COMMUNITY NEWS
WE ARE 2 CRAZY WOMEN, BOTH PASSIONATE ABOUT EXERCISE AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN OVERCOMING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. WE'D LIKE TO USE OUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING TO HIGHLIGHT THIS AND SET AN AUSTRALIAN RECORD IN INDOOR ROWING IN THE PROCESS.
T
wo years ago at 60, I decided to lose weight and regain health that was showing signs of deterioration. Depression was also present, even though I had much to look forward to. And getting on the scales one day, shocked me into action and to change the attitude I was letting swamp me. The Erg indoor rower became a large part of calorie-burning and was better for my knees and back than other machines. I joined a small competition going in the gym, improving times over 100mts until one day the gym manager, who was going to the Pan Pac games, checked the times he had to beat and we literally stumbled upon records for my age bracket at the same time. It was there we discovered I had broken the PanPac record, and on looking further found I had also broken the Australian women’s record. Sheer audacity pushed us to check to see if there was such a thing as a World record – and yes, I was .2 of a second off that – point 2! Two weeks later, it was mine and I have broken it 3 times more and gained many more records, world and Australian, since. I hadn’t until this time, known it was a recognised sport, and it still didn’t occur to me there were actual competitions where this all happened. I was still focused on weight loss and calorie burning.
Word got around about my achievements with the Erg. Jetts Australia put me on YouTube for training and motivation purposes, newspapers interviewed us and eventually, I followed Matt to public competition level. To me, a competition was another fear to face – but I had done so much fear-facing, that was propelling me forward in my health – it was just one more to breakthrough. I met Lesley at the Australian IR Championships last year, where she was recovering from a pinched nerve, and came along as a spectator, with ambitions to compete the following year. She was lucky enough to have a rower at home, and it was pivotal in her therapy. But as a self-confessed maniac for competition, she was soon on a personal training program and closing in on records in her age bracket. She’s done some amazing times, re-shaped her body and is a focused, determined inspiration to my more casual novice-like approach. As our fitness increased, and goals got bigger, we became aware of a whole international community of indoor rowers, and the potential to test ourselves further. I had progressed into longer distances for fun and suggested that we try doing a 100,000mt tandem row to test our mettle. It would be an Australian first
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The Bribie Islander
overall, and set a record for future rowing junkies to beat. We agreed that to make the pain and perseverance worthwhile, it should be a fundraiser and Beyond Blue was the unanimous choice. We chose Beyond Blue, partly because Covid has tested so many around the world mentally, and we personally have had experience with 'the blues', powerlessness, feelings of isolation and/or hopelessness that can sometimes take us over. We both know the value of exercise in helping to lift our spirits, re-establishing a sense of self-value and appreciation, and just plain having fun again. All from just sitting down and having a go. So, on December 9 this year, we will sit again at Jetts gym Mt Warren Park, push ourselves to the limit, for this wonderful organisation that has helped so many get back on track, and hopefully show that age doesn’t restrict you when it comes to staying healthy and active. Every donation helps and makes a significant impact on mental health in Australia, so thank you for your generosity. Click the 'Donate' button to donate and you will automatically receive a receipt. We'd love it if you could give anything - even $2, if you can - and help us, help others get their mojo back, as we have. You can donate at https://beyondblueindividual.everydayhero.com/au/100000-metre-indoor-row Thank you for supporting Beyond Blue!
