The 3rd Annual Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer will be held in Amesbury Square, Amesbury Massachusetts on Monday April 19, 2010 starting at 9:00am. All are welcome to enjoy the fresh air and company of other fine ergers. Bringing your own erg would be helpful, but arrangements can be made to provide for those without their own.
Join Dave Nock of the sponsoring Hard Nock's Gym, Gary Passler, Rick Bayko, and others for 3 hours or more of rowing machine fun. Below are links to articles and videos of the first two years of the event. Come and make this one bigger yet. Contact Dave Nock at (978) 388-9024 or (978)388-6929.
http://www.c2forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=7640
http://www.c2forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=8946
Rick Bayko,
Assistant to Dave Nock, Grand Poobah of the 3rd AEM
3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
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Yankeerunner
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Re: 3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
Best of rowing to all marathoners today. Row strong but row smart. Rick, you having the dancing girls out again? 
M 64 76 kg
"Sit Down! Row Hard! Go Nowhere!"
"Sit Down! Row Hard! Go Nowhere!"
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Citroen
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Re: 3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
Best of luck. Sorry I couldn't join you but all flights from northern Europe are still grounded (shame). I hope you don't have too much pain in the tail tomorrow.
Re: 3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
I see on the Nonathlon that you and your crew did the Marathon today, Rick. Congratulations and well done! Post photos and a report!!
My wife is in Boston for the race and a family visit. She ran the Marathon in 4:39. I figured she shouldn't suffer alone (I guess 25,000 people isn't really "alone") so I rowed my marathon today too: 2:58:54.0. I think I'll go lie down now.
Again, well done!
My wife is in Boston for the race and a family visit. She ran the Marathon in 4:39. I figured she shouldn't suffer alone (I guess 25,000 people isn't really "alone") so I rowed my marathon today too: 2:58:54.0. I think I'll go lie down now.
Again, well done!
Mark Underwood. Rower first, cyclist too.
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Re: 3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
Age Before Beauty
For the 3rd straight year the Amesbury Erg Marathon was blessed with good weather. Cool, mostly sunny, and pleasantly breezy.
A new feature this year was a relay for those who didn't feel up to doing the whole 42,195m but wanted to support the effort. The first big move of the day took place when 84-year-old Ray Poulin started the first leg of the relay....at 8:30am, 30 minutes earlier than the official start of the day. Ray hasn't made it to 84 by waiting around for others! Joining Ray were Paul Mahoney, Dan Edson, and Jennie Siegel.
Paul Mahoney keeping the relay moving along.
Jennie Siegel at the right, under the Relay For Life banner.
Meanwhile, the others got the 'Start' command from race organizer Dave Nock at 9:00am and started trying to chase down the Relay. Hot in pursuit was Matt Talas, trying not only to improve on his 3:22:15 of last year but trying to do the best time of the day. With some 23,000m done Dave Nock told the leader that Matt was currently 2nd some 400m behind, meaning that Matt had done the first half-marathon in about 1:30:00. Matt had been going with the flow, sometimes pulling 1:48s when he felt chipper, but a quick glance a few minutes later revealed Matt sitting motionless on his erg, totally wasted. To his credit he continued the painful journey down to 0 meters, taking over 2:13:00 for second half-marathon.
Matt Talas, using the power while he had it.
A few ergs down the line Audrey Latham was being the first woman to attempt it, trading her role as donation-collector for the past two years for a seat on Tom Rawls's old model C. The goal was to break 4 hours, and the effort was successful with some 25 minutes to spare.
Audrey Latham need not have worried about Dave & Jane Nock's dog. He's friendly.
With Audrey on the erg, the bucket brigade for collecting donations fell to a cadre of volunteers.
Gary Passler took time out from CycloCross and his 17 or 18 other activities to do his part for Dave. While he was unable to match the 3:04+ that he had done two years ago on his POORA (Pre-Operated On Right Ankle) he did manage to shave almost 2 minutes off his time from last year.
Gary Passler. Not much fat to be found on those legs.
Lon 'Doc' Sherman made the biggest gain of the day, cutting over 11 minutes from his marathon of last year at this event. Despite missing five weeks of training while out of the country and hitting the big 6-Oh he trained intelligently and vigorously enough to make the big improvement.
Lon Sherman, making it look too easy. There's probably even more improvement to come.
