January Challenge(s)

[dykebert]

Hey folks,
I decided to start a thread for support of the January Challenge(s) (team and individual).

I'm 62 with an average pace just under 3:00, so not a youngster or a speedster, but I still plug along doing my best.

My individual goal for January is 'The Haul' (15 hours), which will be a good challenge for me since I'm out of town the first few days of January. But there's still football so I should be able to make it. (My 'long' rows (30-60 min) are usually done watching a football game. )

Even if you are not doing one of the January challenges, feel free to join the conversation!

Keep on rowing, just keep rowing.
Sharky

[RowerGal]

Greetings!
I am also doing the January Challenge and have challenged myself to The Long Haul, with a target to row at least 30 hours in January.
Have been pretty consistent with erging for the last several months ... up until the last 2 weeks, of course.

Who else is in?

[bisqeet]

must have missed this last year.
yeh, i'm in. i need to do a bit of basework - so i'll be going for the long haul.

[Admers]

Hello again Sharky and hello to RowerGal and Dean.

Plucky of you all to decide on The Haul challenges - are the January Revolutions new? If so it’s good to see Concept2 coming up with some fresh ideas. If they are not new and have been featured for a while now, then I need to remove my brain and then remove the cobwebs from it.

I’m going to take part in the team challenge and have again signed up with Free Spirits.

I do not have any particular goal in mind, I’ll take things a day at a time and see how things go.

Thank you Sharky for starting this thread - I do hope that it will attract some more contributors.

Jill

[lindsayh]

Greetings!
I am also doing the January Challenge and have challenged myself to The Long Haul, with a target to row at least 30 hours in January.
Have been pretty consistent with erging for the last several months ... up until the last 2 weeks, of course. Who else is in?

Hi RG
why don't you consider joining the Forum Flyers as well for the Virtual Team Challenge to really make your meters count. International group with all levels welcome. Just tick the Forum Flyers 2018 box in the logbook. viewtopic.php?f=29&t=75382
You can do the monthly CTC challenge as well at http://www.c2ctc.com which is a lot of fun and sets some interesting pieces

[RowerGal]

Hi all,
How was your first day of meters towards the challenge today? I was able to complete 15,000m in a little over 1:12. I think I was at an average of 2:24 pace which was a nice and steady, easier row for me. Hoping I am able to hold the meters for the Long Haul for the month tho!

Thanks much for the team offer Lindsay, but I have been a proud member of the Fitness Matters virtual team for the past 2 years now for the team challenges and meters.

Good luck this month with your meters all!

[bisqeet]

bit of a hangover, so nothing fast for me. low rate, capped HR.

[ornatewobbegong]

Hi all!

I'm new to the forum! My concept2 rower should be arriving today, I can't wait to get started. I'm going to attempt 'The Haul' challenge this month

[RowerGal]

Very impressive bisqeet to do a Half Mary with a hangover. I have yet to complete that distance, but it is on my radar. Hope you are feeling better!

Welcome ornatewobbegong! Congrats on getting a home erg. I have had one in my basement for about 2 years and it made completing workouts and logging meters A LOT easier and convenient. I also have PRd in my basement more than I have at races! Hope you love it as much as I do. Good luck with The Haul this month too! I was going to do The Long Haul challenge, but just changed to The Haul as well, as I decided to taper and test my 2K this weekend (YIKES!) so I will start the month already behind in meters. How long have you been erging and do you erg for a team?

How is everyone else doing so far? If your goal needs to be changed, you can change it up until the 10th of the month. Good luck, All!

[ornatewobbegong]

Hi RowerGal I've only used an erg at the gym (some years ago) and I recall it was one of my favourite pieces of equipment. I'm impatiently waiting for my erg to arrive, I hope it gets here today. I'm really itching to get started. I really want to start 2018 off on the right foot, I've got a lot of weight to lose and really want to gain some fitness back.

I thought signing up for the haul would be a good motivator for getting me on to the erg every day. I hope I'll be able to undertake more challenges throughout the year and maybe join a team too

Now all I need is for it to be delivered

[bisqeet]

Hi Rowergal,

yes, its my usual distance (last season i completed 122 of em).
more low rate - bit more power for me.

[RowerGal]

Hi Rowergal,
yes, its my usual distance (last season i completed 122 of em).
more low rate - bit more power for me.

@bisqeet .... Wowsers! Impressive. Major meter munching. Do you have an endurance background before you started erging?

@ornatewobbegong .. Like the enthusiasm! Do you have your first workout planned already or do you plan to sit and spin for a period of time?

[ornatewobbegong]

@RowerGal I'm still waiting for the darn thing to show up! It was supposed to arrive yesterday

I think I'll spin for a little and see just to get used to it and practice my form. I'm interested to see just how much out of shape I am

I've been reading up in the BPB, it sounds like something to try once I get going? My main aim at the moment is to make exercising part of my routine, along with healthy eating. I plan on getting up earlier so I can row before work, I'm going to try and row after work too. I'm currently feeling very motivated but I know I'm gonna be in for some pain.

Do you have any suggestions for getting started?

[lindsayh]

Do you have any suggestions for getting started?

- spend some time in the "newbie" themed threads here and you will find a huge amount of information
- concentrate on technique - there are links to good videos both C2 ones and from Dark Horse Rowing for example
- make sure you understand what the drag factor is and how to set it at say 110-120
- don't race it just stay slow and steady as you increase distance and fitness
- concentrate on the power of each stroke and remember that this is a pushing with legs game not pulling with arms
- don't be impatient - it will come together
- avoid over training and make sure you have a rest day each week
- enjoy it!

[bisqeet]

@bisqeet .... Wowsers! Impressive. Major meter munching. Do you have an endurance background before you started erging?

not really, mostly athletics/biking/swimming during army time, then as time got on and wear and tear decided to make an appearance the move to rowing (otw and indoor)
didn't really start erging until 2013/14 - i was using it as warmups for gym work - think i hit 650k or so that year
2014/2015 was slightly more concetrated - about 2mm
2015/2016 i had more time- i took a year off work. hd some projects to do - house, holidays etc. topped over 5mm last year
2016/2017 had to start work again (ran out of money) - on target for 3mm.

i remember my first HM at 2:15 or so, 2:00 was better - then same pace at FM... and on it goes

i do a lot of semi polarised trainings - mostly ut2 low rate stuff although next season i do plan to do some racing at shorter distances
(shorter distance is anythng under 5k)