Twenty-One Holiday Challenges and Still Rowing

Meet Randy Shumate – an avid Concept2 rower and community member who is currently completing his 21st Concept2 Holiday Challenge. We appreciate that Randy is quick to give advice to others on how to tackle the 100k and 200k Holiday Challenge feat on Reddit community pages. He’s also motivated many to do the challenge with his incredible Holiday Challenge pin collection (see below!). Read more about how Randy started rowing at 46 years old in 2004 and plans to continue to row for many more years.  

How many years have you been doing the Holiday Challenge, and what year did you start?
This is my 21st consecutive Concept2 Holiday Challenge. My first was 2005; I was 46 at the time. I received my Model D on 12/21/2004, too late for the 2004 Holiday Challenge.  

How did you first find Concept2 and our machines?
When my spouse and I moved into a larger home that had room for cardio equipment in early 2004, I first looked at treadmills, ellipticals, and exercise bikes. During my research I came across Concept2 and the Model D indoor rower. The advantages of the Model D won out over anything else I was considering. It was a full-body workout, easy to move and store, had commercial-grade durability, a very reasonable cost, and Concept2 already had a great reputation for support and stocking inexpensive replacement parts. I'm still using my Model D from 2004, though I have upgraded the monitor to a PM5. I keep the chain oiled, the rail clean, and I think I replaced the seat rollers once. It still works perfectly.  

How did you first find out about the Holiday Challenge, and can you tell us about any memories from the first years you did the challenge?
I learned about it through one of the Concept2 newsletters. By the time the 2005 Holiday Challenge started, I had rowed almost 3 million meters in 11 months, and I was totally into it. When I realized it helped me keep weight off during the holidays, I decided I'd keep doing it as long as I was capable. The first few years I participated, Concept2 used to also send out t-shirts. I still have mine! It was a nice perk, but I think moving to charitable contributions instead was a great idea. 

What has motivated you to keep doing the challenge after so many years?
I'm only in it for the pins! Seriously, I do appreciate the pins, but I like the personal challenge aspect of it. It's fun comparing my performance over the past 20+ years. I started when I was 46. My 2nd fastest time ever for completing the challenge was in 2022 when I was 63. And doing the Holiday Challenge has meant most years I only gain a couple of pounds during the holidays instead of 10!

Do you have any happy/funny memories you’d be willing to share from over the years of participating in the challenge?
I usually try to limit my travel between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve so I'm not away from my rower too long. One year we booked a long weekend trip to a destination about 6 hours away. When weather forecasters predicted a sudden winter storm, I left a day early to prevent getting stuck there. I told my spouse we needed to leave because of work. But it was really about the Holiday Challenge. Shhhhh!    
  
Have you motivated or convinced others to do the challenge, or have you met others virtually through the challenge?
I got a couple of co-workers to attempt it, but they didn't finish, and I convinced my spouse to do the 100K challenge one year. She did not enjoy it as much as I did, but she did finish. I've also offered some words of encouragement for folks on social media.  

What is your favorite part about the Holiday Challenge, and have you had a favorite charity that you have supported over the years?
My favorite part is the feeling of achievement when I successfully complete 200K meters. Also, I feel great physically after 4+ weeks of rowing regularly 50K meters per week. As far as charities, I trust Concept2, so I let them choose the charity, since they know the group with the greatest need. 

Do you have any tips or tricks you would like to share about those doing the holiday challenge for the first time?
Plan the days and distances you will row, and plan for a rest day every 3-5 days. Try to allow for contingencies because things happen. Take it easy; this is about endurance, not speed. The last couple of years I have used the pace boat to help me maintain a comfortable pace without overdoing it. For me, having something to watch on TV is an absolute necessity; it keeps me from staring at the PM5 and feeling every stroke. Good luck!