Time for some Welsh humour guys:

A farmer was out on his Welsh hillside tending his flock one day, when he saw a man drinking with a cupped hand from the stream which ran down from one of his fields.

Realising the danger, he shouted to the man, "Paid a yfed y dwr! Mae'n ych-y-fi!" (Don't drink the water. It's disgusting!)

The man at the stream lifted his head and put a cupped hand to his ear, shrugged his shoulders at the farmer, and carried on drinking.

Realising the man at the stream couldn't hear him, the farmer moved closer.

"Paid a yfed ! Dwr ych-a-fi ! Defaid yn cachu yn y dwr!" (Don't drink. Water's disgusting. Sheep crap in the water!)

Still the walker couldn't hear the farmer.

Finally the farmer walked right up to the man at the stream and once again said ..

"Dwr yn ych-a-fi ! Paid a'i yfed !" (Water's disgusting. Don't drink it !)

"I'm dreadfully sorry my good man, I couldn't understand a word you said dear boy ! Can't you speak English?" said the man at the stream in a fine English accent.

"Oh I see " said the farmer.

"I was just saying ... if you use both hands you can get more in ... !”

Tidy butt.

We've been passed by W.I.S.E.!!!

Get rowing then Speedy and stop flapping your gums

I am of to check the standings now.

Sir P

Are we getting worse or are they getting better? Do we have a statto who can tell us that?

Mike

Think they are getting the hang of this 'ere erging thingymejig Mike and so are on the improve. We need a few more metres out of the founding fathers, if old age hasn't caught up with them too much that is

Chris, 5K thankfully over. Very tough and I have to confess I much prefer the longer distances where I can have a few easy strokes now and again to catch my breath and regain composure. Not looking forward to the last 3 categories - I'm now in your neck of the woods where you and Chippy reign supreme

Maybe a 1K for me next week before the 2K to get the lungs used to that 'orrible burning sensation that is thankfully missing on the longer stuff !

Cheers and good luck with the 6K,

Martin

Well done mate. Work still taking life over hope to be back soon.

Robert (Chippy) Thanks for the email. Would be a pleasure to join Taff Attack.

Grandfather was Welsh and I have played a lot of rugby in Wales, so I think I qualify.

Trying to get a 6.30 for 2000m before the end of the month!

Didn't catch your name, but welcome aboard.

Speedy

Hello fellow Taffians,Blod and I just back from 2 wks in Crete,fabulous place,and we're brown all over . Both back erging,looks as if T.A. is under some serious pressure,Da bo .

Peter
Welcome to the team, 6.30 would get you up in the top 5 of the rankings and second fastest in the team behind MR D.Adams(speedy)
Who did you play rugby for ???????? might have played against ya

Sue
seen Grahams all over tan down the gym,ill pop over to see yours

Chippy

Any Taffs out there?? No body is talking any more.

Everyone out on holidays????

Speedy

Still here...guess everyone is on hols

I'm almost on the top meters board with you

Just a couple more to pass but it is getting damn hard to knock out 14k a day to keep the momentum

Any tips?

Mike

Keep the goal in mind. What ever that may be. Then do another 100m just for laughs.

Speedy
Think Niall is on holidays,he is our best talker by a long shot , The rest of us will have to puts some more effort in. Few of the old guard from last season
are not recording any meters and it is starting to show. Sent Emails to a few with no reply Went over to Sue and Grahms new house last night,The garage has been turned into a gym,Rower,cross trainer,wieghts and a cupboard full of chocolate ,what more do ya want.

Wilko
Just think Niall is close to 7mins for 2k, be a nice challenge between you both to see who gets there first.

Chippy

Niall is on holiday, he is across the pond in the good old U.S. OF A Florida! Keep you eyes open for a pale skinned little Welsh man.

Chippy you old chipster Are you racing at Enfiled in Sept? if so, is that Bore Da bloke going too? how many Taffs are tagging along? Do we have to lock up our woman!!

Sir Pirate

I've been rowing (on water) early mornings. I start out before daylight when the water is flat and there is no wind. Along with some other rowers, I share the river with ducks, herons, and yesterday there were three fawns standing in the river with the water up to their knees as I passed by. They watched me go by, then they turned around and went back into the woods. Although I love the ergometer and my workouts, especially with Xeno's DVD's, rowing on a still river is as good as it gets.

After my row, I usually go cycling. So much to do, so little time.

Byron

Hi everyone!

I've been rather sporadic lately, but don't worry, I'm just trying to take advantage of the nice weather while it lasts and bike, and since my job is with a company that does most of its business in the summer it doesn't leave me much time or energy! We are going off to Acadia National Park for a week starting Thursday; I'm back Labor Day, and you should see some more consistent meters from me then. I would actually love it if some Taffs would hector me with emails around then to help me get committed and motivated again! Any takers?