Back at the relay, old Ray had gone home, showered, changed, and was enjoying the day when he was called back into service to do the anchor leg. Undaunted, the octogenarian climbed aboard in his street clothes, jacket and cap and protected the lead. As the individual leader bore down Ray upped the pace, hammering out 2:40s at age 84. Ray hit 0 meters on his monitor with several hundreds of meters left on the other monitor and the cheers of the crowd ringing in his hearing aid.
Ray Poulin, not giving an inch.
Finally, after Mr. Poulin showed how it's done, Rick Bayko grunted to the end to achieve his stated goal of breaking three hours.
Rick Bayko, trying to look appropriately intense. Unfortunately the other competitors couldn't see the face to notice the attempt at intimidation.
It turned out that the men finished in reverse order of their ages, showing that experience counts for something. Given enough years maybe the young bucks can learn a thing or three.
Relay 2:55:03 (3:25:03 elapsed time)
Rick Bayko 62lwt 2:56:45.0
Lon Sherman 60lwt 3:08:06.7
Gary Passler 55lwt 3:10:01.8
Audrey Latham young 3:34:54.7
Matt Talas 43Hwt 3:43:30.0
Over $600 was dropped into the buckets to aid in Cancer Research, with more coming in since as in the past years.
Unfortunately since Dan Edson doubled as official photographer there are no photos of Dan. That should be corrected in the future.
On the way back from the event at least one cub reporter was known to have gone through the Burger King drive-though for two Whoppers w/Cheese. Back at work some coffee & cookies were added, as well as a leftover cream horn. Replenishment ain't always pretty.
Rick Bayko,
Cub Reporter
For the 3rd straight year the Amesbury Erg Marathon was blessed with good weather. Cool, mostly sunny, and pleasantly breezy.
A new feature this year was a relay for those who didn't feel up to doing the whole 42,195m but wanted to support the effort. The first big move of the day took place when 84-year-old Ray Poulin started the first leg of the relay....at 8:30am, 30 minutes earlier than the official start of the day. Ray hasn't made it to 84 by waiting around for others! Joining Ray were Paul Mahoney, Dan Edson, and Jennie Siegel.
Paul Mahoney keeping the relay moving along.
Jennie Siegel at the right, under the Relay For Life banner.
Meanwhile, the others got the 'Start' command from race organizer Dave Nock at 9:00am and started trying to chase down the Relay. Hot in pursuit was Matt Talas, trying not only to improve on his 3:22:15 of last year but trying to do the best time of the day. With some 23,000m done Dave Nock told the leader that Matt was currently 2nd some 400m behind, meaning that Matt had done the first half-marathon in about 1:30:00. Matt had been going with the flow, sometimes pulling 1:48s when he felt chipper, but a quick glance a few minutes later revealed Matt sitting motionless on his erg, totally wasted. To his credit he continued the painful journey down to 0 meters, taking over 2:13:00 for second half-marathon.
Matt Talas, using the power while he had it.
A few ergs down the line Audrey Latham was being the first woman to attempt it, trading her role as donation-collector for the past two years for a seat on Tom Rawls's old model C. The goal was to break 4 hours, and the effort was successful with some 25 minutes to spare.
Audrey Latham need not have worried about Dave & Jane Nock's dog. He's friendly.
With Audrey on the erg, the bucket brigade for collecting donations fell to a cadre of volunteers.
Gary Passler took time out from CycloCross and his 17 or 18 other activities to do his part for Dave. While he was unable to match the 3:04+ that he had done two years ago on his POORA (Pre-Operated On Right Ankle) he did manage to shave almost 2 minutes off his time from last year.
Gary Passler. Not much fat to be found on those legs.
Lon 'Doc' Sherman made the biggest gain of the day, cutting over 11 minutes from his marathon of last year at this event. Despite missing five weeks of training while out of the country and hitting the big 6-Oh he trained intelligently and vigorously enough to make the big improvement.
Lon Sherman, making it look too easy. There's probably even more improvement to come.
Back at the relay, old Ray had gone home, showered, changed, and was enjoying the day when he was called back into service to do the anchor leg. Undaunted, the octogenarian climbed aboard in his street clothes, jacket and cap and protected the lead. As the individual leader bore down Ray upped the pace, hammering out 2:40s at age 84. Ray hit 0 meters on his monitor with several hundreds of meters left on the other monitor and the cheers of the crowd ringing in his hearing aid.
Ray Poulin, not giving an inch.
Finally, after Mr. Poulin showed how it's done, Rick Bayko grunted to the end to achieve his stated goal of breaking three hours.
