New & looking for encouragement

[Heifer]

Hi all, I'm a new mama who is about 30 lbs heavier than she would like to be despite regular trips to the gym. I used to row in college (I'm almost 40 now) and had stayed away from the erg because I am so far from that level of fitness now that it makes me depressed to use it . However, I'm desperate for something efficient and accessible now that I have a new baby at home and decided to participate in the Holiday Challenge. I got a late start though, on 12-5, so I am targeting 60,000 meters and not 100,000.
My stats: 5'9", 201 lbs, age 39, can row splits of 2:15-2:20 pretty comfortably (and under 2:00 for very short periods of time). I'm currently up to 5000 meters at a time (I know, I know, but I really just started rowing again last week).
Okay....let the encouraging messages begin! I need them

[Cazneau]

Those early years of parenthood were for me the hardest period of my life for finding time for exercise. But make the time and let your spouse/family/support system know it is important to you. Consider that you are doing it for your child as well, and don't feel guilty about the time away from parental duties. Being a good role model for a fit healthy lifestyle is one of the best things you can do for your child.

[Heifer]

See that, I feel encouraged already.

[dimati]

Last week I actually went to bed with my one-year-old,sweaty from having just completed 10,000 meters. She couldn't sleep and screamed when I tried to shower. I'm in the same position, after two kids, trying to lose 30 lbs. Just be patient with yourself- it sounds like you're doing GREAT. Considering all that you do all day, it is a miracle that you even get on, so give yourself a pat on the back- you will see the pounds melt off!

[michaelb]

More and more women are rowing online on rowpro, and from what I see there, you would already be on the fast side if you are rowing 2:15 comfortably. So keep an eye on the rankings as you ramp up your rowing and get faster, because you may be able to move up that list fairly quickly. Are you going to the gym still, or do you have the erg at home (if at home, get rowpro!).

For weight loss, I am generally in the row longer camp, so keep working up your distance that you row from 5k to 30 min to 10k if possible. Keep the pace easy if that helps you go farther and row more regularly.

Good luck.

[Heifer]

Thanks, that was going to be my next question. I am currently rowing 4500 in 21:15 or so. I was wondering about just trying to row longer and longer versus doing intervals. Then again, because time is so short, for now I was thinking I would try to get up to 30 minutes, then 40 without stopping and starting again.
I need to check out rowpro. I have a very old C2 at our summer house that I use when there on the weekends. Normally I row at the gym on a newer C2.

[Nosmo]

You will find it easier to increase the time and distance if you do it a few days a week. After you work up to 30 min or 10K say twice a week your 5K workouts will seem really short.
You don't have to do intervals but you may want to do some anyway. No reason to make them really hard but going a bit harder once or twice a week is a good idea. You could just do your 5K's but make the second and fourth 1000m 5 to 10 seconds faster then normal and make the others 5 to 10 seconds slower. Or do something similar every 500m.

It is important to keep it interesting so you will continue to row over the long term. So do whatever you have to do in order to stay motivated and make you want to row more.

[Heifer]

The rate limiting step right now is blisters I have been rowing pretty much every day (6 days out of 7) and today had to stop after 2500 m because my hand was so sore. Have people had luck with tape, or gloves, or what? I'm not so used to those rubberized handles...not to sound retro, but when I rowed in college the oars were, like, wood.
I know my palms just need to build up some callus, but in the meantime - cross train occasionally? Still row every day but with tape?
Send wisdom, my discussion board people.

[Ducatista]

Maybe try relaxing your grip on the handle. I row with my fingers hooked around the bar and my thumbs resting lightly on top, not wrapped around.

I went from 0 meters all season to 147K since Dec 1, and I've had no trouble with blisters or callouses.

[Heifer]

On my 11th day of rowing I have gotten to 53,000 meters...I think if I had started on time (Thanksgiving) I would actually have had a prayer of getting to 100,000 by Christmas, but didn't start until 12-11.
I am feeling better and better during 20+ minutes of rowing, and already feel significantly stronger in the abs/back/quads area. I haven't weighed myself yet....next month on that one.
Two questions:
1. I haven't been brave enough to enter my time for any of my online logbook entries. What happens when I do that...do other people SEE it? (shudder)
2. In a couple of other threads, I noticed people saying that the poster should upload a video of them rowing and others would jump in and offer pointers about increasing their stroke efficiency. Has anyone actually done this...and how, technically, did you do it?
The Heifer....!

[Ducatista]

I haven't been brave enough to enter my time for any of my online logbook entries. What happens when I do that...do other people SEE it? (shudder)

Perish the thought! Others can see your time only if you choose to hit the "Rank" button that will automatically appear when you row a piece that exactly matches one of the rankable distances or times (2K, for example, or 30 minutes). At least I hope that's the case!

[Nomugie]

1. I haven't been brave enough to enter my time for any of my online logbook entries. What happens when I do that...do other people SEE it? (shudder)
....
The Heifer....!

Ms. H,

I just saw this thread. I started erging about a year ago after never doing it before and not at all quickly was able increase my time and pace, and lose some weight. Keep at it and you will achieve whatever goal you set.

I am NOT fast by any stretch of the imagination, but the online rankings actually have given me some encouragement. I am mid-pack in comparison to people my age/gender (38/F) on the rankings, where in relation to those who post times on the boards, I am slower than molasses on a cold day... I was deeply discouraged about my abilities on the boards as seemingly only people who are consistently under 2:00 post their times, but the rankings have helped me quite a bit. Other people can see the rankings, but as you have yet to give a name how will anyone know it is you?

I used cycling gloves for the first 6 months, but have stopped. I had not calluses until about month ago. I agree with Ducatista about the grip. Relax it, I move my fingers around on the recovery to keep lose.

Also I would encourage you to use your real name as heifer can't be a very ego boosting thing to be called.

[M. Podolsky]

You've got the will, and you've received some excellent advice here. I look forward to reading your progress reports.

[Heifer]

"Heifer" comes from my college crew experience. I rowed for a very good women's crew and a lot of the rowers called each other "Heifer" when they were freshmen. I'm not sure how it got started, but it doesn't have as much of a negative connotation for me as you might think....

[Nomugie]

"Heifer" comes from my college crew experience. I rowed for a very good women's crew and a lot of the rowers called each other "Heifer" when they were freshmen. I'm not sure how it got started, but it doesn't have as much of a negative connotation for me as you might think....

Oh, good...