For the last bit I've only rowed a few times a week, usually a 30 min or a 10K and pokey slow with stops, at that. It's just so dang hot and humid and so un-fun compared to flying around on a bike. The other night I set myself up with the erg on slides and a fan and something to watch on TV to distract myself and boy had a really hard time making myself keep going. Afterwards when I was putting it all away I realized I had never turned the fan on--it was just sitting there! no wonder it was such a nasty row.

I did a crappy 10K last night and will slog out another tonight.
Carla

Summer holidays have got in the way for me too.

Starting to put some longer pieces together. Did 10K on Monday 37.16 a PB but think there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Hope to do another 10K today to get back above Carla, one things for sure as I look out across the M4 from my office in Newport I don't need to worry about humidity or fans. It is blowing a gale and raining. No incentive to get on a bike.

Phil

Great job on your 10K PB!
Don't worry, you'll be quite far ahead of me by the time I'm back from the camping trip. I'll try playing "catch up" when get back.

Hi Carla,

Just managed to do another 10K over lunch so now back ahead of you. Knocked 25 seconds off my previous time so very pleased with that.

Enjoy the camping and I look forward to the chase when you return.

Phil

Hello!
Got your email Chippy.

How's everyone at Taff Attack? It's been a long time since I've posted anything. Unfortunately I haven't done much rowing since Christmas. I was ill for about a month in Janurary and found it hard to get back into. I just do the occasional 1 or 2k at the moment. I will endevour to use the rower more often - I still haven't reached 1 million total meters yet and want that t-shirt!

Jim

I look out across the M4 from my office in Newport.........

Now I know what you do in the morning

Mike

Sir p
I will be at Enfield,for 2k and 500m Do not know how many other Taffs have
entered That Bore Da bloke,did he not row for us some time ago,can not remeber that far back. Please do not lock up your women,its the only
reason ill be making the trip.

Simon.
You can get proper training plans on the uk site to cover wieght loss and fitness,
but looks like your doing OK to me,well done on the 2stone loss.

Chippy

[/quote]

Wilko
Just think Niall is close to 7mins for 2k, be a nice challenge between you both to see who gets there first.

Chippy

[/quote]

Guess I'm a bit behind on times but there again I haven't been supersized in the US

So the race is ON

HELLO EVERYONE!!!!

Hope everyone is FIT!!! sorry i haven't been putting in any meters I have been mega busy with Squash training. I promise when i get back from Holiday's i will put some meters on the board and help us get back up the rankings.

SUZY I'm coming round to see your tan before it fades...... : ) : ) : ) : ) : )

CHIPPY I have a new challenge for us.... When I get back from Hols do you fancy a Saturday Sporting Challenge including GOLF (9 HOLES) / SQUASH (LEFT HANDED FOR ME) / ROWING / TABLE TENNIS AND WEIGHTS TO FINISH......

I WILL FIGURE OUT A POINT SCORING SYSTEM FOR EACH EVENT SHOULD BE FINISHED BY ABOUT 2PM START 7AM.

RICKO

......................................................
Rickster
Would like to have fun things to do like table tennis and golf on Saturdays but
i am on a mission and cannot stop until my goal is achieved.
Ill explain.....

Chippy is my name .
Pain is my game .
in snow,wind,and rain.
A 6.50 2K IS MY AIM .

So there you have it Rickster

Chippy

Cheers Chippy . I think the rest of you it's more of a case of actions speak louder than words!

Enfield in three weeks should show how close I am to sub 7:00. Currently the plan is to get a PB which means sub 7:08. Not sure what shape I'm in after my holiday in the States though.




Less of the "pale skinned" comments my eye-patched friend! After two weeks of Florida sunshine I'm almost the same colour as normal people now (I'm sure I'll be back to my transparent colour come Enfield though

Thanks Speedy - Sorry for the late reply.
Glad to be part of the team - man you have some good times, I obviously have plenty of work to do - best put some time in on the erg!

Pete

The air is much dryer on this side of the pond...yeah, that's what it is!

Chippy - Sorry for the late reply, out of communication for a while.
Great to be on the Team - Played rugby for Moseley for 10 years then had a couple of seasons at Worcester - How about you?

Just clocked 6.34...are you on schedule to beat your 6.58?

Pete.

Maybe I should try rowing on your side of the pond then!

[
[/quote]


Chippy - Sorry for the late reply, out of communication for a while.
Great to be on the Team - Played rugby for Moseley for 10 years then had a couple of seasons at Worcester - How about you?

Just clocked 6.34...are you on schedule to beat your 6.58?

Pete.

[/quote]
........................................................................................

