Lisa Perez: I agree with Neil Rhodes, quoted in the last newsletter. The toughest thing about a session on the rowing machine is the boredom. I'd be very interested to hear what other people do to keep 2 minutes from seeming like 2 hours. Terry O'Neill: I don't agree with Neil, in fact I think the issue of boredom is a symptom of a more serious problem around today.At this point I will avoid the temptation to go off on one of my hobbyhorses and just say this. When you get onto the rower to exercise there are the most fantastic array of activities going on inside your body. So if you are bored maybe you are looking in the wrong direction. It is true that on the machine you are not running through beautiful countryside so perhaps you should focus on your inside, which is just as spectacular.Just before you start an exercise routine, there is often a feeling of weakness and loss of energy. This is because in preparation the body has released chemicals to allow the exercise to be carried out, but until you actually start this chemical imbalance is uncomfortable.Once you start, this feeling recedes and you become aware of your heart rate moving up. This is followed shortly by changes in the breathing pattern as you clear the carbon dioxide from the body. Muscles start to send messages that they are struggling against lactate accumulation and tell your brain it's time to stop. Your will power overrides this and you are involved in this mental battle, trying desperately to manage the fine balance between what is left to do and your energy reserves.Boring? I don't think so.