/\ November \/ 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.

November Challenges

the_oarsman - Rowed: 13 km

maxx86 - Rowed: 14 km

miss_bea - Rowed: 2.5 km

dabrock - Rowed: 15 km

follyhox - Rowed: 47.24 km

juls88 - Rowed: 0 km

mg4820 - Rowed: 2.8 km

Active Members

the_oarsman - Total Rowed: 298 km

maxx86 - Total Rowed: 103 km

mg4820 - Total Rowed: 47 km

miss_bea - Total Rowed: 52 km

dabrock - Total Rowed: New Member

Retired Members

We encourage you to come out of retirement at any time.

tigerkno - Total Rowed: 98 km

ernst31 - 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): 749 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.

yay!

I'm baaaaack! Not sure how far I'll be able to row, so for now let's start with 30k.

11/03 - 1k - 29 to go!

Nice to see you again Maxx!

Original Post by maxx86:

yay!

Original Post by miss_bea:

I'm baaaaack! Not sure how far I'll be able to row, so for now let's start with 30k.

11/03 - 1k - 29 to go!

Nice to see you again Maxx!

WOOHOO!!!!  Finally!

Welcome back Mrs. Oarsman.

I'd be glad to contribute to this! I'm starting winter season soon- will my months of erging daily count?

Welcome to crew juls.  any rowing you do in the month of the challenge will count towards the goal.

This is the November challenge, so row away and let us know how far you've gone.  And, while you're at it, tell us about yourself.  We like new people and would like to get to know you.

I started today, kinda involuntarily because it was part of a crossfit/kettlebell workout, but I'll aim for at least 30km this month since I'm already underway and I could use a new activity in my routine.

Currently, 1.5km/30km.

Original Post by dabrock:

I started today, kinda involuntarily because it was part of a crossfit/kettlebell workout, but I'll aim for at least 30km this month since I'm already underway and I could use a new activity in my routine.

Currently, 1.5km/30km.

Welcome dabrock.  Have you ever rowed before?  If not, then I think that you'll find it a great exercise.

11/5 - 3 km.  Total: 3 km

I've rowed before in the past including a little on the water as well, which is a lot harder than it looks, especially if you don't want to keep swimming back to the dock. It is great exercise and at least the machines don't require knowledge of all the technical stuff.

Original Post by the_oarsman:

Original Post by miss_bea:

I'm baaaaack! Not sure how far I'll be able to row, so for now let's start with 30k.

11/03 - 1k - 29 to go!

Nice to see you again Maxx!

WOOHOO!!!!  Finally!

Welcome back Mrs. Oarsman.

It's sooo nice to be missed, you're my BFF Mr. Bea!!!  =D

Welcome to the crew juls88 and dabrock!

11/05 - 1.5k - 27.5 to go!

Original Post by miss_bea:

Original Post by the_oarsman:

Original Post by miss_bea:

I'm baaaaack! Not sure how far I'll be able to row, so for now let's start with 30k.

11/03 - 1k - 29 to go!

Nice to see you again Maxx!

WOOHOO!!!!  Finally!

Welcome back Mrs. Oarsman.

It's sooo nice to be missed, you're my BFF Mr. Bea!!!  =D

Welcome to the crew juls88 and dabrock!

11/05 - 1.5k - 27.5 to go!

1.5 it is.  Nice job.  Slow and steady wins the day.

Original Post by dabrock:

I've rowed before in the past including a little on the water as well, which is a lot harder than it looks, especially if you don't want to keep swimming back to the dock. It is great exercise and at least the machines don't require knowledge of all the technical stuff.

Just count the extra swim to the dock as cross-training

11/05 - 1.5KM

11/06 - 1.5KM

Gotta get to 30!

Original Post by dabrock:

11/05 - 1.5KM

11/06 - 1.5KM

Gotta get to 30!

That makes 3 km total, right?  From your post I'm not sure if the 11/05 entry you wrote is the same as the previous post or an additional row.

Either, you're doing great.  How do you like coming back to rowing?

Original Post by the_oarsman:

Original Post by dabrock:

11/05 - 1.5KM

11/06 - 1.5KM

Gotta get to 30!

That makes 3 km total, right?  From your post I'm not sure if the 11/05 entry you wrote is the same as the previous post or an additional row.

Either, you're doing great.  How do you like coming back to rowing?

Actually, 4.5KM total (1.5KM  each on the 4th, 5th and 6th) sorry I wasn't clearer on that.

It's fun getting back into it I just need to work on the specific endurance for those muscle groups, and increase the efficiencies and I'll be moving my distances up. Forearms where the only sore spot first couple days but they have adjusted.

11/7 - 6 km.  Total: 9 km

Jeez.  This is farther than I've rowed in months put together.  It feels good to get back to it.

Original Post by dabrock:

Actually, 4.5KM total (1.5KM  each on the 4th, 5th and 6th) sorry I wasn't clearer on that.

It's fun getting back into it I just need to work on the specific endurance for those muscle groups, and increase the efficiencies and I'll be moving my distances up. Forearms where the only sore spot first couple days but they have adjusted.

You may want to post your total for each session dabrock; that will allow you to be sure that I don't miss a post.

Take it slowly as you get back into it.  As you say, there are different muscle groups being worked, and they will need time to build.

2k yesterday - 5k total!

Original Post by maxx86:

2k yesterday - 5k total!

Nice work Maxx.  How are you finding the workouts?

As for me, I am great when I row, but getting motivated to do the work is troublesome.  I need to be about 30 years younger, methinks.