Challenge?

[[old] woolsmith]

<!--QuoteBegin-holladay+Dec 6 2005, 01:32 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(holladay @ Dec 6 2005, 01:32 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi Everybody,<br /><br />I have been away. Way too swamped at work (and working too much). Haven't had time to read threads.  Rowing has been nonexistent  because it is too late when I get home. If i do get home at a decent hour, I want to eat with the family (tried rowing after once--never again!).  I've tried rowing in the morning but I get sick. (I don't think I was designed to function at 5 am)<br /><br />As I have said before new frustrating and stressful job. I have insomnia, grind my teeth, and stress eat. (I just spend $1700 at the dentist to repair/replace a couple of teeth--just think--I could have bought TWO C2 model D!)<br /><br />ANYWAY it is time for the challenge and I have been rowing! I started rowing for the first time last November for the challenge and went 100,000! I downloaded the iron on, bought a $5 t-shirt at walmart and ironed it on! SO go ducks, go!<br /><br />This year I am targeting the 200,000. I have been getting in 7,000 almost evey day. With my insomnia, I got up to eat and read the 500 on the 5th strand and went and did it for a PB (got it in just under midnight.) <br /><br />SO thanks for the motivation and encouragement! (it will be especially helpful after the holiday row is over!)<br /><br />Susan, the wood duck <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Hey Susan Wood Duck!<br /><br />I just sent you an email, but I wanted to cheer ya on for your HC! I almost choked when I committed for the 200k HC instead of going for 100K. But once you're committed, you're committed, so there I was! Dang ol' pride will keep me going when nothing else will, I swear. <br /><br />So here's hoping all of those meters will work off lots of stress and tension for ya's! Interestingly, rowing at night doesn't seem to keep me awake like it does for some folks. <br /><br />Seems like I suggested this to someone, but can't remember who. Anyway, try some relaxation CDs for the insomnia--keep a set of headphones and a personal CD player by the bed with one of the CDs in it, and play it when you wake up. Use one of the headphone sets with the single piece that clips onto your ear (I hate those earbuds--they hurt ) That way if you sleep on your side, you only have to use one of the earclips. The CD overrides that "brain noise" that won't shut up when you have insomnia.<br /><br />Is it the job that's the problem, or the people involved in the job? If it's the people, this duck can fly over and do "poo" on their windshields for ya. <br /><br />--Jen in WI, feelin' a tad ornery

[[old] Schmern]

Eek Don't know what to do. I committed myself to do the 100k and am now 50k towards that but a few days ago I got the urge to do the 200k but it worries me. I just was at 2k a day last week and worked up to 5k this week but to get the shirt I would have to 10k a night. Is this too far to jump from starting Oct 28 and just reaching 5k? My big fear is I will be 25k from goal on Christmas Eve and kill myself trying to get there. Is it better to shoot for it and be crazy or just keep working my way up for the next challenge?

[[old] Bufflehead]

Hey there Ducks!<br /><br />Woolsy - you really are an ornery cuss, aren't you??!! You absolutely quack me up! Keep it up!<br />Thanks for being my Pace Duck! I'm sure you'll finish before me. I seem to get most of my paddling around the pond done on the weekends.<br /><br />Hey Schmern - glad to have you in the pond! The same goes for all the new Ducks out there! Don't overdo it, but here's a thought. You could try a 10K and see how you feel after. Don't worry about how long it takes. (I'm pretty pokey these days myself.) If you can maintain that without killing yourself, then go for it! But - if you find that it's too much too soon, just be happy with 100K. That will give you a goal for next year's challenge.<br /><br />Hmmmm - guess I didn't really answer your question about what to do. You really do have to go with what you feel like, though. We don't want you to fly out of the pond from over-doing it!<br /><br />Well, this old Duck needs to get back to work. I'm glad everyone is doing so well!! What a flock we've become!! <br /><br />Buffles<br /><br />P.S. I'm still waiting for the mailman to bring my copy of the Update.

