December ctc: Team Firt decided for a Happy FIRTmas ! 30s-40s-50s-60s-50s-40s-30s with equal rest time

[Paul Victory]

Not wanting to miss out on this challenge, I decided to have a go at it today. Plan was to target 1:40 pace or thereabouts and slow down if necessary in order to complete the challenge.

I found it a bit of a struggle but managed to get close to my 1:40 target overall, finishing with 1494m @ 1:40.4 pace. If my back doesn't react badly to today's efforts (see the injuries thread), I may have another go before month end.

Paul V

[JonT]

Not wanting to miss out on this challenge, I decided to have a go at it today. Plan was to target 1:40 pace or thereabouts and slow down if necessary in order to complete the challenge.

I found it a bit of a struggle but managed to get close to my 1:40 target overall, finishing with 1494m @ 1:40.4 pace. If my back doesn't react badly to today's efforts (see the injuries thread), I may have another go before month end

Given how little you've been able to row, that's an impressive time Paul. Hopefully not too many aches in the morning. =D>

[Paul Victory]

Thanks Jon. Having a glass (or two) of wine now, so hopefully that will relax my back muscles and forestall any reaction to today's efforts.

[Paul Victory]

Doing the CTC yesterday probably wasn't the wisest thing I've done all year. My back is quite sore today and I'm getting shooting pains down my right hamstring. I don't think I'll be having another go, but I might attempt the IRL in a few days if my back is better.

Paul V

[JonT]

I'm focussing on 4 min intervals instead. Can't think why

[plummy]

Paul - how many times are you going to be your own worst enemy? Kudos for having a go but I think you need to ease right off erging at any pace for a while as it's not worth long term or even permanent injury to get a score on the board for the team.

Why not look to rent a Wattbike for a while and take the strain off your back?

[Paul Victory]

Fair point Plummy. I actually avoided doing any mad acceleration yesterday, but I probably should have taken things a bit easier (or maybe not even done the challenge - how there's a thought ).

My back is fine now, but I won't be doing any erging for a couple of days and will then do the IRL at somewhere around 2:05 pace, which should be achievable without putting too much strain on my back.

I'll probably do next month's CTC and IRL early in the month before I see the specialist, just in case he tells me to stop rowing altogether. Then again, maybe I should wait until after I've spoken to him?

[Paul Victory]

The lovely Jennifer did the challenge today and we now have 5 boats floating!

[Kirstin]

Got mine done today. If we can find just one more person to give it a go we can get that last boat floated. There is already a female and a lightweight in that boat so anybody could do it.

[CamiCrew]

Whew - thankful it was a short and sweet CTC. December became a lost cause (3 weeks on a federal trial jury, then a week of family in town for christmas) -- I have a few resolutions built up and hanging over me for the new year...

Goodbye 2016, onward...