Training hard.......

So, only 5 weeks to go until the great adventure and the training is becoming more and more intense.

We’ve been nothing if not diverse in our regime; from dry land sessions on the ergs (rowing machines) to circuits to plyometrics we’ve been put through our paces by our trainer Bailey.

We’ve even shown some will power and a little creativity ourselves; when faced with a Bailey-less Tuesday training night 2 weeks ago, we decided to take ourselves to the Herne Hill Velodrome (http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/) for their weekly open road bike training night.

Overcoming our (my!) fear of the 30º bank and negotiating our way through the experienced riders whizzing round the track at break-neck speed, we clocked up a few dozen laps and ensured our fitness levels were maintained.

Last night’s session involved us rowing the newly modified cutter up to Tower Bridge. With aching backs and straining against the tide we passed the numerous riverside hostelries that act as markers on our progress each time we take to the Thames.

As we enviously passed the drinkers enjoying a pint and the last of the evening sunshine it struck me that there must be a sponsorship opportunity here; so if any of the landlords of The Prospect of Whitby, The Mayflower, The Old Salt Quay, The Trafalgar, The Town of Ramsgate or any of the other magnificent traditional pubs that line that stretch of the Thames fancies getting some great PR in return for a contribution then please get in touch.

With our trainer Bailey urging us on to race speed we reached a breathless 5 knots before stopping just short of the bridge itself.

The tide was now in our favour and we turned for home, the sun setting over Tower Bridge and reflecting on the river like someone had poured a giant tin of golden paint into the water.

We managed a healthy 10 knots on the return leg, getting back to the Ahoy in 20 minutes.

Disembarking and wading through the primordial sludge of the Thames, we brought the cutter ashore. I dread to think what was swirling around my feet in the brackish waters below but it put me in mind of stories I’d heard of the Mudlarks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudlark) who scavenged in the Thames in the 18th and 19th centuries looking for anything of value they could pull from the river and sell for a few pence.

Dragging the boat up the slipway and back to the boatyard, the boat felt much heavier than before, or were we just more tired from our exertions?

We then retired to the Dog and Bell (http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/37/3746/Dog_and_Bell/Deptford) for our usual post training discussion on rowing strategy, to look at Angus’ new i-phone app which had logged our performance in terms of average speed and distance, and of course to partake of a refreshing libation.

I can’t recommend this local treasure enough; with great beer and a welcoming atmosphere from Charlie the landlord and his wife - it’s become an obvious choice for a place to relax after training.

Finally, we’re still looking for a cox to shout us across the Channel! So if you’ve got some spare time from 10th – 13th June and fancy taking part in the chance of a lifetime adventure then get in touch now!

And don’t forget there’s still plenty of time to sponsor us at http://www.justgiving.com/ahoybuoys

Thanks and all the best.

The Ahoy Buoys.