Charity Marathon Row - 28th October - Photos now in

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:11 pm

Hi Paul
spoke to one or two people at work and they are willing to sponsor me for this cause so looks like I can raise a few more quid.
Well done on the 2nd 30k - the main thing is to get through them at approximately marathon pace.
I am intending to do one more 30k - probably this weekend. I will also rest for a full 48 hours before the marathon.

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:46 pm

How on earth did you manage to chew a PowerBar during a 30k Paul? Those things take about 100 calories just to chew! Also, they require a lot of fluid at the same time, which probably makes them a pain during a timed event...

PSims · Post by **PSims** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:37 pm

I ate it beforehand in the car on the drive in!
Which is why I reckon I didn't do so well.
On top of porridge as well!

And I tried calorie drinks instead of water.

Too many calories - couldn't get started.

Body didn't like it much.

Still haven't got it figured out....

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:54 pm

What do you mean by calorie drinks? Should be taking on Isontonic fluids only before and during distance rowing. Anything with protein in is going to do you NO favours at all. Also, make sure the isotonic solution is on the weaker side of what is recommended (and you'll need the water anyway) - too strong a sugar solution will bring on the infamous runner's trots...

jainser · Post by **jainser** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 5:06 pm

PSims wrote:I ate it beforehand in the car on the drive in!
Which is why I reckon I didn't do so well.
On top of porridge as well!

And I tried calorie drinks instead of water.

Too many calories - couldn't get started.

Body didn't like it much.

Still haven't got it figured out....

Too many calories - NEVER. Beer has too many calories in it but I can never have enough of that

On a serious note though I have never tried training with enery bars etc I always thought it was a lot of hype. Know they worked but not to such great effect.
Do you think it could be a 'blue smartie' sort of thing??
I know that (with me at least) a lot of my rowing is in my head. Noticed it most on my recent 10k attempt, hit a mental block about 3 qrts into it but when I relised I was going to make it I turned up the juice and really hit the last few k with gusto!
Or these could just be the ramblings of an ill advised orge who is clearly in over his head

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:31 am

Anyone else planning on joining us on our quest from around the world??

jainser · Post by **jainser** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:19 pm

I am going to do my very best to come along a cheer you guys on.

plummy · Post by **plummy** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:22 pm

Although I can't join you (to far away, wife's away and my daughter has had a long standing party booked), I do intend (at the moment anyway) to attempt a sub 3hr marathon starting around 11.00am or maybe a little earlier. Knowing that you guys are doing this for a good cause at the same time (and I have sponsored Mr Sims) will encourage me to finish.

Additionally, if I can get my distances right between now and then, I intend to pass 1 million metres for the season towards the end of the marathon

PSims · Post by **PSims** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:00 pm

Hey Plummy!

Thanks for your support.
Doesn't matter if you are elsewhere...you are there in (free) spirit!

I won't be aiming for sub 3 hours - just to finish is my goal as iot's my first one.

Did 30k with average split of 2:07.4 today - don't know that I could sustain that for a further hour!

Thank you for the sponsorship - really appreciated.
So you will have pain in your wallet and your butt!!!

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:02 pm

About to get on and do my 30k test. Not looking forward to this...

PSims · Post by **PSims** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 4:27 pm

Good luck. We reckon on giving you 30 mins start if you are planning to do 50k...or have you changed your mind?

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 4:39 pm

30k test completed. Except I accidentally did 42195m instead. Ooops.

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:53 pm

Have just remembered that the marathon is slap bang in the middle of Tamsin and my anniversary weekend away without the kids.

Er, nno way I will be able to be there in person.

Good luck chaps.

deerworrier · Post by **deerworrier** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:09 pm

be thinking of you, i am rowing mine on the sunday at fitness first in inverness. i decided to do one in the summer and am now obliged to as people have given me money for it. i am rowing for sense scotland, they provide nursing and assistance for ppl with brain trauma and mental/physical disabilities. just did 2hrs tonight and covered 26.5k so should be done around the 3hr 15 min mark.

good luck to all:)

p.s i am in the early stages if putting a team together to row the full length of the cally fault (look up caledonian canal) its 100k and takes in the famous neptunes staircase, loch ness and the muirtown lock at the end, if anyone fancies a go or knows of ppl i should get in touch with regarding supply of boat or sponsership feel free to pm me.

