Has anybody read the book "Rowing Against the Current : On Learning to Scull at Forty" by Barry S. Strauss.
My wife ordered it for me since I started rowing at 43. It hasn't arrived yet so I can't comment on it, but I'd like to hear what others have to say on the topic.
bw
Rowing over 40
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Raymond Botha
- Paddler
- Posts: 8
- Joined: April 10th, 2006, 4:51 am
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Thanks for finding the website. My copy still hasn't arrived. From the description on the website.
"IN THE MIDST OF A STANDARD MIDLIFE CRISIS-COMPLETE WITH WINE-TASTING, YOGA CLASSES, AND A FAILED ATTEMPT AT A FIRST NOVEL, FORTY-YEAR-OLD BARRY STRAUSS FALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AND PASSIONATELY IN LOVE WITH ROWING, A SPORT IN WHICH A TWENTY- SEVEN-YEAR-OLD IS A HAS-BEEN."
I started rowing at 43, but don't plan on having a mid-life crisis for another 10 years or so.
bw
"IN THE MIDST OF A STANDARD MIDLIFE CRISIS-COMPLETE WITH WINE-TASTING, YOGA CLASSES, AND A FAILED ATTEMPT AT A FIRST NOVEL, FORTY-YEAR-OLD BARRY STRAUSS FALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AND PASSIONATELY IN LOVE WITH ROWING, A SPORT IN WHICH A TWENTY- SEVEN-YEAR-OLD IS A HAS-BEEN."
I started rowing at 43, but don't plan on having a mid-life crisis for another 10 years or so.
bw
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Hal Morgan
- 500m Poster
- Posts: 89
- Joined: March 19th, 2006, 1:37 pm
- Location: Eugene, Oregon
Ah! I started at 43, I am 45 I have had great weeks of erging and on water rowing. I am in a slump. I have no reason. I just am. I will weather this slump as I have weathered others. I will adapt, rest and then press on. The best thing about rowing is it so freaking cool.
Sincerely,
Hal Morgan or aka
Harold Muchler
48 1/2 male 192 lbs 5'11"
rowing erg since 9/04
on water since 9/05
rowing it's a niche sport
Hal Morgan or aka
Harold Muchler
48 1/2 male 192 lbs 5'11"
rowing erg since 9/04
on water since 9/05
rowing it's a niche sport
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eyespliced
- 500m Poster
- Posts: 70
- Joined: March 18th, 2006, 12:04 am
- Location: Berkeley CA
- Contact:
just an observation, i think that it is bad to call things that happen in your 40's a mid life crisis... thinking happy, i would call something that might happen in my late 50's early 60's a mid life problem (this is what I a 17 yr old think on that) i mean jeeze i want to have at least 100 years under my belt before i bite it, not 85-90. so yea that's my 2¢.
hah again this is coming from the fingers of a person who is only 17 years old haha.
hah again this is coming from the fingers of a person who is only 17 years old haha.
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johnnybike
- 1k Poster
- Posts: 104
- Joined: March 16th, 2006, 12:49 pm
- Contact:
Wait until you get to close to your 40s and see if you think the same. I bet not.
I upped and left a company I had worked at for 23 years, of my own volition aged 39. No payoff or redundancy. I do not regret it one bit, which is a relief.
I upped and left a company I had worked at for 23 years, of my own volition aged 39. No payoff or redundancy. I do not regret it one bit, which is a relief.
[url=http://www.concept2.co.uk/forum/weblog.php?w=57]Read my diary[/url]
2K [b]7:06:1[/b] | 5K [b]18:35.2[/b] | 10K [b]37.47.9[/b] | 30mins [b]7899[/b] | 60mins [b]15577[/b] | HM [b]82:33.3[/b] FM [b]2:50:48[/b]
2K [b]7:06:1[/b] | 5K [b]18:35.2[/b] | 10K [b]37.47.9[/b] | 30mins [b]7899[/b] | 60mins [b]15577[/b] | HM [b]82:33.3[/b] FM [b]2:50:48[/b]
When I hit 40, I thought "wow, life really does begin at 40". A lot of things changed about then that made life quite a bit better. Learning to row was one of those things, as was the chain of events that led to learning to row.eyespliced wrote:just an observation, i think that it is bad to call things that happen in your 40's a mid life crisis... thinking happy,
But then at the same time ... I found that there was truth to what someone told me about how your body begins to stop working at 40. The same person told me that things start to fall off at 50. Rowing helps here -- I think my arm was getting ready to prematurely to fall off due to an old bicycling injury. Now it is firmly attached.
