Last weekend, I completed what was probably my last 24-hour training row before I leave on my epic journey. It’s just a month away now.

The training session itself was uneventful. Every time, these sessions get easier. Not easy, just easier than the time before. The only concern I had was that my legs, hamstrings to be exact, were in quite a bit of pain.

I think it has something to do with the HIIT (High intensity interval training) I’m doing, which is why I’ve stopped doing the latter.

Now it’s time for me to balance out my training with appropriate recovery to make sure my body is in the best possible condition for the row. I believe I’ve done what I had to do to get physically ready – more than 8 million metres of indoor rowing, another 500km of rowing on water, may kilometres of running, weights, and HIIT. For a 50-year-old, I guess it’s OK.

I have also started breathing exercises – it’s more to do with my mental health during the crossing. The exercises help reboot the brain in times of difficulty (or so they say).

Back to my 24-hour row training – one thing I realised (you have ample time to think) is that I hate waking up. Who likes it really?. Not only waking up, getting up (even more difficult).

I calculated that over the course of the crossing, I will have to wake up (and get up) around 600 times (1,200 hours = 50 days, with a shift pattern of two hours on, two off). That’s the equivalent of nearly two years of waking up (and getting up) crammed into less than two months. Crazy, eh?

With one month left to go before leaving, my huge concern now is Covid-19 and the ability to get to Portugal to begin our trip. Borders are still open – for now. If they close, we’ll be… well, screwed.

Postponing is a terrible prospect, one which I don’t even want to contemplate. I’ve worked on this project for 2.5 years and would be devasted if we have to postpone.

Ever little bit helps

It’s been a year to date since I announced my plans to the world via an article in The Times.

In this period, we’ve managed to collect just under €3,000 for my Swiss charities (Swiss Cancer League and Terre des hommes), and around €1,200 for Hospice Malta.

I’m extremely grateful for the contributions people have made. For all three organizations, I’m at around 15% of my target, so please donate or share my website address (www.crossrower.ch or de.crossrower.ch in German) with people. Every single cent goes directly to the organizations.

You don’t need to donate huge amounts – skip your coffee and croissant for one day and donate €10. You know what I mean.