Exercise - Free Fitness Library
Messing about on the river
They come from all the over the UK giving up the prospect of a weekend's holiday relaxation in favour of pitting mind, body and spirit against the elements, in an event which has become renowned for the physical and mental demands made on the competitors to win. Most will be happy to even finish. All will say never again but then that's what they say every year.
As the sun climbs steadily in the sky, banishing the early morning mist and warming the water, hundreds of spectators gather to witness the start of the 17th Annual 40 mile River Wye raft race.
At the beginning of the race I cross Hereford Bridge clutching my life jacket and my paddle. I look down on the river bank and I really feel sick, my stomach churns and I know this is it, it's no longer a dream, it's really going to happen. I see all the people and I want to run away, but you never do. Once on the river the tension goes.
It takes two days to complete the 40 mile course of the beautiful Wye Valley. A mass start would be impossible so rafts leave at one minute intervals and are timed at each stage. The first stage is from the starting point at Hereford down river to Howawithy, a distance of 18 miles.
I'm not out there with the idea that it's kill or be killed when you are on the water. It's all done in a very friendly way but no quarter is ever given and I like that - the challenge is to put myself against other people and to beat them, or to be beaten by them! Everybody takes that risk. I like that - the actual forcing yourself on, beating your own pain barriers, going faster, further, harder than you've ever done before. It gives a most wonderful feeling inside, that you are racing with someone and they are of an equal standard to you and you have a real battle on; that is the most wonderful feeling. You can find yourself giving more and more and calling on reserves of strength that you didn't even know existed, even if you have been rafting for quite some time. I find that quite enjoyable.
As you approach the finish line there are lots of shrieks of joy and cheers. The power is really put on there just to save seconds on the time for the competitive rafts or just to get there as soon as you possibly can to the bridge. Absolutely fabulous, you can't believe that we are actually there at last. As you cross the finish line, you feel so happy you just burst into tears, well perhaps not everybody does but I've done it before now. The relief and sense of achievement is wonderful. You can actually lean back and take the strain from the aching muscles of your back, to turn round and think "I did it, I've just done a 40 mile race" The camaraderie and the closeness you feel with your crew at that moment is incredible. You love everyone of them, they are such wonderful special people just for having gone the distance.