Challenge!

So today I decided to try the gym challenge. I didn't do if officially, with a member of staff writing down my results, but will do that next week. The challenge is to do 2km rowing, 3km running, 5km biking (can take 2min rest in-between).
My results were:
Rowing: 7:53.4min (rate 25)
Running: 17:57min
Biking: 8:27min

Total time: 34:17min
- Are you up for the challenge?

Also, I wanted to share an article with you which was published in the October edition of "Rowing & Regatta" (the national rowing magazine published by British Rowing). It is the first time my rowing club: University of Essex Rowing Club has been given so much space.
Notice that none of the text below is my own.

"Essex University
is not exactly famous for rowing but its recent progress under the tutelage of Antony Moule, British Rowing's Coach of the Year for Education Development, just goes to show that being at a less well-resourced club doesn't have to restrict your progress in the sport. Politics student and Boat Club President Ben Toocaram explains why small can be beautiful.

This year [read last year] we have 31 members - an all-time high. We do the head circuit in the eastern region and we gained our first BUCS points this year. One member, Emma Nilsson, got bronze at the British Indoor Rowing Championships - that was a real milestone for the club. And at the BUCS Regatta we got further than ever before with some of our boats making the semi-finals. Being a small club also means that boys mix in with the girls and we have a lot of fun on the social side.
Antony has really given the club direction and made us believe that we can improve and go further. Just because we don't have the funding and resources that other universities have doesn't mean that we're never going to get anywhere. As well as the two coaching session a week, he gives a lot of his own time to repairing the fleet and taking us to competitions. He's really focused on Emma and what she can improve on and it's resulted in her being third best in the country. But, because it's such a small club, everyone gets good, individual coaching. Antony knows exactly where you're at and what you need to improve on.
We row on Ardleigh Reservoir, a 20-minute bike ride from the univeristy - a good warm-up and warm-down. It's another great asset as we have a three-kilometre stretch of water to ourselves, which is quite a rarity for a club. It means you don't have to go a mile down the river before you can start rowing properly."

These were the pictures published to go with it:

Ben Toocaram (left) with the Essex University men's senior eight at the Head of the River this year - award-winning coach Antony Moule is on the right.

1. 2.

1. Members of the Essex University women's squad preparing for a 'Lycra social'

2. Colchester United Fotball Club's mascot taking part in an erg competition at the Essex University Fresher's Fair