Deth

Fitness and everything else

Last Fucking Stupid Idea Of 2019, Rowed a Half Marathon

The idea for this originally popped into my head a week or two ago as a sarcastic comment. Originally I wanted to start about 11:00 PM so I could finish 2019 and start 2020 with it. I was already tired before doing the WOD in the morning so I decided to just row the half marathon after that. The worst part about these long rows is they’re fucking boring. It’s just so long repeating the same thing over and over again.

I put Beastie Boys on the music player to remind me of the many stupid ideas I had as a kid to keep my mind off the boringness of the row and just tried to focus on the goal. I just wanted to end the year with something I don’t enjoy that much but is very beneficial to my health in the long run.

It actually ended up being not to bad at all. I started out with a much better pace than I ever had in 2018 when I rowed a half last. pace slowed down a bit about half way in and even a bit more with about 4000 meters to go. I’d completely forgotten about the ass cramps and my hands were starting to blister, not bad but I could feel them beginning and wanted to keep that in check. I ended up with 1:37:59 which I was pleasantly surprised with. Stroke rate was a steady 21 strokes per minute which still feels like a major accomplishment to me since I learned to row the Crossfit way. shitty, weak pulls but kill yourself to get 500. It never felt that bad and I wasn’t trying for it but ended up with a 5ish minute PR from the last time I rowed 21,097 meters. This long stuff is very mental for me. I’ve always been better at short, fast sprint type of things even running as a kid.

My heart rate was averaging 147 with very little variation the whole time. I don’t remember what exactly it was last time but it was much higher. I was never even breathing heavy. I think I will give it a go later on this year before the summer heat and see if I can’t knock at least another 5 minutes off my score.

2019 was really the year I tried to do more things I didn’t like or just wasn’t comfortable with. Sorta like practicing and improving running. I hate running. Hoping I can continue down that path this year. If I only did what I like it would be only heavy squats every day.

The concept2 rower is easily one of the best things we have here. I didn’t say enjoyable, I said best