/\ October \/ 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.

October Challenges

the_oarsman - Goal: 50 km - Rowed: 11 km

maxx86 - Rowed: 6 km

mg4820 - Goal: 30 km - Rowed: 8.7 km

Active Members

the_oarsman - Total Rowed: 287 km

maxx86 - Total Rowed: 97 km

mg4820 - Total Rowed: 38 km

Retired Members

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

miss_bea - Total Rowed: 52 km

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): 723 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.

Well, September was a dud of a month for rowing.  The move to a new apartment in a new town was challenging.  The rower not working right was horrible.

But this is a new month and a new beginning.  The rowing is still acting up but it seems to be working for now.

I'll take it slowly this month and see how things go.

I'm considering last month a failure in the rowing department. 

I'm not sure what to do for October...I'm taking boxing classes and after my first class in September I couldn't even look at an erg for a solid 5 days, nor could I do a crunch without curling up in pain.

So I think I'm going to skip the goal and just post distances to keep track of what I do manage this month!

No worries maxx.  Post whenever you can.  Boxing eh?  I suppose the guys had better start worrying about how they treat you.

10/1 - 3.5 km

It's good to get back to it, but it feels like I'm trying to row through mud.  two months away from exercising and I feel like crap

Original Post by the_oarsman:

No worries maxx.  Post whenever you can.  Boxing eh?  I suppose the guys had better start worrying about how they treat you.

 

Yea, the people using Zippy when I actually want to erg better watch out too 

Original Post by maxx86:

Original Post by the_oarsman:

No worries maxx.  Post whenever you can.  Boxing eh?  I suppose the guys had better start worrying about how they treat you.

 

Yea, the people using Zippy when I actually want to erg better watch out too 

Just walk up to them and knock them in the head.  Better yet, a left jab followed by a quick right upper-cut.  That will vacate Zippy for you.

Oh, and as they're getting back up off the ground and you're settling in for your row, thank them for letting you use the rower.

Hi guys - 

I am back in.  I don't know how many km's I should aim for, but I'm thinking 30. 

The weather is turning cool and rainy so I doubt I'll be on my bike much longer, so I think I'll row a bit more.  Last month was pathetic, so I need to be more motivated!

Original Post by mg4820:

Hi guys - 

I am back in.  I don't know how many km's I should aim for, but I'm thinking 30. 

The weather is turning cool and rainy so I doubt I'll be on my bike much longer, so I think I'll row a bit more.  Last month was pathetic, so I need to be more motivated!

Welcome back mg.  Last month was pretty horrible for everyone.  I'm not sure what that was about, but let's try to get back into the swing of things this month.

3k yesterday!  gooooo me!  Shocking, but I actually pulled a decent split (2:18). 

Bad news is I did something awful to my knee.  Not sure if it was erging or running, but by the time I left the gym yesterday the top of my knee was numb...and it still is.  It may or may not be a little puffy, but it doesn't hurt at all.  It just feels like a got some local anethetic injected or something; feels just like my mouth felt when I got teeth pulled at the dentist.  I've been poking it with sharp things all morning hoping for some feeling but no...nothing.  Luckily it hasn't spread...it just feels real weird. BOO.

And welcome back mg!

Original Post by maxx86:

3k yesterday!  gooooo me!  Shocking, but I actually pulled a decent split (2:18). 

Bad news is I did something awful to my knee.  Not sure if it was erging or running, but by the time I left the gym yesterday the top of my knee was numb...and it still is.  It may or may not be a little puffy, but it doesn't hurt at all.  It just feels like a got some local anethetic injected or something; feels just like my mouth felt when I got teeth pulled at the dentist.  I've been poking it with sharp things all morning hoping for some feeling but no...nothing.  Luckily it hasn't spread...it just feels real weird. BOO.

And welcome back mg!

It sounds like to pinched a nerve.  Uhm...you may want to reconsider the "poke-with-a-sharp-implement" treatment.  You may start to feel it when feeling comes back.

The lower part of my thigh, right over my knee has been numb for years; can't feel a darned thing in a fairly large area.  I know how you feel.

10/12 - 2.5 km - 6 km total.

Trying to get back into the grove. 4.2 km yesterday.

Hope to start making this a habit again.  The weather has been less than desirable, so I don't think I'll be out on the bike this week. 

Looking forward to reading all of your progress!  

Maxx -- bummer re: your injury.  I'd still ice and elevate to reduce swelling, even if there is no pain. An anti-inflammatory might be good too. 

Original Post by mg4820:

Trying to get back into the grove. 4.2 km yesterday.

Hope to start making this a habit again.  The weather has been less than desirable, so I don't think I'll be out on the bike this week. 

Looking forward to reading all of your progress!  

Maxx -- bummer re: your injury.  I'd still ice and elevate to reduce swelling, even if there is no pain. An anti-inflammatory might be good too. 

 

Getting back into this is proving to be a really difficult thing for me.  I've stopped walking and rowing.   Nice work with the 4.2 k, I know how difficult it is to get back.

4.5 km today. I am really slow, the more I try to focus on having faster splits the worse they become!  My husband decides to give the rower a try and gets faster splits than I could ever do. I guess I am just going to have to try to be the tortoise in this trip down the nile...

Original Post by mg4820:

4.5 km today. I am really slow, the more I try to focus on having faster splits the worse they become!  My husband decides to give the rower a try and gets faster splits than I could ever do. I guess I am just going to have to try to be the tortoise in this trip down the nile...

What's your stroke rate?  How many strokes per minute are you doing?

In rowing, sometimes slowing down actually speeds you up.  What I mean is that sometimes if you lower your strokes per minute it will feel that you are rowing slower, but in fact your splits may get better.

Does your rower measure the strokes per minute as well as splits?

End of the month and I'm back to rowing.  Oh well.  Better to row a little then none at all.

10/30 - 5K @ 25:22

Total: 11K

Ok, so now how do i join this great adventure?  I am going to be starting the concept 2 3 week winter training program on Nov 1st and then i may get crazy and try the holliday challange.....So how do I row the nile??? Holly

Hi Follyhox,

Welcome to our rowing club.  The rules are easy.  You row then post your distance.  While you're at it, post how your session went and anything else that you want to share.  We all try to keep each other motivated and chat about anything and everything.

At the start of the month we set goals for ourselves, but sometimes, like this month, the goal is really just something to think about.  I personally have had a tough time getting back on the rower after a recent move to a new place.

If you want to join in, just post your goal, and I'll add you to next month's challenge.

I guess my goal is going to row at least 5000 meteres a day till Thanksgiving , and then to join the Holiday challange on the concept 2 site.  For the next 3 weeks I am doing to attempt the 3 week winter training plan. Plus I row on the water on the weekends.  Do I need to figure out mileage?  Holly

Original Post by follyhox:

I guess my goal is going to row at least 5000 meteres a day till Thanksgiving , and then to join the Holiday challange on the concept 2 site.  For the next 3 weeks I am doing to attempt the 3 week winter training plan. Plus I row on the water on the weekends.  Do I need to figure out mileage?  Holly

That all sounds like some wonderful workout sessions.  The 5000 m until Thanksgiving should be about 120 km.  I don't know aobut the winter training plan nor about the on-water rowing.  Why don't I put you down for 150 km for November and see how that goes.  Does that sound okay to you?

You are more than welcome to add the on-water rowing if you know how far you've rowed.  A good estimate will be fine too.

I'll have the November challenge up soon; maybe this month I'll actually get some decent rowing done.  Until then you can post your results here. Happy rowing.