[[old] Krysta Coleman]

Good work everyone, I think we might overtake Taff Attack by the end of the Holiday Challenge, at this pace! <br /><br />My HC update:<br />102,608m

[[old] Citroen]

<!--QuoteBegin-Krysta Coleman+Dec 7 2005, 10:40 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Krysta Coleman @ Dec 7 2005, 10:40 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Good work everyone, I think we might overtake Taff Attack by the end of the Holiday Challenge, at this pace!  <br /><br />My HC update:<br />102,608m <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Not a chance of that Krysta. I've nearly done my 300K in 2weeks - all logged for Taff Attack.

[[old] woolsmith]

Aw now, Dougie, if we get five or six of us together, we can crank out 300k in two weeks, too! <br /><br />Naw, nice job on cranking out the meters. Keep up the good work. It'll just give us ducks a good goal to paddle for hey? <br /><br />--Jen in WI

[[old] kelley127]

hehe - ya'll are funny - I finished my 100k tonight too... so I can pitch in a few meters against dougs... <br /><br />but really - very excited, and looking forward to the rest - <br /><br />Michelle

[[old] Canada Goose]

Hi gals,<br /><br />I completed my first marathon ever today ! It was tough, but I did it. I was pretty pleased with my time of 3:39:06.0. I was originally planning on trying to do it in 3:45, but then once I got started, I thought I should try to beat grams time of 3:41, then I decided that getting below 3:40 would look a lot better, so that's what I did! It might not have quite so painful if I had just gone at my original pace, but I was glad to get it finished six minutes sooner than I had originally planned.<br /><br />Shannon

[[old] Citroen]

<!--QuoteBegin-Canada Goose+Dec 8 2005, 03:50 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Canada Goose @ Dec 8 2005, 03:50 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi gals,<br /><br />I completed my first marathon ever today  !  It was tough, but I did it.  I was pretty pleased with my time of 3:39:06.0. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Well done Shannon. How's your tail?<br /><br />Don't forget to apply for the Marathon mug by sending an e-mail to JenniferW.<br /><a href='http://www.concept2.com/05/training/mot ... honind.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/05/training/mot ... ind.asp</a>

[[old] holladay]

<!--QuoteBegin-Schmern+Dec 6 2005, 11:28 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Schmern @ Dec 6 2005, 11:28 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Eek Don't know what to do. I committed myself to do the 100k and am now 50k towards that but a few days ago I got the urge to do the 200k but it worries me. I just was at 2k a day last week and worked up to 5k this week but to get the shirt I would have to 10k a night. Is this too far to jump from starting Oct 28 and just reaching 5k? My big fear is I will be 25k from goal on Christmas Eve and kill myself trying to get there. Is it better to shoot for it and be crazy or just keep working my way up for the next challenge? <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Hi Schmern,<br />I was exactly in your predicament last year. I had just started rowing a few days before Thanksgiving and wanted a 200Km t-shirt. I went from a series of 5 minute rows to 5Km rows. I knew I could make the 100 Km but I was afraid that I would be really close to the 200 K and be disappointed that I didn't work just a little bit harder.<br /><br />I agree with Buffles good advice. Try 10 Km and see how it goes. I did last year and for me it was quite a bit more. My husband suggested that I keep slow and steady so I don't burn out. That too was good advice.<br /><br />Well in the end, I easily made 101 Km. I made a big thing about it by posting my certificate and making a t-shirt that I still wear with pride! (AND it only cost me $5 at Wal*Mart).<br /><br />So keep up the good work Schmern.<br /><br />Susan<br /><br />I have count down spread sheet that calculates the average number of meters one needs to maintain to make either the 100 Km or 200 Km goal. It takes into account how many days remain and how many meters remain. I would be glad to email it to anyone! holladay@purdue.edu<br />

[[old] Canada Goose]

<!--QuoteBegin-Citroen+Dec 8 2005, 05:36 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Citroen @ Dec 8 2005, 05:36 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Canada Goose+Dec 8 2005, 03:50 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Canada Goose @ Dec 8 2005, 03:50 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi gals,<br /><br />I completed my first marathon ever today  !  It was tough, but I did it.  I was pretty pleased with my time of 3:39:06.0. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Well done Shannon. How's your tail?<br /><br />Don't forget to apply for the Marathon mug by sending an e-mail to JenniferW.<br /><a href='http://www.concept2.com/05/training/mot ... honind.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/05/training/mot ... ind.asp</a> <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi Citroen,<br /><br />My tail feathers are pretty sore right now. It is actually the bones that hurt. I especially notice it while walking up stairs.<br /><br />Thanks for the reminder about the mug. My husband got one of those and it is really nice, now we'll have a matching set .<br /><br />Shannon

