January Challenge(s) 2019

[mjlawton]

I am really looking forward to january being over (or at least the 22nd, when I head out on vacation and leave the rower behind). Every day rowing is getting tedious, even though I am doing less than 5000 meters/day. I save it for the end of the day usually when it is dark out and do my other stuff during the day, but then I am too tired to get excited about the rowing! Tomorrow is a lighter exercise day to head out on water for fishing, so hopefully a few more meters when we get back .

[dykebert]

Janet, congrats on sticking with it! In the end you'll be happy you stuck to your goal, but I totally understand the lack of motivation. There's something about January. Not sure if it's just that the hoopla of the holidays is over, or if it's the lack of sun, or what. I'm always grateful there's a rowing challenge, because otherwise, I'd probably forgo much rowing.

One of the things I've learned, is to do a ranked piece (I usually go for the 30min or 5K) in November or early December, and then do it again in January or late December, seeing the improvement (thanks to the Holiday Challenge) usually helps keep me on track.

Speaking of which, I did a 2K piece and I took about 3.5 seconds off my pace from early December. And I finally got below a 2:30 pace, so I'm pretty happy about that! Didn't move me up much in the rankings, but progress is progress.

How is everyone else doing with the doldrums of January?

Sharky
keep on rowing, just keep rowing

[Admers]

Hi everyone,

Another good read for me, catching up with your progress.

Janet, congrats on sticking with it! In the end you'll be happy you stuck to your goal,

Yes, Janet, absolutely! Try your hardest to carry on with The Stretch and also try your hardest not to let that villian, Darth Vader ( my pet name for the erg ) get the better of you.

Not leaving yourself any wriggle room was a brave thing to do, so it would be a great shame if you cannot find a little bit of time ( energy wise, can you not swap things around a little so that you are not rowing at the end of the day? ) ) to squeeze in a few metres each day ( 500m would do it ) for the 8 remaining days that you have left before the 22nd. The Stretch is more about motivation than metres rowed.

I will be back later today to finish this post but in the meantime, well done to you all.

Jill

[occowboy]

Hope everyone is doing well with their challenges. So far I'm 14 out of 14 days and counting down the days. One of my less than stellar rows today - felt some forearm tightness most of the way. Doing a 2K this Friday with a group and nervous/hopeful about it.

[mjlawton]

Thanks for the motivating words everyone! I will definitely finish the stretch barring any injuries...just wish I was enjoying it more! I have eased up a bit on my cross training (had been averaging 90 min to 2 hrs of workouts per day). Only ran today and there is something on tv tonight to occupy my mind, so hoping to row a bit longer than the 3000 or so that I have been rowing daily.

[dykebert]

Sort of off topic and kind of long, so feel free to skip this.

First, even though I've done a number of the Concept2 challenges, I've never attempted a CTC challenge. I get the basic idea, but they are a mystery to me. Also the few times I've looked at the challenges there were 'intervals' which I don't really get either. I'm a put my butt on the seat and row kinda gal.

So last month (Dec) Janet talked about the CTC being a 30min row. I was like, 'I can do that'. But while I did rows that were over 40 minutes, I never did a straight 30 min row.

Then this month Janet said the challenge was 20 min / 20 spm

Again, 'I can do that'. So about a week ago I started an evening row, and after a few minutes, decided I'd finish my planned 20 min row at the 20 spm rate. I made it a little over 10 min at that rate and called it quits at the 15 min mark. Totally got my butt kicked.

While I can't say I'm 'training' for the upcoming NW Ergomania in Seattle, I am trying to up my game. I did a decent (for me) 2K this past Saturday and decided that doing the 20/20 challenge (or as I like to call it, the 'Ba-ba Wa-wa' challenge for the famous anchor of the 20/20 news show. ) would help me up my game.

Now, I've always considered rowing to be waltz (ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three....) and have threatened to use a metronome to improve my rowing, but never actually got around to it. Ah-Ha! Here is the perfect challenge!

Found a metronome app for my phone. Set it to 3/4 time and 60 beats per minute (3 beats per stroke, 20spm). Set it up to flash the camera led on the down beat. Set the PM3 for 20 minutes. Started the football game I had recorded, and started the metronome.

