
Over the years, bicycles have been a key part in helping me find work-life balance. Pounding the pedals, whilst working through my thoughts has helped clear emotions and identified positive strategies to face blocks and challenges. Cycling also fitted with busy schedules and shift patterns and was not dependent on involving other people to join me in that activity
In my corporate role leading large operational teams and focused on the consistent push for high performance, I always recognised that I needed something that could absorb my thoughts and provide a fresh reset for my time away from work.Â
Me being me, the maximiser tends to come to the fore which means riding a bike isn’t necessarily enough! Cue, rescue and jointly run a cycling club that grew to 80 members! Or taking part in a seven day mountain bike race from the Alps to Monaco.
Over the years, I have occasionally ‘enjoyed’ the competitive element of cycling. It ticks the competition box but in honesty, most of my competition is with myself. Being ‘race-fit’ is a good goal to focus on and I’m fortunate to work with a coach who provides a training programme and is patient when I decide to go off plan for a month or two(ahem), usually when the sun starts shining!
I recognise that without a goal and a coach to work with me, my enjoyment of cycling would definitely be different and ultimately less enjoyable. Â
Funny to hear a coach saying that having a coach helps you improve and makes something more enjoyable but….
Trust me when I say that grimacing face is really a BIG smile because I feel like I'm winning at life! (At least, when I have stopped I do)Â
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