Guest Blogger: Gadget Man Recommends

In the wake of Thomas's fog adventure (and who hasn't had a fog adventure this June) there's been a surge of interest in handheld radios. My hubby, and Rock n Row booster club chairman, Stefan, was kind enough to write up this recommendation for us. No more excuses- get your radio and get out there.

"Stephanie mentioned that Thomas’s row to Egg Rock got a bit sticky and that a GPS and a handheld VHF could have helped Thomas get home safely.

All the handhelds share basic functionality such as Channel 16/9 emergency/hailing channels, dual/tri watch (listening to two or three channels at the same time), auto squelch, scanning, and NOAA weather alerts. These are the basics!

Additional features make some radios better suited for rowing. You may want to look for one that floats, is submersible to 3ft, and is GPS enabled.

Stephanie has been using an ICOM M34 floating, submersible radio on her rows. It’s a great radio which is pretty light & compact, with a great battery life (approx. 8-12 hours.) I have been using it as a back up to my fixed VHF on my boat, too.
Cost is roughly - $150 online for ICOM
http://www.hodgesmarine.com/ICOM-M34-HANDHELD-VHF-RADIO-p/icom3401.htm


I just bought another portable handheld radio about a month ago, which will be replacing Stephanie's current VHF. It’s a Standard Horizon hx850s. This one includes GPS with DSC emergency calling. It’s the first handheld VHF that is capable of sending a distress signal with GPS coordinates over CH. 70. About the same size, seems a bit a lighter and battery life seems great so far.
Cost - $220 online.
http://www.hodgesmarine.com/Standard-Hx850s-Handheld-Vhf-W-Gps-p/stahx850s.htm


Bottom line- Find a portable, floating, submersible handheld, VHF radio with Li-ion rechargeable batteries."

Blackburn challenges

When the weather seemed to clear monday afternoon, I set out to attempt a 15 miler. I headed toward Marblehead Rock and found the water stirring and choppy from all directions. I knew I wasn't heading around the neck to Swampscott and Nahant, as intended. I turned back and headed around Peach's Point for my first row ever in Salem Harbor. Flat water and an Osprey family greeted my row down and around and back. I never made it 15. Only accomplished 11.3
when I was tired and ready to land on Gas House beach. I've accomplished several 10's and a 13, but I'm beginning to wonder if my body's going to be ready to do 21 miles on July 18.

I signed up for the Blackburn Challenge with the intention of using it as the BIG stretch and incentive to continue to release the weight I put on during 2 moves and big transitions in my life. To-date I'm on track, releasing 25 pounds and almost all the health related issues I had taken on with it. I love salt water rowing solo -- but I won't risk it when conditions of fog and chop and swells say "play it safe" to m.e. Too many of those days in June for sure!

I've known I am a fair-weather Blackburn Challenge goer. Beyond, my personal goals, I'm really in it to finish and have fun! I think I'll continue to live by Lennon's motto "Life is what you do while you're making other plans" & for all my best intentions -- see what my body and mother nature brings forward for me on Blackburn Challenge day!

They say the weather will improve...let's hold many beautiful days to come .... soon!

Going Food Shopping

Or at least that's what I was going to do when the phone rang around 5 PM. 10 minutes later Captain Jack and I were in the Echos for a short row "around the block". We were heading towards Tinkers, but after Marblehead Rock, the sea was rough, coming from all directions, making it a difficult row. The Captain changed direction and we headed towards Children Island. But before that we had to go around a green buoy. (For those of you that have not rowed with the Captain should be aware that he has to go around something. I am not sure what happens if he cannot do that, but I feel that there isn't a shrink good enough to get him back to normal) From Children to Eagle, the sea was getting smoother and more organized. From there to Coney Ledge and back to base camp in nice and smooth sea.

This short trip lasted 1 1/2 hour and we put about 7.5 miles of salt water behind us. Now, that's my longest row so far and it felt good. OK, I know it's no big deal for you Iron women or you Black Burn rowers, but for me it's a big milestone and a step forward. Let me see if I can put it in a different perspective. Let me put you all on a 38 year one pack a day smoking program with little to no sports, and then go out sculling.

