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All race reports for Zara Bek

Event: Newnham Short Course 2023 - 1st division
Posted as: Zara Bek
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For a first race as a crew with not many outings to prepare beforehand, the boat felt level and controlled across the course. The rate was consistent at around 33 and we felt it went quite well, until we saw our finish time. The power wasn’t all there and nor were the catches (note the plural), giving us plenty to work on before Bedford. At least we can sit a boat, and the videos show us exactly what to work on for next weekend.

Event: Newnham Short Course 2023 - 4th division
Posted as: Zara Bek
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I’m not sure if I can claim I was happy to be agreeing to row with W2 at the joint W1-W2 crew hall the night before, but given I had been written down as ‘dumb enough to race twice in a day’ a week before, I probably should have seen it coming. At no point between the two races did I feel warm, except when I resorted to doing bursts on an erg at 20 splits faster than my 2k pace to try and convince my body that the boathouse wasn’t freezing.

The paddle down to Baitsbite was invaluable, mostly because there were two subs in the crew and I needed to remember how to row strokeside after a whole two weeks rowing bowside. There was some anxiety that the crew had never gone above rate 22 together, but the bursts on the way to the start were very solid and gave the crew a lot of confidence.

Starting the race Charlotte settled into a very solid rate of about 30 and the boat felt stable as we powered through the course, starting and finishing strong- giving very positive signs for the upcoming bumps campaign that will start with the getting on race.

I will concede that it was worth racing twice, even if I have never felt so cold for so long, and I wish W2 the very best of luck in the getting on race and then bumps afterwards. I’d like to thank Rosie for talking me into this, not that I take much convincing and Andrew for bankparting and bringing me coffee in-between races.

Event: Radegund Mile Head Race 2023 - College VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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M3 were unlucky with their 7-seat being called up/convinced up to M2 the day before Radegund, leaving them without a full crew. They were even more unlucky that their cox was ill on the morning of the race, fortunately Naman came to the rescue and M3 were able to race (at the expense of the M4/W2 mixed crew, but that's not M3's fault).

A good crew pasta the night before kept spirits high, and M3 were determined to put into practice all they had learned under the watchful eye of Luke. I can't testify to how they usually row but I suspect handle-heights will be on the agenda for the coming week after the paddle down.

Marshalling was chaos, but also not our fault, leading to the race starting slightly late and with us being unable to pull in. Jun built a nice rhythm as we got started, although when the call to wind it up came, there was a blatant flouting of Luke's aim for the crew of rate 32. We went off at rate 35/6 and settled at 35 for the vast majority of the course. In hindsight, that was probably a little bit too ambitious. But the crew stayed together and the timing was good, even if the power dropped off a bit in the middle.

As we came down the reach, the boat behind us was starting to gain serious length on us (and they did beat us by about a minute). With the advancing crew on our stern, we lifted the pressure and held them off as we passed under the railway bridge and finished the race. That sort of mentality will benefit M3 well in bumps; they do not give up and they have a real sense of togetherness (outside of the boat).

Sometimes the rowing could have been described as stern pair and bow six, but fortunately this was saved for the paddle up rather than the race. I'm confident M3 will be quicker with another week of training and their rightful 7-seat back.

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2023 - 1st division
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Perhaps a controversial take but there should be more races where you race one direction, spin, then race back. A really solid race with lots of determination and effort coming from the crew, a good sign for W1's bumps campaign given that 6/8 of the crew were from W1 and the boat will go faster with the full crew.

What I especially enjoyed was the weather; my first time racing when it was warm enough to wear an all-in-one. Unfortunately for Rosie that confirmed my decision to buy a tessellating lions AIO for bumps.

Event: Head of the Cam 2023 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Winning our category was fun and so was overtaking other boats. Let's ignore that we overtook IVs/quads and only beat Novices...

At least it wasn't a totally scratch crew.

I never want to hear those splits again when racing at that pressure, in hindsight the conditions were not speedy.

Event: Lent Bumps 2023 - Saturday
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Bumped Churchill after the plough.

A day filled with anxiety and uncertainty, waking up to the news that the water level was still higher than normal was highly unwelcome at crew photos at 07:20am. There was nothing we could do but wait, after stomp we went to Tatties and tried to ignore the sense of dread.