Like I said, I haven't read the book. But I agree with eyespliced about 40 being too young for a midlife crisis, and I am expecting to take issue with the idea that rowing is a sport in which a 27-year-old is a has-been. That may be so for a level of competition for which I would never have qualified in the first place (I'm not much of an athlete and never was). At my rowing club, of the six of us who will regularly be out on the water in singles at 6am, I am the youngest. The oldest is in his 70s and still competes (and wins).
bw
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Hal Morgan
- 500m Poster
- Posts: 89
- Joined: March 19th, 2006, 1:37 pm
- Location: Eugene, Oregon
Just like a 17 year old to speak form "experience".
Two scarriest people in the Army!
2nd lt, From my professional experience....
and
a Major, with an Idea.
yark, yark.
Two scarriest people in the Army!
2nd lt, From my professional experience....
and
a Major, with an Idea.
yark, yark.
Sincerely,
Hal Morgan or aka
Harold Muchler
48 1/2 male 192 lbs 5'11"
rowing erg since 9/04
on water since 9/05
rowing it's a niche sport
Hal Morgan or aka
Harold Muchler
48 1/2 male 192 lbs 5'11"
rowing erg since 9/04
on water since 9/05
rowing it's a niche sport
I started rowing when I was about 8, and rowed at high competition level from 15 to 21, doing LOTS of workouts a week.
In july I will be 40, and I am thinking on going back into high (or medium)-level competition.
I now do 5-6 workouts a week, and I feel I get much more profit from these than form those 10 workouts I used to do when I was 20.
I think a lot has to do about not having much time, and thus making the most of the very valuable spare time, and the other about the ability to plan very detailed workouts and competitions.
Now we have much more tools for this: heart rate monitoring, PM2/3, NK monitors, GPS...
And spend some time thinking about what you eat and drink (I'll eat everything! ), and how much time you really need to rest.
In july I will be 40, and I am thinking on going back into high (or medium)-level competition.
I now do 5-6 workouts a week, and I feel I get much more profit from these than form those 10 workouts I used to do when I was 20.
I think a lot has to do about not having much time, and thus making the most of the very valuable spare time, and the other about the ability to plan very detailed workouts and competitions.
Now we have much more tools for this: heart rate monitoring, PM2/3, NK monitors, GPS...
And spend some time thinking about what you eat and drink (I'll eat everything!
), and how much time you really need to rest.yr 1966, 1,87 m, 8? kg
[img]http://www.c2ctc.com/sigs/img1201739576.png[/img]
Be Water, My Friend!
[img]http://www.c2ctc.com/sigs/img1201739576.png[/img]
Be Water, My Friend!
Coming for someone nearing 50....
I turned 49 this year (back in January). I started rowing last year at the ripe age of 48. Why? Because I was fat (258 lbs), out of shape (had trouble walking a mile), *and* started realizing what was important in life.
I had always been active in my life. Did some team sports in High School, but was really more of a backpacker and outdoorsman. Was probably in the best shape of my life when I got out of college - 5'11", 180 lbs. I would spend weeks in the Sierra Nevada every summer. Walking 30 miles a day with a 50 lb backpack was a snap.
Then, in my 30's I fell into the trap set by the "American Dream". All of a sudden I no longer had time to excercise. But I did have time to chase my career aspirations. I had plenty of time to go out to fine dinners. Had plenty of time to do the "relaxing" things of life. Enjoyed them all.
Within the last couple of few years though, some of the people I worked with and know at my age and with my daily stresses have started their Lipitor regimens, are having cardio problems, back problems, hip surgeries, etc., etc. One them has already had an agioplasty to roto-rooter the old heart, and one has had a heart attack. All of a sudden, the important things in life come into a bit more focus.
You know - I still get to work at 5:30AM, and usually am still at my desk at 9:00PM. I work most Saturdays and Sundays. But - I also make sure that I set aside 2 hours 5 or 6 days a week to excercise. I erg at least 12K 3 days a week. On the weekends I now run to my office and back home (4 mis each way). I am watching my diet. The upside? I've dropped 33 lbs since September, blood pressure is down, resting heart rate dropped from the mid 80s to the low 60's. Yeah - maybe I don't get to go out to dinner 3 or 4 times a week. Television is now almost non-existant. Golfing - never.
