100k record-race report

[jenh]

Great result!

[Andrew Stanway]

Gavin, scroll up 6 posts to Hywels last post and the link is there.

[badocter]

Thanks for the video (does not have sound for me either). You already looked half-dead after the 50k mark. Your determination to drive through to end in that state is remarkable.

[plummy]

Hywel - I doff my hat to you. Absolutely awesome achievement. I've only done 1 x 100km row and so feel very slightly qualified to "feel your pain" - albeit mine was at a ridiculously pedestrian pace compared to yours.

Just a huge "WOW!" is all I can add

Plummy

[Nick Rockliff]

Nice one Hywel

[Iain]

Amazing achievement, thanks for sharing. Joe noted that WR holders at FM & 100k were usually 9S slower in pace on the 100k, despite your tribulations you were only 8S slower. So that was actually a good time even by your FM WR standard!

- Iain

[hdavies]

Thank you for all the kind messages, they all mean a lot. The event meant a lot to me as a personal challenge from 2 months of training and raising money for good causes. There was a knock on effect on the others involved too. It was never meant to be about me, but thats how it has come out.

Worryingly, after an event like that, i'm not put off and certainly think i got the tactics and nutrition wrong. Being obsessed with the 1.54 split for so long meant i was burning calories too quickly and never replaced them. Perhaps a more solid food and slower pace like the double ironman race would have helped.

I would like to think i can go faster as long as i dont take another 3 year break and at least do enough to maintain fitness through the summer.

I have to say though, that the World 24 hour record looks a bit of a challenge, if it becomes an more than an idea at this point then an attempt may be on.

[George King]

Very well done Hywel that 50k mark nearly had me to when your body realizes you are only half way and you just want to stop,
amazing row

[Julian Norton]

Nice one Hywel, great effort.
I did a 100k in August in 7.09.38- you took my British Record! In fact, smashed it.
I fear I've got no chance of regaining it. You are obviously immensely fit! Well done
Julian

[SHANE SHAW]

absolutely brillant, well done on a massive row and world record and what a wonderful gripping write up. I am so glad to have been able to see and read this. I too 1 day will try this but there is no way I could sustain that type of pace for so long. Saying that I haven't even done a full marathon yet because I just can't get my head around rowing that long. I've just done 3 hm's in a row in 3 days and they seem to be getting easier.

GReat work mate and I am sure the next time you attempt this you will smash it again.

[Dr RowSlo]

Only just been directed to this thread
Hywel, I cannot for a moment even begin to get my head around what a colossal achievement this is.
Very many congratulations! Sounds limp and pathetic but is truly meant.

[hdavies]

I honestly really do appreciate all the messages i've had and all the links via twitter and blogs etc.

It was all about raising money and we have passed £5000 now. It was also about getting in shape for my own wedding, which went very well.

I said i was going to retire again but after 2 months of solid training, it became addictive and I will still do the odd row pro session but must back off the erg and get back to swimming, cycling and running. I will start again through November i think, but I had a target of rowing 1 million metres this year, and have already done it with 10 months to spare.

I'm now fully recovered, skin has grown back on the ass and life is good.

I even got my WR certificate on the weekend.!!!