News at 11:30 that the M4/W4 division was cancelled added to the sense of gloom, and the M3/W3 division being cancelled as W2 were preparing to boat was heartbreaking. But we knew that our division was still going ahead, and we knew that we could not let the atmosphere change our mentality.

Boat club spirit allowed us to get our boat out, thank you so much to Rosie who spent so many hours wet at the boat house helping all the other crews boat and deboat. We truly could not have raced without you. The stream was so strong we had to paddle to Jesus loch to spin, getting caught behind a houseboat and having to spend even longer trying not to drift on a stream that was more like the Tideway than the Cam. Emily did a fantastic job of steering us to marshalling, where we ended up on the wrong side of the bank, but we had made it.

A special thank you to Downing shouting ‘FaT you’re getting fined’ as we tried to make sure every member of our crew was ok after a medical issue. Enjoy your technical spoons and ‘Downing W1 - Failure to row on upon being bumped - £30’ it looks like you were the ones getting fined.

Anticipation was high, nerves were all around. But we knew it was not beyond our capabilities, even if yesterday had made things feel so much more nerve wracking. We had beaten Churchill at WEHORR by thirty seconds the week before, and we knew we had the speed to catch them, even if they were not going to make it easy for us. They gave us an excruciating chase.

Off the start we could see Clare hotly pursuing us, but if Clare were close then Churchill were closer. I do not remember where the first or the second whistles came, just that we moved to three whistles quicker than previous days. We had overlap for over a minute, the whistle went from continuous back to three, back to continuous. Our bow skipped over their stern we think four times, and I swear I felt a bump significantly before we actually bumped. Churchill gave their all and their mentality was admirable. Pure elation followed the bump after the pure agony of getting it, and it has left us hungry for more.

Thank you again to Rosie for helping us boat and deboat, and thank you to our faithful bankparties for carrying our kit and providing the much-needed encouragement.

(And thank you to William Connolley for filming our bump. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZtrNuOSuls&t=339s)

Event: Lent Bumps 2023 - Friday
Posted as: Zara Bek
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With the river having bursts its banks and a club-wide scramble for kit, wellies, foil blankets and hats going on, today is going to be chaotic.

The above was written before racing was cancelled. Sad vibes and a BA room ‘study session’ followed.

Event: Women's Head of the River Race 2023 - Challenge Academic
Posted as: Zara Bek
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A thirteen and a half hour round trip for a race lasting under 22 minutes is quite the commitment; on the positive side an 08:15am meet time isn’t actually that early. Travelling to the university of London’s boathouse went without a hitch, although shouting after our beloved coach down a train station platform drew a few looks. I cannot imagine why.

After a bit of difficulty lifting our boat off the trailer, whilst two members of our crew spent time fussing a cat and the rest of us struggled because it’s really quite hard to lift an empacher two metres up, it was back together and the only thing left to do was what rowers do best: eat. Sometimes stereotypes are fair. I am pleased to report everyone in W1 has normal food preferences and we are not the reason why the whole club got sent an email about proper and appropriate nutrition.

Stepping into the Thames wearing flipflops was one of the most unpleasant experiences of my life and I would like to implore anyone racing WEHORR or HORR in the future to just buy welly boots and do yourself a favour. It was absolutely freezing and my feet did not get warm until we had gotten back from the race and inside… almost five hours later. I also nearly lost a flip flop. 0/10 do not do it. Marshalling took an age and we were on the water for over two hours before we started to race, thankfully we did not actually have to row far, but general chaos and the stream led to a multiplicity of taps being taken. Watching the Cambridge Blue Boat, Leander A (and B and C), the GB Boat, Oxford Brookes and so many others row past as the began to race was incredible- as was watching some very early overtakes. It helped the time go much faster; it did not feel like two hours. Unfortunately the cold began to set in and I was very glad when we started to paddle up to the race start before spinning.

Once we spun there was all of a few strokes before we began to move and build the rate up before we heard ‘180… GO!’, and from there we were off, passing the start line about fifteen strokes later. As we crossed Emily shouted ‘splits 1:27’ which is something I don’t think I will ever hear again from a boat I’m in. We settled at 1:35 with the stream carrying us along, sharp catches and strong finishes propelling us at about rate 33-34 around the course as we overtook two other boats. Pushing off Hammersmith Bridge we drove our split back to 1:34-35 after it crept to 1:43. Towards the end a boat began to come up on us, but we held them off for several minutes and did not allow them to take any more ground, crossing the finish with several lengths still between us despite the fact they were much faster overall. The mentality and drive to keep them off will serve us well during bumps in the next few days, giving us confidence we can hold off anyone.

