Back to life in Nantes

So it was definitely hard to come back to Nantes. Before I left for the holidays I thought I might stay until the end of June to compete in a quad at the French Championships which my coach had asked me to stay for. However, I realized that I wouldn't be happy staying that long and I also wouldn't have much to do either. I wouldn't be able to travel since I was supposed to stay in Nantes to train. School would be over and I probably would have trouble finding a job as well so it just didn't really make sense to stay just for one race. I'm glad to have made this decision and can't wait to be back at the beginning of May.

The weather here was great up until I left but I don't think it's stopped raining since January. I'm definitely not enjoying the rain because 1. I can't ride my bike (however I needed it to be fixed anyways) 2. I lost my umbrella 3. Rowing sucks in the wind/rain and 4. everyone including me is miserable in the rain.

Fortunately the rain held off for most weekends which gave my coach the perfect opportunity to make us row some of the longest distances ever. In a quad, Marie, Steph, Charlotte and I were rowing at least 35km per weekend for 4 weekends in a row; once 35 in just one day! Since I hadn't been rowing all Christmas holiday I no longer had my protective callouses and I experienced the most painful blisters I have ever had. One night I couldn't even sleep they were in so much pain that I had to call my mom to ask what I should do. I eventually had to start going to sleep with frozen washcloths on my hands. I'm glad that's over now and that my hands are back to normal.
In the picture (left, above) is Marie, Steph, Charlotte and I. There is a 20km row to Suce-sur-Erdre. At the half way point where we turn around is a cafe where we'd stop for hot chocolate.