Anyway, it has sometimes been a struggle to get here, but with time on the water I am starting to see the joy in puling on two sticks so I can go nowhere fast.....I believe I have actually touched the Zone and I want more. So I am going to stick around because I want to row "INTO THE ZONE AND BEYOND".

Jon

Good Echo and Alden Double Weather - Sunday Row, Part 2

Some additional pictures showing RocknRowers in action - by land and by sea.

Good Echo and Alden Double Weather - Sunday Row, Part 1

After returning the club Alden Stars due to too much water intake, Stephanie and Emily found the perfect boat to face what nature had to offer this morning - the Alden Double.

After their boat change, the three of us headed out again and went straight towards Beverly Lighthouse. It was amazing to see how fast the two IronWomen powered the Double through the waves and winds. I had to work hard to keep up their pace and the 2.6 miles over to Beverly Lighthouse turned into a training row (heart rate within 70-80% of max). Arriving on the Beverly coast, it felt like crossing a finish line. After our "training race" I could only think what a great club team Stephanie and Emily would make if they rowed the Blackburn in the recreational double category.

After a short break we continued along the Beverly coast towards Misery. As we passed Black Rock we noticed some fog building up in the distance and decided to turn back home. Rowing with the wind and waves turned the rest of our morning row into a mix of speed rowing and surfing. It seemed that an Alden Double powered by two IronWomen could take on any weather/wind condition. It was a great Sunday morning row.

Sunday Morning Row pictures show the boat launch, Echo fleet, participants, Alden Double in action and the clean up afterward.

Good Echo Weather

Not so good weather for Alden Stars.

Headed out this morning for my second row of the season, with Thomas, Charlie, Jon and I in Echos, Stephannie and Emily in the club Aldens. The calm of little harbor was somewhat misleading as the wind and waves created a confused chop at the gap between Gerry and Brown's Islands. As we Echo rowers opened our bailers, Stephannie and Emily were getting soaked and taking on water - prudently deciding to head back in search of more stable boats. Thomas followed them in, while Jon, Charlie and I headed off towards Beverly Light.

Once around Peach's Point, the seas became more organized and once in the lee of Coney Ledge, Coney Island and Great Haste the waves died down a bit. Still, we were rowing with the wind and waves at our backs - or more accurately off the starboard bow - requiring my full concentration on the stroke, greatly slowing me (with my lack of technique) down. Jon showed the navigational skill of the Vikings of old and made his turn off Beverly light - Charlie and I ended up closer to Endicott College.

Turning around, we now had a following sea and breeze, making short work of the return trip. It was the type of conditions where a carefully timed stroke can get you a big push before the crest of a wave. Stopping for a breather before the last leg across the south channel, it seemed the wind alone would be enough to deliver us home. Looking to avoid the churn at the entrance to Little Harbor, Charlie and I ducked into Doliber's Cove, only to find that the ebbing tide had raised the bar to Brown's Island, requiring us to circle the island to make it home. Fortunately, the cross-chop seemed to have died down allowing us an easy row back to the club house.

As Jon said back at the dock, it was definitely Echo weather out there, but still a wonderful day for a row.

FIRST TIMERS TRY IT OUT

Congrats to Neverevers Stan and Shelia Rich for gettin out in the Echos this past Sunday morning. Despite fog, mist and a Northerly blowing over 10miles, both these trooper ne wbies from the class of 09 decided to try their fate on water. As we all know from being there, that the 1st time can be difficult in the best of conditions. Add to it the interesting June climate and we have all the ingredients for interesting 1st rows. Shelia turns out to be a natural. As with most women, focusing on technique was preferred over brute strength. She quickly got the hang of the hand positions on the oars for both catch and recovery and soon demostrated some very nice strokes on the water. Husband Stan was a more challenging canidate, but I suspect that he too will grasp the principles that seemed to evade him during the 1st lesson. My kudos to both of them for not letting the weather deter their desire to learn the sport of salt water rowing. Keep it up guys. Time on the water solves most issues..

