My First Marathon

[stoney]

It's refreshing to read the posts and realise that I am not demented in rowing a marathon, or at least demented with some other souls!

This weekend is my first marathon, I have rowed the 40KM four or five times, but saved the full distance for a charity event I am putting on at the local surf lifesaving club where I am a member. Doing the marathon, sponsored for the Childrens Hospital in Sydney , Australia.

Doing the row on resistance of 10 ( long story to do with some rehab on a broken arm), expect finish about 3:07.

My problem is fluids - if I drink as much as I think I need, well I just have to go, if you know what I mean - and the clock keeps ticking. Having done the 40km a few times I drink a carton of ribena -small carton and three or four muesli bars, and have some fruit.

Otherwise my big concern is rowing with people around - not used to it - don't use an ipod or anything normally, they are also likely to be enjoying a beer or two. I plan a few beers when it's over, then a break and perhaps a bigger target!

I am 40 years old, a volunteer lifesaver, and been rowing for about a year - always on resitsance of 10, I wonder what a resistance of 3 or 4 would do for my times? comments??

[Bob S.]

My problem is fluids - if I drink as much as I think I need, well I just have to go, if you know what I mean - and the clock keeps ticking. Having done the 40km a few times I drink a carton of ribena -small carton and three or four muesli bars, and have some fruit.

I am 40 years old, a volunteer lifesaver, and been rowing for about a year - always on resitsance of 10, I wonder what a resistance of 3 or 4 would do for my times? comments??

If you find the right balance, drinking enough water with enough electrolytes to balance what you are losing in sweat and respiratory loss, there shouldn't be any need to go. I have never had that problem in a long piece. (Note: Something like Gatorade to make up for the sweat and plain water to make up for respiratory loss.) All this is a guess and it depends a lot on the heat and humidity at the time, but you have been doing long pieces and probably have an idea by now as to how much you need.

Go by drag factor not the resistance setting. But in any case it is probably best to stick with what your body is used to and use training sessions to experiment with changes.

Bob S.

[Citroen]

I wonder what a resistance of 3 or 4 would do for my times? comments??

Find the drag factor.

On a PM2 press [REST]&[OK] together, remove your HR belt if the machine has a HR interface. Row 6 or so big strokes to get the flywheel spinning. The drag then appears in the bottom right of the display.

On a PM3/4 it's a menu option. From the main menu choose "More Options" then "Display Drag Factor". Again row a few big strong strokes to get the flywheel spinning and the number to appear.

Get three numbers and post them on here; damper 1, damper 5 and damper 10. We'll tell you whether the machine needs cleaning/maintenance from those numbers.

[stoney]

Fantastic, will do...appreciated.

[stoney]

Thanks Bob,have done htis I need to look fr a new challenge. I am hoping for reasonable weather but not too hot - never rowed this late before - I am a 6 o clock mroning rower