What followed was a piece of physical comedy that would have made Charlie Chaplin proud.


For some reason, it was like I completely forgot how to row. Zero timing. Zero rhythm.

After about a dozen stuttering, fluttering strokes, I came close to getting it right. A few more strokes, and I finally got in rhythm. There were a few stutters along the way as I'd miss the down beat and then try to adjust to get back in sync, but I did manage the 20/20. Since I usually row at about a 3:00 min pace I was pretty proud of my 2:38.1 pace. I was also very glad that my rower is set up in the living room where's there's carpet, so when I fall off of it sideways there's a bit of a cushioned landing.

Originally I figured I'd do the 20/20 for my evening row the rest of this week. I don't think that will happen, but it might be tempting to see what my pace would be if I could forego the initial comedy routine.....

Sharky
keep on rowing, just keep rowing

[Admers]

Hi everyone,

I will be back later today to finish this post

Slightly later … One word … Distractions.

Well done Janet, I am pleased that you have decided not to stretch yourself ( no pun intended ) in too many directions. 15 down, 5 more to go.

Also, well done to Marta - you should award yourself some extra brownie points, for fitting in your gym sessions around work commitments. 10 down, 10 more to go.

occowboy, good luck tomorrow with the 2k attempt - I hope that you will not experience any problems with your forearm and you’ll be able to overcome your nervousness and ‘ enjoy ‘ or ‘ endure ‘ the race. Brave stuff.

Sharky, thank you for the entertaining account of your rowing adventures and despite the initial stroke disfunction, with more practice …

I occasionally take part in the CTC ( not my favourite thing ) - since I started rowing at the beginning of March 2014, I think I’ve competed in about 40, two of which were rate restricted. I didn’t enjoy doing them and prefer a straight time, distance or intervals. On the other hand, I do enjoy counting strokes - I decide on how many I want to do per 100m, then close my eyes and see how close I can come to hitting 500m. These days I’m usually quite accurate.

Great going with your 2k piece - every tenth of a second knocked of your time is to be celebrated - 35th out of 55 ‘ aint shabby ‘. I hope that you make it to Ergomania on the 26th.

Also great going with the challenge. 14 down, 6 more to go.

As for me, I’m happily chugging along - haven’t designated any particular rest days, just going by feel. I am glad that I didn’t opt for one of the Revolution challenges as it’s still uncertain how other commitments are going to pan out for the rest of the month. Five days taken already - three of those were due to unexpected happenings. Just row again, 10 - 12k each time with some broken down into several sessions and some straight 10k’s. - this morning’s 1018m was nothing too strenuous at 63 minutes. Occasionally I think about trying to beat my October 2016 ( CTC ) PB of 52.46.2 but having a mental block about such things at the moment.

Sharky, there are several things that keep me motivated to row, even in January and I wear them like a virtual suit of armour. Back in the real world, a walk around the garden, where the snowdrops and hellebores are coming into flower, never fails to make me smile. Today, visited by a large flock of long-tailed tits on the bird feeders, absolute smile material.

Keep rowing, keep going.

Jill

[mjlawton]

Sharky, thanks for the entertaining story about your CTC attempts. They are so mental for me! I have to keep saying it is only 20 minutes. I did successfully complete a second attempt this month to improve my pace to about 2:22. A 2:38 pace for someone who normally rows around 3:00 is quite a difference, so congrats! If you ever want to record your CTC successes, just go to the CTC contest page, search for your name, input your password, your results and then hit the "aren't I great" button. I am super competitive (with myself as much as others), so the various contests keep me rowing. Last month I wasn't in a floating boat (had one of slowest times), so I was determined to improve my meters (and thus wattage) to hopefully stay in a floating boat this month. The devil on one shoulder says "what does it matter...you can stop" and the angel on the other shoulder says "you can do this!". It's a constant battle .

90 min of pickle ball and 10 mile bike ride today, so it may be a short row tonight, but I'll for sure get some meters in!

Good hearing from everyone. I enjoy the camaraderie and motivation of these forums.

