/\ 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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~

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.

7/29 morning - 5 km long, slow, and difficult - 80 km total || goal: 100 km / 20 km to go

Monday: 2k

Tuesday: 2k

Total 24.4 k ... 5.6k to go!

In other new, BBL got laid off on Monday!! Apparently her job was "redundant" and we're merging with another group.

Original Post by maxx86:

Monday: 2k

Tuesday: 2k

Total 24.4 k ... 5.6k to go!

In other new, BBL got laid off on Monday!! Apparently her job was "redundant" and we're merging with another group.

 5.6 km and 3 days.  It looks like you'll make it with no problems.

BBL was redundant was she?  Things happen fast don't they?  I hope it wasn't anything I said

Well, I s'pose you don't have to worry about her any more.

Is the merge a good thing for you?  Or are you worried about your job as well?

7/29 - 4.5 km

Miss  Bea  -- fabulous job on those crunches - wow!

I'll probably get one more day on the erg to complete the July challenge.  August will be spent on the bike and hiking. I'll try to do some canoeing to to keep the upper body going -- problem is I can't steer!

I will look for a Sept. challenge. I will be starting from scratch again, but I'll probably aim for 30 km in Sept. 

Original Post by mg4820:

7/29 - 4.5 km

Miss  Bea  -- fabulous job on those crunches - wow!

I'll probably get one more day on the erg to complete the July challenge.  August will be spent on the bike and hiking. I'll try to do some canoeing to to keep the upper body going -- problem is I can't steer!

I will look for a Sept. challenge. I will be starting from scratch again, but I'll probably aim for 30 km in Sept. 

You mean in August you'll be doing outside stuff?  Well, okay.  But we'll miss you.  Have fun and hurry back.  We'll leave the light on for you.

mg, you are leaving me here alone with these lovebirds?  Have fun with your outdoorsiness, and good luck with the canoeing!  I can't steer either, but that's not really what canoeing is all about (what it IS about, I do not know, but I doubt its steering).  I can't steer kayaks either.  This is why I rowed...someone else did the steering for me!

I don't really think the merge will affect me at all.  In fact, maybe I'll get more responsibilities and get to work full time, and get benefits, and an apartment.  Then again, I already got laid off once and rehired into the same position, so who knows how much they think they need me.

Oh! And the erg by the windows got fixed, so now I don't have to stare at sweaty people's butts. 

Original Post by maxx86:

mg, you are leaving me here alone with these lovebirds?  Have fun with your outdoorsiness, and good luck with the canoeing!  I can't steer either, but that's not really what canoeing is all about (what it IS about, I do not know, but I doubt its steering).  I can't steer kayaks either.  This is why I rowed...someone else did the steering for me!

I don't really think the merge will affect me at all.  In fact, maybe I'll get more responsibilities and get to work full time, and get benefits, and an apartment.  Then again, I already got laid off once and rehired into the same position, so who knows how much they think they need me.

Oh! And the erg by the windows got fixed, so now I don't have to stare at sweaty people's butts. 

In another forum we were called cute.  Now we're lovebirds.  Sheesh.   Miss Bea, we really have to do something about this terrible reputation we're getting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Canoeing is about nature, the great outdoors, fresh air, and relaxation...I can't deal with it, personally, but that's just me

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It sounds like the merge will definitely work in your favor.  Terrific.  Early congratulations assuming it all works out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, now, about those sweaty butts.  Have you got issues with staring at sweaty people's butts?  I can't imagine why.

Yesterday: It seems I can focus better next to the windows, I actually remember something aside from my distance!

2k - 2:22 split - 23 s/m

2k - 2:15 split - 23 s/m - I was very very determined to finish in 9 minutes.  I enjoy arbitrary (Determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle...I've always hated the word arbitary because it has so many definitions, but this is the only one I use...an arbitrary decision on my part) goals; it's the only way I get things done.

28.4 total... 1.6 to go!

And I was going to call you "married folk" but I didn't know if mg is married so I thought it might be confusing. 

I don't mind butts, just not sweaty butts.

7/30 - 8 km (this was at about 3:00am.  I have no clue what my splits were nor how long it took) - 88 km total || goal: 100 km / 12 km to go

Original Post by maxx86:

2k - 2:15 split - 23 s/m - I was very very determined to finish in 9 minutes.  I enjoy arbitrary (Determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle...I've always hated the word arbitary because it has so many definitions, but this is the only one I use...an arbitrary decision on my part) goals; it's the only way I get things done.

