skepticism about challenge times

[Bob S.]

Every so often someone posts a message on this forum expressing skepticism about times or distances. A lot of these are valid, often a case of a PM that is configured for the wrong machine. However a number of these posts have been complaints about those who post very high numbers for the challenges. Some skeptics say that the numbers are impossible.

Well, the recent thread about Darlene Brennan has a good answer for the skeptics. It is possible to do over 2 FMs a day for quite a few days. What it takes is plenty of time available and a very strong motivation. Anyone who has a problem with that is quite lucky to have problems that are that trivial.

Bob S.

[jackarabit]

Hear hear! Unless and until someone were to put up numbers that indicate 20K/hr. average for 25hrs./day for 31 days/non-leap yr. February. Unless and until then. Jack

[Carl Watts]

Yep we can all row at 3:00 pace plus if you have all day.

Have said it before if you want to get rid of the skeptics make it a verified challenge and add a column for average pace.

Sorry but I could also run the 100M at the Olympic games, and so can everyone else here on this forum, but its a bit of a waste of time if you cannot run it in about 10 seconds flat, same with a FM but I'm not going to win any medals with a time of 6 hours plus by walking most of it.

Yes some of the distances for the Challanges are impressive but distance without pace makes it somewhat worthless and not being verified makes it a total waste of time.

It goes without saying you have to factor in age, but then thats already shown so then we would all have a better picture of the acheivement and others would be able to make more direct comparisons if a little more data was present and also a whole lot more people may also join up for the Challenges.

[jackarabit]

The total individual meters winner in the C2 Fall Team Challenge, in an interview with C2, has indicated her average pace as 2:30 for an average 1 day total of 96,774 meters or 3M meters over the 31 days of the challenge. Jack

[Carl Watts]

The total individual meters winner in the C2 Fall Team Challenge, in an interview with C2, has indicated her average pace as 2:30 for an average 1 day total of 96,774 meters or 3M meters over the 31 days of the challenge. Jack

Say no more, just add my name to the list of Skeptics.

Those at the top of the Challenge should be the ones pushing for verified rows, I find it strange that none of them are interested but no doubt get upset at anyone skeptical at their results.

[jackarabit]

Ms. Brennan, the runnerup on total yardage apparently holds a record for lwt women over 100K of just under 12 hrs. I think it safe to assume she produces around the same 3:36 pace for her challenge effort as she states that she rows 7-12 hrs. per challenge day. She's not hiding much so the only criticism that can be brought to bear is Carl's assertion that ultra distances aren't worth doing below a pace determined by Carl.

Compare the average 2:30 pace over 3M claimed by the winner. Over a minute difference per split means that Ms. Brennan must have rowed an additional 33.4 hrs. per million meters over and above her competitor's time for same. Ms. Brennan really deserves an award for sticktoitivity! What I don't get is whether the winner's pace is also too slow to be of significance or so fast as to challenge credulity? Jack

[l4y sp]

Carl Watts makes a valid point,
Especially when the last 6 days of the FTC appear to have created
A new World Record for a 1,000,000m row

[jackarabit]

So objective comparison of challenge performances (altho unverifiable) is possible based on inference from the public statements of a very few top competitors? Jack

[Carl Watts]

There is ZERO credibility at the top of the current annual meters board.

Really I just don't care what they say, until they get at least a verified meters only system in place it doesn't count.

Start a whole new annual meters board for verified rows only (C2 logcard upload, PM5 USB upload and Rowpro as well as IND_V)and include an average pace column, I will be one of the first to switch over. There is no excuses for not doing this via the new utility. Really sick of hearing the old PM2 argument, you guys can stay on the old annual meters board for those people manually entering whatever they felt like they could have rowed for the day.

Sorry but there is also a pace at which point your no longer rowing but just keeping the flywheel from stopping. It may look impressive meters wise but distance without pace information is worthless data.