Don't leave home without it.

When I started at the clubhouse this morning at 8:30am, I was ready to get a 15 mile row in. My plan was to row to Nahant around Egg Rock and back home. Everything looked perfect at the beginning. The weather and water offered clear skies and some 3' swells rolling over approx. 5-8 seconds.

My Echo moved well and I got into a nice rhythm (Jon, you could call it probably the "Zone"), passed Marblehead Rock, Tinkers Island, Rams Islet and maintained a steady pace at approx. 6 miles per hour enjoying the ocean on the right and the Marblehead - Swampscott coast on the left. I saw Egg Rock in the distance and set my course on 210/230.

When I passed Dread Lock and saw Swampscott and Lynn in the distance to my left, I also noticed that the wind picked up speed and got stronger. Looking to my right I noticed some haze in the distance. Yet, nothing that would make me worry about. It took me less than 10 minutes to reach Egg Rock, when all of a sudden I got completely wrapped in fog in less than 2-3 minutes. Initially, I considered briefly reversing my course and trying to head back to Marblehead via compass, but decided against it. I knew that the three Nahant, Lynn and Swampscott beaches were west of Egg Rock. Somewhat scared by the fact that I had less than 100 feet visibility, I turned approx. 90 degree and kept my compass within the 0 and 330 degree, and figured, if I just rowed long enough I must end up an a beach.

At times, my pulse reached 170 beats per minute even though I neither increased power, nor speed. It must have been the simple effect of adrenalin being pumped into my system. My sense of space and direction made me row the next 25 minutes towards what I believed to be the beaches. Yet, not seeing or hearing anything around me did not make very confident.

After 25 minutes of rowing without seeing anything, the surf got bigger quickly and I all of a sudden I got pushed parallel to the waves and almost rolled over. At the same time I noticed that the water has become very shallow and was filled with algies. It was then that I realized I had landed on Nahant Beach.

In the end, it was an exciting (and scary) row. I learned that weather conditions can change quickly on the water and catch you by surprise. I also learned that I need to apply my yoga breathing skills when a situation get's scary to bring down my heart rate, and most of all to bring a communication device, additional navigation equipment such as GPS, and to never row without a compass. I was more than happy having rowed the Echo equipped with one.

SALEM BAY "OUTER ISLAND ROW"

Outside MHD Rock, Outside Childrens, Outside Satan's Rock, Outside Dry Breakers, Outside Baker's Island, Around House Island, Cross Manchester Harbor, Around some piece of rock off Singing Beach that shall remain nameless. Follow the shore line into Beverly Harbor, Cross Harbor before the mooring fields are too numerous, Follow shore line into Salem Harbor, Pass the Lighthouse at Winter's Island, Round Red Nun #2 off Salem Harbor, Follow the shore line , Pass Peach's Pt and into the club house basin. 15.5 miles in a little under 3 hours. Blackburn is 20+ I have blisters under my calluses. Didn't know that to be possible. I have become a big proponent of Alieve.

Another row in Salem Harbor

Rowed for about 75 minutes in Salem Harbor. I forgot to charge the Garmin so I had to really concentrate on keeping the stokes slow and steady. I had a great time as everything is starting to come together.

Happy rowing into The Zone, - and beyond.

Jon

My first solo row on the Ace

After all the rain during the earlier part of the week I could not stay off the water any longer and decided to row yesterday morning. I would have rowed in almost any condition just to be back on the water. Yet, I got lucky. At 8:30am the weather looked beautiful with light and variable winds (ENE 2 to 2 knots) with smooth seas and small long period swells (ESE 3 feet at 11 sec).

Since the water appeared friendly and inviting, I felt encouraged and anxious to row the yellow Ace I had picked up at Echo Rowing in Maine on Wednesday (Thank you Lorna, Doug and Ted). The Ace is built by Echo Rowing and designed by Doug Martin. Based on its revolutionary design, I have been fascinated by the Ace for a while, and during our Learn to Row day a few weeks ago I definitely got interested in testing it.

