Longest Continual Row Record attempt

[Dangerscouse]

I'll definitely look into some vaseline options because a few people have mentioned that as an advantageous tool.

By support the effort I mean finding people that are in the area an willing to be a support crew meaning making sure I'm getting enough water, food, making sure I'm stretching. Most importantly making sure I don't long term hurt myself as well as being a voice of reason if I'm forced to call it quits.

I mean unless someone has the resources and connections to set up and run a charity event through it, or you want to travel to the University to watch me do it and help in that way. There really is no way to help besides just getting ya'll advice because these types of shenanigans are poorly documented.

Cheers

Yep, it is definitely something that is poorly documented, which is a shame. What Uni are you doing it in, and, more importantly, what country?

[ErgAddict]

The University of Michigan in the USA

[Dangerscouse]

The University of Michigan in the USA

I had a feeling you might be US based. That's probably a bit too far for me to travel, as I'm in the UK

Maybe Elizabeth, Rick or Keith (all US based), and maybe
others that I've not thought of might be able to help? Hopefully they'll read this post

[ErgAddict]

That's mega unfortunate.

Are Elizabeth, Rick, and Keith apart of an organization in the US?

[Aquaman]

I would STRONGLY recommend you have medical support monitoring you during this endeavor. Unless you have a genetic advantage - and very few people do - there are any number of physical maladies that can occur. This is a vanity goal not something any organization should sanction. At the least, you will very likely experience lactic acid build up and bad cramping. Also likely are tendon and ligament overuse leading to bursitis, with a high probably of tears. How about instead chasing a goal for most meters rowed in the shortest time but allowing yourself breaks for recovery and body maintenance? Just as impressive.

[ErgAddict]

Aquaman,

While I hear your concerns and have been mulling them over for the last year and a half, I don't think you fully understand the challenge. The challenge is to row for at least 50 minutes out of every hour, meaning all I have to do is keep the flywheel spinning and it's valid. This allows me to keep a pace light enough to be aware of new and incoming pains and soreness.

In my understanding if I were to go for what you suggest, "chasing a goal for most meters rowed in the shortest time but allowing yourself breaks for recovery and body maintenance? " This would mean turning my brain off while I row and endure the pain. Whereas in the in record I'm shooting for, the main battle is staying conscious and able to move back and forth on the seat with mild pressure on the handle.

I plan to wear a heart rate monitor and check in with a medical professional at key check points.

If I stay at a pace where my body has enough oxygen to continue burning through all the lactate, as well as properly hydrating and executing proper for the occasion, I don't fear for injury of substantial length.

I'm still debating the idea, but I've thought about doing it on sliders because of the long term stress it will put on my lower back if I do it on a static erg. That being said, I can always put the erg on sliders during a break if I want.

What do you mean by vanity goal? I'm doing this to challenge my limits and push the boundaries of my mental capacity. Not for petty and temporary glory of fame, nor to put myself on a pedestal. I purely want to challenge myself and create new peaks of tenacity and mental toughness in my mind. No organization is sanctioning it. I have told very few people about this because most people think such a goal is ludicrous, but I've always been one to venture into the unknown. If it was possible, I would've done this without telling people and probably told just some of my close crew friends after I had completed it.

Thank you for forcing me to think through everything again.

May I ask if you have a personal experience with this type of experience?

Cheers

[p_b82]

I think you would be better to use the sliders from the start if that is the plan; and if you plan to use them, do your training on them now. The "Don't do anything different" rule.

You may find that the change in motion X amount of time through puts unexpected stresses on things - even if it's only a mental one, that will be huge on an attempt like this.

Not that I'm talking from experience, but I just think you want to get the fewest number of factors involved in all possibility.

[Aquaman]

Ergaddict - Thank you for the thoughtful response and forgive me for not appreciating the full scope of what you have planned. I am glad to hear you have both support and regular breaks designed to give your body recovery time. I'm not trying to discourage you from doing something to push your mental confidence - in fact I'm all behind that and wish you success.

