Go for it Carla, you are ready for it now that you have the 'power' of AVE PACE in your posession !

Your 5th place for 40-49 W 10K gives you 'Awesome Taff' status (i.e. being in the top 10% in a caegory for one's age class worldwide) and should provide sufficient inspiration if the 60 min piece gets a little tough. 'Taff Legend' status awaits you ! (ie the No. 1 position in a category in one's age class worldwide).

I've just done a couple of 5K's at the gym to get ahead Carla, only to see that you will really be piling on the K's tomorrow. Ah well, it's back to the gym for me I guess

All the best for the BIG row

Martin

Congrats on the 14K Niall, did you do the extra 80 secs to achieve a 60 min SB ?

Martin,

I did consider doing an extra 80 seconds for a 60-minute SB but figured I'd leave that challenge for another day. I know I could have rowed for another 80 seconds but was just happy to have completed the 14K.

Mind you, the rate that you and Carla are knocking out these metres, our mini challenge is looking harder for me to achieve right now. I just can't get that gap between your combinded distances and mine to less than 100K!! At this rate I'm going to have to start putting in mental sessions like Speedy!

Carla's to blame for the 100K gap not narrowing Niall - she's really pumping out quality K's, I'm just tagging along and hanging in there !

Just been watching some inspirational highlights from the Para-olympics in Athens, including the feats of athletes with Celebral Palsy, made me think of your friend's daughter. Can you tell us a bit more about your 1 Million Metre row for charity ?

Great willpower not to do the 60 mins and save it for another time - you are a stronger man than me !

Martin

Some motivational thoughts Carla -

1) Feel the energy of combined well wishes from your Taff team mates urging you along throughout the row !!!!!

2) Think of the pleasure of writing an "I DID IT" post afterwards !!!!

3) Think of the post if you don't !!!!!

Martin

Warning: This is an insufferably boastful post!!!!!!

I DID IT!

Just made my first million with a PB 60 min row....I couldn't hold 2:08, I kept going harder, and worrying that I would run out of juice, but no matter how I tried to settle down a bit it crept down and down and I ended up avg 2:06.9, 23 spm, 14183 meters, 975 Nonathlon points...can't rank it until Denah gives me the code for it..I think it is #1 but I haven't even looked yet. The ranking pages are working really dreadfully slowly today for some reason.

It felt fine, except when my Flashdance CD ended and I had some dreary Bach cello suites playing for a while until my daughter rescued men and put the fast music back on. Only the last 2 minutes were really hard because I went down to 2:05.6 (24 spm) and 2:01.8 (26 spm) to finish up. I kept finding myself trying to stay on 10 MPS by watching the seconds on the countdown clock, as if they were meters, which was silly.

YESSSSSS! Time for some serious chocolate!
And to pick a picture for my million meter avatar!

Carla

Sensational Carla, you really 'walked (rowed) the talk' Yes, you are #1 in your age class, well ahead of Carole Mcnally ( the only other person to do 14K+ at 14007). I notice she is #1 in the 10K category - but not for long I suspect !!

Enjoy a well earned rest now and let me catch up !

Congrats

Martin

Hi Martin--

Thanks.

Yes, I am going to take a few days off, and do some light days. The Achilles is a bit tender. But I also have a pops concert to play on Sunday; that means 2 eternal rehearsals and countless hours of practice at home on the hard bits. So I am sure you will catch up and pass me by quite a bit.

Just for fun I checked out my meters against all women (all ages & weights) and I come out #4. Then I looked to see where I would come in if I were a lightweight guy--just below the 50th percentile.

I think a lot of the very serious rowers are on the water right now--Mary Perrot comes to mind, and she's 45, I think--so I probably won't stay up there too long. But it's fun while it lasts!

Thinking of all you Taffs knowing about the trial was very motivational! Try posting your plan ahead sometime. There's nothing like having a publicly set goal!

Carla

WAY TO GO CARLA!!!

I woke with much anticipation this morning and couldn't wait to log on and see how you'd done. My heart rate increased slightly at the expectation when I saw your name as the last poster on the thread. Did she or didn't she, I thought. I had to know, I had to find out. I hurriedly clicked on the hyperlink and quickly scrolled down the page looking for your posting.

The headline jumped out at me "I DID IT!" followed by a wave of pride rushing over me, "YES!!!".

Absolutely FANTASTIC! You certainly know how to do things in style. Not only a PB, not only completing 1 Million Metres, but (yet to be confirmed) a #1 for your age group. And I'm sure all those smileys on your posting cover all the emotions you experienced before, during and after your amazing row.