[[old] grams]

Right On, Canada Goose!! I have a beer most every night from my marathon mug. I see you did it on RowPro, was it hard to do a long event like that online? Do you get encouragement from other RP folks while you are slaving away? <br /><br />What did you do before and during the row to make it go smoothly and not get bored?<br /><br />The sore tail is a given with a session that long. I also get 2 other sore points further up if I forget to put a bandaid over each one before I start.<br /><br />OK ladies-who else can beat my time?? Shannon is ranked in the middle of her age group for the marathon and it was her first one... you can do it too!<br /><br />grams fm 3:41:18.9<br />

[[old] Iliana]

I'm also going for the 200k, but I'm not completely keeping up on my daily 10k (approximately). But I'm more concerned about maintaining my ability to row daily, so when my knee bothered me the other day, I just didn't row. Yeah, I fell behind a bit, but my knee felt fine the day after, and I rowed a nice 7500m piece. I won't die if I don't make the 200, but it's fun to keep on a-trying. I respond so well to a challenge!<br /><br />Keep up the happy rowing, folks <br /><br />../Iliana<br />

[[old] Canada Goose]

<!--QuoteBegin-grams+Dec 8 2005, 11:30 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(grams @ Dec 8 2005, 11:30 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Right On, Canada Goose!! I have a beer most every night from my marathon mug. I see you did it on RowPro, was it hard to do a long event like that online? Do you get encouragement from other RP folks while you are slaving away? <br /><br />What did you do before and during the row to make it go smoothly and not get bored?<br /><br />OK ladies-who else can beat my time?? Shannon is ranked in the middle of her age group for the marathon and it was her first one... you can do it too!<br /><br />grams  fm 3:41:18.9 <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi grams,<br /><br />I did the marathon on RowPro, but not online. My sister and I were going to do it online, but our Mom couldn't fly down to Alberta to look after Krysta's baby because of work obligations after all. I set up a pace boat with the time that I was aiming for, but I only saw "her" at the beginning because I ended up going much faster than I expected. Next time I do a marathon, I can race against my own Rowfile, but next time I want to be a lightweight! I really belong in the lightweight category since I am only 5'4'', but I have some more weight to lose before I get there.<br /><br />As far as preparation, I just did longer rows every other weekend starting from around 24,000 metres and on up until I got to 35,000 metres. I appreciated you saying that if I could do 35K, I could do the marathon. During the actual marathon, I sat on a fluffy towel. I "have" to change it with around 15,000 metres left. I don't know why, but I really benefit from standing up and changing the towel around then. I wanted to try to go right through, but I just needed a short break, so I took one. I put Body Glide on all my trouble spots before I started and I put little toddler socks on the handle of the C2. I get really sweaty hands which makes gripping the handle troublesome, so I found this helped. My hands did get a bit sore, I got two small blisters, but nothing serious. I had a camel back water pack on a hook beside the rowing machine. I drank from this every 2,000 metres or so and I had a small piece of a Clif bar every 5,000 metres. My husband loaded a bunch of music onto our computer and I just listened to that throughout my row. I found that I especially liked the Beatles for a little pick-me up. <br /><br />The marathon was a great challenge for me, but definately not something I would want to do too often. <br /><br />Shannon

[[old] woolsmith]

Shannon! <br /><br />You did it, you rowed your marathon, yay!! And a great time, too, wtg. How many calories was that--did you keep track of that? <br /><br />And Krysta, too bad you couldn't row with her, that would've been great for you two to do that together. So you and Shannon will do it next week, right? (I'll "duck" to miss the water bottle that Shannon will be throwing at my head, hee!hee!)<br /><br />So Shannon, what's the first beverage you're going to drink out of that marathon mug? I'm toasting my plain old can of Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper to you right now, girl. Ya did great.<br /><br />I'm keeping a list of the tips you and grams have been posting. I'll have to try to work my way up to that. I've done one half marathon, but I haven't done any more than that in one sitting. <br /><br />Better get busy, Dougie, we're comin' after ya! <br /><br />--Jen