Since setting off in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge nearly seven weeks ago, we have been rowing continuously in two-hour shifts - essentially our lives have been Eat. Sleep. Row. Repeat. for almost two months. The only time this ceased was when a violent storm during the first ten days of the crossing meant we were unable to row at all.
So here it is, two hours in the life of an Atlantic rower:
3.50am
It's night-time and I have been rowing for the last hour and 50 minutes. I shout to Will, who is resting in the cabin that he has ten minutes until the changeover. I keep shouting until I have heard back from him.
3.55am
This is Will's five minute warning. I shout to him again.
3.58am
I shout to Will for the final time and he emerges from the cabin. We chat about the weather conditions and how the row has been for the last two hours.
4.00am
I line the boat up with the waves in order to make the changeover easier. Will comes over to the left-hand side of the boat and I move right. As I get up from the seat, Will makes his move to sit down and grabs the oars. Now it's Will's turn to start rowing while I throw my jacket and other equipment into the cabin. I'll stay outside for around five minutes to allow myself to dry off.
4.05am
I climb into the cabin and dig out my snack. At this time of night, it's usually a packet of cold porridge or rice pudding. Everything we have been eating has been straight out of the packet and cold!
4.10am
I shut the hatch and get naked for my wet wipe wash. I make sure I clean all the sweaty areas and then I apply surgical spirit to the whole of my body - ouch!
4.15am
Then it's time to get into my Sudocrem suit - by covering myself in Sudocrem. It's antiseptic so it's providing relief for my sore bum and private parts. Then I cover my chapped hands with emollient cream.
4.25am
Time to get some sleep. Zzz...
5.50am
Will shouts out that I have ten minutes until the changeover. This wakes me up after a 1.5 hour sleep.
5.55am
Will shouts again for my five-minute warning *yawns*.
5.58am
Will shouts out my final warning and I start making preparations to get out of the cabin.
6.00am
My shift is due to start again. Will tells me about the current weather conditions. I approach the seat from the left as Will goes to exit from the right-hand side.
And so it continues. But not for much longer, and we cannot wait to reach Antigua and see all of our loved ones. We're hoping to finish the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge by the weekend. BRING IT ON.
http://www.jellyfish.co.uk/atlanticrow2013/
www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com