Time for a well earned rest (from rowing anyway!) Carla, you've done yourself proud!

Well done!!

Now about that Avater?! How about Wonder Woman!

Thanks thrice Niall

- for sharing on this forum your passion and commitment to improving the life of someone less fortunate than us (I'll send you an email soon). You are indeed a fine person.

- for (unknowingly) enlightening me as to the meaning of an 'avatar' . Now I see why some people posting on the forum have a picture under their logon name. This means they are a member of the Million Metre Club - right ?

- for brightening up this forum with a 'hot' photo . Hope Carla chooses it, I will then look out for her posts even more so !

Looks like Carla may be easing off on the K's over the next few days and I've got to fit in a final long (18K) training run soon before the HM (on 10th October) so you have a window of opportunity to reduce the 100K gap !

Cheers

Martin

Many thanks for the kind words Martin!

On teh subject of avatars, anyone can have one (not just those that have recorded a million metres). You simply need to:

1) Go into My Controls at the top of this page.
2) Click on the Edit Avatar Settings (it's one of the menu items listed on the left)
3) You can then choose from either a Pre-installed Avatar or find one on the Internet.
3a) For one of the Pre-installed Avatars, select the library you want to browse from the drop-down list and then click the Go button. This will display the avatars available. Select the one you like and then click on Use Selected Avatar.
3b) If you want one off the internet you'll need to either upload it (if it's already saved on your PC) or specify it's location (URL) if referring to it directly on the 'net.
4) You will be shown a preview of what your Avatar looks like so you can confirm you're happy with it.

Hope that helps.

Well I'm kinda glad you and Carla are going tohave a rest from the rowing for purely selfish reasons. It'll give me chance to try and close the gap! Should make it more interesting in a couple of weeks when there's hopefully very little in it. We'll see...

Carla,
Nice going. And especially to get the #1 spot at the same time. Makes it hard for you to put your feet on the ground eh? Feel like you're soarin'? Enjoy it, you've earned it!!!

Speedy

Hey Taffs!

I miss hearing from Chippy, Chris, Speedy, Rickster...all you Taff Founders (and genuine Welshman)! We are all getting so much fun and motivation from this team, thanks for starting it.

What's up? How's married life, you newly-wed folk? Any competitions going in in Wales? I want to hear about your horrific workouts (the kind I can't imagine trying). You guys haven't been posting and I miss your bantering.

Speedy, you sure are at the TOP of the heap! That Canadian guy really is right on your tail on the 10,000 meter board. He must have tons of time to train as he is 72 and must be retired, which is a good thing for him, because he probably takes about twice as long a time to do his daily meters as you do.

Go Taffs!
Carla

You're right Carla, it's very quiet from the Founding Fathers of Taff Attack. We need their banter and their metres! There's only so long you can be on honeymoon for (assuming the strengths still there to row! ).

Hey there Taffs,
Thought I might share a quote of a chap here in Yank land (Berkeley Johnson - Santa Barbara, Ca). I don't think I've seen such an eloquent description of this beast that we endure. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

"My relationship with our erg is one of hate/hate...a necessary evil required no matter how deep seated my loathing. I salute those of you that find some type of joy in probing the seventh circle of hell that is an erg marathon. If it were not for wife's frequent comments about my ever maturing hitchcockian sillouette, I would have given my B model a Viking Burial long ago. Carpe Oar em. I have to go lance a boil. (See you on the water!)"

Speedy

wanders in ...... oops am lost waves at Carla.... oops 14,280 in 60 mins ... come and get me girl ..... gggg >>>>>>>>>>>> legs it thataway ....

Way to go, Carol!

Now I have something to aim at again... But not today...

Carla

did it last Sunday ...... just gentle rowing this week comp on Sunday .... bit nervous ....1609 metres ...a mile. pb in July was 6.06 (only one I have done though)..why don't you do one on Sunday as well row - along -with- Carole...something else for you to aim at .

Took a while to get your code from Denah? Oh, well, as far as I knew when I planned the row, your old score of 14007 was what I had to go for. I see that last year someone did over 15K, so that's the ultimate goal (makes my stomach go blahhh to think about it...

I'm not doing short distances like 500, 1K, 2K, or 1609, for that matter, for quite a while. It seems whenever I work on those I wreck my back again, so it's just not worth it. As it is I have challanges with it. I will be focussing on 5, 6, 10K, 30 & 60 min, HM and hoping to attempt a marathon this year.

