Challenge?

[[old] Iliana]

It's feeling so GOOD to be back rowing this afternoon <br /><br />I was feeling a bit draggy & cranky for most of the day, and then I pulled myself together and decided to do a 7500m piece before heading out to greet family flying in from Africa (so excited!) --well, the row started off very ho-hum & stiff, and then, I dunno, it felt like several things shifted: for one thing I was sweating more readily, and I remember this as a really positive turning point when I started rowing last time 'round. Also, it felt as if my body was recalling what it felt like to row harder, and so for the first time since I re-started (i.e. the last several weeks), I stayed below a 3:00 split. This might seem dreadfully slow to the roadrunner types (Hi Roadrunner!) but it was a real milestone for me; in fact I finished with a split of 2:29, and that was terrific for me! And finally I shaved almost 4 minutes off yesterday's 7500m time, which doesn't suck <br /><br />There. Yay! Hi Carla <br /><br />../Iliana

[[old] billandmargaret]

My latest problem is that I catch my knees with my thumb nails - OUCH! I've only just started doing it, but I can't work out what I'm doing differently.<br /><br />Tina: It's a timing problem. Make sure you let your arms "recover" (return to their extended position) first, then tilt your trunk forward before bending your knees to prepare for the next stroke. If my explanation is confusing, check the stroke diagrams on the C2 website.<br /><br />I'm still trying to complete the Holiday Challenge, but just had to take 2 days off for feeling miserable. Today felt fine on the rower so I put in 10km. I have some serious catchup to do. I'm at 118km, not impossible, but I'll have to stay determined.<br /><br />Margaret

[[old] efg]

I'm at 159,726 m. <br /><br />The tough part will be staying with it AFTER the Holiday Challenge ends - I tend to stop rowing. I'm hoping this forum will provide the motivation I need. <br /><br />I want to try to reach 2 million meters before this season ends (should need about 500 k after the HC ends). It seems like a good goal - even if I don't make it in time, I could get close. <br /><br />How do other people here deal with wanting a break from rowing after the HC? Or is it only a problem for me?<br /><br />Emilia

[[old] Hapa]

<br />Well, I'm going to aim to finish on the 18th with Buffle and Woolsmith, I figure it's a pretty good goal, but I'll have to push it since I have 75,000 m left (so about 12,500/day). Either way, if I finish, I'm going to treat myself with a pair of boots, and of course the T-shirt! <br /><br />Since I a problem also with staying with it (haven't even reached my first million after five years), I'm giving myself a prize when I get there (new iPod!). Hoping that will keep me motivated. Keeping on the erg also keeps me motivated to eat healthier and fix my own coffee, breakfast, dinner, etc. which helps save enough money for my prize! <br /><br />Another question, since I've started up again, I'm noticing that my left cheek feels like my sit bone is catching on a muscle or tendon or something. I've played with the foot stretched height, I'm using bubble wrap, making sure my posture is good, etc. It seems like it's only relieved if I'm either not using much body swing, or I play around with the angle and placement of my left foot, by that's limited by the heel cup on the stretcher. Anyone have other suggestions?

[[old] Bufflehead]

Gee Whiz - I better get going if I'm going to keep up with you guys helping me out for the 18th deadline!! Thanks for the support! Now I don't have any excuse not to get on that rower tonight! Sure would like to think of one, though. <br />I'm finding it harder to focus as the time grows shorter. I just want to veg on the couch and let the time pass. Bad Dog!!! (Or should I say Duck?)<br /><br />Anyway, I'll be good tonight, I promise!<br /><br />Hey Hapa - I had the very same problem. It started happening as my weight started going down. It felt like a snapping or clunking - I don't know how else to describe it. I tried shifting my rear end every now and then, but finally it just took lots of meters and a folded towel on the seat. The towel seems to be enough padding for me to keep that from happening. Hope that helps ya!<br /><br />Keep up the great work everybody!<br />Waddling off now to go take a final exam - and then row!<br />The Buffle

[[old] woolsmith]