Just like that the race was over. 21:47 went incredibly quickly and we were winding it down ready to row a bit further and spin. The row home was long and cold, but the result of the race was very positive.

Getting the boat out and our four seat running off to go to the toilet with the boat still in the Thames was a lowlight.

So was bow getting cold shock (we think).

Event: Lent Bumps 2023 - Thursday
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Bumped Clare W1 on the corner to the reach. It took six and a half minutes and about two hundred strokes to bump Clare apparently- far quicker than yesterday.

Nerves were high as we knew Christs would not be happy after yesterday, and we were prepared to have a gruelling mental battle on our hands. Queens turned out to not be much of a threat yesterday and therefore the sense of being chased was not really present.

It wasn’t today either. Christs were nowhere to be seen.

Once again we started strong with a rating over 40, but were far more composed and together rather than rowing with raw aggression. It took slightly longer to get the first whistle, but once the second whistle came around Ditton we mentally locked in and rowed with our all. Sadly we were at two whistles for quite a while. Suddenly there was a third whistle, then continuous, then a bump just as we were turning towards the reach. Elation gave way to parking in the reeds on the meadow side. Oops.

The row home was some of the best and more excitable paddling we’ve ever done; a chat with our coach and we learnt that Clare were very close to bumping Churchill and he was afraid they’d get the bump before we did. Which only served to encourage us with the knowledge we have the ability to catch Churchill tomorrow. Overall our rowing was much more together and less frantic; a good sign that we can actually stay calm and use some technique.

Note on the conditions: Yesterday it snowed, today it rained all day and was absolutely freezing. I raced in three layers both days and at points was struggling to feather and square due to a lack of feeling in my hands. I really hope my coat dries before tomorrow.

Event: Lent Bumps 2023 - Wednesday
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Bumped Christs’ W1 somewhere down the reach. It took about eight and a half minutes I think.

The first bump for W1 since 2019 was greeted with elation, and gave some members of the boat a sense of justice for Mays 2022 (I cannot comment given this was my first bumps race).

A strong start of rate 40.5, splits 1:40 allowed us to immediately pull away from Queens and begin gaining on Christs. I’m not entirely sure where the rate settled, but I think it was about rate 35-6 and we were going strong as we got our first whistle on Christs sometime after Newnham Bridge. The collective thought was ‘please let there be a second whistle’ and soon there was as we closed on the bow of Christs. Getting the third whistle took an age, it came at around the spinning zone on the reach and from there we knew we could do it, although the threat of rowing so hard to just row over was looming. Especially as Queens were nowhere close, I don’t remember seeing them at all at this point.

The continuous whistle came at about the railings, and I could see the bowball of Christs out of the corner of my eye; the only thing that I could think was ‘please just steer into them’ as there was significant overlap for several strokes before our two-seat blade collided with their stern and their cox conceded the bump.

It was a hard and exciting race, and nothing can compare to the feeling afterwards. (Thank you to our bank party for the leaves even if you did claim not to be our pet. Edit: he still claims not to be our pet). Tomorrow we go again and chase Clare, who were caught today by Churchill.

