Think about what it would be like to row a 19-foot, 700-pound boat one mile in the wind and waves of Lake Michigan.
Now imagine doing that 1,500 times.
That's essentially what Jenn Gibbons of Chicago has set out to do.
Gibbons is rowing the entire perimeter of Lake Michigan -- 1,500 miles worth -- to raise awareness of the importance of exercise in the fight against breast cancer.
The 27-year-old has logged about 250 miles so far. She says her biggest challenges have been the heat and the wind. She says strong winds made things especially difficult near Little Sturgeon...
Gibbons, who rowed competitively at Michigan State, is making the journey in a specially-designed 19-foot boat -- Liv -- which weighs about 700 pounds fully loaded. So it's a far cry from what college rowing teams use...
Gibbons says as demanding as the rowing is physically, the mental aspect is just as difficult...
Funds raised will help support a rowing team for breast cancer survivors that she coaches.
"Exercise is a great tool for survivors," says Gibbons. "It allows them to reduce their risk of cancer recurrence so it helps them keep cancer at bay, keep it from coming back in their life. Rowing has been a great tool for them -- it's low impact and anybody can do it."
Gibbons says the program started five years ago with just a few women and the team now has more than 40 members.
Those interested in tracking Gibbons' journey or in learning more about her organization can go to http://www.row4row.org/.
To listen to Bob Dohr's entire interview with Jenn Gibbons click the link below:
