
probably only 20+ there mostly some locals and regulars at the gym.
there was a 10k and 60 minutes at 3pm then 5k and 30 minutes at 430pm.

so 2km w/u
60' @1:57.1 = 15360m = new PB
sr28 df 122

1:57.4
1:57.4
1:57.3
1:57.1
1:57.3
1:56.2

then 30'r
then 5km @1:59.8 ('warm down"!)

Quite pleased really - the 60' felt good with not a hint of slowing and nailed it! I always wonder how much I left behind worrying about finishing.
It helped doing it with others especially with them encouraging and more especially next to David Williams (48yo) who did 17390 @1:43.1 which I think is a PB for him too. Dave did a 1:12:55 HM 2 weeks ago as well - a real machine.
A 47y guy came up from Canberra and did a 33:59 10km which is pretty good for a relatively new erger as well (and a 20" PB).

Congrats on the 60:00 PB Lindsay! Sounds like a long day of racing.

Can you describe the event schedule and rules, etc. Were medals given in each event or did the racer need to do at least two or three or all for a combined result?

I'd like to advocate for some kind of distance championship event here in the states, and so the more I know about others can inform any proposal to an organizer.
Thanks!
Damien

[lindsayh]

Can you describe the event schedule and rules, etc. Were medals given in each event or did the racer need to do at least two or three or all for a combined result? I'd like to advocate for some kind of distance championship event here in the states, and so the more I know about others can inform any proposal to an organizer. Thanks! Damien

Thanks Damien. It was a first try so small event organised by the rowing gym. The Ergfit gym in Melbourne has done similar.
They have about 20 ergs so there was plenty of space. It was quite informal. They didn't set up race software but could have if numbers had been greater of course.
I don't think we have such a significant group of long distance ergers here as part of the community. Most of the people there were well known to each other.

At 3pm they started one hour and 10km at the same time with entrants of all ages. Then at 4.30 they started a 30min and 5km at the same time.
There were people scattered from late teen to 70+ men and women but no direct races. They could have had more heats if entries had been bigger.
I was the only one to do two events but my 5km was just a cruisy way of getting some metres @2:00 pace.
No medals but certificates were given (and a first place water bottle!) at the end. It "has legs" I suspect and they will do it again. Wade is hoping to do a marathon and HM day towards the end of the year as well.

[Hillclimber]

thanks for the details, Lindsay.
D