While physical preparations are relatively straight forward, it’s a different story for the mental training for the row.

With less than four months to go, I’m starting to feel anxious about the crossing, and am preoccupied that I’m not paying enough attention to getting my mind in place.

It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, but only recently have I figured it out (or at least I think I have).

When one thinks of the prospect of rowing two hours on / two hours off for around 50 days non-stop, the things that come to mind are hardship, pain and suffering, exhaustion, loneliness, depression, regret, anxiety, and helplessness. Then add seasickness, fear, and a touch of claustrophobia to top it all off.

I’m sure I’ll experience some if not all of those. But that’s not what’s really important. The important thing is managing to get over them and keep going.

But that’s not all. Everything I’ve done so far in life was aimed at reaching something, getting somewhere – driving for hours to get home from work, finishing a marathon or completing my thesis. It’s always been the getting there. That’s wrong. By doing this, I forgot to enjoy myself on the way.

My Atlantic adventure will be just that – an adventure where I will look forward to every stroke, enjoy every freeze-dried meal as though it were cooked by a Michelin-star chef, spend time getting to know my fellow travelers, buzzing to music, getting thrilled by sunsets and sunrises, respecting the greatness of nature, and hoping the trip never ends.

I won’t miss people, but look forward to seeing them on my return, especially my wife and kids. I’ll enjoy the confined space of our cabin – after all, I’ll have ample time to sleep in my big bed on my return.

It’s all about mindset. That will be the biggest challenge.