You're truly Oarsome Carol--should be fun pushing each other along!

Carla

Carla , took about three days for Denah to get back to me. I have only ever done one marathon was horrendous .... did it on my own in the conservatory .. 3hrs 17 mins .. but I am sure I can get below 3hrs 10 now .

15k ina an hour ahggggggggggggggggggggggg the mind and body boggles

Im Back!!

Really proud of what everyone has done in the last three weeks. 10 Mil, and the 6th spot well and truely ours.

Im 76,000 meters behind Chippy in our challenge to be first to a Million (hes only 300k away). But thats just two marathons eh?

Pains' Coming, GAME ON!!!

Welcome back Chris. We missed ya!!

Speedy

Taffians

The reason Rickster has been away from the Ergo is he has been playing in a lot of sqaush competitions, as a pro that is his no1 game. Next week he will be back training with me so its ergo time for him.

Chippy

Good for you, Chippy! I'll say you beat that old PB. Feels great doesn't it!

Let's ALL have a go at all our musty old PBs! Yay Taffs!

Carla

Hi Taffs,

What a difference a day makes. Carla edged off top spot before even getting a mild tan (from basking in the 'glow' of #1) - looks like some exciting rivalry between the two C's coming up. And to think that Carole Mac almost became a Taff a while back !

Dwayne about to hit the 5 Million mark, with the season not even half over !

Niall on the verge of the 400K mark.

Chippy smashing his old 5K PB.

Chris back in Wales (are you sure Chris - you could still be in NZ, they look so alike) and ready to make up for lost K's.

And moi - just back from a goal busting gym session Been attempting a sub 38 min 10K for nearly a year now and 'blown up' each time (usually about halfway). However, all these recent PB posts from fellow Taffs gave me the extra determination needed to 'dust off that musty goal' so off I went at 1.54's. Halfway point reached in just under 19 mins, kept going, fading to 1,55/1.56, kept going, back to 1.54, saw off a gym instructor who enquired about my well-being at the 8.5K mark, kept going, fading again to 1,57's then a final burst of 1.52's down to 1.45's saw a 37.54

Means a lot to me as 38.00 had become a real psychological barrier and that monkey has now been exorcised !

Only one goal left to go (30 mins - 8K).

Keep kicking goals Taffs

Martin

The AWESOME AUSSIE strikes again!

Congrats on busting that 38 minute barrier, Martin! You must feel like dynamite!

Next time you won't have the creeping doubts because you've done it. So you'll be able to hold it steadily.

I'm afraid to check the standings to see how many meters I have to crank out to catch up to you!

BTW I didn't know that Carole MacNally was "Carole Mac" which I suppose was obtuse, but true...too bad, indeed, that she did not join us at the beginning...as I recall she actually is partly Welsh!

I am so excited to read about everyone's efforts! Really makes me want to measure up!

Carla

That's a fantastic performance Martin especially having the medical team standing over you during the latter stages!

I can only look on in admiration of everyone's achievements right now. I got to the gym at 06:30 this morning to do my usual morning row before work and unfortunately had to stop after 4 strokes as I had a sharp pain in my lower back.

So I wont be rowing for a couple of days which really hurts me!
I'm hoping to be back in the seat on Sunday or Monday but it'll be down to my body telling me when I'm ready as I don't want to push it and find I'm out for weeks.

Everyone has my best wishes for PBs and high meterage (is that a word?? )

Heh Carla, where's the Wonder Woman Avatar we were all looking forward to????

Hey Niall,

Wonder Woman would be false advertising... .the only cleavage I've got, sad to say, well, isn't in the front.

That's the "real" me, when I'm not being an ergoholic.

See my post under "Health & Fitness" lower back pain. I don't want to write it all over again, but you might find it helpful.

We'll miss your meters but you've got to take care of yourself or you will be no help to anyone else!

Hang in there and get better soon!
Carla

23K this morning. Chippys comfort cusion now down to 62k.
Bad news about the back Niall, probably just a twinge, will be gone for new week.

Carla,

Thanks for the tips. I've just read your lower back posting and I certainly fit in the category of not warming up enough prior to an early morning row. I always stretch (legs, arms, upper back etc) but don't cover the lower back so the Swiss ball suggestion is a good one.

One question I have is around the strapless rowing you're doing. Do you find this enforces more upright rowing ('cause you can't lean back too much as you'd fall off the back of the erg!)?