Event: Bedford Head 2023 - Women's Eights (Band 2)
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Having gotten the worst out of our system the day before in an outing that was shorter than the time it took us to dismantle our boat, Bedford showed us that we are not the crew that paddled Newnham Head last week. We also didn't do a crew pasta. Still not sure why. I'm going to apologise now for having inevitably forgotten things. Given this is being written in a Wetherspoons in Bedford having missed the bus, I should probably keep my emotions out of this report. Waking up and meeting for 07:45 was just a throwback to morning outings, with the added joys of an hour and a half on a bus that was late- because of course it's English public transport under discussion here. There was absolutely no bitterness about M1 having a car and wanting us to share in the cost of it. Some amusement was had as it was pointed out that [redacted] x2 had gone to [other redacted]x2s rooms the night before and none of said people arrived from the expected direction. There was tiredness and excitement buzzing around the crew- for three of us it was our first off-Cam race. We knew we were better than last week with some really promising signs in outings and ergs this past week. The conditions were chilly in Bedford but not overly so, and other than a bit of mud it was all dry. Seeing M1 after their first race as we were just arriving reminded us that we too would soon be on the water. Putting the boats back together was a new experience for me, but it all went smoothly and we had QE1 ready to race in good time. Paddling to the start was positive, with bursts being conducted with lots of spirit and commitment, not to mention power. We were not marshalled long before our first race at 12:00 began, where we started strong and kept our splits between 1:53 and 1:57 as we settled into a sustainable rhythm at about rate 34. Hearing the sound of one catch as we went under tunnel bridges was really quite something, with the sound echoing off the walls. Unfortunately towards the end fatigue impacted our timing, reminding us that we still have things to work on. We committed and gave our all to that first race, finishing in 5:57 over about 1600m, meaning we improved by around 10 splits from last week. More amusingly, M2 were only 16 seconds faster than us. Unfortunately the division 4 results came in and we realised that Queens were 2 seconds faster than us, giving us new resolve for our next race. The between races trip to Maccies kept our spirits up as we got hot food/drinks and prepared to race once more at 15:00. I appreciated the caffeine. It was colder as we boated, and my splash jacket certainly stayed on after the amount of water than came from the 2 and 3 seats in the first race. Oddly enough, this race was far less splashy; I'll credit it to technique improvements. The splits were roughly the same although the fatigue level post-race was naturally much higher. We finished in 5:59, a good result given how much we had committed to the first race. More excitingly, we had the same time as Queens, who will be chasing us in bumps in just over three weeks time. Still, we cannot forget that they were overall faster than us and we need to continue to 'press down the legs'. We were the only FaT crew to be slower on our second race, suggesting we were the only crew to commit in the first one. Deboating and dismantling QE1 are a bit of a blur, fresh and dry clothing was very much welcomed and the focus was on just getting home. Unfortunately for me, on the way to the bus stop we were stopped by some women from Fitz, telling us we had left six blades and trying to communicate this to the people getting the trailer back was a nightmare. Being the only member of W1 not in the trailer, and therefore unable to collect blades, all I could do was hope someone picked up their phone. Thankfully they did. The reason I said unfortunately is because the bus stop that (most of) M2 were going to was not communicated, resulting in two of us missing the bus despite running across Bedford in 3-4 layers with bags of kit for over fifteen minutes. That's why I'm in Wetherspoons. Cider is not a replacement for being home an hour earlier, and running at that intensity after racing twice is not a vibe. When I said I wanted to get back into running, this is not what I meant. All in all, it was a good day. For a first off-Cam experience it could have been terrible but it wasn't. With twenty days until our next race, I for one am optimistic given the improvements we've made since last weekend.

Event: May Bumps 2024 - Friday
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Beginning here, oh reader, I will recount the chase of Queen's W1.

Who bumped W1 last year, and now have fallen beneath.

We heard that Fitz gained on them, the oracle (Bomber) told us.

A good sign, but they did not give up easily.

Sustaining overlap for most of plough reach.

But not a long time after, Alex steered into them and we picked up our third bump.

Event: May Bumps 2024 - Saturday
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Blades and of W1 I sing, who first bumped Christs,

Putting crucial distance between us and Clare.

To Fitz we went, and bumped them too,

then in choppy conditions down Plough Reach,

by the will of the crew we caught Queen's.

To satisfy Bomber and the will of the crew,

Day 4 was the most important yet.

We thought we would suffer much,

to catch Downing and at last raise the flag.

We did not have the 2000+m of suffering I anticipated. They geared up their blades and went kaboom 4.5 minutes in. We didn't have a whistle until about First Post, and I did not even hear three whistles before it went continuous. Alex's line around Ditton was incredible, and on the youtube video you can see us accelerate when he called a blades push. Never underestimate the power of pushing together and doing it for each other.

Event: May Bumps 2024 - Saturday
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Pembroke were angry. Very, very angry. As they should be really, managing to fail to bump us on Thursday, getting bumped as a result and having to wait until Saturday to get another shot.

M3 rowed the best I've seen them, it was strong, gutsy and they were inside station on Girton. Unfortunately Pembroke wanted revenge.

Event: May Bumps 2024 - Thursday
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Tell me muse, of that boat of (not) many strokes,

Who bumped Fitz in just shy of 120,

After bumping Clare the day before.

Many the crews whose boats we saw,

Whose speeds we learned and matched.

Much pain was suffered in the middle section,

When Fitz held distance and we tried to pull them close.

