Free Spirits Rowing

Being a newbie who's just starting, I see all the results pretty motivating for me.

your are right Gary, not sure how I missed Jurgen's update.
Well done Jurgen, very impressive!

Thank you both for your kind words.

Crazy Bear Challenge is over and I went completely nuts with it. Mind over body works but is not always the best choice. But first the results of the last 45 days. 30 HM were required, I did 45. Here are the results:

1x 1:25:xx
5x 1:26:xx
6x 1:27:xx
16x 1:28:xx
17x 1:29:xx

That is an average of 1:28:36 and I'm pleased with that.

The bad thing about the last 45 days is the fact that rowing a HM at 4am is just brutal. Last week in particular I lost the will to row altogether. Entered zombie mode and just rowed although I hated it. My (upper) back has become really tense and my body is really tired all the time. I think I reached the point where I have to admit that I can't go on like that.

5m meters is the goal for this seasons. I'm under the delusion that 6m are within reach. Right now I have to adjust or my back will prevent me from doing any rowing at all. At least I'm pretty sure of that. So, for the last 3 days I did some Skierging after the HM. Yesterday I was already up to 30 min on the Skierg. The plan is, to bring that up to 1 hour and then alternate rowing and Skiering. But then I woke up this morning with massive pain in my lower back. Not sure if it is from the Skierg or because I lay in a really bad position on the sofa last evening.

So, I'm a bit depressed right now and have no idea what the next days will bring. One thing for sure, I will go real slow.

Sorry to hear of your pains Jurgie. All those HMs at that pace is an awesome achievement, but listening to your back is essential (advice I could do with listening to as well).

Well Juergen, that is really crazy!!

Very impressive, but I think a word from your native language fits better: “bekloppt”

But as you write earlier: It takes one to spot one!

Take care of you body!

45 half marathons in 45 days is an amazing achievement, well done. As everyone has said, look after your back. I'm no expert but my advice is find a good physio or chiropractor, mine works miracles .

Thank you for all the good whishes! Lower back is not feeling too good. I really have trouble standing straight. Slow rowing is ok and does not seem to make it worse. I'm pretty sure it is sciatic problems. Taking some meds which make the pain bearable. Good news is that it seems to get better a little bit every day. One more day of work and I will have time for some extensive saune therapy

@Tako: If you know this word, your German must be pretty impressive!

@Max: I treat myself to a massage every week. But my therapist is on vacation over the holidays I have to wait another week before she can hopefully fix the problem.

The rise and fall of an ambitious rower.

I guess that sums up my season so far. All was going well up until Christmas when the back problems started. Switching to an alternating schedule with rowing and the SkiErg helped with my lower back which is back to normal again. But the tension and slight pain just between the shoulder blades persists.

So, time for more adjustments. I have been wanting to get a BikeErg since it was available. And I guess now is the perfect time and I have a reason to justify the investment. It will arrive next week.

The new schedule will then look like this:
Monday: 1 hour BikeErg
Tuesday: 1 hour rowing
Wednesday: 1 hour SkiErg
Thursday: 1 hour rowing
Friday 1 hour BikeErg
Saturday: HM rowing
Sunday: HM SkiErg

I will try that for a few weeks and hope that 2 days a week with doing very little with the upper body will give my back enough rest.

Good luck Juergen, and whatever happens, 2018 was an amazing year for you.
Keep up with those back massages!

Thanks, Wolfie. Yep, the massages are the highlight of my week. I‘m pretty sure that my back would be much worse without them.

Tomorrow will be the first BikeErg day. I‘m pretty excited.

Figures. First training on the BikeErg and I broke it:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uqi0fvtwjrmd1 ... g.mp4?dl=0

Well, all the rowing this season. Lot of strength in my legs. Yep, that must be the reason
Curious what support at concept will tell me. Can I fix it by myself or will I need replacement?

Ouch. I'd hope you'll get decent support from Concept.

Fortunately, I was able to repair it with instructions from concept support. Turns out, there is a ‚secret‘ screw. Once it is tightend the noise goes away. Fist shake at concept: this information must be included in the manual!

After 3 rides now, I really like the BikeErg. Very demanding, but only for the lower body. Very good cardio workout.

Glad it's corrected, but it is odd that such information is 'withheld'.

Juergie wrote:...
After 3 rides now, I really like the BikeErg. Very demanding, but only for the lower body. Very good cardio workout.

Jürgen, according to the meterboard you have not been using your rowing machine lately.
Is it due to your new love for the BikeErg?? Hopefully not due to injury!!

No, a stupid but serious cold is the reason. Fever is already gone but I still have trouble breathing. Maybe I will try some easy workout tomorrow.

I'm so frustrated. After all I've been through this season, it is a simple cold that might be the reason I won't achieve my goals. But, that's life. Thanks for noticing my absence, Tako, that lifts my spirits a little.

Gute Besserung!

I hope you will reach your goals despite the cold!

Tusen takk!