<!--QuoteBegin-efg+Dec 13 2005, 01:50 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(efg @ Dec 13 2005, 01:50 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I'm at 159,726 m.  <br /><br />The tough part will be staying with it AFTER the Holiday Challenge ends - I tend to stop rowing.  I'm hoping this forum will provide the motivation I need.  <br /><br />I want to try to reach 2 million meters before this season ends (should need about 500 k after the HC ends).  It seems like a good goal - even if I don't make it in time, I could get close.  <br /><br />How do other people here deal with wanting a break from rowing after the HC?  Or is it only a problem for me?<br /><br />Emilia <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hey Emilia!<br /><br />I have a planned goal of decreasing my rowing after the HC, but it's because I want to do some cross training on some other equipment. I did a rowing blitz over the last couple of months to get to my first million, which butted right up against the 200k for the HC. I just feel like I need to work some other muscles and body parts in addition to the rowing. But darn, I just like this C2 rower!<br /><br />I think you have the first step to your plan to keep rowing after the HC: You have a *goal*, and that goal is to row 500k before the end of April. I guess if it was me, I'd shoot for 125k/mo from Jan thru April, averaging 30k-40k/week--which would give you a bit of a cushion for some "down" weeks. Breaking it into smaller chunks makes it feel more manageable--kinda like my strategy to lose 10 pounds, but doing it 5 times (to lose the 50 pounds I have left). <br /><br />Krysta's success pics have me re-motivated to really hunker down and do this! Again, great job there, Krysta.<br /><br />And like she said in her post, by making a public committment, she's hoping this will keep her motivated to achieve the rest of her goal, since ALL THE DUCKS ARE WATCHING NOW TO SEE THAT SHE MAKES IT. <br /><br />Heat's on ya now, Krysta! And geesh, now *I've* just committed publicly to losing my last 50 pounds.... <br /><br />So maybe that psychology will also work for you, Emilia?? If you want to commit to it, I'm sure the Ducks and friends will keep asking you about your progress and keep you accountable! <br /><br />--Jen in soon to be very snowy WI<br /><br /><br /><br />

[[old] woolsmith]

Hey Hapa! <br /><br />Nice job on the rowing! We can hit the 200k on the 18th all together. I've got about 33K left to go. Ellen's already finished the HC. I'm going to try to get a good row in tomorrow because Thursday isn't looking promising. Then I'm off from work on Fri and Sat, so I should be able to get'r done.<br /><br />And you're giving yourself some goals and rewards--usually a winning plan. New Toys! <br /><br />And Hey Buffle!<br /><br />Good luck with that exam. You'll need to row off that stress! <br /><br />And Iliana! Gotta love that endorphin rush, hey? <br /><br />--Jen

[[old] holladay]

Emilia (and others),<br /><br />I too want to continue to row after the HC. Last year I finished my 100,000 (which was my goal) then went away for Christmas and never got back on the erg.<br /><br />I want to keep rowing a regular habit in 2006. I think the key will be to have a goal. I know with the HC, if I don't row a day because I don't feel like it I know that I will have that much more to row the next time. That has been enough to get me to row.<br /><br />Maybe I need something like a goal of rowing 50,000 a week and if I don't do it during the week it would mean a marathon on Saturday. (Now that's a threat to make me shiver in my boots!)<br /><br />Judy Greer said there will be some sort of challenge in January for the virtual teams. I am looking forward to that to jump start me in January.<br /><br />We'll have to think of a creative thread where we can fess up every week about making our goals! Any ideas? <br /><br />Susan aka Wood Duck

[[old] Mary P.]

Emilia - Hi! You might consider doing a race as a goal after the holiday challenge; the racing season in the US is January through March or so in the US. If you do try a local race, you might be in a small, friendly group and have an enjoyable, fast row (not a "killer" race). I hear at the Newburyport Sprints, they hand out tack hammers, to mock the hammers awarded at the CRASH-B's. Look at the race calendar - maybe there's a race near you.<br /><br />I finished the Holiday Challenge this morning about 5am (when many rowing moms erg) with friends at LBRA. Took some detours this year, including time off for a nasty sprained shoulder -- but DONE. Unfortunately my son caught a bug (high fever, congestion) and probably will not finish the Kids Challenge. <br /><br />On to the next challenge - the Beach Sprints!<br />Mary P.

