It is the final week and I have to admit things have not gone too well.

According to my calculations, a sub seven minute 2,000m on the ergo is possible, but I don't think I'm going to get anywhere near the Team GB trials qualifying time.

I have two more sessions on that dreaded rowing machine and a game of rugby to get through, before taking on the ultimate challenge on February 28.

Working extra hours this week at matches involving Brentford, London Scottish and London Welsh has not helped my cause in fitting the training in.

And Saturday's Six Nations clash between England and Wales plus an evening at dinner with friends could yet prove terminal.

But I have managed to keep things ticking over on my bike, so hopefully the impact will be softened.

If I were a full-time athlete things would be so much easier.

I'm coming to terms with the idea that it is going to hurt, something Richmond-based single sculler Alan Campbell has already alluded to in his advice.

That is half the challenge. The next half is committing to the task hard enough to make the grade.

If I do clock under seven minutes that will be a 40 second improvement on my first time, set at the beginning of the month - which isn't bad I guess.

At that rate and another month could see me there and who knows by the time the Olympics start I could be the next Andrew Triggs-Hodge.

The next step is to get on the water and I'm hoping Molesey Boat Club might help with that.

Then again.....the cricket season starts soon and I know what I'd rather be doing.