Girl on the River rocks the Rock the Boat Vets’ Head t-shirt
So this weekend it’s finally happening: I shall be rowing the Tideway for the first time, at the Vesta Vets’ Head – four long miles of the Thames, following the Boat Race course downstream. Like everyone else, we’ve invested a fair bit of time and sweat into this event, and have a shiny new race plan all ready to go. Heck, I’ve even gone crazy and bought the T-shirt.
But for all the training and the preparation, it’s still my first time, and it’s pretty damned daunting. So for once, instead of me doing the talking, I’m going to throw this one open to the floor. So, tell me:
What do I need to know?
What should I expect?
How will it be different from doing a long piece on the River Wye (other than the view, obviously)?
Which is the hardest part? The longest stretch?
And, above all, what are your top tips (food, fashion, best places for a pre-race emergency loo stop, mental strength, whatever)?
Oh, and if you see me on Sunday (we’re crew #190), give me a shout. I might not wave back, but I promise I’ll smile. Even if it looks like a grimace.
