Almost Here!!

Well myself and Enda got back from a week in the mountains of Snowdonia yesterday. It came as an extra chance to recuperate from the tendonitis for me, but a good chance to work on some fitness 'hill walking style'. A great week training a group of 17-24 year olds working towards their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition. Gave us both a bit of a 'different' focus for a few days too.

Now back to the main focus, Devizes to Westminster 2011. Its now only 8 days until we embark on this incredible challenge of fitness and mental toughness. Apart from my tendonitis, we both think that the training has gone well and we are more than ready for it. We just have one more paddle tomorrow, 19miles on the Thames from Marlow to Runnymede, another section that we will be doing in the dark come next Saturday.

Being away in the hills gave me a chance to reflect and to look forward, as it always does. I thought back to when both me and Enda read that article in Canoe Focus nearly a year ago now and decided that this might be something we would like to do. Little did I know then that it would become a reality. Then onto October and to the first time we both got into racing kayaks, Enda taking to it much better than me, it would take me a little while longer than Enda to get relatively stable in these boats. Training hard through those winter days and nights in some very cold conditions under the excellent tutelage of Fred and Poppy from the canoe club.

Ever since I first got in that boat, I have been picturing crossing the line by Westminster Bridge. Never have I thought that we would not complete it, it always has us crossing that line but what I can't imagine is the emotions that I will be feeling. Relief, exhaustion, joy, celebration, sorrow I really just don't know. What I do know is that throughout the duration of the race, both me and Enda are going to have our highs and lows, good times and bad, but we are resolute in our attitude that we will offer support and the odd joke to get us through each tie of hardship. We also know that our support team play such a pivotal role in our success. It will very demanding on themselves as well, but will need to refuse to let us back out if we dare consider it, give us the masses of food we are going to need and be an emotional crutch.

Something that me and Enda have given thought to is looking at the positive side of this event, I mean how often will we be given the opportunity to paddle through 125 miles of the Thames Valley in these circumstances? Its not everyday you can try this is it :o) lol

What we must keep going over in our head is this mantra, 'One more portage, one more stroke.' For me I will always be holding the thought of my dad, reminding me why I am doing it, I know this thought alone will keep me going when cold and tired at 4am. The discomfort we shall both experience in this event is only temporary, but the feeling of success and achievement and the memories will last a lifetime.

Our thoughts are always and have always been positive and we have only talked about when we finish the event at Westminster, we have always said that we are going to struggle at times, but we have both always said that come whatever, we will make it through determination, support of each other and the fact that we are both stubborn buggers :o) lol

Here's a little pic of what gives me a perfect moment to reflect, its the view from our wild camp, just below the south ridge of Snowdon