No ill will intended on the term 'vanity'. I use it to describe goals that we set using standards of measure unrelated to our physical well being, like distances, time limits, etc. versus VO2, HR, HRV. There's a danger in pursuing them to the detriment of our health, but I applaud your intent to challenge yourself mentally.

My experience in endurance events has influenced my thinking on training, but I'm far from an expert and am always open to learning what people can achieve. With erging, I feel I learn more than I can contribute in these forums. Specifically I've done 48 hour non-stop races, Navy SEAL training (https://navyseals.com/nsw/hell-week-0/), Ranger School (https://www.moore.army.mil/infantry/ART ... formation/), years of service abroad, and a few marathons (an erg one too) and half ironmans along the way. For most I was fortunate to have medical support and coaching which gave me freedom to push beyond my perceived limits. When I did these things, I under-appreciated the safety nets that were there for me. I guess I'm a bit more cautious and aware of the need now.

I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing how it goes. I can't speak for Concept2, but they might be interested in getting your achievement out there.

[ErgAddict]

Aquamann,

I'm in the same boat, I try to do research about the more niche things in rowing through this forum.

That's so cool that you have a military background.

Thank you for your support, most people just shrug it off as infeasible.

That's a good term to use because it's very fitting, I'm definitely going to start using it because I've never had a word to describe these things I do.

Concept2 will probably want to hear yeah, I think you get a custom shirt and shorts for breaking one of the records.

Cheers

[ErgAddict]

p_b82

That's where I'm having a hard time deciding, I do a majority of training on the static right now, with a portion on sliders. Once we get on the water for about 3.5 months, that training will be more closely related to the sliders path of motion and feel.

My high school coach (who is not the young buck he once was) has quit using the static altogether because the strain on his lower back. He tries to have all his training on the water I believe.

Yes the goal is to have as little unknowns and make it as simple as possible.

Cheers

[Dangerscouse]

I have told very few people about this because most people think such a goal is ludicrous, but I've always been one to venture into the unknown. If it was possible, I would've done this without telling people and probably told just some of my close crew friends after I had completed it.

This makes me even more impressed. I love a mad challenge and the people who do them. Your mindset is very laudable and will be what pulls you through the darkest moments.

I have considered doing a 24hr challenge, but the moment has probably passed now.

[Mike Caviston]

As for my planned location, I will be attempting it in my team's indoor rowing facility. It has good ventilation, and pretty good AC as well as a few fans.

I passed by that building for many many years on my way to the UM boathouse, and never dreamed one day people would train there. I am jealous. I try to make it to Ann Arbor every year or two and if it were possible I'd join you to offer support and maybe even do some rowing. I haven't done many ultra-long rows, but I've gone up to 50K and I've thought about attempting a 24hr row. But I'll be following the team's progress through the spring season and wish you luck, and be interested to hear how your attempt goes. Incidentally, it appears I knew Aquaman in a former life, and he does indeed have a lot of insights into the kind of event you are planning, so keep picking his brain.

[Yankeerunner]

The University of Michigan in the USA

I had a feeling you might be US based. That's probably a bit too far for me to travel, as I'm in the UK

Maybe Elizabeth, Rick or Keith (all US based), and maybe
others that I've not thought of might be able to help? Hopefully they'll read this post

Unfortunately I'm a bit too far away, on the East coast of the US. I'd certainly be there for support otherwise. Perhaps the Ann Arbor Rowing Club could lend some assistance?

https://aarc.clubexpress.com/

[ErgAddict]

Yankeerunner

Yeah the East coast is a bit of a drive. I’m not originally from Ann Arbor so I’ll have to reach out to see what they think.

[ErgAddict]

Mike Caviston

Thanks for the support! We're definitely looking strong for the spring season!

I figured out where I knew your name from haha, we have a Caviston Award for freshman hanging up in the RB!

The facility is crazy!! Just being there makes me want to erg! Having 65 guys rowing at once is a wild experience!

I definitely will keep asking him questions then.