Gee, I don't really know, Niall, because I haven't had straps on for so long I can't remember what it's like. But it does improve your rowing technique, as Paul Smith has stated many times. At some point, I will send Paul a video of my rowing (don't have a video camera now) and for a fee he will critique your form and coach you over the net. I'm sure my stroke could be improved, not only for better performance, but for avoiding injury. He has had some very bad experiences with his back, I know. Go to his website, www.ps-sport.net/ , for info about his coaching service (and the wonderful CBreeze accessory, if you don't have one!! highly recommended--as are the heel slings so you can row barefoot & strapless).

Carla

The Rickster is back!!!!

Sorry everyone I have been playing alot of competitions lately so i haven't done any rowing. Well done to everyone us founder members are extremely proud of you guys, keep up the good work!!!

I have just got my new training program for in season and it has two rowing session on there twice a week so i will be getting some meters on the board next week.

Niall what club do you train at!!! if you are near David Lloyds in Cardiff you can see my physio Ivan he will sort you out.

WELL DONE CHIPPY AND CARLA!!! Hello Speedy!!! Welcome back Chris!!!

Hello we have a new Taff Attack member welcome from everyone. 6th place lets kick some ass!!!

RICKSTER

1k WU. Tried to do a FM. Crashed after 18k. Managed to do +2k CD, for the team. Total today 21199m.

Hey Godfried,

What pace were you trying to do your FM at? Was it to be your first one? I haven't dared to do that yet...but I'm determined to do one for this year's Nonathlon even if it takes all day!

We love those extra 2000m!! Keep them coming!

Carla

Started around 2:09 ( 60min + 6.5 ) ( HM + 3.5 ) ;
lost 0.3 on the first break ( 30secs ) ;
lost 1.0 on the second brake ( 90secs ) ;
and stopped at 18k 2:13.4.

Next time I will do it I think at 2:12.

A weird workout today.

I couldn't decide what I wanted to do and finally went for a 5K after a pokey 2K warmup. It felt pretty good and I ended up with 20:38.3, avg 2:03.8, spm I think was 24. It was a good improvement over my old time of 21:19 something. Then I tried to repeat it and held 2:03 nicely until about 1500 to go and then just didn't bother to finish, which stank. I don't know why I stopped, but I just did and that was that. Don't you hate it when you do that? Oh, well.

I'm not rowing tomorrow or Sunday, Martin. So I guess I'll be playing catch up on Monday! We got handed a brand new piece (Les Miserable) yesterday that we're performing Sunday, ha ha ha.

Keep the meters rolling in!
Carla

G'day Tafferoons,

Thanks for the uplifting comments re my 10K effort Carla, Niall and Chris, makes a very pleasant and motivating change from the 'That's nice dear' I usually get at home ! You are spot on Carla about how doing a distance increases level of confidence - whenever the 10K got a bit tough mentally I thought back to the 60 min 15K for reassurance I wasn't about to expire doing 1.54's ! The 30 min goal should now be a doddle - right ?!

Was that yet another PB Carla ? Your post sounded so 'low key' on the 20.38 I missed the PB angle on the first read ! Only 10 secs or so behind McCarole and within sight of sub 2.00's ! I usually do 2 x 5K at the gym (to avoid being accused of 'hogging' the erg) and the second one is often pretty pokey if the first is good - it's a mental thing and doesn't seem to affect subsequent sessions at all.

Not good news about the back Niall, hope it's only minor. Some thoughts to go with Carla's comprehensive coverage, from someone who has put up with varying degrees of lower back discomfort for the past 30 years -

1) Non severe back pain usually comes on 12-24 hours after the back was 'mistreated'.

2) Keeping 1) in mind, is there a pattern ? Mine seems to result from -

.. Lying on my back in bed for too long
.. Slumping in a chair for too long
.. Doing a Vending round out of the boot of my car (for 10 years).

I gave the Vending round up last March and started erging more consistently - back improved noticeably.

3) As Ricky suggests, see a good Physio (I used my eldest daughter) to get a diagnosis - mine was mainly Faschea (not sure of spelling) joints very stiff.

4) My belief is that erging highlights a 'crook' back, not causes it (unless DF is very high and technique wrong). Dropping the DF right down takes the strain off the back somewhat and is something I always do if my back is 'playing up' a bit - lets me do a workout without any adverse effects. "Rolling" the hips forward from time to time in an exaggerated manner during the recovery part of the stroke helps keep the lower back loose too I find.

