January Challenge(s) 2019

[dykebert]

Hey occowboy, sounds like a great 2K to me! Big congrats!

Yes I always cover the monitor when I row, unless I'm doing something specific. I usually end up rowing longer (and occasionally harder) than what I planned. Sometimes shorter, but since I'm not a spring chicken I figure it's just as important to listen to my body as it is to push it.

I also started rowing strapless this year. Again if I'm doing something specific that I want to put real effort into I use the straps, otherwise I don't.

No rowing for me today. The last few weeks I've been trying to mimic my upcoming race. Rest day on Friday, then on Saturday a 15 min (+/-) warm up, followed by a break, followed by a 2K.

Janet, thanx for the info about the CTC, but my name wasn't there, and I couldn't figure out a way to add it. But I trusted you and took one more look, and finally figured it out! I'm close to the bottom as I expected. But maybe someday....

Jill, LOL I wanted to make a small edit to my long post, and couldn't figure out a way to do it so I just left it. I feel your pain.

Sharky
keep on rowing, just keep rowing

[dykebert]

Feeling pretty proud of myself.

Did my 2K yesterday and dropped another 3 seconds off my pace. Didn't quite make it into the top 50%, but I'm still pretty happy.

Might try another shot at the 'Ba-ba Wa-wa' (20/20) challenge either today (Sun) or tomorrow, but the plan for the rest of the week is just solid 3-4K rows in the morning.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Janet, are you all packed? Safe travels, hope you have a great time, and looking forward to hearing about your adventures. (BTW I have a friend in Thailand (Bangkok), so feel free to reach out to me should something go awry...)

Sharky
keep on rowing, just keep rowing

[mjlawton]

Great job on your continual improvement on the 2K Sharky! I am pretty close to being packed other than messing with my camera gear. Even got a pedicure today (a rarity for me...not into nail polish) so my toes look good for taking off my shoes for the temples. Weather forecast looks great except for high pollution levels in Bangkok right now, but we are only there 2 days before the bike trip starts. A bit nervous about how the riding will work (stick with group...move at own pace, etc.), but they have GPS's for the bikes, which is good news as I am directionally challenged . May need to find a tradeoff between stopping for photo ops and not getting too far from the group so I don't get lost! That is the beauty of indoor rowing...just go, go, go with no fear of flat tires, traffic or getting lost. Planning to do a bit longer row today as wind and rain this morning kept me from my normal run, bike or swim. Only 2 more days to hit my 20 day stretch goal!

[mjlawton]

My stretch is complete!

[Admers]

Hi everyone,

occowboy, congratulations on Saturday’s 2k - it was great that your race strategy worked out and you were able to achieve your goal of under 9 minutes.

Did you row yesterday as a recovery day ( I am not sure as to when they are needed ) or did you make it your one precious rest day?

I do hope that the occasion has provided you with plenty of enthusiasm to continue The Long Haul.

Only seven more days to go for Marta to complete The Stretch.

Janet, well done to you for completing The Stretch and this month’s CTC. I hope that you will have a wonderful and energetic holiday. Safe journey and safe cycling.

Sharky, another 3 seconds sliced off your 2k time. That’s excellent. When I asked you before if you had a training plan, I seem to recall that you laughed somewhat. Seems that you have been holding out on us. You are faster than me now ( 9.45.4 on 1.11.15 ) - it’s a relief to know that I’ll soon be moving up into the 70-79 rankings. Less competition.

Only three more days to go for you in order to complete The Stretch and well done on entering your first CTC. I used to worry about always being near the bottom but I don’t anymore because there are ladies in my zone who I can beat, ladies I am evenly matched with, which gives me a good idea of what I should be capable of, and ladies who I aspire ( in my dreams ) to beat.

Have a good week everyone.

Jill

[mjlawton]

Jill, you sound like me re: triathlons. I was so looking forward to being in the 60-69 this year and then I signed up and they apparently have switched from your age at the end of the calendar year to your age at time of race, so I have to wait another year for the older, less competitive group. Hopefully I will still be rowing and doing triathlons when I am in my 70's!