[Admers]

Hi everyone,

I will be back later today to finish this post

Slightly later … One word … Distractions.

Well done Janet, I am pleased that you have decided not to stretch yourself ( no pun intended ) in too many directions. 15 down, 5 more to go.

Also, well done to Marta - you should award yourself some extra brownie points, for fitting in your gym sessions around work commitments. 10 down, 10 more to go.

occowboy, good luck tomorrow with the 2k attempt - I hope that you will not experience any problems with your forearm and you’ll be able to overcome your nervousness and enjoy and not endure the race. Brave stuff.

Sharky, thank you for the entertaining account of your rowing adventures and despite the initial stroke problems, if you could find more time to practise, I'm sure that you would see a gradual improvement.

I occasionally take part in the CTC ( not my favourite thing ) - since I started rowing at the beginning of March 2014, I think I’ve competed in about 40, two of which were rate restricted. I didn’t enjoy doing them and prefer a straight time, distance or intervals. On the other hand, I do enjoy counting strokes - I decide on how many I want to do per 100m, then close my eyes and see how close I can come to hitting 500m. These days I’m usually accurate more times than not.

Great going with your 2k piece - every tenth of a second knocked of your time is to be celebrated - 35th out of 55 ‘ aint shabby ‘. I hope that you make it to Ergomania on the 26th.

Also great going with the challenge. 14 down, 6 more to go.

As for me, I’m happily chugging along - haven’t decided on any particular rest days, just going by feel. I am glad that I didn’t opt for one of the Revolution challenges as it’s still uncertain how other commitments are going to pan out for the rest of the month. Five days taken already - three of those were due to unexpected happenings. Just row again, 10 - 12k each time with some broken down into several sessions and some straight 10k’s. - this morning’s 1018m was nothing too strenuous at 63 minutes. Occasionally I think about trying to beat my October 2016 ( CTC ) PB of 52.46.2 but having a mental block about such things at the moment.

Sharky, there are several things that keep me motivated to row, even in January and I wear them like a virtual suit of armour. Back in the real world, a walk around the garden, where the snowdrops and hellebores are coming into flower, never fails to make me smile. Today, visited by a large flock of long-tailed tits on the bird feeders, absolute smile material.

Keep rowing, keep going. I have tried to edit my original post - unfortunately, it was a case of technology, meets techlexia. apologies for that. Anyway, this is the amended version.

Jill

[Admers]

Hi everyone,

I will be back later today to finish this post

Slightly later … One word … Distractions.

Well done Janet, I am pleased that you have decided not to stretch yourself ( no pun intended ) in too many directions. 15 down, 5 more to go.

Also, well done to Marta - you should award yourself some extra brownie points, for fitting in your gym sessions around work commitments. 10 down, 10 more to go.

occowboy, good luck tomorrow with the 2k attempt - I hope that you will not experience any problems with your forearm and you’ll be able to overcome your nervousness and enjoy and not endure the race. Brave stuff.

Sharky, thank you for the entertaining account of your rowing adventures and despite the initial stroke problems, if you could find more time to practise, I'm sure that you would see a gradual improvement.

I occasionally take part in the CTC ( not my favourite thing ) - since I started rowing at the beginning of March 2014, I think I’ve competed in about 40, two of which were rate restricted. I didn’t enjoy doing them and prefer a straight time, distance or intervals. On the other hand, I do enjoy counting strokes - I decide on how many I want to do per 100m, then close my eyes and see how close I can come to hitting 500m. These days I’m usually accurate more times than not.

Great going with your 2k piece - every tenth of a second knocked of your time is to be celebrated - 35th out of 55 ‘ aint shabby ‘. I hope that you make it to Ergomania on the 26th.

Also great going with the challenge. 14 down, 6 more to go.

As for me, I’m happily chugging along - haven’t decided on any particular rest days, just going by feel. I am glad that I didn’t opt for one of the Revolution challenges as it’s still uncertain how other commitments are going to pan out for the rest of the month. Five days taken already - three of those were due to unexpected happenings. Just row again, 10 - 12k each time with some broken down into several sessions and some straight 10k’s. - this morning’s 1018m was nothing too strenuous at 63 minutes. Occasionally I think about trying to beat my October 2016 ( CTC ) PB of 52.46.2 but having a mental block about such things at the moment.

