I’ve managed to get the boat out for some kayak familiarisation now, it felt good overall; I felt balanced and comfortable. It took me a little while to get the hang of using the rudder with my feet as it goes against my dinghy sailing intuition of pushing the tiller opposite to the way you want to go, and I received lots of abuse from my father behind me when we weren’t going in a straight line (plus he’s deaf without his hearing aids so I had no way to explain).

Even in that short one-hour familiarisation I became very aware of what I would need to think about in more detail and where I would probably be hurting by the end of 125 miles. My kit didn’t fit perfectly, I need to find water proof hand cuffs, the paddles get heavy quickly and they don’t necessarily suit a female hand span (thankfully the racing paddles are lighter). I need to do more shoulder work in the gym. I need to be in a boat with someone who won’t argue with me (love you dad but you can be impossible), I need to figure out how best to carry food and water, and I need to practice getting the bath tub of a kayak in and out of the canal, at night, on slippery mud. I’m not complaining though; the boat was hired free from the wonderful Royal Artillery Canoe Club (thanks!).

All of this preparation aside, I’m more excited than ever because my lovely (but possibly unaware of what she’s let herself in for) friend Claire has agreed to be my paddle partner! and the thought of two blonde babes in a boat makes me more excited than nervous. I know the two of us will be on a level playing field, neither complete novices or seasoned paddlers but both determined, team players. I already know that we will get each other through. Claire and I were in the same platoon at Sandhurst so we’ve both already seen each other at our lowest and most tired. I know she’ll do everything she can to make sure we complete this challenge, it took me all of 30 seconds to accept her as my paddle partner when she offered. We have our first training session together next weekend with our coach, my ‘Uncle’ Paul (not the creepy type I promise), so looking forward to getting beasted on a Sunday.