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Cambridge University rowing squad is back in training after the summer break at the Goldie Boathouse. Picture: Keith Heppell. (17031534)

March 2020 seems like a long way away.

It is seven months and two full seasons, and after all we have only just left this summer, but that is the target at Goldie Boathouse.

The start of the official Michaelmas Term at the University of Cambridge is still 10 days away, but athletes eager to earn a Boat Race Blue have already been back in training for a month.

Cambridge University Women's Boat Club and Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club train as one combined squad and, as the countdown to March 29 begins, it has been a positive start.

"We have a lot of younger talent, a lot of new faces and a lot of names to learn which has been a lot of fun," said CUWBC president Larkin Sayre. "This is a big challenge for us and one that I'm so excited about, and will be really satisfying."

Sayre, who is studying for a PhD in materials science at Emmanuel College, was in the No 4 seat last April as the Light Blues earned a five-length win over Oxford on the Tideway.

"It feels like a really long time ago," she said. "From the start of the season at the beginning of September, you have seven months so it does feel like a long time since our race.

"I think it was good for me to focus on my work and take a bit of a break to go and see family and hang out with friends to come back really strong.

"When we all come back together it's like a big reunion but then there are so many new faces that you have to learn everyone's name really quickly.

"We're currently training with over 70 athletes which is huge, so it means that every day you are in a new boat, a new crew and you have to be really versatile and adapt - it's really exciting.

"We have a lot of people who are pushing the more established athletes and the returners so it keeps everyone on their toes and it actually makes the whole team faster to have more people coming in who are young talent or new to rowing.

"It feeds into a better culture. There is no complacency at all because everyone is really hungry which is what you want."

It will go full circle for the oarswomen and oarsmen who make it into one of the Cambridge crews to face Oxford in March, as the longer days fade out and then back in again so the early start to the programme helps them find their feet.

"By the time we get to the train station, it's pretty much light out but soon it will be dark all the way until about halfway through our session which is a big change and it will get much colder," said Sayre.

"It's good that we're able to learn the ropes, learn everything, get used to the training schedule while the weather is a little bit nicer and then once it darkens and gets colder you're able to handle it.

"It eases people in rather than all at once."