Congratulations to our first Row House Tustin member of the month, Anna! We want to recognize Anna for her constant commitment & positive energy. The southern Arizona native has lived in California for more than 20 years, and rows with her husband, Eric. In October, she hit 1 million meters rowed!
We are thrilled she has gained so much from our community, and we are grateful for all she adds to it by being a shining light. Thank you, Anna!
— The Row House Tustin Crew
Why did you join Row House?
I knew that rowing was one of those great all-around body exercises and I thought why not give it a try. I was also looking for something a little less impactful on my knees. My hubby, Eric, is also a Row House member. Sometimes we row together in the morning and sometimes he rows at night. We used to have a Concept 2 at home and he used it a lot. I just thought "How boring can that be?"
What do you like most about being a member at Row House? What motivates you to come back day after day?
While you can compete against other rowers if you want, I love the fact that you can constantly push yourself to get a lower split, better pace, more meters. It really is you and the erg. The numbers don't lie or let you coast. Like I hear all the time, "Get used to being uncomfortable." So true — and while we're all at different places, we're all feeling the same misery of "What the heck was that?!" There's a sense of camaraderie in making it through.
How have you changed (mentally, physically, etc) since you joined?
Mentally I've realized I can do a little more than I thought I could (or wanted to). Physically my legs and arms are lean and fit. Maybe not a six pack but a two pack. It's not overnight but steady.
Where can we find you when you're not at Row House?
I work at Health Net in Huntington Beach. I've been there for 18+ years. I have a 24-year-old daughter — my pride and joy — who lives in Miami (so far away). During my free time, I also like to do Lagree and some HIIT classes. I love to read (Kindle is the best thing ever) and relax with the dogs, Bady and Pete the Great, an 180-pound English Mastiff.
Tell us more about you.
Until 3 1/2 years ago you'd never, ever find me doing anything athletic. The most athletic thing I'd do was walk from the office or house to the parking lot. Unfortunately, we lost Eric's best friend to lung cancer (he wasn't a smoker and was healthy) and it was a huge wake up call. I slowly started working out and lost 50 pounds. I gave up my daily breakfast of champions, a Big Gulp Diet Coke and raspberry zingers. I'm in better shape in my fifth decade (!) than I've ever been before.
Anything else you'd like to add?
The Row House coaches and front desk staff are GREAT! After reading that Naji hit 1 million meters, my first thought was that was crazy. Then I looked to see where I was at and I was almost 250,000 meters away. I decided kind of as a whim to see if I could get to 1 million by my 50th birthday in 20 days. Once one coach heard about it, the rest did and not a single coach looked at me like I was crazy and said I couldn't do it. Every coach was encouraging and supportive. I definitely couldn't have done it without the coaches encouraging me (and my hubby and other rowers).