Yet despite their attempts we caught them up,

because they flied and died,

foolishly hoping they could catch Queens'

But we denied them the revenge bump.

Tell us these things as you will,

tell us how we bumped on First Post Corner,

Goddess, daughter of Zeus.

Event: May Bumps 2024 - Wednesday
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Sing, muse of the speed of FaT W1,

The swift ship that brought many woes to Christs

And sent them to be bumped on day 2 by Clare.*

Who made them prey for Clare’s lost blades campaign,

Bringing to fulfillment the plan of Bomber.

Sing of it, from the moment the cannon went,

when FaT held off Clare, when Bomber shouted

'get angry girls' and we did indeed get angry.

*yet to be confirmed at time of writing

Event: May Bumps Getting-on Race 2024 -
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Unfortunately I only got to see them from where I was umpiring on Grassy corner. They rowed well, particularly in light of the fact they had three subs and had never practiced with any of the subs before. Despite a coxbox malfunction on the way up, and Loren needing my socks to stuff in her shoes so they fit, it was a good race. They seem to have had fun and I am very proud of them. Hopefully next year we see a W3 in both Lents and Mays and can build on this year.

Event: Radegund Mile Head Race 2024 - College VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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I should write a report for my actual crew,

For whom so far races have been far and few.

Our first race together, but we flew.

Rowing together, trusting in what we knew.

Settling into a strong rhythm, led by stern pair,

Splits on the coxbox for Alex to declare.

Making sure that the blades went in square,

Catches going in early, water for us to wear.

Round the corners what dropped was the speed,

But we knew what we had to do to succeed.

Chase the straights, get back to what we need,

Send it down the reach and not concede.

For the most of the race my mind was blank.

In hindsight we had more in the tank.

With enthusiastic support from the bank,

We crossed the line at a 1:47 with a final yank.

A positive result, at 7:46

But with plenty of things to fix.

(We beat Christ's significantly and even beat Maggie W1- much more to come from us at Champs' Eights next week if we learn to push out of our comfort zone and absolutely send it.)

Event: Radegund Mile Head Race 2024 - College VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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To get me to sub, all you have to do is ask.

Especially when I get to walk away with a hip flask.

Event: Radegund Mile Head Race 2024 - College VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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First race in May term for W3 since 2011 and first race outside of bumps in May term since 2007.

From what I've heard it was a solid row and they are in an excellent position for the getting on race in a few weeks. I'm really proud of them for their commitment and willingness to get up at 6am.

Event: Head of the Cam 2024 - 1st division
Posted as: Zara Bek
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I am back to do it all again,

Trying to blot out memories of earlier pain.

To send it down the course in hopes of gain,

On a winning crew’s campaign.

To beat W1B was our goal,

Everything was in our control.

To pull something extra from the depths of my soul,

With the aim of fulfilling my role.

Working hard to push the puddles away,

We all silently had our say.

Rowing in both meant a waste of my day,

But it also meant that I won either way.

Going to collect the glass

Was a feeling hard to surpass.

Two years in a row we have been class,

As tankards on my shelf continue to amass.

Event: Head of the Cam 2024 - 1st division
Posted as: Zara Bek
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First race back, a 06:30 alarm,

Rowing has a certain charm.

At the boathouse all was calm,

Except the blisters on my palm.

Down to marshalling, never late.

Make sure that you’ve done up your gate.

A delayed start- so then we wait.

Finally we row up and do not hesitate.

Nothing happened before first post, a lacklustre show,

After that we dug in and on we row.

Arms, bodies, legs- moving with the flow.

Pushing, clinging on, waiting for the whistle to blow.

Having never rowed in this combination before,

Anxiously waiting to hear our score,

We finished the race hungry for more,

Then paddled home, tugging on the oar.

Event: Winter League, 3rd Leg 2024 - College VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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The Composeight, a scratchy crew,

Every stroke a foray into something new.

We arrived early to face the rain,

To push ourselves hard in the hope of gain.

We started fresh- faster than thought,

Hoping not to be caught.

That was no worry, but what was,

Tenseness, powerlessness- we suffered thus.

Still despite it we finished strong,

Ultimately nothing had gone wrong.

We will be back to do it once more,

To surpass what came before.

Event: Winter League, 2nd leg 2024 - College VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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The stream was fast, W2 were unsurpassed.

