4.30am, 30k, and naked??

Tomorrow morning at 4.30am (yes, 4.30AM) will see me set off on my most nerve-wracking undertaking to date. I'm paddling 30k to raise money for the NZ Earthquake appeal
( www.bomp.co.uk ) and while I'm nervous of paddling completely on my own in the pitch-black, in the middle of the river and in the cold, my true fears are just starting to become apparent.

Concerns: not waking up, getting enough fluid in me over the 3 1/2 hours, getting my nutrition right at the other end so as not to trigger a migraine, arriving at school on time, the cold, the dark, boredom... but my real concern came to light in a nightmare last night. I had a 'naked' dream - you know the ones, where you're the only one without clothes, well I was wandering into school and had heard we were not meant to wear any clothes (!!!), so was completely starkers. As I tried to retain some sense of dignity, I was astounded that the students didn't seem to notice, or care. I can not tell you the relief I felt on waking up and realising that it was all a hideous dream, but realised it stemmed from my dread of walking into school carrying my boat, wearing head to toe lycra (which does show in a most unforgiving way, every bump and lump).

Since the school are planning a bit of a welcome committee for me, I might just have to deal with it, but obviously it's weighing heavily on my mind. But ho hum, it's for a good cause and I've nearly hit the £1000 target, so I need to get over myself and just get on and do it.

I still haven't decided whether to paddle back part of the way in the evening, it will be a good test of my recovery, but with a 13 mile race on Sunday, I might need to give myself a bit of a break.