As I was leaving Little Harbor, I met Maryellen, who continued towards Marblehead Neck and Swampscott for a long training row (which I later found out, was a bit choppy but excellent). The rough water beyond the Neck still intimidated me so that I opted towards Salem Harbor for my first "test-row".

During my first stretch towards Salem Harbor the boat felt smooth and effortless. But instead of powering up and getting a good training row, I focused on getting to know the boat and maintaining a clean stroke to keep it stable. I continued towards Beverly Lighthouse, Red Nun, along the Beverly coast line and crossed over to Misery Island before taking a quick break to enjoy the sun fighting its way through the haze. As soon as I headed back home, the swells and wind changed, and forced me even more to focus on keeping the Ace stable. Throughout most of the row I was able to maintain my balance and a clean and smooth row. Once in a while, I caught myself almost crabbing, which quickly released an extra dose of adrenalin into my blood stream. I am not sure yet if this happened due to the changing seas and winds or getting lazy with my stroke. It's too early to tell.

In the end, I had a wonderful first solo row on the Ace, logged 9.23 miles in 90 minutes, got a glimpse of the sun after days of darkness, and am ready to get out again.

Rowing in the mist

Brag, brag.

Rowed for an hour in Salem harbor. Getting better at keeping the heart rate at 150. What a difference it makes. Feels much better than going all out. Almost like cheating. Still waiting for this zone thing to happen, - hopefully soon.

Happy rowing in the "Zone"

Jon

The Maiden Journey of "Myjanda"

Since the weather has been less than perfect for rowing during the last three days, I am adding a few notes and pics about my (our) 11 mile morning row from last Saturday in order to remind everyone how wonderful saltwater rowing can be (since it's easy to forget these days). Saturday, 6/20 at 7am my maiden journey with my new orange Echo started at the boat house. Accompanied by Jay P and his wife Carmi in the Alden Double, Paul M. in his Echo and Capt Jack in his Dolphin (who had completed already 8 miles before 7am!), we headed towards Misery Island. The early morning sun was bright and the water was churning up long 3-4' rollers over 7-8 seconds. A wonderful environment for any Echo, but especially good for a maiden voyage.

Slightly over-motivated due to excitement of rowing my own boat and by the fact that this row was supposed to be my first "10 mile - Blackburn training row", I pushed my heartbeat to 90% of my max. training heart rate zone during the first 4.5 miles. Yet, the beautiful waterscapes, high rollers and the spitit of the other team members around me just created a very motivating environment. It was only during a quick water break behind Misery Island (see photos of Jay, Carmi, Jack and Paul) and my conversation with Jay about heart beat rates that I realized that I should take it slower during my way back.

We rowed along the Beverly coast line when the wind picked up a notch and created some additional short wind waves we had to fight against. Jack decided to head back the direct way, Carmi and Jay, who looked great in the Double throughout the whole row, opted for taking a short cut as well. Paul and I continued along the coast passing Red Nun, Beverly Light House and into Salem Harbor before turning back towards Brown Island and the boat house.

At the end, it turned out I (we) had rowed excatly 11 miles in just a bit over 2 hours. I do not know how this compares to other training rows, but it felt pretty good for a maiden journey. "Myjanda" will be the new name of my orange Echo and it appears to be holding some magical powers. The eggs at Driftwood tatsted just wonderful afterwards. There will be more reports to come.

For anyone interested in training with GPS equipment (Paul, as I had mentioned), I am uploading a quick video of my maiden journey. The Garmin Forerunner 405 internet/community tools allow the syncing of my data into a web application. This application lets me read and analyze speed, distance, heart rate and other topics after the whole row. This information can be shared with anyone you wish. It will be interesting to monitor my Blackburn preparation during the coming weeks.

Thank you Jay, Carmi, Paul and Jack for a great row. Very much looking forward to getting out again on the water soon!

Sculling the Blackburn Course

Now that I'm back from Vermont, I'm eager to set a couple of dates to row the Blackburn Course in 2 legs.  Thomas and Paulie say they're in.  How about this Thursday & Sat. morning?  I'm up for an early start and can haul 2 shells on my car.   If this doesn't work, please suggest alternatives that work for you.