Event: Newnham Short Course 2024 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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W3's first race in nearly nine years. A strong row with some excitement down the reach from Newnham 3. I'm proud of them, the stayed together and I saw positive changes made in response to my shouting.

I need a nap.

Event: Newnham Short Course 2024 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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I got my first experience of Cam water for the term. I have verified that my arms are not in fact longer than Andrew's - he clearly just lacks committment to scraping the bottom of the river.

Rosie fucked her body up two days before the race, resetting the injury counter to zero days. Lily subbed in but complained that she doesn't do short distance. When a marathon is arranged on the Cam she'll be happy. Ellen also subbed- I thank her for her willingness to row twice in a day

A positive row for W2 and friends. At some point we'll actually have a full crew.

Event: Winter Head-To-Head 2024 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Race one was fast. Turns out there was a stream. We caught two overhead crabs. They didn't slow us down much.

Race two was also surprisingly fast. We did not catch any crabs. We moved well. Alex balanced a hot cross bun on the saxboard for the entire race. I'm tired. And a bit ill.

Onwards to Newnham head. Without the fucking bucket I hope.

Event: Cambridge Autumn Head 2023 - W8+ 1st Coll
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Is it a race without illness or injury? No.

Charlotte came down sick the night before the race and the sub search began... resulting in two different subs for the races. Not a bad result with 12 hours notice. Weishi subbed in for the first race, Maraia for the second (with me switching sides as per usual).

We got there extremely early for the first race and got to marshal in the reeds whilst holding onto the blades of Clare M2 to stop us all crashing into each other.

First race- hit rate 33 coming out the bridge, settled to 32 and pushed out of all the corners well thanks to Maddie's excellent calls. Magdelene seemed to be catching us as we came round first post, giving us flashbacks to the day before when Bomber told us to not let them catch us when we were paddling. Despite a crab coming round grassy, we held together and looked good enough for Bomber to describe it as a 'good race for the first race of term'. We were happy with the time, especially given we did hold of Magdelene by some distance.

Awaiting post race feedback I knew what mine would be given I could feel my shoulders burning. Who says all the power doesn't come from the shoulders?

Second race- Maraia graciously missed the Great Court Run to sub into the bow seat and I got shifted to two. Bomber gave us the target split of 2:12 and told us to gear up our blades. Paddling down to the start, we hit 2:15 at rate 18 which confirmed the stream had just gotten worse. Off the start we hit rate 34, settling to about 33 for the first half of the race. As we came onto the reach, Maddie told us to chase down Peterhouse because we were gaining and it seemed to breathe a second life into us. By the end, we hit rate 36 with splits 2:05. Bomber described it as superb.

I then got co-opted into rowing in a novice outing.

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2024 - Mays 4th
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Head to head, twice the fun.

Easter term, here comes the sun.

Marshalling, take the run.

The race starts, now await the gun.

Down the first half in 7:45,

At rate 33 all on the leg drive.

We spun at the lock, waited for other crews to arrive.

Had some sugar, needing to revive.

9 flat was not quite the vision,

Nevertheless we came third in the division.

Perhaps with the blades there could have been more precision.

Anyway, back to revision…

Event: Winter League, 2nd leg 2025 - Lents 2nd Div
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Beating Clare M3 was the real victory.

Event: Head of the Cam 2025 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Exit, pursued by a swan
Event Link

I enjoyed that. First race as a senior cox, and whilst Lily isn't going to let me forget Ditton any time soon, I am reasonably happy. I spoke utter rubbish for 11:31 but that is fine because we won!

The crew did well, a strong rhythm from stern pair set the boat up to row a good race with no real die, they stayed strong. This was helped by the fact we steadily gained on Magdalene and eventually overtook them, providing some much needed motivation as I could give distance calls down the course.

Three years, three wins for me in Head of the Cam.

Event: Norwich Head 2025 - W 8+
Posted as: Stat Dog (woof woof)
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Stroke rate: 32.86

Distance per stroke: 7.72

Average HR: 185.70

Average HR for the final 10 minutes: 192.94

Mini heart attacks before even getting on the train: 3.

Time spent Regatta-ing Norwich W1: Too long.

What a nice little day out.

@ Alex... dude you coxed BUCS last year. This wasn't your first off-Cam.

Event: Lent Bumps 2025 - Wednesday
Posted as: Selfdestructive golden retriever
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Till Ditton we said. It's a five minute race we said. Well we didn't account for a total fuck up of a start and losing 3/4 a length off the gun. Whoops. Still bumped though! Good opportunity to practice panicking.

