The Pete Plan

After searching fiercely over the weekend for some kind of training plan for ultradistance rowing, or even for that matter, running, I came to the following conclusion: there ain't a whole lot out there. And the plans I found didn't feel right or were too complicated. But the universe aligned with my intention and as fate would have it, I ran into a friend who runs ultramarathons and is ranked among the best in the world - and she gave me the best advice. She said all you really need to do is increase your long days. That's it.

So simple is the way to go. And to me that means the Pete Plan. The Pete Plan is a well known resource among those who erg. It basically follows a 3 week rotation with 3 types of workouts - speed intervals, endurance intervals, and steady distance. It's very flexible and adaptable. I don't know if it's been used for long distances, but I'm going to try.

Day 1 is speed intervals tomorrow - I'm anticipating a lot of suffering. But it'll be good. Must remember to have a good stretch afterward...here's my plan for this week:

Monday: off
Tuesday: speed intervals (short sprints)
Wednesday: 8k steady
Thursday: endurance intervals (longer sprints)
Friday or Saturday: 8k steady
Sunday: long - 11k slow

I'll likely have to row later in the evenings after my 3 year old is tucked in bed. The thought of 5:00am workouts makes me want to hurl...

The Road to the Starting Line

It's said that the greatest challenge in running a marathon is making it to the starting line. The months of training and preparation required to be ready to go that distance often means that people will drop their quest due to injuries or life events, or they just stop believing they can do it.

I'm starting the journey to 100K now. The journey to the starting line. There is much to do and I'm ready and focused. Ive decided to share the steps that I take along the way, so that if anyone else wants to do something like this, perhaps this blog will provide a roadmap of sorts. I started making a list of the different things that will need to be addressed.

Fundraising
Marketing the campaign
Physical training and injury prevention
Organize venue for event and support team

I'm already working on my first challenge (I'm never going to say obstacle) - it looks like there aren't any 100K training plans for the erg (erg is short for ergometer, also known as the indoor rowing machine). So I'm looking at some options:

1. Follow a marathon plan (42K) and then make up my own expansion on it
2. Follow a running plan and just convert the running to the erg
3. Hire a rowing coach to provide me with a plan

I have my own Concept 2 machine at home, plus access to a gym at my workplace. I've got a year of short-distance erg training under my belt - last February I competed in a 2K sprint and did fairly well. But 2K training is quite different than 100K. The longest row I've done is 11 Km. Not much of a base for endurance. But I have completed a running marathon about 11 years ago so I think I have the mental strength to go long distance. Mental resilience will be helpful.

I took is easy this summer - not much erging in July and none at all in August. So, I need to keep that in mind when starting out. Action this weekend:

1. Do a row - get back in the groove
2. Contact a rowing coach
3. Develop a weight training plan to prevent injury

Let's begin!

Gone for Two Weeks

I haven't published this blog to any search engines yet since I'm going away for 2 weeks on vacation and will start putting this blog/website/mission/training into high gear when I return.

See you soon!

What is I Go 100?

Have you ever felt driven to make a difference in the world?

Do you think it's difficult or impossible in your current situation?

I used to think that I had to pick a certain career like a doctor or an emergency relief worker to make a difference in people's lives. Or I had to be famous or in a position of power to influence change.

I was wrong.

This blog is about gathering a bunch of people who, like me, want to give something wonderful to the world. To leave this place better because we were here. Think of this:

I'm going to do something a little crazy. It's going to be hard - maybe the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm going to row 100 Km on an indoor rowing machine as fast as I can in one day.

If I do this, perhaps you could feel inspired to join me and help build a school in Mozambique. See how easy it is to make this happen:


Donate to Build a School

So I go 100.

And we build a school and make a difference to hundreds of children.

What do you think? I believe we can make a difference - together.