[[old] Hapa]

<!--QuoteBegin-Mary P.+Dec 14 2005, 01:01 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Mary P. @ Dec 14 2005, 01:01 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Emilia  - Hi! You might consider doing a race as a goal after the holiday challenge; the racing season in the US is January through March or so in the US.  If you do try a local race, you might be in a small, friendly group and have an enjoyable, fast row (not a "killer" race).  I hear at the Newburyport Sprints, they hand out tack hammers, to mock the hammers awarded at the CRASH-B's.  Look at the race calendar - maybe there's a race near you.<br /><br />I finished the Holiday Challenge this morning about 5am (when many rowing moms erg) with friends at LBRA.  Took some detours this year, including time off for a nasty sprained shoulder -- but DONE.  Unfortunately my son caught a bug (high fever, congestion) and probably will not finish the Kids Challenge.  <br /><br />On to the next challenge - the Beach Sprints!<br />Mary P. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Congrats on finishing to soon! To be expected from an Indoor Rower on the Development Team! <br /><br />I'm thinking about doing Ergomania, but I don't think my back and butt will be ready for going all out. And, I know enough people that will likely be there that I don't want to have a really pathetic time compared to what I was back when I was in excellent rowing shape...<br /><br />Good luck down at the Beach Sprints. Do they put the ergs outside so you can enjoy the view down there, maybe see a sea lion or something? I'd possibly even know a few people still down there also, I rowed for CSULB for two years (90 - 92) before moving up to Washington and also participated in the development camp they had there in the summer of '91. <br /><br />Hapa

[[old] rspenger]

<!--QuoteBegin-Hapa+Dec 14 2005, 03:06 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Hapa @ Dec 14 2005, 03:06 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Do they put the ergs outside so you can enjoy the view down there, maybe see a sea lion or something?<br />Hapa <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />The ergs are now in an exercise room of the newly renovated boathouse. It has a large window looking out over the Marine Stadium, but, during the 2005 Beach Sprints, the ergs were facing away from that window. On occasion, I have seen people take them out to the back to enjoy the outdoor scene while they are working out.<br /><br />Bob S.

[[old] Jemima]

I just rowed 12,000 today. That's the highest I've ever rowed in one sitting. OUCH. 50,000 holiday meters to go. I've also now rowed a total of over 500,000 so I'm half way to my million meters T-Shirt. <br /><br />As to motivation after the challenge, I'm planning to keep going at 7,500 per day. Before the challenge I was rowing 6,000 a day. <br /><br />One thing I do for motivation is to look at who is above me in the DIAR list and see how many I need to row to overtake them. If I was planning to row 5,000 and I need 6,000 to be ahead then I do the 6,000. Maybe the next day they will overtake me, but at least it keeps me rowing.<br /><br />Tina

[[old] Iliana]

Nice paddling, ducks!<br /><br />Dorky question: How can I see how many meters I've rowed during the holiday challenge period other than manually adding my daily numbers? I've looked at the honor boards, but they only show who's gotten to 100k/200k etc. I could have sworn we could do this! I tried summary.. hm, maybe I can specify dates... well, I'll go look at that <br /><br />Did a nice 30 minute piece today, with my niece from Botswana visiting --fun! She's Very Impressed by her exercising auntie.<br /><br />Cheers, and keep up the great work everyone!<br /><br />../Iliana

[[old] holladay]

When I log onto the Concept 2 on-line log book, the meters for the season and the challenge are listed in a box near the top left.<br /><br />Susan Holladay's Logbook<br />454,457m <br /><br />124,221 Holiday Challenge Meters (in red.) <br /><br />Susan aka Wood Duck

[[old] mischa]

<!--QuoteBegin-holladay+Dec 14 2005, 08:43 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(holladay @ Dec 14 2005, 08:43 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I want to keep rowing a regular habit in 2006.  I think the key will be to have a goal. I know with the HC, if I don't row a day because I don't feel like it I know that I will have that much more to row the next time. That has been enough to get me to row.<br /><br />Maybe I need something like a goal of rowing 50,000 a week and if I don't do it during the week it would mean a marathon on Saturday. (Now that's a threat to make me shiver in my boots!)<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I set monthly goals and rewards for myself to try to stay on track. It doesn't always work but it's been useful.