Training, training, training

When I contemplated the idea of rowing the Murray River, and coming down from a training schedule that prepared me for 1000m races in a 14kg racing scull, I did not really know what to expect initially other than that is was going to be a lot of work.

Rowing a 37 kg coastal scull was quite a different experience and the training focus was on strength and endurance, not speed! It was painful to see my split rate decline and I kept having to remind my rowing friends that I would be of no use taking a seat in their boat this racing season! And of course I started to worry about my technique and potentially honing bad habits over 2500km!

On average, I trained about 60-100 km per week, with plenty of rest days and I kept asking Albert (my online coach) whether he was giving me enough training given that I will be rowing around 30-50 km per day on the Murray! He must have thought I was a nut case wanting more training as I was also juggling a full time job and my family & household.

The biggest challenge was getting up and managing a 20-30 km row before or after work and sometimes I had to split up my row into two sessions to manage it all. And on windy days I had to revert to putting my erg on sliders to protect my back, and thank god for Spotify - nothing like listening to Thomas Bergersen and Hans Zimmer and dreaming up stories about our expedition.

When Cy decided to join me kayaking late last year, it was all hands on deck getting his equipment and gear sorted and getting him into a training regime - the rest we will let happen organically and while on the Murray.

When we went out on a 60km weekend row/paddle and gear check, I was tired but able to do another 20km just 2 days later. Cy managed also and I felt really proud of him. Training is paying off.