If the weather isn't depressiong try this

Today, June 21 was the longest day of the year. So darker days are coming and winter is around the corner.

Oar Lock Height

I was rowing an Echo and found myself struggling with not only the oar blade under water during the drive, but much of the oar under water. It turned out that the oar lock was set way too low for my body size. I corrected the problem by loosening the nut on top of the oar lock and put three of the plastic shims from the top of the oar lock to the bottom. This only raised the oarlock by 3/4 inch, but made all the difference in how the boat rowed. ( I am not a specialist in this subject so I will let the old timers pipe in).

The tool needed for the oar lock nut on the Echo is an Allen Wrench and I have put one in the locker. That was the easy part. The hard part was to put up a camera that will capture the face of the person that decides not to put it back after they have used it!

To adjust the oar lock height only takes one minute each side, and it is time well spent.

Happy rowing in the "zone"!

Jon

Sunday row 6/21?

Are we having our usual Sunday row 8 AM 6/22? The weater forecast is uncertain.....it might be dry around 8.

Newbie Instructional Rowing

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to let all the newbies know that lessons are back on. I enjoyed my few days away from the ocean. For those who wish to take lessons please email me at Bkrivelow@franklinpierce.edu and from their we'll plan.

Hope to Hear from people soon

I Just Don't Get It!

You guys are talking about being in the zone and the joy of rowing. Well, I don’t see it like that, at least not yet. I just got done rowing one hour in Salem harbor, and all I have are popping blisters and a sore butt.

Well, it’s not all that bad. I was able to slow down keeping a heart beat around 150, which makes it a lot more pleasant than trying to go all out. And I didn’t loose much speed.

I guess the zone thing will come when my shape improves. So I will keep on plugging.

Jon

SATURDAY ROW

A group of us are going to row ten miles Sat. morning at a training pace, leaving at 7:00 AM. Anybody who wants to join us, please reserve a boat.

Bought an Echo and registered for Blackburn Challenge

After having reviewed the used boat market on Row2K, Ebay and Craigslist during the last few weeks and almost buying a used one, I finally decided to buy a new Echo from Echo Rowing in Eliot, ME. Initially, the plan was to meet Lorna Martin Perry yesterday morning to row with her for a bit before picking up the boat an returning back home. The supposedly brief affair of "buying a product" turned into an incredible experience and full day spent with two wonderful people, Lorna and her brother Doug Martin.

The morning started with a "test row" of the Ace, a boat that has fascinated me, since I first saw it it on the internet last year. The Ace is a rowing shell that requires the rower's full concentration and focus on technique. Yet, an intriguing boart design that lets one experience the elemtents in a new way. A simple mistake could easily end up with tipping over and taking a plunge in the cold water. Luckily, we started out in pristine flat water rowing condition on Chauncey Creek. Lorna guided me in her Echo towards the open waters of Kittery Point Harbor/Bay, where we rowed to Wood Island, where the bay meets the open sea. Within a couple of hundred feet the rather calm water turned into a boiling mix of waves and currents. Something neither Lorna nor I expected. Within seconds my heart started pounding - not from exhaustion but the adrenalin caused by fear of taking a plunge. Waves were just pounding over me and soaking me up. My strokes became shorter and shorter to keep the boat in balance, and at times it felt even like surfing. Yet, the Ace left a wonderful impression "slicing" through the water. Lorna quickly recognized that the conditions might not be best for a first in the Ace. We turned around and rowed back to the boat house on the calm waters of Chauncey Creek. It was an exciting 5.6 mile "test row" I will never forget, and increased my desire to get back on an Ace.

At the boat house we were greeted by Doug Martin, Lorna's brother and designer of (at least) the Echo, Ace and Alden Star. The following hours were filled with interesting conversations, historical information, tech-talk about recreational rowing and Echo Rowing, and the product developments of Echo, Ace, Alden Star, including several iterations of scull blade design. I consider Doug a brilliant inventor, sculptor/artist and scientist, who has influenced many aspects of modern rowing, and gave me a wonderful introduction to the basics of aerodynamics (and water dynamcis) and mechanics of boat design.

