| At sea. Atlantic Rowing Race: Roz morale plumetting again |
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| Monday, 16 January 2006 | |
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Roz Savage: Mark at the Craig Hospital in Colorado asked: What is the one thing you have had to do that your pub mates would give you the hardest time over if they knew? A: It would have to be the bottom-cleaning ritual at the end of each and every rowing shift. I suppose some of the patients at your hospital have to go through some undignified procedures, but can they be as bad as this? Someone who has done the race before described the saltwater rash he got as the worst pain he has ever known, so bad that sitting on his sheepskin seat cover felt like sitting on wire wool. I've been paranoid about avoiding the same fate. It's not easy to row if you can't sit down... So at the end of every shift I lie on my back on my bunk with my legs in the air like a baby on a changing table, feet braced against the low cabin ceiling. I wipe my derriere with wet wipes impregnated with tea tree oil (to be recycled later as toilet paper). Then I anoint my nether regions with tea tree oil antiseptic lotion and/or Green People's Baby Salve. I've had a few spots, but overall the regime seems to be working, so the indignity is worth it and now I guess my pubmates do know.. Other stuff: I have had a couple of weeks now of steadily improving weather conditions and exponentially improving morale, but now I am having a relapse. Big time. I am having a hissy fit, a sulk, a toy-throwing tantrum. I am fed up with sideswiping waves filling the boat with water. I am fed up with cold repetitive dinners. I am fed up with having a sopping wet bunk. (The ventilation hatch above my head has been leaking like a sieve. I've now taped a cover over it, and just hope not to suffocate in my sleep in my now watertight but also airtight cabin.) It's lovely getting texts from people admiring my courage, my tenacity, my determination. But don't put me on a pedestal - I'll only fall off. I'm just an ordinary person, and right now an extraordinarily grumpy one. So I'm sending myself to bed early and hope to wake up in a better mood. Texts: Marina (glad you like the website, hope you're enjoying Antigua - say Very Well Done to Ben from me!), Martin Turner, John T (ah, to see ourselves as others see us...), Brian in HK, Tim (sedation would indeed be quite welcome right now), Wallace, Jeff, HHS (where DO you get these jokes from?!). 15 Jan, 06 - 20:41 1926.490N,3426.884W,0M For GPS position, race position and miles from La Gomera, see http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk Wind: E Weather: cloudy, squalls Sea state: very rough Hours rowing: 9 Roz Savage from London in Sedna Solo is the only female solo competitor www.rozsavage.com Event website http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 16 January 2006 ) |
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