What does it all mean? Don't know. Will all of this fitness stuff mean I'll live longer? Don't know. But what I do know is that I feel better and have actually found something that is challenging physically with results that I can see and measure. I know that maybe this summer, I can strap that backpack back on, grab the kids and the fishing poles, and get back to the things that really matter in life.
I had always been active in my life. Did some team sports in High School, but was really more of a backpacker and outdoorsman. Was probably in the best shape of my life when I got out of college - 5'11", 180 lbs. I would spend weeks in the Sierra Nevada every summer. Walking 30 miles a day with a 50 lb backpack was a snap.
Then, in my 30's I fell into the trap set by the "American Dream". All of a sudden I no longer had time to excercise. But I did have time to chase my career aspirations. I had plenty of time to go out to fine dinners. Had plenty of time to do the "relaxing" things of life. Enjoyed them all.
Within the last couple of few years though, some of the people I worked with and know at my age and with my daily stresses have started their Lipitor regimens, are having cardio problems, back problems, hip surgeries, etc., etc. One them has already had an agioplasty to roto-rooter the old heart, and one has had a heart attack. All of a sudden, the important things in life come into a bit more focus.
You know - I still get to work at 5:30AM, and usually am still at my desk at 9:00PM. I work most Saturdays and Sundays. But - I also make sure that I set aside 2 hours 5 or 6 days a week to excercise. I erg at least 12K 3 days a week. On the weekends I now run to my office and back home (4 mis each way). I am watching my diet. The upside? I've dropped 33 lbs since September, blood pressure is down, resting heart rate dropped from the mid 80s to the low 60's. Yeah - maybe I don't get to go out to dinner 3 or 4 times a week. Television is now almost non-existant. Golfing - never.
What does it all mean? Don't know. Will all of this fitness stuff mean I'll live longer? Don't know. But what I do know is that I feel better and have actually found something that is challenging physically with results that I can see and measure. I know that maybe this summer, I can strap that backpack back on, grab the kids and the fishing poles, and get back to the things that really matter in life.
cool post
am in my mid 30's and am already realizing that the "fast lane" is really a fast lane to an early grave. There's no free lunch, and now understand that the American Dream costs a lot of $$ and long work hours. Am incorporating rowing into my life by working out every morning. It's the only exercise that I really like and keeps my attention. Best of luck to you.
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Rockin Roland
- 5k Poster
- Posts: 570
- Joined: March 19th, 2006, 12:02 am
- Location: Moving Flywheel
Rowing over 40
I'm almost 45 and have been rowing (on the water and the erg) for over 20 years. Mid-life crises can hit you in your 40s but that all depends on how well you have looked after your health.
Some of the blokes that I use to row with when we were twenty something have recently come back to row after a long lay off period. These guys were very fit and strong back then but had to give up rowing in pursuet of big bucks through their careers.
I haven't seen these guys for years and are really surprised at how much they have aged. Most are now flabby and overweight, big guts, double chinned and grey haired (if they have any left). Worst of all they are so unfit compared to where they were in their 20s.
I myself never sacrificed my health for money. I have always rowed in my 20s, 30s and 40s without a break. The results speak volumes for the benefits of regular exercise. All agree that I look about 10 years younger than them and my 2K erg scores are over a minute quicker.
I'm now often placed in an uncomfortable situation when they ask me to row with them. They are so slow and unfit that I no longer enjoy rowing with my old ageing rowing buddies. And I don't have the heart to tell them that.
I just look at all their fully optioned Mercedes Benzes and Range Rovers parked next to my Jeep in the rowing club car park and wonder if the wealth is worth the neglect in health.
Some of the blokes that I use to row with when we were twenty something have recently come back to row after a long lay off period. These guys were very fit and strong back then but had to give up rowing in pursuet of big bucks through their careers.
I haven't seen these guys for years and are really surprised at how much they have aged. Most are now flabby and overweight, big guts, double chinned and grey haired (if they have any left). Worst of all they are so unfit compared to where they were in their 20s.