Pete
Did not play at that standard but spent 15years scrapping with the valley commando sides Good fun though,got the broken nose,scars above my eyes,
and califlower ears to prove it. Played 7, i liked to run a lot, looking at my nose not fast enough
6.34 IS A GREAT TIME,guess that made speedy feel a bit uneasy for a while,someone in the team might be on his tail (he has a long tail)
Do not know if i should go for a pb, or for 6.50 first time out this season,
Probably go for gold and kill myself Its a chippy thing.

Niall
Missed your life story this last few weeks cos you is the heart of the team.
Cannot believe you have a tan,Might come down to Cardiff to have a look.
Welcome back.

Carla
Time to get back on the "machine o torture" your team needs you

Martin
Not much noise from down under

Bore da da da
In the begining Bore da created a team,it took 7 days and nights...Move your ASS


Chippy

Yeah!!! Whassup wit dat?!?!

Guess I'm in shape to get close to 7.08....was holding 7.05-7.08 pace this evening for 1500M and should have pushed the last 500M. I just didn't want that recovery feeling.....but the mental block of the 3rd 500 is overcome and I will do it very soon. I just kept to Phil T's mantra of long strokes and it was paying off!! Also I find that keeping the back very straight and look above the PM3 for more force in the pull.

However sub 7 is still some ways off I think as there seems to be a huge delta between 1.47 and 1.45 pace in the final few hundred.

Taffs,
Not sure if all of you have been keeping up on this, but there's this damn Brit (Sir Pirate) who's claiming my nickname. Any chance you get to give the bloke a hard time would be greatly appreciated.

Phil,
Prepare to be bombarded!!!!

Speedy (the original)

Bring it!!!

Sir "Speedy" Pirate

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Speedy (the one and only)
Thats what pirates do ,they steal from others untill they are caught and hung
from the gallows. Chippies are good at building gallows. Get me saw and hammer ready.

Chippy

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Wilko

Think you need to alter your plan of attack,Split the 2k into 4 x500m splits.
Do the first 500m at 143 pace while you are strong and pumped up,you can then drop of to 1.47 pace for the next 2 x 500m ,then its blood and guts to get 1.43
for the last 500m. This system worked for me last year to get under 7mins.
It also helps to have people around to encourage when the little DEVIL who suddenly shows up on your shoulder telling you to "stop and the pain will go away" I only live in Caldicot if you need help.

Chippy

Wilko,

As Chippy states nothing like a few people around you to shout at you when the pain starts kicking in.
I'd be glad to come on watch and am sure we can get you under 7mins.

Who knows I could be encouraged to go for a sub 6.30 but I don't think I am there yet, if you don't try then you won't know.

Phil

OK.....I know I'm going to regret this but let's have a garage session. I have a dedicated home gym if people want to come over for a bit of speed work. I have broadband connected into the gym so we could even hook up fellow taffs from around the world should they want to witness some pain and suffering. Who's up for a session in the next few weeks? This weekend is out but all next week and the w/e is OK. Invite is open to all those who want to share the pain!

Mike

Good luck with the sub-7:00 attempt Wilko. Just read some of your Blog entries and you're certainly putting in the metres which is great for your progress towards your goals and also for the team. Nice one mate!

I got my TAFF ATTACK team kit!!!

My Taff Attack All-In-One arrived while I was on holiday. I was a little worried that the medium size might be too small for me but after I put it on and paraded round the house for the kids, I was mightily impressed. It fits like a glove and looks great. Can't wait for September 25th to show it off at the Enfield Indoor Rowing Regatta!! I feel a new team photo in the pipeline!!!

Welcome back from holiday Niall. Hope you had a good time.

Now get back on that erg and get to grinding out some meters!

Totally agree Speedy! Since returning home, I've had to ease myself in gently so have done:

Wednesday - 40mins
Thursday - 40mins
Saturday - 3x2000mins, 15mins cooldown
Sunday - Will do another 40mins session

Should be back to my normal schedule from tomorrow though.

Hi all!
Got back yesterday. Weather for camping was not great, but it beat the heck out of the weather in Louisiana, so no real complaints. Some good biking in, and I bought a new road bike! I haven't really given it a fair test yet as it has so many gears and shifts in a new way for me so I can't ride it effectively yet.

Ok...I'm on tonight. Scheduled for this week are pokey 30 min pieces to get back in the swing.

Carla

Welcome back Carla. We've missed you!!!

Great to have you back Carla. Look forward to seeing those meters from you. You're right to break yourself in slowly though (damage limitation!).

Just took a look at the Team Standings and noticed Chippy and Dykie have overtaken me so I've got some extra focus to put in the meters now!! Prepared to be passed guys!!!

Hi, my name is Speedy, I have a 2K time of 4:36.0, can I join Taff Attack?. If you let me in would that make me your fastest member?

(Yes, I am going to flog this 4:36.0 to death)

Speedy