Where Did it Begin?
After purchaasing my C2 RowErg – I had a tough time getting into a groove and finding the time. Hit a wall early on—rowing started to feel repetitive and hard to stick with 🤷♀️
Late 2019: found the Concept2 Community on Facebook, and everything changed!
- Friendly competition and incredible support from indoor rowers fueled my motivation 💪
- Found all kinds of opportunities to compete and build workouts on the machine.
- My favorites in the beginning were Dark Horse Rowing (Shane) and Asensei with Eric Murray!
- Rowing became a fun and exciting part of my fitness journey
Rowing benefits? So many!
- Fueled my running adventures (Mt. Washington and Boston Marathon!) 🏔️🏅
- Kept my knees and body strong, healthy, and injury-free 🦵❤️
- Met amazing athletes along the way who have become lifelong friends 🌟
Fast forward to today:
- As a world champion rower and record-breaking athlete, I’m now on a 900-day rowing streak!
- It’s been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my athletic career taking up a new sport and focusing in to do my very best🔥
What this streak has taught me:
- Mental and physical resilience are key to pushing through every single day 🧠💥
- It’s about more than just rowing—it’s about testing my limits, embracing the grind, and discovering true perseverance and mental toughness.
- The community of indoor rowers is truly a supportive group and having team mates from around the world has been an experience I would not have if it weren’t for rowing.
Hard Days? Close calls?
Ski Season
For more than 25 years, I’ve been a professional ski instructor, and during the winter months (December through March), it can be tough to keep up with my daily rowing streak. Between getting to the mountain early and returning home late after a full day on the slopes, finding the time to row can be challenging. I remember one day squeezing in a shorter row, thinking I’d make up the rest later, but never getting the chance. It’s not so much about the difficulty of rowing; it’s about making the time for it, even during vacations or work trips. I’ve been fortunate to have a RowErg at both my home locations in Massachusetts and Vermont. Sometimes, just showing up and getting started is half the battle.
Travel
Absolutely! I’ve had a few close calls, especially during ski season. Traveling to places like Utah and Pennsylvania, or dealing with unexpected events, almost threw me off track. But I always found a way. I’ve become a pro at hunting down an Erg wherever I go—whether it’s tracking down gyms that offer drop-in rates or connecting with friends who have a “guest pass” to Rowhouse. It’s turned into quite the adventure! And so much fun meeting all kinds of new people where ever I go. Whether I had to wake up earlier, stay up later, or find a rower while on the road, I made it happen. Where there’s a will, there’s always a way!
There were 2 streak attempts of more than 300 days but I missed finding an erg in Utah – so I started my current streak on May 8, 2022, and did a better job of locating a machine to get in my streak meters.
Truth be told I am truly on a mission finding an Erg – not always able to find the Concept2, but I find a rowing machine and make it work! All of my meters are logged and journaled on the Concept2 Logbook as I count and celebrate my millions of meters!
Training Plans & Approach
The Master Plan
My specific plan throughout the year has revolved around competition “season” which is February and early March for the big races like the World Indoor Rowing Championships, US Nationals, and CRASH Bs. Otherwise I am working on a challenge goal, indoor virtual competitions and building endurance and strength for running mountains in the summer.
The great thing about rowing is that once you hop on the machine, it’s surprisingly easy to get into the groove. No weather issues to deal with indoors! And when you discover programs like Live2Row Studios, with their camps and training plans, everything just clicks. I’ve learned so much about rowing cycles and training plans over the years—it keeps things exciting and helps me stay consistent. I’ve tried different coaching plans, and jumping into online competitions adds some extra spice! Some days are all about intense sessions, while other days are just about keeping the streak alive with lighter efforts. It’s all about finding the right balance while staying focused on the bigger picture!
Competition to me is key! I am a very competitive person (always have been since my childhood basketball days). I found the logbook and the rankings when researching the Concept2 in 2019 and started to rank my pieces and worked to get my personal best and check my rankings. I love seeing my name up there!
How do I prevent burnout when rowing every single day?
Mixing it up is the name of the game! It all kicked off with me chasing that coveted number one spot on the logbook, then led to exciting competitions like CRASH Bs, the virtual Denver Indoor Rowing Champs, and Fools Fest sprints. Some days, I jump into an online class at Live2Row or participate in their camp sessions. On other days, I row along with my favorite YouTube coaching channels, getting pumped up by Eric Murray at Acensei or Shane at Dark Horse Rowing. And let’s not forget the fun of hosting online row workouts with friends—sometimes it’s just a chatty row session where we catch up while sweating it out!
I have big goals, and they shift throughout the year, keeping things fresh. Rowd Royalty and the new Erg Power series are two of my favorites! I’ve loved meeting fellow rowers and pushing my limits with longer meter goals in the Border Rowing Challenges—I’ve tackled five of them! My friend Barbara has been a fantastic motivator, keeping me on her team time and again. It’s truly inspiring to row alongside such powerful and dedicated indoor rowers!