I myself never sacrificed my health for money. I have always rowed in my 20s, 30s and 40s without a break. The results speak volumes for the benefits of regular exercise. All agree that I look about 10 years younger than them and my 2K erg scores are over a minute quicker.
I'm now often placed in an uncomfortable situation when they ask me to row with them. They are so slow and unfit that I no longer enjoy rowing with my old ageing rowing buddies. And I don't have the heart to tell them that.
I just look at all their fully optioned Mercedes Benzes and Range Rovers parked next to my Jeep in the rowing club car park and wonder if the wealth is worth the neglect in health.
PBs: 2K 6:13.4, 5K 16:32, 6K 19:55, 10K 33:49, 30min 8849m, 60min 17,309m
Caution: Static C2 ergs can ruin your technique and timing for rowing in a boat.
The best thing I ever did to improve my rowing was to sell my C2 and get a Rowperfect.
Caution: Static C2 ergs can ruin your technique and timing for rowing in a boat.
The best thing I ever did to improve my rowing was to sell my C2 and get a Rowperfect.
over 40
almost there- i'll be 40 in october. in general, i'm in better shape now than i have ever been. certainly faster in the boat (surfski) than i ever was. probably slower at things that are more purely aerobic, like cycling. i think you can maintain or build your strength for a long, long time. I paddle with some very fast, very fit people who are in their mid-50's and showing little sign of slowing down. i've even seen a very serious lifelong kayak racer in his mid 60's who can still kick most 20 year old's butts!
the trick to avoiding mid life crises (i hope) is balance. i don't buy into the whole "quit your job and concentrate only on your sport" business- there is a lot more in life that is intellectually satisfying than athletic performance, in my opinion. just the same, i have no patience for people who focus solely on their careers at the expense of everything else in their life. one of the best quotes i ever heard was from an absolutely world renowned academic surgical pathologist (that's what i am too, but not as renowned!), who said that "no one ever lay on their deathbed wishing that they had written another paper". similarly, though, i doubt anyone ever lay there wishing they had done one more 2K on the erg. but you will regret not being there for your spouse and kids, and not trying your best to be the best you can be in all aspects of your life.
andrew
the trick to avoiding mid life crises (i hope) is balance. i don't buy into the whole "quit your job and concentrate only on your sport" business- there is a lot more in life that is intellectually satisfying than athletic performance, in my opinion. just the same, i have no patience for people who focus solely on their careers at the expense of everything else in their life. one of the best quotes i ever heard was from an absolutely world renowned academic surgical pathologist (that's what i am too, but not as renowned!), who said that "no one ever lay on their deathbed wishing that they had written another paper". similarly, though, i doubt anyone ever lay there wishing they had done one more 2K on the erg. but you will regret not being there for your spouse and kids, and not trying your best to be the best you can be in all aspects of your life.
andrew
Re: Rowing over 40
Rock on Roland! I'm with you all the way. The wealth is _not_, repeat, _not_ worth the neglect in health.Rockin Roland wrote:I'm almost 45 and have been rowing (on the water and the erg) for over 20 years. Mid-life crises can hit you in your 40s but that all depends on how well you have looked after your health.
Some of the blokes that I use to row with when we were twenty something have recently come back to row after a long lay off period. These guys were very fit and strong back then but had to give up rowing in pursuet of big bucks through their careers.
I haven't seen these guys for years and are really surprised at how much they have aged. Most are now flabby and overweight, big guts, double chinned and grey haired (if they have any left). Worst of all they are so unfit compared to where they were in their 20s.
I myself never sacrificed my health for money. I have always rowed in my 20s, 30s and 40s without a break. The results speak volumes for the benefits of regular exercise. All agree that I look about 10 years younger than them and my 2K erg scores are over a minute quicker.
I'm now often placed in an uncomfortable situation when they ask me to row with them. They are so slow and unfit that I no longer enjoy rowing with my old ageing rowing buddies. And I don't have the heart to tell them that.
I just look at all their fully optioned Mercedes Benzes and Range Rovers parked next to my Jeep in the rowing club car park and wonder if the wealth is worth the neglect in health.
I'm going to row 6:16 this fall.
If I do, I'll be nipping at your heels!
You never stopped rowing and skiing. I never stopped running.
Now I have learned to row and I'll never stop rowing.
ranger