Sunday 25 March - the Day

 Went to bed early on Saturday night with a stomach full of butterflies. First hurdle and moment of indecision - do iPhone's update time automatically? The clocks went forward that night and we absolutely had to be in Solihull by 8:30 am to catch the minibus that would transport Ali's trainees from Seal Personal Training. So we set various alarms from about 5 am onwards....We did wake on time  (and yes iPhone's do update automatically) had porridge for breakfast ands set off. Arrived in Solihull and met the rest of the group, helped onto the minibus and set off to Nottingham. The event was held at Nottingham University's Sports Hall. So many people. I don't think I had realised how huge this event was. So many languages spoken; before we had gone through the open turnstiles we heard English, Polish, Italian and German. There were several very big people with very big muscles..eek! Michaela's race was just after 11:00. I was allowed to have a seat at the side to watch as I couldn't get up the steps to the spectator area. I hadn't seen Michaela in training for some time and as she sat on the rower I noticed that over the past few months of training, she had developed muscles. I was impressed and also deflated - I looked at my still very flabby arms  and was not impressed .

 The competitors were allowed a few moments to settle in and then they were off "Go Michaela" we yeled, oh how we shouted. The large screens above the competitors showed the progress of each competitor . Michaela was aiming for a Personal Best; we cheered so much as she reached the end of her 2000m and saw that she had achieved her goal. Hooray...:) Well done Michaela.It took me a while to find herbut she looked so full of energy and so happy. She also looked exhausted! What an achievement. Fantastic.

WELL DONE MICHAELA

My race started at 14:05 so second moment of indecision: what to have for lunch? I am still not sure that sitting on a concrete step in  the car park(as the few benches were full) eating a hot dog and chocolate bar was the best preparation for my race but.... the sun was shining and despite the uncomfortable seat, I felt quite relaxed and sleepy.... all too soon it was my race time so I headed towards the preparation area to meet Ali. Hehelped me to sit down and strapped me into the rower which took time and meant we only had two rows before we had to go to the main competition  arena.
Ali helped me onto the rower - I am getting better at sitting on the rowing seat, but it is still quite a scary experience as I am afraid of over balancing and falling over.

Ali strapped my left hand onto the rower, using the special glove donated by Active Hands  and strapped my left foot onto the foot rest. Now I haven't yet achieved the time or the distance without incidence but we were hopeful that the velcro strap around the back of my heel would hold my foot in place... The race started and the velcro strap did keep my trainer in place  but my left foot fell out of my trainer... Ali shoved it back in; It fell out again;after five times, Ali simply held my foot in place - we decided that superglue was the answer for future!

All I could see was the screen in front of me; the hall was noisy and the commentator was describing the different races. I was determined to finish, but I felt as if I had been rowing for a very long time.

 Michaela had had to row 2000m: I only had to row 1000m but it felt like a million metres.I was huffing, puffing and sweating I could hear Ali's words of encouragement but all I wanted to do was reach the end.

 I saw the last 100 m appear on the screen, and watched as it slowly reduced to 50 m, then 10m and finally 0. Phew! I had finished and despite my left foot I had stayed on the machine and hadn't fallen off. Ali held out his arm to help me off the rower, my left leg felt so heavy. Ali lifted me over and I started to walk. Myleft leg didn't seem to want to come with the rest of me. I was very tired.

Michaela and my daughter came to find me and we were all laughing and smiling as we had both done it and survived. Hooray.

 Ali disapeared; I thought he was going to met his next competitor but he returned with the news I had won a medal....

Apparently I won Gold am now the Women's LTA British and European Indoor Rowing Champion 2012!

Ali has already muttered that I will have to return next year to defend the title.