The Rower...

I have wanted a Concept 2 rowing machine for years. I think between 2003 and 2006, I checked craigslist and ebay daily hoping one would pop up that I could afford. I tried just about every other brand,but could not find one that felt like actual rowing. I fell in love with rowing my first year of college - I'd gotten a letter in the mail saying "Your application indicates that you might be the right size to be a heavy weight rower. Are you interested in rowing, come out to...." and so on. What that letter meant was, well, you are over 5'5" and weigh more than 160 lbs so you might make a good rower.

I ended up rowing all 4 years of college (and got my letter), but was never able to keep with the sport after college. I am finally old enough for a masters rowing program, but do not live close enough to a boathouse to join.

My husband and I found this rowing machine on craigslist! Now I'm planning on getting in shape and being ready to row in D.C. when we should be moving up there in 2013.

My New Pedometer

I've been posting my updates for the 100 mile fitness challenge weekly since October... which is probably getting boring, but I feel like if I show the world what I am doing every week, I'll be motivated to do more because I don't want people to think I am some little weakling.

In 2005, I began to almost religiously wear a pedometer and I found it a challenge to reach 5,000 steps per day (the literature I had was saying to be healthy, you needed 10,000 steps per day). I remember dropping the pedometer in the toilet at work (by accident - it fell off my belt) and never getting a new one in 2007.

Being without a job outside of the home over the last year had me worried (I've been trying to get back into shape since my knee replacement in December 2008 and know the expected time for "complete" recovery was to be 18 months.) I walk a lot since that was most of my therapy after I passed the 8 month mark, but was worried I am still not getting enough movement to be healthy.

So here is my pedometer from the Dollar Tree: I had such a happy surprise to find out that I am ranging 11,000-15,000 steps per day on weekdays and 8,500-10,500 on weekends. I am no longer quite so worried about my health as I was two weeks ago.