I spoke on the phone this evening to a dear friend who I haven’t seen for far too long. It reminded me how many things I’m missing out on and putting to the side in all the preparation and planning for the row, but also how many things I’m learning, and how many new experiences I’m having. It’s tough, but I knew to expect that. This is a big push right now, and it will carry on being a big push until at least September, but I wouldn’t miss it.

Training is going really well. I’ve got some fantastic support at Nuffield Health, where Tom has been coming up with some excellent and exhausting training programs for me. I’m on a new training routine now, with a real focus on strength and muscle building, and I’m excited to see how that works out over the next six weeks or so. I’ve got Nutrition and Physiotherapy sessions lined up too, and am starting to feel like my body is getting more ready for the challenge ahead. If only fundraising were as easy!

New Year’s Day saw me and Steve on a big hike up Offa’s Dyke national trail from Chepstow. It rained almost the entire time. I fell over and slid down a muddy slope and we spent the rest of the time clambering over, under, round and through a lot of lakes and fallen trees that shouldn’t really have been there. All in all, an excellent way to start the year.

As I was half way through writing this post, I got a call from ABC Radio Australia, wanting to record an interview over the phone. If felt like an unusual thing to be doing at 11pm on a Sunday, but was really enjoyable and fun to do. Hopefully it will be on air in the next 24 hours, and then online after that – keep an eye on the website, and I’ll post a link to it.

Big thank you to a couple of generous anonymous sponsors – we’ve still a long way to go but things are moving in the right direction. Every donation makes a real difference to the project!

We’re heading to the London Boat Show this week to see what we can raise in terms of sponsorship and support. Look out for us if you’re there Monday or Tuesday!