Rowing vs Running London Marathon 2014

[mwardicus]

On April 13 2014 I am going head to head on my erg against two of my friends running the London marathon. To make it "fair" i have agreed to stretch my marathon erg out to a round 50k.Our race has now drafted 4 other guys who are going to tackle a mammoth endurance cycling leg from Lands End all trying to finish at The Mall. All of this to raise money for Anthony Nolan and a local palliative care home that cared for some of our dear friends and family members recently in their last days battling cancer.

With little track record on an erg let alone out on the water adapting to the training (up to 110k per week) has been gruelling but at halfway through I am hopeful of achieving a sub 3hrs 30 50k, setting a first time marathon time somewhere in the low 2hr50s… if i make the start line… it is tough doing this level of training with a full time job and family to take care of - amazing how narcoleptic it makes you for starters! I'm also within shooting distance of lightweight so am having to slowly cut weight too for the first time in my life

We have had some positive support form the one and only James Cracknell but there are still organisational issues to resolve - for instance we are working with Anthony Nolan to try and set up my erg and race "finish line" at their official post-marathon hospitality venue but if that fails not sure where I will be able to set up - i can't imagine i'll be allowed to just set up on the side of the course will I? Has ANYONE out there tried doing combining an erg challenge with the day of recognised marathon?… any experiences you could share or advice or help would be really appreciated

And generally, any advice on training for long distance (i have not got the energy or time at the moment to be doing much weight training alongside the hours on the erg but should i find the time??), ideas for how to pull off the race itself, fundraising ideas, or any other help or support (and obviously donations!!) you could give me/us… all really gratefully received

To find more, please check http://www.racetothemall.com for more

Matt

[Citroen]

You may stoke up more interest by posting the same stuff at: http://therowingcompany.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2

[mwardicus]

You may stoke up more interest by posting the same stuff at: http://therowingcompany.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2

thanks Citroen - have followed your advice… being new to rowing, new to fundraising, new to online forums I am grateful for every steer!!