 “Be just and if you can't be just, be arbitrary.”  -- William S. Burroughs

Also, nice new pic of max, maxx.  It's maximally cute.

1.6 k yesterday! 30 k total! DONE!! 

Apparently I look like Max...thats where the name came from!

Good luck with your 12 km today  You can DOOOOOOO IT!!

Today was a day for cycling, perfect temperature, no wind, and  low humidity. I was able to get out early so the trails were not filled with leisure riders, roller bladers or tricycles. It was delightful, and my friends and I were able to log an easy 20 miles. Other than my friend losing control of her bike and crashing into me, it was perfect. I did see some rowers out on the river and I admit it looks tempting to try. 

But that erg was calling to me. It must know I am going to leaving it to gather dust again. Besides, 29 km was kind of bugging me, so I did a quick  1 km to make it an even 30 km for the month (OK, not quick compared to any of you).

I also uploaded a picture to give you an idea of what I will be attempting to steer and how much better the view is than that of sweaty folks at the gym. 

Maxx - I am married, and I have a small army of boys that keep me out of too much trouble. 

Oarsman - rowing at 3am? Sounds like there is a story there. Get those last 12 km in! Good luck!

I need to ice the goose egg on my elbow. I will check up on all of you in August and look for a rowing challenge for Sept.

Oohh mg I'm glad you had a good time this morning!

And you should look into rowing an real honest to goodness water.  It is a completely different experience from erging, and it can be sooooo peaceful.  During practice we used to watch the sun rise every day :)

And great job on reaching 30k! Double your goal - that is impressive!

Enjoy trying to steer your canoe and spending time in the great outdoors with your boys, and be sure to check in 

Original Post by mg4820:

Today was a day for cycling, perfect temperature, no wind, and  low humidity. I was able to get out early so the trails were not filled with leisure riders, roller bladers or tricycles. It was delightful, and my friends and I were able to log an easy 20 miles. Other than my friend losing control of her bike and crashing into me, it was perfect. I did see some rowers out on the river and I admit it looks tempting to try. 

But that erg was calling to me. It must know I am going to leaving it to gather dust again. Besides, 29 km was kind of bugging me, so I did a quick  1 km to make it an even 30 km for the month (OK, not quick compared to any of you).

I also uploaded a picture to give you an idea of what I will be attempting to steer and how much better the view is than that of sweaty folks at the gym. 

Maxx - I am married, and I have a small army of boys that keep me out of too much trouble. 

Oarsman - rowing at 3am? Sounds like there is a story there. Get those last 12 km in! Good luck!

I need to ice the goose egg on my elbow. I will check up on all of you in August and look for a rowing challenge for Sept.

 

30 km is fantastic mg. Congratulations.  The bike ride sounds like fun (except where your friend lost control of herself, and of her bike, then crashed into you and you fell off your bike, and you hurt your elbow).

The lake looks absolutely wonderful.  Seems like a perfect place to scull

Actually, on the night to which you are referring I rowed at 1:30am, I miswrote the post.  I usually row at about 3:30 am before getting ready for work.  So, no, I'm afraid there's no story.  Though I suppose it would have been more interesting to make something up.  I'll have to think of something more interesting

Have a great August.  We'll all still be here in September when you come back.

Hey guys,

I thought about this as I was rowing just now.  I thought it would be fun to turn these monthly challenges into a long term challenge.  What do you think about collectively rowing down the Nile river?  I've added some overall totals at the top of the thread.  The challenges started in June, and I have the total distance rowed by everyone since then (including some who dropped off last month and never returned).

7/31 morning - 8 km

7/31 night - 4 km

Total 12 km which brings me to 100 km.  Okay, so I cheated a little.  The 7/31 night row was officially at about 2 am (8/1), but I'm counting it as 7/31 since the sun hasn't risen yet

August Challenge is posted.  Come one, come all.

7/31 - 2km + 100 crunches - 18 minutes

13.5 / 15 ll 1.5 to goal I almost made it!

Original Post by miss_bea:

7/31 - 2km + 100 crunches - 18 minutes

13.5 / 15 ll 1.5 to goal I almost made it!

No worries.  With July being what it was, you did good.