Rowing Marathon Success
Posted by Wyatt Earp , Monday, April 18, 2005 8:45 pm
Well I've done it - completed a rowing marathon at last. Preparation started just before Christmas and the event finished in line with the London Marathon yesterday. As it happened I was on duty on Saturday night and didn't get home until 10 to 9. A quick change, log on to my computers and start my warm up so that I would be ready for 09:35 which leaves 10 mins for internet chat with my fellow rowers and then a start time of 09:45. In the event, the online software failed us for a while and it took 4 attempst to get us going. We eventually started some 25 mins after our scheduled start. Still never mind.
There was lots going on in the house, I had 3 sets of neighbours pop in to give their support and 3 sets of friends who joined us online in our Yahoo Chat Room complete with Webcam. Sandra was in charge of this - and I think she was just as stressed about that as I was about the marathon. anyway, once we were underway, it was OK. For the first hour I was determined to keep my heartrate below 150 - and this I did. Also in the first hour one of my fellow rowers kept the same pace so we were side by side on my computer screen which was good to see. I took a pit stop at the hour mark to change the padding on my seat from Sandra's gel seat cover from her bike to a folded towell - just to give my bum a change. I also redid some of the sticking plaster that I had taped around my fingers to help protect against blisters.
The second hour went OK and I was a couple of minutes ahead of my projected finish. I did find it ever so hot, and was thankful to Sandra for her water spray and sponge to drench me in water. I ate and drank as practiced in my training sessions so that all went OK. I also had quite a few 'quick pauses' where I drank from a bigger bottle.
The third hour I was definitely slowing down and drinking more often, Sandra had to redo my laces on the move(!) (my laces are always coming undone) and the network connection to the 'Race server' was lost which meant I no longer could see the other rowers. Still my local software would record the event so no worries there.
As the end appraoched, all my neighbours were there and waving the flag - literally! I found the last 3000 meters hard but just kept going to the end. I would have liked to say that I sprinted to the finish, but the truth is that I just ambled across the finish line very pleased to have completed.
Anyway, I have done it. My target time was 3:08:00. I completed in 3:07:22.2 so am really really pleased. All I need to do now is to collect the sponsorship money - come on everyone, pay up please!!
Geoff
