All race reports for Andrew McFarthing
Event: Lent Bumps 2016 - Tuesday
Posted as: Andrew
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Our row up began with some impressive paddling. Our hours and hours of roll-ups meant that our first strokes were always near-perfect, and our early 'easy there's meant we had plenty of opportunities to sit the boat at arms away and intimidate all of the surrounding crews. Our first burst to rate 24 on the reach went just as well as the paddling, followed by a burst "to rate 28" which 'somehow' made it to race pace. This second burst was by far the best rowing we've ever done as a crew, and it definitely improved our confidence for the race ahead. Sadly this amazing burst did not last. We were distracted by some shouting women who were clearly taken aback by our amazing rowing (thanks W2 ;) ) and so our form fell apart and we were forced to wind it down.
We made our way around Ditton (without crashing, which was nice), and set ourselves up for our practice start. As an intimidation tactic (100% true), I intentionally took an air stroke on our first stroke, just so we could prove to the crew ahead that we didn't even need 8 proper rowers to catch up to them. Aside from that, the start went well, and we were hyped for the race to begin.
After managing to marshall an impressive 25 minutes late ('entirely' because of M4 taking out 801 before us), we arrived at our start position with our spirits high. This was the first bumps race for every person in the boat and our first actual race as a set crew, so we were all quite nervous. Just as we reached the bank, I enquired as to the possibility of exiting the boat - but alas, before my question could be answered the 4 minute cannon went off, and suddenly everyone became rather frantic. Tessellating lions and other not race kit was removed, and we waited for the next bang. My suggestions of positive visualisation exercises went down about as well as suggesting we raced square-blades. (Not backing down there, by the way, I still think positive visualisation a good idea.)We made our way around Ditton (without crashing, which was nice), and set ourselves up for our practice start. As an intimidation tactic (100% true), I intentionally took an air stroke on our first stroke, just so we could prove to the crew ahead that we didn't even need 8 proper rowers to catch up to them. Aside from that, the start went well, and we were hyped for the race to begin.
One minute. 50. 40. 30. 25. 20. 15. 14. 13. 12. 11. 10. 9. 8. 7 - square up. 6. 5... Buried blades...
BANG.
The start went well, and we zoomed away. There is an amazing period of about 30 seconds at the start of every race were you feel like you're incredibly fit and that there's nothing in the world that could potentially slow you down, then all of that adenosine triphosphate runs out and you suddenly realise that you have to breath and do other slightly inconvenient things in order to continue rowing. We powered on. A partial crab around First Post Corner meant we lost some speed, and then we rowed past Magdalene and Peterhouse M2 who had stopped on the gut. At this point we realised that we were no longer rowing to bump, we were rowing to NOT get bumped, and we had to do this for another 2km, at least. This has a slightly de-motivational effect.
Robinson M2 did not get closer than one boat length away from us. They made a final, unsuccessful push on the reach, and then gave up. We flew away. After rowing to top finish (because why not?), we took 2 minutes rest to recover energy back into our lifeless shells, and then pathetically paddled home. Again, this was an intimidation tactic so that LMPC, who were in front of us, would underestimate us when we inevitably get to bump them on Friday.
A good start to what is bound to be a glorious four days.