9 hrs until departure for our trip, so no rowing for 2 weeks unless I find one in a hotel gym. When I get back I need to get back to rowing longer distances. I have been only doing 10-15 min each day during the stretch due to my other training, but hopefully once biking isn't as much of a priority I can do some longer rowing distances. I notice it in my knees if I row, bike or run every day without a break.

Good luck to everyone on completing their January challenges and good luck Sharky on your race (can't recall when it is).

[Admers]

Hello everyone,

First of all, I do apologise occowboy for saying that you are taking part in the Long Haul challenge, when in fact it’s the Big Stretch.

Marta has 7 more days to go in order to complete the Stretch. Fingers and toes crossed for you Marta.

Sharkey, one more day to go for you now and then your second Stretch completed. Best wishes and loads of luck to you if you are still planning to compete at Ergomania this coming week-end.

Hopefully I will still be rowing and doing triathlons when I am in my 70's!

Janet, I hope that you will as well.

No opportunity to row the last two days but back to it tomorrow. I think I can see my way clear to pass the 200,000m mark by the end of the challenge. Famous last words probably.

Jill

[occowboy]

No apologies necessary. I honestly don't even remember which one I signed up for except it was the everyday one.

[dykebert]

I made my stretch goal!

..., so I have to wait another year for the older, less competitive group. ...

Hey that's my group your talking about!

Jill, your comment about your best 2K got me thinking. I went through past years, and my all time best 2K was 15 years ago with a pace of 2:14.7 The 2:26 I did last week was my 2nd best all time. Feeling pretty proud of that.

And yes, the competition is this weekend (1/26). Registration closes tonight and, at the moment, there are only 2 of us so I have a better than average chance at getting 2nd place!

Occowboy, kudos for rowing every day! I never seem to manage it.

Sharky
keep on rowing, just keep rowing

[dykebert]

Greetings all!
I managed to shave another couple of seconds off my pace, and finished my race with a 2:23.3 pace. Which was enough to get me 1st place in my class. Well that and the fact that the other woman registered didn't show!

A couple of friends, who are part time rowers, were there to cheer me on, and they told me that next year I wouldn't be 1st because they were going to beat me. We'll see...

It was a great time. I met 2 great women. One was in the 80+ class and the other in the 70-79 lwt class. Both of whom would have wiped the floor with me had we been in the same class. In fact the 80+ woman met the time standard for the world championship next month! But they were very friendly and encouraging, and made the experience even better!

Sharky
keep on rowing, just keep rowing

[mjlawton]

Great job on your race, Sharky!

I have biked 25 miles each of the last 2 days, here in Thailand. We had a rough trip here...60 hrs of travel, including a 28 hr layover in Detroit due to a combination of medical emergency diversion back to airport, airport closing for bad weather, no hotels available (slept on airport floor), boarded only to be told an hour later that crew had timed out and all had to deplane. Finally got out, but we lost a full day in bangkok. All is well now though. I will be back to rowing when we return from Thailand!

Janet

[occowboy]

Greetings all!
I managed to shave another couple of seconds off my pace, and finished my race with a 2:23.3 pace. Which was enough to get me 1st place in my class. Well that and the fact that the other woman registered didn't show!

A couple of friends, who are part time rowers, were there to cheer me on, and they told me that next year I wouldn't be 1st because they were going to beat me. We'll see...

It was a great time. I met 2 great women. One was in the 80+ class and the other in the 70-79 lwt class. Both of whom would have wiped the floor with me had we been in the same class. In fact the 80+ woman met the time standard for the world championship next month! But they were very friendly and encouraging, and made the experience even better!

Sharky
keep on rowing, just keep rowing

Congrats, Sharky!!!!! Go you!!!!!!!

[occowboy]

One more day, ladies!

[dykebert]

Great job everyone!!!

On to February Follies!

Sharky
keep on rowing, just keep rowing!