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:26 pm

Best of luck DeerWorrier. See the piece on the Racing and Training forum for latest marathon tips.

As for the 100k. Hmmmm, Tempting. If the timing is right and I can fit it in, may be tempted to have a go at the whole way for you. Have to try that sometime I suppose

(On the erg I mean).

Would love to do the actual full distance in a real boat (now that would be an AWESOME experience), but can imagine that the logistics of that could be tough to sort out. Have rowed the Cam-marathon a couple of times at 32 miles and that is a LONG way.

That said, if it's going to be done, Free Spirits are the people to have a go....

Would we need permission from Nessie???

TomB · Post by **TomB** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 1:43 pm

I just completed my first FM in 3.19.44.8!!!! I intended to do a 30k test but set the PM3 for 42195 just in case.... Despite several stops for drinks, energy bars etc. I made it and I am feeling OK - at least for the moment. I endured some serious butt pain at times but it always seemed to pass. My intention was to maintain a 2.15.0 but that was too ambitious but I remembered the advice of many on the forum that the aim of the first FM is not the time, but to finish. Definitely calls for a celebration tonight!

deerworrier · Post by **deerworrier** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 3:59 pm

nicely done mate, congrates and enjoy a beer or three tonight

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:11 pm

Well done Tom - welcome to the Marathoner's club!

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:45 pm

Well done Tom - that first marathon finish is always special

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:07 pm

Sounds like both my marathons. "2:15" and "too ambitious" chimed with me. And both my marathons were 3:19 too!

PSims · Post by **PSims** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 7:17 pm

Well done Tom.

Getting nervous now - 6 days to go until my first...should be a CRACKING event!

Paul Victory · Post by **Paul Victory** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:35 pm

If everything goes well this week, I'm planning to give the marathon a go next Saturday.

I would welcome suggestions on damper setting. The erg in my gym has a drag factor of 160 at damper setting 10 and I tend to do most of my training at this setting.

Given that I found the second half of my first ever two hour session last Friday very tough (at setting 10), would I be better off changing the setting to (say) 6 or 8?

I think I read somewhere that you are not allowed to change damper setting during a race. Does this prohibition also apply to attempting a marathon? If not, I think I may start at setting 10 and reduce gradually as I get more tired. Has anyone tried this and (more importantly) does it work?

Paul

PSims · Post by **PSims** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:23 pm

Hi Paul,

As I said, I use 140 - which is the maximum recommended by Concept2 for men - if you look up damper settings it is well explained.

You will find it heavy at 160 after an hour or so...too much drag.
Think of gears on a bike - it's like trying to do the whole lot in top gear.

You cannot change damper settings for any row that you intend to record on the rankings - and I think doing so wouldn't give any advantage unless you were really sure of yourself.

As you are used to 160, experiment with 140, 150 this week - see if you find a setting you like better. otherwise go with what you know best....and feel most comfortable with.

Good luck - we will be thinking of you at the same time.

plummy · Post by **plummy** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:11 pm

OK, that's 8197m done today, leaving me 42195m to hit my first million this season (which will be 150k more than I did in the calender year 2005!).

All being well and subject to me not collapsing/feinting/bottling it, the 42195 will be done Saturday am/pm with all the other pain lovers. Still targeting just sub 3 hrs but will try and convince myself it's better to finish it slower than blow up half way

Plasters/ towels/drinks bottles/Ipod/seatpad/ someone to shout abuse at me when the going gets tough AND new Free Spirits T-shirts - all at the ready

Wish me luck
Plummy

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:36 pm

Hi Plummy - great to know you will be with us and good luck with going for the sub 3 hours. I am hoping for sub 3 hours 10 and everything points to me succeeding but I am still absolutely bricking it. Still there is nothing else I can do now to prepare for it as I have done my last row until Saturday. I will however ensure that I drink plenty of water between now and then to make sure I am well hydrated.
Good luck to us all

Charity Marathon Row - 28th October - Photos now in

To eat or not to eat

Re: To eat or not to eat

Thank you!

50k or 42k

sharing the pain

Charity Marathon Row - 28th October

Eek!

Hmmm