After lunch we drove to the Echo Rowing facilities in Eliot, where I received a tour of the design and production process. The newly gained information made me an even prouder owner of a beautiful new orange Echo than I could ever have imagined. During my drive back to Marblehead/Swampscott I was thinking of only a few other products that have ignited similarly a fire of emotional connectedness between a product and me. Products and brands like my Apple Macbook Pro, iPhone and Breitling Chronograph come to mind.

Yesterday's experience demonstrated to me what a wonderful experience purchasing a product can be. Especially when the product meets or even exceeds the buyers needs and wants.

Thank you Lorna and Doug, and Ted for sharing all the knowledge and passion, and making your wonderful rowing shells.

Also, thank you Paul for coming down to the boat house, and helping me unload my Echo and our newest club boat, the "Alden Martin", which received some expert treatment up at Echo Rowing. It looks like new and is ready to row.

Last but not least, I registered for the Blackburn Challenge earlier this evening. Now, I am joining Maryellen and Jack in "having Blackburn on my mind".

Looking forward to seeing you all on the water.

WEEKEND II

The weather forecast is looking rather bleak. Sat will be the better day, Sunday we may see a gale. Take care on the water. Big swells these last few days.

MEMBER'S LOG BOARD NOW AT RNR

New to the club house you'll find a 4x6 dry erase "write-on" board that we have named the "Member's Log". Following a suggestion from our cold water survival presenation from the Marblehead Aux Coast Guard, we have decided to implement this program as an additional safety proceedure for the club.
It's easy enough to do....
Take the blue dry eraser (that hopefully stays around) and write in the date, name, boat you took, route and estimate time of return.
Wipe it off upon your return. (I don't think it's necessary for Newbies hanging around the back of Browns but fair game for all others)
Also avialable are the ability to post: Sea Conditions, Water Temps, AM/PM High and Low water.
Those of you who are incline, please feel free to fill it in (Make sure you include the date)
Lastly, there is a comment section for anything you wish to suggest.
We ask that all members who are venturing out into the bay to use this new proceedure
Thanks!!

I ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY

I have an affirmation calendar that I read every day. Kind of like the word of the day but instead its an affirmation to inspire, motivate or sometimes just make me smile. Wednesday, June 17th affirmation "I enjoy every minute of whatever I am doing today". OK, so we can only hope and while I am not rowing today (boo hoo) I am going to try my hardest to make sure its an amazing day. Two out of three kids out of school and I'm headed to a three day conference for work. The conference promises to be motivating, empowering, educational and who knows what else. Whatever the case, I am excited to drive three hours, see an old high school friend nearby and head there first thing tomorrow morning. Alot to do before I get myself out the door but I'm going to try my best to enjoy every minute (or atleast most). I hope all you Rock n Rowers are trying to make the best of your days. Its a NEW DAY, Amaze Yourself why don't you? And get out there on the water and row today. Might be the only nice day the rest of the week! I'll be there in spirit!

Weekend

Planning to do back to back 10s Sat and Sun at 7 AM. (training pace) Let me know if you want to row....

Just got back from a Salem Harbor row

I had a great time with my Wintech in Salem Harbor at high tide. A short 45 minutes row and 4.3 miles as the sun got lower on the horizon. I was concentrating on longer and slower strokes, trying to keep my heartbeat around 170 beat. (BTW, I thought I would have received some feedback on my previous post..... well, well.). It is definitely nice to row at a slower pace, concentrating on the strokes. Slowly, I will probably get in shape as long as I keep it up.



I read Jack's post and even though I would like to go for the Blackburn, I just aren't there yet. Hopefully next year.

