/\ August \/ Row the Nile Challenge

At 6695 km, the Nile River is the longest river in the world; we're rowing its length, from its origin in Burundi to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.  All rowing distances are acceptable, including rowing done on indoor ergs and in outdoor shells.

The overall challenge of rowing the Nile is divided into monthly sub-challenges.  Each month's sub-challenge will begin on the first of the month and end on the last day of the month, but you're welcome to join at any time.

Post your desired monthly sub-challenge distance, then post all distances rowed at any time.  While you're at it, post how your sessions went.  We can all encourage each other to meet our goals.  All distances rowed, by everyone, will be added together and will count towards the overall goal.

Everyone is welcome to join.  If you've rowed with us before, welcome back, the Nile is a very long river, we could use your muscle power.

There are many forms of exercise in the world, but few as complete as rowing. If you have a rower at home collecting dust, then this is a chance to use it for more than a clothes hanger.  If you're an outdoor rower, welcome. If you've always walked by those rowers at the gym, then this is a chance to give them a try.

August Challenges

the_oarsman - Goal: 150 km - Rowed: 89 km

maxx86 - Goal: 50 km - Rowed: 50 km

miss_bea - Goal: 30 km - Rowed: 18 km

tigerkno - Goal: 100 km - Rowed: 98 km

Active Members

the_oarsman - Total Rowed: 192 km

miss_bea - Total Rowed: 34 km

mg4820 - Total Rowed: 30 km

maxx86 - Total Rowed: 30 km

tigerkno - New member

Retired Members

You're welcome to come out of retirement at any time.

bernst31 - Total Rowed: 12 km

apophenia - Total Rowed: 30 km

lindsayadelia - Total Rowed: 56 km

cybersam - Total Rowed: 52 km

Rowing the Nile Challenge

Start Date: June 2009

Total distance, to date, by all rowers (not including this month): 436 km

Distance of Nile River: 6695 km

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What's all this about rowing, anyway?

Most rowing machines (known as ergometers, or ergs) will have a display on which you will see various numbers, including the total time and distance, usually in meters or kilometers.

If it's your first time, go slow!  It takes time to build the necessary muscles for any new exercise.  That's especially true for rowing.  Try a few minutes at first, and then add a few minutes every few days.  Before you know it, you'll be rowing for many kilometers at a time.

Technique is important!  I have some information on my profile, as well as some animation that shows proper technique.  First timers, there's no need to rush or to push yourself too much.  This can be a lifelong pursuit if you build up slowly.

I have to say, I was very confused when I opened the July thread this morning and saw the bit about the Nile River.  I thought I was going crazy and had completely missed that all month...but alas, I'm not nuts, thank goodness  I think its a great idea!  It ensures that we will be at these challenges for many months to come.

You're goal of 150 km is inspiring me, and I think I'll go for 50 km.  I'm not letting myself run at all this month so I'll need to erg to keep myself distracted!

Come one come all and join us!

Actually, I set a high rowing goal for a similar reason to yours.  I won't be doing much walking this month because of the heat and humidity in NYC.  The only real exercise I'll get will have to be the erg.

50 km it is.  Welcome back.

Thanks Mr. Bea for posting and hosting this challenge!!!

Count me in, too! I'll go for 30km this month, and if I can eek out a little more, that's even better!

Original Post by miss_bea:

Thanks Mr. Bea for posting and hosting this challenge!!!

Count me in, too! I'll go for 30km this month, and if I can eek out a little more, that's even better!

 

The more the better miss bea.  It's good to have you back.

Can I join too? Rowing the Nile sounds really cool.

Please put me down for 150 km.  I'm currently recovering from a knee injury and am unable to run, so erging has become my primary mode of exercise.

Rowed 5k this afternoon in 10 500m intervals.

Welcome tiger!!

I starting erging again last month when my shin splints prevented me from running.  I have tried getting back on the treadmill, only for things to get worse, and erging seems to be the only exercise that actually helps! (I can bike and ellip. but it doesn't help much...)  Hopefully it will help in your recovery as well 

Original Post by tigerkno:

Can I join too? Rowing the Nile sounds really cool.

Please put me down for 150 km.  I'm currently recovering from a knee injury and am unable to run, so erging has become my primary mode of exercise.

Rowed 5k this afternoon in 10 500m intervals.

Welcome to crew tigerkno.  We'll love you to join us.  We're a small group but dedicated and friendly.

Not wanting to discourage you, but if you're coming off knee surgery, are you sure you want to go for 150 km???  That's 5K every day with no break.  I went through that surgery and personally I'd like for you to really enjoy the sessions and recover properly and with no pressure.  Have you rowed before?

I'll put you down for 150km, but please, if you feel that its too much, then there is no shame in going for a lower goal later.  As I've probably said to everyone here, slow and steady wins the race.

In any case, welcome to the group.  Enjoy and post often.  We are a chatty group.

maxx68:

yeah, erging seems to be the only exercise that doesn't make my knees ache.  I started running again about about 2 months after I hurt my knee and the pain was awful, but rowing doesn't seem to hurt at all. 

the_oarsman:

I actually hurt my knee about 4 months ago (luckily it wasn't bad enough to require surgery).  I thought that all was well after 2 months of rest, but running seems to aggrevate it, so i started erging and cycling.

