Battling the machine tonight, not in the normal way, but because the machine in the gym I go to when I take my son to swimming lessons is not well looked after, well, actually its been abused to be honest.. badly... I'll pop those pictures up first, literally the machine moved across the floor on every stroke, front legs had been bent so that it was sat on the wheels, back legs missing the rubber, I tried to drop a couple of weights on but still every stroke the machine edged back and forth, also max drag was 98 ... so anyways did my best, but went from a 30r20 TT to a HRR row. Turned out quite well bearing all that in mind.

Indoor Rowing on the Concept2 target was sub6 on the 2k as a 40 year old - now 50 and just getting some ducks in a row lets see where we can go. Previous Overall World Record holder in the 100km 6H12m39.2s ave 1:51.7 and Irish National Record holder in 30's 40's and 50's groups. Age group European & Irish 2k Champion and British Open 2k Champion
Tuesday, 2 September 2025
Sunday, 31 August 2025
2025 World Rowing Virtual Series - Metronome
Extremely last chance last minute attempt at this, I had another go about a week ago but tried using a different app than ergdata and I just couldn't find the info I needed, so back to trusted and tested etgdata and a few notes on my erg and after a 2k warm up I set off, thought I'd messed the stroke count twice, especially on the last split, but I actually hit it dead on. Wait to see if anyone else has a last minute try or held back their result, but happy with mine, although another 4m would have been nice.
Friday, 29 August 2025
Tough one 3by3k 3r r26
All day trees.... 😆 so 3k of rowing at r26 3 min rest go again and again. Tired legs but good training for the brain as I was able to maintain the pace and stroke rate even though the legs where asking for a relax on the couch. Job done, training box ticked, onwards and upwards.
Mum's birthday today, 29th August, sadly unable to speak directly with her as shes no longer with us, but she was still with me in my heart today, love you mum xx.
Thursday, 28 August 2025
4by2k 3r r24 more proper training
Back from the old plans from Q - 4by2k r24 3r 30r20 pace, so what does that mean, well 2,000m then rest for 3 minutes, do four of them in total rating 24 strokes per minute and use current 30r20 pace as a guide, for me that's currently 1:53 pace, so that went well then didn't it 😀 well... not quite as OCD as I'd like...
Tuesday, 26 August 2025
Startlng the real training now
As I've had a couple of months of consistency, ie actually being able to train most days, today starts the real training, mileage, well, meterage 😆
Simple plans for simple folk, 40r18 HRR cap at 75% so 146 i think..
Actually felt quite good and happy the way it went.
Monday, 25 August 2025
30r20 the hard way
Tonight I started back on a session which used to fuel my training every Monday, the 30r20 no HR restrictions, but needed to pace sensibly to complete it to give myself a marker for following weeks, tough row for breathing for some reason, well... I know the reason, belly is in the way still... something I need to work on, on a positive the HR stayed pretty good and the mental battle was won 😉 onwards and upwards
Monday, 18 August 2025
In the midnight hour
She cried 60m r20.. 😆
I have been training almost daily now, but finding time to write them up has been hard.
But for tonight