Beginner with more than you ever wanted to know

MomofJBN · Post by **MomofJBN** » March 24th, 2006, 4:43 pm

Sasha wrote: I am still working on form, have taken bits from all of you, and learned what spm means,

Just wanted to add my welcome. I find that I constantly have to pay attention to my form or I drift off into who knows what bad habits. The form does get more automatic though - I just have to give myself little reminders.

cwazo · Post by **cwazo** » April 3rd, 2006, 12:15 am

sasha,
I am also a rowing "newbie". My first row was 2/22/06. I am 20 years younger than you, and only have "almost" half my body weight to lose. I do seem able to row longer than you've been doing, but 10 - 15 minutes is probably my average. I agree that this forum really seems to help the motivation level!! Before you know it we will both be rowing off the pounds.....

Keep it up!!!

Steelhead · Post by **Steelhead** » April 9th, 2006, 9:04 pm

cwazo wrote:sasha,
I am also a rowing "newbie". My first row was 2/22/06. I am 20 years younger than you, and only have "almost" half my body weight to lose. I do seem able to row longer than you've been doing, but 10 - 15 minutes is probably my average. I agree that this forum really seems to help the motivation level!! Before you know it we will both be rowing off the pounds..... Keep it up!!!

You may want to row 10 to 15 minutes in the morning and then another 10 to 15 minutes in the evening; or if you have the time, row 10 minutes, take a five minute break, and then row another 10 minutes, etc. This way you could get up to 30 minutes a day (even a longer break in-between if fine). Eventually, based on my own experience, you will be able to erg for more and more minutes in one setting and before you know it you'll be up to 30 minutes straight. But whatever you do don't stop doing at least the 10-15 minutes each day.

cwazo · Post by **cwazo** » April 10th, 2006, 11:16 pm

thanks for the ideas

mike......some days are definately easier than others

voodoogirl · Post by **voodoogirl** » April 11th, 2006, 7:00 pm

Congratulations. Sasha, at starting to row! I started late last December. I'm 44 and was in so-so shape, but had really no endurance because I have a knee that bothers me quite a lot so I've always let that limit my physical activity. At first rowing even ten minutes was too much. Now I can row 30 minutes and still hold a conversation--I am amazed at how much I have progressed through moderate dedication to the rower. In fact, it motivated me so much that I went to see an orthopedic surgeon and am now in physical therapy to get my knee better--seeing my progress on the C2 and feeling so much better after I row made me want to be able to do other things that my knee has prevented me from doing. I'm not there yet, but my knee is improving...I think you will feel the same kind of motivation.

For a variety of personal reasons, today is the first day in three weeks that I've rowed--and the first time since then I've perused the logs. Wow I've missed it! No exercise for me = a real slump in all the parts of my life, a downward spiral that ends up with me eating too much and just not taking care of myself. Reading all this encouragement, and getting that great after-row glow again is like coming home. Thank you, everyone, for how supportive you are of this community.

It's a glorious evening here in Maryland, and the azaleas are starting to bloom...I hope everyone out there is enjoying their own particular neighborhood tonight. Thanks again

Laurie

Sasha · Post by **Sasha** » April 11th, 2006, 7:19 pm

Thank you Voodoogirl. It is indeed a lovely evening here in Maryland in spite of the pollen. I know because I'm only a few miles from you and was closer on my commute home.

I really appreciate all of the advice/encouragement here. I'm making progress, slowly but ... My resting heart rate is down; my time on the erg is up. Not as much as I'd like, but I'm an impatient sort. I'm doing two or three days on with one day of rest instead of one on then one off. And I love your twice a day idea Steelhead. That won't work on a normal (work) day. I'm at my desk by 6:30 am. But I'll try it on the weekend.

You guys (a generic term not meant to exclude women) are great

LJWagner · Post by **LJWagner** » June 9th, 2006, 11:59 pm

You might want to get the Bob Anderson book on stretching, or download the Training Guide on the Concept2 UK forum. I just looked it over the other day, and its stretching section with photos is very thorough.

Congratulations on the progress you are making.

The Vulcan · Post by **The Vulcan** » August 10th, 2006, 9:26 am

Sasha, what kind of progress have you made in the last couple of months? I just joined a week ago and read the entire thread at once, but you left me hanging! Where are you at now with your rowing?

The Vulcan · Post by **The Vulcan** » August 10th, 2006, 9:33 am

Sasha, what kind of progress have you made in the last couple of months? I just joined a week ago and read the entire thread at once, but you left me hanging! Where are you at now with your rowing?