Sharky, there are several things that keep me motivated to row, even in January and I wear them like a virtual suit of armour. Back in the real world, a walk around the garden, where the snowdrops and hellebores are coming into flower, never fails to make me smile. Today, visited by a large flock of long-tailed tits on the bird feeders, absolute smile material.

Keep rowing, keep going.

I have made a few changes to my original post although I think I may have made a hash of things. Apologies for that.

Jill

[occowboy]

So 2K done this morning at 6:00 AM. Warmed up a little with the group and then off to the races. I was hoping for under 9 minutes and finished at 8:47.5 with a 2:11.9 average split. I felt pretty good about that. I've never completed a 2K so a lot of it was in my head. I did realize that during my regular rows I can probably push it a little more and that my next 2K I can probably go out a little harder. That's probably in my head too. I was tired but didn't feel horrible. A little adrenaline at the end. One thing is everybody, male or female, old or young, was happy to be done and everybody after they caught their breath had a smile on their face. That's the great thing about rowing.

Funny anecdote during the 2K - there were 4 powerhouse guys rowing. One guy in front of me stopped rowing and I was thinking "why did he stop rowing?" Duh...because he was finished at 7:00 flat.

P.S. Forearm pain wasn't there too. I've been stretching, rolling, etc. I made sure my form was good to start and tried to maintain a steady rhythm and form. Usually when my form gets wacky things start feeling not right.

[mjlawton]

great job, Occowboy! My best time so far for a 2k is around 9:27, so I have a ways to go to catch you . Super glad I did my rowing this morning instead of my usual evening row. 7 min strength workout on app, 10 min row, 2 mile walk and 1 mile run, 3 mile bike (to pool and back) and 40 min swim have me "knackered" as some of you would say .

[occowboy]

I totally admire people who swim. I took years of swimming lessons as a kid but one major water up the nose incident and I've forgotten everything I ever learned about swimming. Are you training for a triathlon or just like to do different activities?

Our group's 2K feedback:

7:35 - guy went out at 1:30 and at the 1K mark faded out. He'd never done a 2K so really had no strategy for it and just went for it.
7:34 - guy went out at 1:55 and stayed there for the most part except the last 200-300 meters. This was his 3rd 2K of the day. The hare and tortoise definitely.

Our group talked about strategy for the 2K and it seemed a lot of guys got caught up in the moment and veered off plan while the ladies stayed more on plan. I loved the 2K countdown where you can see your projected time and split. I thought a 2:30 split might be pushing it because my legs have been ehhhh this month but the adrenaline definitely got me going. I definitely have a plan for the next one in Feb and excited now to see how it goes. Wasn't too excited about this one, more the fear of the unknown.

Has anybody ever rowed with the monitor down or covered or eyes closed? This last week I've discovered that I row better when I can't see the monitor. Maybe I'm self-limiting myself thinking I can't do something.

[mjlawton]

yes, I do sprint triathlons in the summer, so I jog, bike and swim all year pretty much. Once I let up on any of them it takes me twice as long to get my speed/endurance back. Just started doing them 3 years ago at age 56, so I am still working on improving my time/skill for all 3 disciplines. Contrary to most triathletes, I never did any of the 3 (run, bike, swim) competitively before starting triathlons. I used to do more ball sports (softball, basketball, netball), but injuries and age had me looking for something different to appeal to my competitive nature. Now I have added rowing to the mix .

[mjlawton]

Regarding the monitor, I actually like looking at the monitor (except for the time...haha). Being new to rowing, I am still playing with different techniques (hard, slow pull vs. short, quicker or lighter drag and quicker vs. heavier drag and slower, etc.) and the monitor helps me see the impact as I change things up. Contrary to Sharky, who said she likes to just sit and row, I prefer intervals actually. Much easier mentally for me to do 8 x 500's for example vs. 4000 straight. Might also be due to my inclination to have a very rapid heart rate when exercising. The rest breaks help me get HR back down a bit.