I'VE GOT BLACKBURN ON MY MIND

Sitting here at Logan gate 29 waiting to board my flight to Chicago. Quick trip returning Wednesday late. Blue skies have once appeared outside the window and I've got Blackburn on my mind. How many weeks, days, hours left to train....not many. (and I thought I was under prepared last year). Trying to watch what I eat for these next few weeks. Every pound lighter is less I'll have to "pull' around with me during those 20 miles. I registered today, men's touring single. In deference to both Stephanie and Carmi, I don't think I'm quite cut out to do a double. Perhaps at least not yet. Paulie and I are bonding around our fund raising efforts. You see it's not all about the row. We have chosen the Salem Mission a local organization who's mission is to help support the community homeless through longterm housing, education and training. A very ambitious but impressive model the showed me. I wish I was rowing. Need to row soon. Haven't even got a 10 miler in this season. Plan to start as soon as I return. 3-4 times a week is a must for the next 5 weeks. Do I have that long? I really haven't done the math, not that it matters. Give me time on the water. RnR has accomplished a lot so early in the season. " Blessing of the Fleet", Beach Clean-up and a an extremely successful Community Row Day. That was all about the club and now it's time to narrow the focus, to think about me and the Blackburn Challenge that awaits me and others who are training for this event. I've definitely got Blackburn on my mind

Sunday Morning Row - June 14

Rowing in the rain - what a beautiful thing on a Sunday morning.

Equipped with the willingness to row rain or shine, Captain Jack, Carlton S., Stephanie B., Thomas V. and newest member Emily Greten arrived at the boathouse around 7:30am to be on the water by 8am. Emily and Carlton opted for the Echos, Thomas for an Alden Star, and Stephanie and Jack for a mixed double in the Alden "Double Trouble". We headed towards Marblehead Rock when it started raining again. The fleet passed Children's Island on the back towards Eagle Island when Captain Jack, realizing that he needed to head back home in order to make his next appointment, asked Thomas to trade places with. After a brief stop in the cove of Children's Island, Jack (now in the Alden Star) and Carlton headed back home. Emily, Stephanie and her new Double partner Thomas decided to go for Misery Island. As soon as we passed Eagle Island the wind and swells picked up and challenged the Echo and the Double to stay their courses. After a brief recess in the cove of Misery Island we turned around and headed back home. Overall, a wonderful 9 mile Sunday Morning row with the insight that rowing in a Double can double the fun. Congratulations to Stephanie (for being a great partner in "Double Trouble") and Emily (on her first saltwater row). They are both IronWoman demonstrating great stamina fighting the elements.

Some feedback appreciated

I friend of mine gave me this book called “Younger next year. Live strong, fit and sexy – until you’re 80 and beyond”. It is an interesting book that basically deals with why exercise is a must when you turn older. They are big on heart monitors so that a person knows that they are in the “right exercise zone”. They are referring to exercises in the 60%-70% of max heart rate and what it does to you, 70%-80% of max heart rate and so on. They define the theoretical max heart rate to be 220 minus your age. The real max heart rate is to give it your all after a good warm up.

Of course I ran out and bought one, strapped it one and turned it on during my Saturday row with Stephanie B (The Iron Woman) and Charlie H. Too keep up with Stephanie, I found out to my shock my heart was pumping at 180-185. I was able to sustain that for the entire row (1 hour 5 minutes and 5.4 miles) with a couple of short stops around a minute or so. At the end I gave it my all to find out my max heart rate and according to the book’s equation I am 28 years old. In other word, I peaked at 192 beats per minute. (My resting pulse is 60)

Now to my questions:

1) I take it that I am out of shape which is no surprise since I have been a heavy smoker for more years than I like to admit?
2) Is this considered to be an aggressive exercise and if so, is it OK to exercise this aggressively? I was a little surprised that I was able to keep it up for that long. (I could be that I am a little stubborn, which is also news to me :)
3) If I need to change my exercise routine, what should it be? (The book talks about staying in the 60-70% range most of the time with short bursts into the higher heart beat ranges.)
4) Am I reading too much into the heart range monitor thing?
5) What does it mean to have a low resting pulse? Good I take it!