I've been erging for about 6 weeks, and already tend to do about 5km, 5 days a week, so although it will be tough, 150km should be a good challenge.  I'll see how I feel after the first week, and if it seems too duanting then i'll definitely revise my goal downwards.

Original Post by tigerkno:

maxx68:

yeah, erging seems to be the only exercise that doesn't make my knees ache.  I started running again about about 2 months after I hurt my knee and the pain was awful, but rowing doesn't seem to hurt at all. 

 

the_oarsman:

I actually hurt my knee about 4 months ago (luckily it wasn't bad enough to require surgery).  I thought that all was well after 2 months of rest, but running seems to aggrevate it, so i started erging and cycling.

I've been erging for about 6 weeks, and already tend to do about 5km, 5 days a week, so although it will be tough, 150km should be a good challenge.  I'll see how I feel after the first week, and if it seems too duanting then i'll definitely revise my goal downwards.

Excellent.  A goal that pushes but doesn't kill, that's the ticket.

I just reread your post...knee injury not surgery.  I really should read better.  My excuse is that I was tired and read slowly.  You wrote too fast for me

3k today - 2:17 split || 3k total

My back was killing me ever since I sat down at work yesterday.  I hadn't been able to stretch it out, pound it out, massage it out, sleep it off... so I was scared to erg today.  But, like everything else, erging made it feel much much better.

Granted, I felt like jello after (I think this is my longest distance in one sit so far?) but that's not the point.

8/2 morning - 4 km in 17:11 - 2:15 avg split : 164 avg watts

4 km total || 146 km to go

Original Post by maxx86:

3k today - 2:17 split || 3k total

My back was killing me ever since I sat down at work yesterday.  I hadn't been able to stretch it out, pound it out, massage it out, sleep it off... so I was scared to erg today.  But, like everything else, erging made it feel much much better.

Granted, I felt like jello after (I think this is my longest distance in one sit so far?) but that's not the point.

I was in a car accident several years ago from which I got a very painful lower back.  Rowing is the only exercise that's ever kept the pain at bay.

Getting in your longest distance in one session is awesome.  I try to get in between 4 and 6 km per session.  That's usually a 20 - 30 minute workout and gets my heart rate in the 70% to 80% maximum range.  On days that I'm not fighting extreme laziness, I get in a couple of these sessions.

Welcome aboard tigerkno!

2k + 150 crunches in 18 minutes

2k total || 28 to goal || 150 crunches

Mr. Bea, I hope you don't mind if I keep track of my crunches on your thread, there isn't a *crunch* thread as of yet. I'm hoping to reach 3100 by the end of the month.

Of course, you're all welcome to join me in my quest for ripped abs.

Original Post by miss_bea:

Welcome aboard tigerkno!

2k + 150 crunches in 18 minutes

2k total || 28 to goal || 150 crunches

Mr. Bea, I hope you don't mind if I keep track of my crunches on your thread, there isn't a *crunch* thread as of yet. I'm hoping to reach 3100 by the end of the month.

Of course, you're all welcome to join me in my quest for ripped abs.

Ripped abs is right if you get to 3100 by the end of the month.  Great job, those can be brutal.

8/2 afternoon - 6 km in 28:20 - 2:36 avg split : 123 avg watts

Slow for me, but at 6 km I really don't like to push it too much

10 km total || 140 km to go

8/3 morning - 6 km in 28:20 - 2:36 avg split : 123 avg watts

Same numbers as yesterday afternoon.  I guess that's good since it's the first thing I did this morning

16 km total || 134 km to go

10 km this afternoon in 44:58 minutes, for an avg split of just under 2:15. 

It was the longest I've rowed continuously.  Pretty tiring, but felt good when I was done.

3k yesterday - 2:30 split || 6k total

I was working on my slow as mud recovery...it actually helped me battle boredom whilst in an empty gym on a cloudy day.  And I did not fell like jello after; in fact, I proceeded to spend way too much time on the elliptical watching a baseball game.

oarsman, the important thing is that you are getting on the erg and getting good distance in.  You may have slow days, but you can't always push yourself to your best.  Also, I wish I could get in two rowing sessions a day...I would love to row in the morning too, but that would require going to the gym twice a day, which makes me feel awkward.

miss bea, I tried doing some of your crunches yesterday and even though the place was empty I felt so silly (maybe being next to a huge wall of windows contributed to that)!  I will always be part of your quest for ripped abs, but I think I'll stick to my ball crunches

tiger, you fast!  Thats a great time for 10k, I would definately not be able to keep that up.  Whereabouts in GB are you?  I studied abroad in London in '06 and absolutely fell in love with it.

Original Post by maxx86:

miss bea, I tried doing some of your crunches yesterday and even though the place was empty I felt so silly (maybe being next to a huge wall of windows contributed to that)!  I will always be part of your quest for ripped abs, but I think I'll stick to my ball crunches

Maxx, any crunch is a good crunch!

8/3 2k + 100 crunches in 18 minutes

4k total || 26 to goal || 250 crunches