Rick Bayko, trying to look appropriately intense. Unfortunately the other competitors couldn't see the face to notice the attempt at intimidation.
It turned out that the men finished in reverse order of their ages, showing that experience counts for something. Given enough years maybe the young bucks can learn a thing or three.
Relay 2:55:03 (3:25:03 elapsed time)
Rick Bayko 62lwt 2:56:45.0
Lon Sherman 60lwt 3:08:06.7
Gary Passler 55lwt 3:10:01.8
Audrey Latham young 3:34:54.7
Matt Talas 43Hwt 3:43:30.0
Over $600 was dropped into the buckets to aid in Cancer Research, with more coming in since as in the past years.
Unfortunately since Dan Edson doubled as official photographer there are no photos of Dan. That should be corrected in the future.
On the way back from the event at least one cub reporter was known to have gone through the Burger King drive-though for two Whoppers w/Cheese. Back at work some coffee & cookies were added, as well as a leftover cream horn. Replenishment ain't always pretty.
Rick Bayko,
Cub Reporter
55-59: 1:33.5 3:19.2 6:55.7 18:22.0 2:47:26.5
60-64: 1:35.9 3:23.8 7:06.7 18:40.8 2:48:53.6
65-69: 1:38.6 3:31.9 7:19.2 19:26.6 3:02:06.0
70-74: 1:40.2 3:33.4 7:32.6 19:50.5 3:06:36.8
75-76: 1:43.9 3:47.7 7:50.2 20:51.3 3:13:55.7
60-64: 1:35.9 3:23.8 7:06.7 18:40.8 2:48:53.6
65-69: 1:38.6 3:31.9 7:19.2 19:26.6 3:02:06.0
70-74: 1:40.2 3:33.4 7:32.6 19:50.5 3:06:36.8
75-76: 1:43.9 3:47.7 7:50.2 20:51.3 3:13:55.7
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Citroen
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Re: 3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
Well done Rick. You've pipped my last marathon (at Paignton) by 1min25s.
Making six hundred bucks is good going. Extra well done.
Making six hundred bucks is good going. Extra well done.
Re: 3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
Great account of events Rick. Well done to you and to all who took part.
Regards,
Joe
Regards,
Joe
Re: 3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
Way to go everyone 
Nice report Rick and good fund raising too
Nice report Rick and good fund raising too M 64 76 kg
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Yankeerunner
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Re: 3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
Thanks everyone. Here's a brief video of some of the action. It seems that I still have the most wonky handle (DP's expression) in Ergdom. Dan Edson was also a participant in the Relay, but was the photographer and videographer and unfortunately was always on the wrong side of the camera and therefore remains largely anonymous, but greatly appreciated. That's his voice at the end talking about Ray.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR7oHtS4Vc0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR7oHtS4Vc0
55-59: 1:33.5 3:19.2 6:55.7 18:22.0 2:47:26.5
60-64: 1:35.9 3:23.8 7:06.7 18:40.8 2:48:53.6
65-69: 1:38.6 3:31.9 7:19.2 19:26.6 3:02:06.0
70-74: 1:40.2 3:33.4 7:32.6 19:50.5 3:06:36.8
75-76: 1:43.9 3:47.7 7:50.2 20:51.3 3:13:55.7
60-64: 1:35.9 3:23.8 7:06.7 18:40.8 2:48:53.6
65-69: 1:38.6 3:31.9 7:19.2 19:26.6 3:02:06.0
70-74: 1:40.2 3:33.4 7:32.6 19:50.5 3:06:36.8
75-76: 1:43.9 3:47.7 7:50.2 20:51.3 3:13:55.7
Re: 3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
WELL DONE EVERYONE INVOLVED!
-chad
-chad
52 M 6'2" 200 lbs 2k-7:03.9
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Re: 3rd Amesbury Erg Marathon for Cancer
Thanks for the report, Rick. I always enjoy reading your local regatta tales.Yankeerunner wrote:Thanks everyone.
It seems that I still have the most wonky handle (DP's expression) in Ergdom.
Re the handle: You don't really have to steer the erg; it ain't goin' nowhere.
One of the gold medal winners at the EIRC in Copenhagen was doing a similar thing with a 40-45 degree tilt to the handle - always at a the same point in the stroke cycle and always in the same direction.
It made me wonder what effect it would have OTW. It could not be done with a sweep oar, but it is amusing to speculate as to what sort of havoc that habit would cause while sculling.
Bob S.