Thanks
Jon Hancke

OH the JOY of rowing & training for the Blackburn

After a crummy weather week and a couple of slogging rows on choppy days in Salem Harbor last week -- I enjoyed an absolutely beautiful 2+ hours Saturday morning. I rowed from Little Harbor Beach around Marblehead Neck, past Devereaux Beach and along the coast to Swampscott and back to achieved this weeks goal of a 10 mile row. Yes -- I love everything about this sport!

5 weeks left before the Blackburn Challenge. Completing the Blackburn's 20+ mile course is a great goal supporting my improved health, fitness and well-being.

I do groove on the solitude, peace and joy of solo rowing. And, I'm bummed to be missing the our RockNRow club rows these 3 weeks with end of year church commitments and the wedding of my niece next weekend in Vermont.

Group rowing and solo rowing -- I am thrilled to be on the salt water ... rowing.

School Is in Session!

Over the past two days I began "Newbie" lessons for those new members that have joined the clubs. Friday I took at 2 people, Art Capstaff and Shelley Sloboder. Art has had only 2 hours in an Echo and seems to be getting the hang of things quickly as he just tinkered around the harbor going back and forth. As for Shelley she was almost doing full strokes by the time I helped her docked. Which was great because we were only out there for about an hour and a half. The rain let off as soon as everyone met me at the boathouse and actually started back up when we left which was amazing luck on our part. Today at 1030am I met up with Terrie to help out the father son duo of Will and Seth Pappas. Will took up the sport naturally as Terrie helped him get basics down. Seth has had prior experience behind an oar as he has rowed before when he was in college. Because of that Terrie wanted us to just get water time, Seth and I just rowed out to Childrens Island and then met up with Terrie and Will to have a row around the island which was a great work out. Conditions were perfect for this and this heightened everyones spirits. I hope to see everyone out on the water as soon as I come back from taking a few days off the water to go out of town. In the end I'm very proud on how far everyone has come in such a short time.

I'll Miss You Guys

Kathie and I are off to VT this morning to spend a few days in the mountains celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. That's right folks, 30 years! 

Can you solve the mystery...

How can I be married 30 years when I'm only 25 years old?

Must be the rowing! Ah..the elixir of youth. 

Shhh, lets keep it a secret in our secret society. 

Used to be going away for a long weekend in VT was a welcome change of pace, venue, and a connection to the mountains I love dearly. 

Now its bittersweet cause I MISS ROCK N ROW!!!!

Sunday Morning Row - June 7 - group shot with Al Grandmaison

(from left to right) Stephanie B., Thomas V., Jean V., Al Grandmaison, Paul M., Jon H.

Sunday Morning Row - June 7

My last Sunday morning row consisted of 3 parts.
Part 1. 7am training / 40 minutes warm-up session with Paul M. rowing past Coney Island Rock before returning to the clubhouse for the 8am row. Maryellen S. joined us briefly and continued her own long distance training towards Baker's Island (and most likely even further).

Part 2. Sunday morning row with familiar faces Paul M., Jean V., her husband and Newbie Chuck, Stephanie B., Jon H., Terrie L., and visitor / guest rower Al Grandmaison (age 89) from Florida. Many of you might have met Al already during the Saturday Learn to Row event. Paul, Al, Jean and Chuck rowed as one group. Stephanie, Jon and I formed a second group heading out towards Beverly lighhouse past Coney Island Rock. I was lucky to test Paul's very fast Maas 24. The wind picked up on on the Beverly / Salem side of the harbor and we were able to experience some nice chops. The Maas 24 has proven to be an excellent boat in calm and rough water.

Part 3. Newbie row at 11am with my younger daughter Alexandra in the Alden "Double Trouble" and my wife Ilene, who had her first single experience in an Echo (Thank you Jean for letting her test drive yours) around Brown Island. Ilene enjoyed the beautiful scenery, did well and liked it so much that she plans to return to the waters of Little Harbor and Brown Island. Alexandra got her first session and is looking forward to the next one.

Additionally, Terrie and Jean spent some time with a new club member (I believe it was Seth).

Looking forwrad to our next Sunday morning row.

Here are a few visual impressions illustrating the wonderful rowing experiences.