/\ July \/ Rowing Challenge /\

At 6650 km, the Nile River is the longest river in the world; we're rowing its length, from Lake Victoria in Uganda 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, and then post all distances rowed any time after the first of the month.  While you're at it, post how your sessions went.  We can all encourage each other to meet our goals.

Anyone is welcome to join, and everyone is welcome back, no matter how long they've been away.  If you've rowed with us before, welcome back.  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.

July Challenges

the_oarsman - Goal: 100 km - Rowed: 100 km

miss_bea - Goal: 15 km - Rowed: 13.5 km

maxx86 - Goal: 30 km - Rowed: 30 km

mg4820 - Goal: 15 km - Rowed: 30 km

Active Members:

the_oarsman - Total Rowed: 92 km

miss_bea - Total Rowed: 21 km

maxx86 - New member this month

mg4820 - New member this month

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 rowed by all rowers (not including this month): 263 km

Distance of Nile River: 6650 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'm in for 15 this time around.

Original Post by apophenia:

I'm in for 15 this time around.

Welcome back.  15 km it is.

Away from home for the long weekend.  No rower.  No rowing.  This is not a good thing.

I'm in...let's try for 30km this time.

Well....7 km this morning.  Came back to the rower this evening and the monitor stopped working.  That really really sucks.  I'll have to call the manufacturer tomorrow to see what to do to fix it.  No rowing until that gets fixed.

Not sure if the distance is correct...but it says 1.5km in 12 minutes.

1.5 / 30 ll 28.5 to goal

I'm in for 30k as well.

I can't run for a bit because my shin splints came back...to my dismay erging is one of the few things I can do without pain (and by that I mean it doesn't hurt my shin, it just makes me sore everywhere else ;))  The last time I erged more than 1 day a month was in 2005 when I rowed in college so this could get interesting!

So far I've done 2.8k

I'm in - but I need to get the computer fixed on my rowing machine.  Hopefully it just needs new batteries. 

I pulled it out of storage about a month ago and have been using it 2-3 times a week. I have worked my way up to 40 minutes, but I have no idea how "far" I've gone. I do know I've lost 10 lbs! 

1500 m - 2:11.3 split

500 m - 2:03.6 split

After that second 500 m piece I felt like I could erg no more, so I guess a 2k is my max at these splits right now...I'd like to build up how long I can keep these splits

Has anyone found that steady state rowing at slower rates helps improve your splits on shorter pieces?  

4.8 k total

Original Post by miss_bea:

Not sure if the distance is correct...but it says 1.5km in 12 minutes.

1.5 / 30 ll 28.5 to goal

Welcome back miss bea.  I have you down for 30 km.  We all really need to fix our monitors don't we?

Original Post by maxx86:

I'm in for 30k as well.

I can't run for a bit because my shin splints came back...to my dismay erging is one of the few things I can do without pain (and by that I mean it doesn't hurt my shin, it just makes me sore everywhere else ;))  The last time I erged more than 1 day a month was in 2005 when I rowed in college so this could get interesting!

So far I've done 2.8k

Running is a tough business on the body.  You're far better off rowing in any case; you get an upper body workout as well.  I have you down for 30 km.  Welcome to the rower's challenge.  It is nice to meet you.

Original Post by maxx86:

1500 m - 2:11.3 split

500 m - 2:03.6 split

After that second 500 m piece I felt like I could erg no more, so I guess a 2k is my max at these splits right now...I'd like to build up how long I can keep these splits

Has anyone found that steady state rowing at slower rates helps improve your splits on shorter pieces?  

4.8 k total

Those are fast splits.  Good for you.  I think that slower rowing builds the necessary muscles, which in turn helps when you row faster.

I like to combine slow with fast.  I'll row long distances at low stroke rates one session, followed by short and fast the next session.  I also like to change things up during a single session, so I'll row at a low rate with short "sprints" mixed in.

Are you on a home rower?  Which model are you using?

Original Post by mg4820:

I'm in - but I need to get the computer fixed on my rowing machine.  Hopefully it just needs new batteries. 

I pulled it out of storage about a month ago and have been using it 2-3 times a week. I have worked my way up to 40 minutes, but I have no idea how "far" I've gone. I do know I've lost 10 lbs! 

Welcome.  It's nice to meet you.  No worries about your monitor.  If you want to join right away and your monitor isn't working, then you can go for a timing challenge.  Decide on how many minutes (hours) you want to try to row, and we can measure your progress that way.  10 lbs weight loss is awesome.  Keep at it!

miss bea (my wife) and I have a home rower and our monitor isn't working correctly either.  I think that times/distances are correct, but it may be necessary for us to switch to a timing challenge as well.  I'm going to try to fix it this weekend.

2000 m - 2:14.0 split

600 m - 2:24.3 split

7.4 k total so far!

I took a break after the 2k and tried to lower my stroke rating and slow down, but this is really as low as I could get...maybe I was all hyped up after the 2k.  I felt completed exhausted after this but then was able to do another 40 minutes of cardio on the bike/elliptical so it must be that my rowing muscles are not conditioned.

I'm rowing on an erg at the ymca I go to everyday.  It's a Concept II PM3.  I used to erg on PM2s at school and this one is not much different.

I put new batteries in the monitor and now I can track my distance!  I will be on vacation in less than 2 weeks and won't have access to the rowing machine. I will go for the  15 km challenge starting  with today. 

7/9  -- 3.8 km

Yay for batteries!  I don't think I would ever be able to erg if I could see my splits, I would drive myself insane!

3k today...2:26.3 split

10.4 k total

7/12 -- 3.8 km

7.6 total

Original Post by maxx86:

2000 m - 2:14.0 split

600 m - 2:24.3 split

7.4 k total so far!

I took a break after the 2k and tried to lower my stroke rating and slow down, but this is really as low as I could get...maybe I was all hyped up after the 2k.  I felt completed exhausted after this but then was able to do another 40 minutes of cardio on the bike/elliptical so it must be that my rowing muscles are not conditioned.

I'm rowing on an erg at the ymca I go to everyday.  It's a Concept II PM3.  I used to erg on PM2s at school and this one is not much different.

Being exhausted is what it's all about.  It's a good thing, and it shows you just how different and difficult rowing really is; you went another 40 minutes on the other cardio machines.  Do you happen to know what your stroke rates are, approximately?

Keep up the great work.  It's time for me to get back to it.  I basically took 2 weeks off and feel the need to row again.

Original Post by mg4820:

I put new batteries in the monitor and now I can track my distance!  I will be on vacation in less than 2 weeks and won't have access to the rowing machine. I will go for the  15 km challenge starting  with today. 

7/9  -- 3.8 km

That's excellent.  Just go as much as you can.  It's your first month at the challenge.  You'll have many more opportunities to increase the distances in the future, if that's what you will want to do.

Original Post by maxx86:

Yay for batteries!  I don't think I would ever be able to erg if I could see my splits, I would drive myself insane!

3k today...2:26.3 split

10.4 k total

Excellent.  You're going to get to the goal in no time.