But before we get to Devizes we almost had to pull out as Matt's left wrist flared up very badly and a week before the big day he got a cortisone injection to help us on our way.
So we knew we were ugly, lacked technique, were not 100% fit, had a heavy boat and were over a year into a drought. No flow on the K+A and nothing to rely on on the Thames. But we had been adopted by James and Phil Gunney so what could go wrong?
We gathered at Devizes on the Easter Saturday afternoon, aiming for the Sunday afternoon tide as we weren't that quick and wanted to avoid the expected chaos at Devizes at 7am on Saturday morning.
We started well - cautiously but confidently, in the knowledge that the 'Pound' was shallow and slow. Too true but we got to the first lock, Wootton Rivers, half an hour ahead of schedule. At this point our cycling support duo kicked in and they led us down into the darkening night. And it was raining hard with a headwind, something we had little experience of over the past 18 months.
The K+A stretch went well - the Bruce Tunnel and Crofton locks were dealt with easily and we got to Hungerford (25 miles) and Dreadnaught (54 miles) on time. So we lost our early 30 minute lead but were still on time, after all those locks and in the dark.
Matt's left hand was now starting to cause real trouble, so he was hardly drawing the paddle on the left side which brought him out of time with the right hand stroke. Phil however appeared out of the gloom like some mystical beast, handed over some very sage advice and let us get on.
The longer Thames stretches were a relief in that we could build up some momentum after the stop-start nature of the K+A. But Matt's hand was getting worse and our speed started to falter and we were slowly falling behind schedule. However morale in the form of following the K1's start their Third day at Marlow, being told that Redgrave had pulled out and coming across a lone swimmer in the River helped us catch up some lost time.
But by Boveney (82 miles) we were exhausted, I put a call through to the wives at this unsupported lock. A pep talk later and we were off to see our families (and our 5 young children) who were meeting us at Romney (Windsor/Eton). Their faces said it all as we climbed pathetically out, Matt's arm worse than ever, and we were now an hour over schedule. If we didn't find some speed we would never make the tide at Teddington!
We got going and were greeted by about 30 familes and friends near Runneymede, such an amazing and emotionally charged morale booster. Phil returned on a bike and told us he was taking us to Teddington and Claire Gunney also appeared, giving us a massive lift.
So the three of us set off, occasionally joined by Claire running along the towpath, but we couldn't close the gap. Matt's hand was worsening beyond comprehension, we had the odd caffeine 'reviver' to keep us going but Matt couldn't keep stroke. Our wives were taking it badly, seeing us arrive in a worsening state but we didn't give up. Our portages were also taking far too long as we were prepped for the next few miles and ibuleve was rubbed into Matt's worsening hand. By now the whole forearm and wrist was red and swollen.
So at Sunbury and with 2 locks to go and 1 hour behind schedule, we battled on and brought the time in, but we were heading for a 6.45pm arrival at Teddington and outside the 5-6.30pm tide window.
Up stepped Mr and Mrs Gunney at Molesey, advice parted (Phil telling us he wanted us to get the earlier flow of the high tide but we knew we had to come up with a miracle). So for the last 5 mile stretch to Teddington we 'sprinted' (club sprinters please excuse this term but we really went for it!), going through all previous levels of exhaustion. Phil was our constant companion, with Claire appearing now and again, and somehow we made up half an hour on the last 5 miles, not bad when you had already done 103 miles, and arrived at Teddington at 6.15pm, 15 minutes to spare.
Another feed stop, lights and light sticks on, water change, yellow beanie hats on, and we were off down the Thames. We had agreed to take it easy but the thought of spending at least a further 3 hours in the boat, with no rest, brought no joy. And with all the eddies and swirling water we had to keep the paddle speed up just to remain stable and pointing in the right direction.
We counted down the bridges - Richmond, Twix, Kew, Chiswick, Barnes, Hammersmith, constantly talking and trying to keep each other going. But Matt was in real trouble and just outside Putney he said he needed to pull over as he was about to pass out. We all know you don't stop on a tidal river but given the option of your crew passing out or trying to stop, we opted for the latter. But we misjudged the speed of the tide on the moored line of boats 15m from the bank and we capsized.
Luckily all our support crews were there as was a rescue boat which was meant to be at Westminster but had engine problems. So they dragged us to shore, we stripped off and shivered in front of the whole of south west London, and changed into dry clothes and took on hot soup.
So what now? Give up with just 6 miles to go? Both Matt and I made the same call at the same time - it was too dangerous to get back on the water given our state so we would walk to Westminster. What followed was Monty Python-esqe, the bizarre sight of a very heavy blue Condor being carried by two exhausted blokes with 2 support crew walking alongside and 2 support cars nearby, shadowing our crawl down river. Some very strange looks along the way!
Race control were our constant companions, keeping the finish open for us well after the last paddler home. We eventually crossed the line at 11.32pm on Easter Sunday, flanked by about 20 family and friends. Medals and cuddles, and also tears from the DW marshalls.
Final stats were 31 hours 47 minutes (nearly 5 hours over schedule) but in our class we were 76/164 starters, of which only 90 finished. 4 Olympians also gave up. Add in the many dark places we visited during our struggles, emotionally exhausted wives and family, one very mangled arm, and the bodies that wanted to give up their owners, we believe we can hold our heads up high.
We definately couldn't do it with out our amazing support crew but it was Phil and Claire who got that final bit of energy and determination out of us, and to Teddington on time. Bottle it and sell it, you will make a fortune!!
We hope this hasn't put anybody off even thinking of the DW, we were starting from a much lower technical level than almost anyone else at the club. If you want to experience the high highs (and the lowest lows you have ever imagined) then doing this full on marathon is for you. We would love to build a core DW crew at the club, so if you are interested let us know. Trade in those white craft tops and let's see how far you can really push yourselves......
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