Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Shunyi Rowing Lake

- that doesn't sound too bad, does it?

Since I've arrived in Beijing, the days have flown by but after winning my heat on Tuesday, my day off yesterday did drag a little as I got ready to compete.

I had to try to keep the race out of my mind and I was nervous when I woke up this morning because I knew I could have a long wait. I tried to keep nerves down to a minimum but I was still feeling the pressure.

It was a difficult race out there, both with the competition I was up against and the conditions I was racing in.

I am used to having a bit of a lead by about 500m but Alex, the Ukrainian who finished second, pushed me really hard all the way. There was also a moderate headwind all the way which made things tough, as well as the temperature, of course.

The heat added an extra test but the preparation we have had were superb and the we worked so hard on really paid off.

Towards the end of the race, I could feel my lungs burning and I was struggling to get the air in but I kept battling away and it was an incredible feeling to win - indescribable and it is great for the sport.

When I passed the stands, I could hear people cheering but although by that point, the pain had taken over and I was not really aware of what was going on - I don't know if they were screaming for me or not!

It was so special for me to have my family here to see me win my first Paralympic medal and they have helped me so much to get me to this point.

My mum and dad were here and my brother Joe and my friend Dan were in the family stand and a couple of my uncles who have been travelling were over in the stand on the far side.

I didn't know if they would be able to make it here and on my victory row I managed to see them.

Over the last few months, the squad has spent a lot of time away on and it has really been a really intense schedule and I haven't seen a lot of my family.

It is great to have them here now and I am looking forward to catching up with them afterwards.

I'm definitely going to relax now for the rest of the . We haven't had much of a chance to explore and take in the whole atmosphere so I'm going to go and enjoy myself and go out and watch some of the other support and cheer on the others on the GB team.

This whole experience has been amazing and I'm sure London in 2012 will be incredible.

The rowing authorities have worked hard to get the sport in the Paralympic programme and I am keen to carry on and contribute to the successful tradition rowing has had over the years.

The attraction of competing on home soil on front of a home crowd would be amazing and I'm already looking forward to that.

Tom Aggar was speaking to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sport's Elizabeth Hudson.