I gotta say there is nothing quite like the feeling of bumps for making you want to absolutely wreck yourself.

Event: Lent Bumps 2025 - Thursday
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Baby's first row-over. Ouchie.

Event: Talbott Cup 2025 - 4th men's VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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I 'umpired' this. We learnt from this race that M2 has eight bowsiders.

Event: Head of the River Race 2025 - Academic (Medium)
Posted as: Anon Three Seat
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We won the blade clash.

Back where I belong after 6 month séjour in more esteemed places.

Event: Lent Bumps 2025 - Saturday
Posted as: Plague Victim #1
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I won't lie, I thought Clare might get us given the levels of disease down the boat. Turns out they still don't know how to do a bumps race. See you all next year.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2024 - Senior VIIIs
Posted as: Totally didn't blow up
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I never wrote a race report apparently. Probably because I was too drunk/hungover. Sophie was in for Lizzie who managed to damage a rib a week prior to racing.

We did the VIII, it was going quite well with an absolutely monstrous stream carrying us and some clear fitness gains showing in the splits. Footage shows it started to go wrong around the P&E although the splits didn't get worse there... then in the gut it went bang. Overall it was strong and we made a valiant attempt but the result is disappointing to me. I feel we should have done better than that.

Event: Fairbairn Cup - IVs 2024 - Senior IVs
Posted as: Totally didn't blow up
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Alex's best coxing by far. What he got out of us in this race was incredible.

The VIII+ had taken it out of us, leading to another disappointing result. We raced extremely hard and rowed well, but it just wasn't moving as quickly as the top 3. I genuinely believe we would have won, or at the very least pressed Newnham hard, had we only raced the IV+. It is what it is; you cannot race bumps in an IV after all.

Event: Lent Bumps 2025 - Friday
Posted as: Stat Dog (woof woof)
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Best split: 1:37

First 500m: 1:47

Peak rate: 44.5

Rate for first 500m: 40

Average rate: 38

Average split: 1:54ish

You're not having my HR data because I was ill enough that I hit a peak 10 strokes in and couldn't push it any higher because my body simply refused to go any harder.

Event: Champs Pub-to-Pub Mile 2025 - Club B
Posted as: Exit, pursued by a swan
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First successful race without a banksteerer! Despite the chunk of wood in the middle of Ditton, I made it down the course with no steering mishaps (somehow). Feeling absolutely dead coming into this having slightly overcooked trying to keep up with Luke yesterday, although I'm not sure I can blame the burning sensation in my forearms on that...

Next step: add some aggression (and better posture) and plenty more boatspeed will come. The faster you go the more fun you will have, and I'm already having fun.

Bonus: Champs thought my kit (presumably the bucket hat) was cool. I am glad someone doesn't think I am totally tasteless.

Event: Newnham Short Course 2025 - Lents 1st Div
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Apparently it's been retrospectively decided we rowed terribly and were 'whirring around'. Onwards and upwards I guess?

Event: Newnham Short Course 2025 - Lents 1st Div Take II
Posted as: Totally didn't blow up
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Always fills you with confidence when Bomber changes the crew order between races (Anne why do you row like that sometimes??? I love you dearly and will forever treasure you and your hat but oh dear lord).

At the lock: yeah yeah yeah we can do 7:50 if we actually row together this time. Just need to push a bit harder.

Half way down first post: 2:02

Safe to say it wasn't quite there. There was nothing left for the second race.

Event: Winter Head-To-Head 2025 - Lent First VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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2.4s. We'll get em next time.

Event: Winter Head-To-Head 2025 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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The overall time does not accurately depict what happened here. For reference, most crews were about 70s slower on the return leg.

Leg 1: 8:50.9 (ranking fifth)

Leg 2: 9:09.3 (ranking first)

Oh.

OH.

So now you're wondering what the fuck happened there. Well I'll tell you. It wasn't just the fact I was totally gone after the W1 race and rowed like I didn't know how to, well, row. It's something to do with Hazel's first ever overhead crab, Connor being too sportsmanlike and Clare M3. Hazel crabs at the railings, can't recover it. So we stop and Ada helps her get her blade back. In the mean time, Clare M3 catch up to us and start screaming at us to concede the line (we already had, babes). We are overtaken and restart.

