Well...April started very well with a really good recorded time for us at the Boston Rowing Marathon and we have set a new course record as we did it in a coastal 2- and as the message we got from Andrew Triggs Hodge says "I think you have truly done something that won't be attempted soon! Massive respect!" quite happy with that.

But the biggest thing is the fitness and stamina that I have been able to build up from using the ergo...yes...I have used an ergo at the rowing club...but not as consistently as I am now...using it every day as I am at the moment has increased my performance greatly. I have mostly been doing interval training whilst doing my 10km a day by rowing 500metres light then 500metres hard. In the run up to Boston I concentrated on long strong rows. Now I am reverting back to interval training with the last 2km at full resistance to build up some strength.

One great motivational tool has been being involved with the Concept2 challenge series. It is a series of challenges that started last September and there are 11 rounds in total, one has to complete a set task each month. I have to admit I do prefer the longer tasks and I wish there had been a marathon distance thrown in this year. But they range from 500metres to 10km. Then you enter your results online and you can compare yourself with everyone in the challenge worldwide...or set up a mini league as we have done at our rowing club there are 25 people from our club in our mini league which really does keep you on your toes and I'm not doing too badly considering everything.

It's not just the marathon that has been helped by the ergo...we have been to several races this year and am really surprised by the fitness I have throughout the races and the rate of recovery and this can only be down to consistent training on my trusty ergo each morning. I am so grateful to Concept2 UK for lending me a newer ergo to complete this challenge as my own ergo is in bits at the moment with a much needed renovation/repair session.

I have, only a few days ago, past quite a big milestone in my challenge to row 2012 miles this year and that was to have completed 1 million metres which is 621 miles. So that brings the total to date of 1,074,957 metres which is 668 miles. So that nearly 1/3 of the way with only 1362 miles to go. I am soon going to set up a sweepstake to get someone to predict the day that I will finish...and am planning a few events through the next few months to promote the challenge.

Another 50km will be being added to the total on Saturday May 19th as the Hilton Hotel in Maidstone in Kent are holding an event for me and my chosen charity...The Meningitis Trust...which they are now going to sponsor by means of their "Hilton in the community charity foundation" they have already given me a cheque for 835 pounds which has been a real boost to my virgin giving page. But all the money raised on this day will go to the charity as well and they are going to set up a support group in the local area with the money I am raising. It's going to be a really fun day and everyone, young and old will be clocking up mileage to raise money. On that day I hope to have other rowers online through "row pro" which should be good fun. And hopefully raise a few pounds from a voluntary donation fee...!!! There will also be another chap who has recovered from having Meningitis rowing with me at the event.

And as mentioned earlier...this is all in aid of The Meningitis Trust and you can sponsor me here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DarrenSimmons

Cheers

Darren