The way to stay fresh is to give myself dedicated rest and recovery days where I row to music, sometimes eyes closed, watch a lot of Cross Fit and put in the meters. It’s all a part of the master plan.
Motivation
Is there a particular milestone within this streak that felt especially meaningful—like hitting 100, 500, or 900 days?
Every milestone is like a mini celebration! I love to party for every million meters I rack up, and right now, I’m on a mission to hit 17 million in the next month—let the countdown begin! The streak milestones have been epic; hitting 500 days felt monumental, but reaching 900 was like unlocking a whole new level of determination and focus. Each achievement just fuels my fire to keep going! I am currently just shy of 17 million meters!
My friend Dan Lynch, a fellow lymphoma survivor and indoor rowing streaker, always checks in on me, which keeps me motivated. I’m aiming to hit at least day 1500 in his honor—talk about a goal worth celebrating! Let’s row on!
What’s my secret to staying motivated through such a long streak, especially when progress might not be immediately visible?
I’m all about enjoying the journey rather than just fixating on the end goal! Sure, some days don’t feel great, but I remind myself that every effort counts in the grand scheme of things. I like to set mini-goals along the way—especially since I turned 60 this past June! My mission now? To snag as many world records as I can! So far, I’ve got the 5000, 6000, and 30-minute world records under my belt in the new age category, and I’m excited to see what else I can achieve this year.
Staying motivated with ErgZone data, keeping an eye on my numbers and learning about ways that I can get faster and stronger. I have enjoyed discovering all the indoor competitions hosted on ErgZone. Instagram has been a treasure trove of inspiration, watching fellow rowers break records, compete, and share their workouts and daily training adventures. This community is incredible, with so much support for each other. It’s like having a worldwide team of cheerleaders!
Do I plan on continuing the streak indefinitely, or is there a milestone I’m aiming for?
For now, I’m all about taking it one day at a time! I don’t have a set end date in sight, but I’m seeing what each day has in store for me moving forward.
Sure, some days are tougher than others, especially when I’ve had to row through injuries. I once dealt with an intercostal strain in my rib cage that made it challenging to breathe. But instead of throwing in the towel, I just dialed down the meters and took it easy, focusing on recovery.
My big goals right now? I’m aiming for 1,000 days and then three years—keeping this streak rolling! My journey started on May 8, 2022, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next! 😊

Key Success Factors to Maintain my Rowstreak
Challenge Junky Spirit
I thrive on challenges, and my rowing streak reflects this drive. Friends know I love pushing my limits, and this daily commitment shows the grit and determination I bring to everything important in my life. Bring on the next challenge or online competition!Adaptation and Recovery
Daily rowing demands constant body awareness. I’ve learned to focus on recovery and balance through stretching, yoga, my Normatec recovery boots and prioritizing sleep. My body has adjusted well, but I’m always fine-tuning to stay strong and injury-free. My dedication to a healthy diet tracking my macros through the 1st Phorm App and challlenges has been a game changer.Resilience as a World-Class Athlete, Cancer Survivor, and Mom
Each stroke isn’t just a step toward my next world record; it’s a testament to resilience, determination, and the community that keeps me going. From million-meter milestones to managing tough days, this journey embodies strength and perseverance. I just completed my 2nd time doing the 75 Hard program and that has been a great way to continue to build my mental toughness and resilience!Community and Connection
My streak is fueled by the joy of pushing limits and connecting with others. Whether I’m in online classes, competitions, or casual rows with friends, I’m reminded we’re in this together. This journey isn’t just about the finish line; it’s about embracing every moment and inspiring others to chase their own dreams.Virtual Competitions keep me going!
- Fools Fest Sprints – ErgMetron competitor for the 3rd year!
- Ski Skirmish – Hall Strength SkiErg Virtual Comp
- Erg Power Series – number one in Veteran female 2024
- Rowbin Hood – Austrailia based virtual RowErg Comp
- Rowd Royalty 2023 – finished top in Standard in Age Group (Short girls).
- Rowlympics – Live2Row Covid Era competitions
- Denver Indoor Rowing Championships – virtual in 2020
Gratitude and Acknowledgments:
I am incredibly grateful to my husband, family, and friends for their unwavering support on this journey. Cheers and thanks to fellow Indoor Rowing Streakers that have really been supportive and kind through the years….. Dan Lynch in Connecticut, Stan Shatenstein in Montreal and Torbjørn Laundal in Norway.
A special thanks to my amazing coaches Justin Knust from Live2Row Studios and James Hall from Hall Strength whose expertise and guidance have truly pushed me to new levels.
A huge shoutout to ErgZone as well, for providing me with the data I need every day to stay focused and track my progress. Having those metrics in front of me keeps me accountable and on target. To my incredible teammates—you know who you are—and the Diamonds Erging Group, thank you for your constant support and motivation. Your encouragement has meant the world to me.
If you’re looking for coaching, planning, or just someone to row with, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or reach out—let’s connect and grow stronger together! Link here for more products that I love!