By Ditton corner we have caught back up to the trailing blades octopus (is it still an octopus if all 8 legs are never in the water?) that was seemingly without a rudder- although to be fair the cox probably had whiplash by this point. They are told to concede the line. They do not.

The same story can be repeated down plough reach, grassy corner, round first post corner and down first post reach. We keep having to wind it down as Connor got increasingly more frustrated (me too Connor, me too) by the out-of-control Clare crew that, despite having the wisdom of most of their M1 on the bank decide that they would rather gamble on the fact we won't hit them than let us go past.

I think that race can best be described as 5x350m with several glides- including one over the finish line.

The return leg was a fantastic recovery and a show of mentality. Was it a bit rushy? Maybe. Generally it was together, committed and there was a lot going into the water with a lot more to come. The fact that the above chaos did not really damage the will of the crew (and I am not even going to talk about the marshalling shitshow) gives me confidence for bumps. Unfortunately they would have to do something quite spectacular to bump a Clare boat.

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2024 - 2nd division
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Luke and I put them through their paces three days before with a double lock run including about 5k at race pace. We did something roughly equivalent in length as a little confidence booster, despite some of the crew being really quite hungover. It seems to have worked.

Other than getting a bit spooked by Lucy and fucking up Green Dragon as a result (sorry) this was solid, really solid. The rate was 31-32 for most of the course with a big push (and a crab) down the reach.

The result is fantastic, 1st, 4th and 8th is our best ever result in Novice Fairbairns and I couldn't be more proud of these guys for their commitment to making the boat go fast and for putting up with me for four weeks.

Roll on Lents!

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2024 - Men's Plate
Posted as: Zara Bek
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This was the best rowing they've done. R34.5 off the start rhythming to a strong 32 which they held over the course. Clean, technical and strong. We walked over Trinity Hall.

No crabs or major air strokes in any races today!

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2024 - Men's Plate
Posted as: Zara Bek
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This is where things got interesting. Queen's were big. Queen's had a good start. We panicked a bit. R37.5 off the start coming down to r36 half way down the course was one panicked and rushed way to do this. Off the bridge we managed to get it to a more sensible r33 and they made a huge push. At this point we were a length down, and by the corner we were maybe one seat down and gaining rapidly. Then Queen's steered into us, I held my line, they kept coming in and clashed blades. When they steered away they hit the bank and we crossed the line a canvass before they did.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2024 - Men's Plate
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Even more women than Catz. They had beaten Selwyn NM2 (whom we had leant Bastian to0) and to be fair- they rowed well.

More down 2s, more trying to get the crew to learn what a down 2 actually is, and a pretty solid row.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2024 - Men's Plate
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Watching Catz row down with 4 women in the boat and hit pretty much every bit of the bank along the way was nice.

I don't remember the first start. I remember being told to hold it up after about 15 strokes, doing so, seeing Catz in the bank, Catz restarting, calling a panicked restart where the guys got it together very well and then essentially spending the rest of the course trying to teach them what 'down two on the recovery' means.

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2024 - Student Senior VIIIs
Posted as: Zara Bek
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We were told if we didn't put our legs down and produce a good result in the VIII+ we might do two IV+s for Fairbairns as the W1 IV was going faster than the VIII. We delivered.

Very relaxed, very technical and fast! A good pickup at the end and no die in the middle. A good result and only beaten by Trinity Hall and Jesus (UEA don't count).

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2024 - Student Senior IVs
Posted as: Exit, pursued by a swan
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Bomber said it's our best ever row and race. I am inclined to agree. Stayed together, kept our heads and didn't let the red mist overtake, unlike the uni IVs final.

Coming into the P&E we were part of a three boat regatta and then hit two swans. Coming into the swans we were on a 2:02 split, coming out of the swans we were on a 2:28 split. Ah well. Still won, even on tired legs having raced the VIII first.

(Based on results, Pembroke were trying to match our splits as they raced two divisions later and were faster than us for the first kilometre and then died to 13s slower overall)

Event: University IVs 2024 - 1st division
Posted as: Zara Bek
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Don't look at the footage.

Event: Cambridge Small Boats Head 2024 - W Nov
Posted as: Bitch mittens
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Straining your forearm the day before and barely sculling for two weeks is ideal preperation right? Bonus points if you destroy your hands in training week for 5 days before racing.

Idk, clearly worked for me...