Good rowing Godfried, you racked up enough Kms to keep Chippy at bay for a while at least. Although it's 'Game On' now that Chris is back in town so you'll need those FM Kms to maintain 4th spot !

Happy erging all,

Martin

PS Thanks for the Avatar info Niall - I'll do one when I reach a suitable milestone like Carla (save that Wonder Woman - I may use it to keep it in the forum !!!)

Well done Carla....I am sure you will soon pass me ... but it makes for a good competition between us ...and as for trying a second 5k .... you are mad lol ...

I am doing no training to today but have to drive down ready for comp tomorrow and it's pouring down ..yuk .

I take it I can be an honorary member after all one granny was an evans and the other is a parry ...lol ...

Hey Carole,

It didn't seem "mad" until the moment I quit and I still don't really know why I stopped. It didn't feel awful yet, but I think I was expecting it to pretty soon, and just didn't have a big enough reason to keep going. can you spell w-i-m-p?

Best wishes on your mile-row. It must take a lot of courage to do the real-life competitions--I don't think I'll ever want to do them, and would probably never row my best under those conditions. Hope you go home with the hammer (or whatever they give the fastest miler!)

You mentioned "conservatory" in one of your posts....are you a musician also?

Carla

Hello Taffians,
Great news from the other side of the pond this morning. My WR is now official. I erged a 5:47.1 this morning!!! Had a USIRA (United States Indoor Rowing Association) official plus two other witnesses there to make it official. I am beyond pumped!!!!!!

Unfortunately this won't count for me qualifing for this years USIRT, but I'm going to be on my honeymoon when those testing dates role around. At this point, it doesn't even matter. I beat Karppinen's record by nearly five seconds!!! I am in the clouds!!!!

Split times: 500 - 1:21.6
1000 - 1:28.1
1500 - 1:28.7
2000 - 1:28.8

Speedy

FABULOUS MR ADAMS!!! BIG CONGRATS FROM OVER IN THE UK

Speedy,

Beating a WR is a tremendous achievement. Beating a 2K WR by 5 seconds is absolutely AWESOME

No wonder you're pumped. Taff Attack really do have quality rowers as well as quality people in the team, it really is an honour to "mix" with every single one of you!!

What was your strategy for the distance? From the splits, it looks like set out quick for the first 500m and then settle into a set pace. It would be great if you could talk us through your strategy and how the row actually went in your mind.

Many congratulations again, you're the man!!

WOW!!!

I am so excited about your record!! You really are Superman!

Didn't know if you saw this remark by Xeno in a different thread:

His 2K at age 39 is SUPERB! I told him that. He also trains in a very rowing-unconventional way. The man has POWER and not from doing long miles of rowing... We need to do a muscle biopsy on him to figure out if he really is from planet earth. HAHAHA.


All Hail Sir Speedy aka Superman!

*so.....Dwayne...what is the rowing-unconventional way that you train?

Carla

Hi Dwayne,

Congrats from 'Down Under' on a truly sensational row. Good idea to do it before the honeymoon too. Looking at the splits and trying to imagine the row itself as it unfolded I came up with 2 scenarios -

1) The adrenalin surge associated with the occasion, observers etc caused the first 500 to just fly by without time to look at the monitor, you realised at the 600 metre mark what was happening re the Pace and adjusted accordingly !

2) The whole thing was exactly according to plan, whereby you knew from a daily diet of 34K's that you could hold 1.28's after a blistering start !

Fantastic. One wonders what 2K times are possible for someone who can go out at 1.20's and hold 1.28's throughout ?

And it's good to see you are in peak condition for the upcoming wedding and honeymoon too

All the best,

Martin

Hi Carole Mac, greeting from Aussieland,

Time to come over from the "Dark Side" I think, with a background of Evans's and Parry's you are well and truly one of us. And Niall has a really good avatar .... !

Congrats on a daily average of 14K+ (I think I read the Honour board correctly, apologies if I've got it wrong), 14K's twice a week does me in !

Enjoy your spirited tussles with our own "Supergirl"

Cheers,

Martin

Martin--thanks for the compliment, but I am pretty sure that our Jasmine must be pretty darned fast, but just doesn't talk about it--she's got a ton of meters logged--I'll probably never catch up! So she is most likely our real Supergirl!

Niall--how's your back? Loosening up, I hope. Be careful!

Rickster....I'm catching up to you.....

Godfried, I think it is your meters that are just propelling the Taffs up the board now--amazing!

Concert tomorrow and planning to hit the erg big time on Monday!

Carla