Just to prove I did it - look at the image on the left - 2hrs 52mins 53.9secs. This doesn't mean you can't still sponsor me though!
On Friday 11 April 2008 I rowed a Marathon for the Huntington's Disease Association. I did this in memory of a colleague's brother who suffered from HD. He was only in his 40s when he died recently. Sadly, my colleague’s Father also died from the same disease. I was so impressed by her courage (and that of her Mother) that I thought I should do something to raise some money to help fight this cruel condition. I applied to run the London Marathon but didn't get a place (perhaps for the best) so thought I would row it on a Concept2 rowing machine. I thought the 42+km (26+m) would take me between 3 and 3.5 hours and I persuaded someone at work to join me in the attempt. The hardest thing wasn the training which required up to 5 hours (80km - 50 miles) per week. . I kept a Blog to keep donors abreast of how my training was going. (scroll down)
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Huntington's Disease Association will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. So please sponsor me now! Many thanks for your support.
Completed my 1st marathon specific training session. Result was just short of 16km in 1 hour (and a very sore ar...................................................mpit)
Another 1 hour session divided into 3. Slow/fast/faster. Came home and asked if we had any nappy cream!!!! thankfully we did. Cycling to work was interesting :o
These 1 hour sessions are becoming the norm now. Another one at slow pace seemed (dare I say) easy.
What have I taken on? The physical effort is one thing but the mental aspect of rowing such long distances isn't to be underestimated - half marathon soon!
Well the half marathon took 1hr 26mins 44 secs. Joint pain, blisters, exhaustion - but apart from that OK!
I never thought that I would say 10,000m felt like a sprint!
After a few more 1 hr sessions I thought I would have a go at 80 mins split into 4 with 2 mins rest in between. It was tough but seems like the training is working
The longest so far - 90 mins divided into 3 (slow/fast/slow) with 3 mins rest. Felt great at the end!
This week seems a doddle with only 60 minute sessions scheduled.
The hardest so far - 90 mins in two 45 min chunks. Covered 23,000 metres though!
1 hour at very steady pace - training partner dipped out
1 hour at fast pace - covered over 16km - 2 hour session in 3 days time - scary!
I managed 29,415 metres in 2 hours - still a long way to go yet.
Another half-marathon. This time in 1hr 23mins 59 secs - a personal best!
After a couple of 1hr sessions this week I thought I'd treat myself to another half-marathon. Glad i did - 1hr 23min 05 secs.
Following a holiday in the sun I found it very difficult to get back into it. Eventually struggled through a couple of sessions. Last one coming up!
Final session today - 10km at the pace i hope to do the marathon - what am i going to do with my time from now on? Right - where's the pasta?
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