On Saturday 21st October was The Hutchinson Builders Brisbane Indoor Rowing Championships.

Concept 2 ergometers were used which were all linked together to a computer program which showed a mini race of boats on a screen. This allowed spectators to see the positioning of each rower throughout the race.

The Fly and Die 500m race was the event I raced in. Really fly and Die! I still think that I have the same fitness as when I was at the peak of my rowing career. It’s a zone that I go into and I’m totally focused on racing. Even though it has been 8 years since I was competitively rowing I still find that my mind switches into race mode and all out.

Starting out rating 48 with an average split of 120 for the first 300m I struggled to drop my rate. The last 10 strokes were a realisation that I am really not as fit as I thought I was. With a result of 1min 30sec for 500m this confirmed that I need to do more work.

My end result of the 500m was disappointing, but I enjoyed being part of the competition and catching up with people that I had not seen for many years.

Thanks Somerville House Rowing, Hutchinson Builders, Concept 2 and everyone else who made this a enjoyable day.


[ 1 comment ] ( 14 views )   |  

---

Queensland's first long distance one day mass participation ride was on 15th October

This event organised by Bicycle Queensland was a 100km ride from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. As you can see from the photo below 3800 riders packed this event.

My mate Simon came along for the ride but he soon sped off in the distance. It took about 20 mins to get out through the start line as there were so many riders. The high light of the race was riding along the Brisbane bus way through the maze of tunnels and starting at the back of the pack I was continually passing riders with the odd riders passing me.

The ride went down around the back of Logan for the first stop point then south around Dream World for the second and final stop.

This was my first time riding from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. What surprised me was the number of cyclists with flat tyres around 100 of them.

Riding on the service roads for the highway we weaved in through the back of Southport to the finish line. 3hrs 28mins riding time with another 20mins for stop time at both rest points.

Getting back to Brisbane I took the relaxed option of hopping on a train rather than riding. This was the smartest option as it was mid morning and it was hot and the sun had bite in it.

Sitting on the train looking out reflecting on the ride I received a message from Simon saying that he had serious doubts of me making it to the finish line due to the roadworthiness of my bike. It is 28 years old and does not look flash, but it does get me where I need to go and is a great training bike. Yes the bike has had new parts put on it over the years.

The total for the day was 132km which included the ride to the start, the ride to the train and the ride home. I was glad to be off the road midday due to the heat and felt good after riding that distance in one hit.


[ 18 comments ] ( 208 views )   |  

---

Thank you to the team at Croker Oars for their generous sponsorship of discounted oars for the expedition.

The Croker range of oars can be viewed at the link below.

Croker oars


[ add comment ]   |  

---

I would like to thank friends, family and everyone else for their continual support. Please check back here regularly as there will be updates and news on my preparations for the trip.

[ 1 comment ] ( 60 views )   |  

---

People often ask me how I am going to train for something like this? Immediately I say "I am already training" An expedition of this calibre requires both physical and physiological strength and endurance to be at sea rowing for months. I believe that training for this is about increasing endurance so that I can row all day everyday.

One of the best ways to train is to have a cross selection of activities and it's about putting in the miles. Rowing, cycling, kayaking, weights, fishing all help. Yes even fishing. When fishing you need to be prepared to fish for different species, adapt to the conditions and not expect to have results straight away.

Currently I am training 4 times a week paddling my kayak on the Brisbane River, cycling, rowing and weights sessions whilst working physically with my job. This training will intensify in the next few weeks. Around April next year I will reduce my training in order to put bulk on. Yes fat. I will need to fit but also have a lot of fat to maintain my body for the duration of this expedition. Exercising at the level required for this adventure will be taxing on the body with the amount of calories burnt each day.

[ 1 comment ] ( 132 views )   |  

---

Next

(C) 2006 Row Extreme - Page Generated in 0.4878 seconds