The start of the ending or the ending of the beginning?

We've come a long long way together 
Through the hard times and the good
I have to celebrate you baby

I have to praise you like I should

Fatboy Slim. Praise You. 

This week sees the final three sessions of physical coaching. It’s remarkable how quickly twelves weeks have gone. I’ll be going through a series of assessments, both physical and mental, in order to inform the case study of progress, impact and outcomes.

Having used both Strava and Zwift to record exercise data, there’s already a number of figures that make for interesting reading. I’ll have pedalled over 1,800km in the 12 weeks once Saturday’s final FTP test is concluded. Spread over 65 or so hours on the bike.

The three structured training sessions per week with Tristan Eaglen Coaching have been enjoyable, if at times, very challenging physically. I’ve not missed a session and have looked forward to them. I’m now confident enough to do some training in between. 

I feel stronger and fitter physically, but also, and more importantly, mentally stronger. Today I’d say my mental health is the best it has been for a long time. One of the big challenges to face now is trying to maintain the amount of exercise, whilst tentatively exploring a return to working. I’m not sure how the two will fit, as for the last 3 months exercise has pretty much filled my days. 

Last week was a bit of a challenge, as I planned the launch of a new online, live show, called The Positive Pit Stop. It launched on Wednesday at 7pm and I’m co hosting it with a good friend, ITV Motorsport pundit Paul O’Neill. The format of the show has a special guest from the world of sport or entertainment and as well as looking back and forward around their career, each week we also explore aspects of how they look after their mental health. It’s highly interactive, allowing viewers to join the conversation, so takes a fair bit of planning and juggling presenting with managing the technology at the same time. 

On the morning of the first show I really did have an ‘oh shit, why have I put myself forward to do this?’moment. But drew nearer to 7pm I was excited rather than nervous, the technology worked, the guest arrived on screen on time and the hour flew past. Seeing some familiar faces on screen, smiling and taking part in the discussions was really uplifting. This week’s guests is Rick Parfitt Jnr, who has a great story to tell and I’m really looking forward to learning more about what makes him tick.

I get a similar feeling when attending David Gilbert’s Patient Leadership Training Programme. Despite the course running for two hours each Friday evening, it’s been really energising and interesting in equal measures, particularly in hearing from the participants from other parts of the world. It’s the last one this Friday, so it does feel like it’s partly a week about closure. I’ll be sad when the course finishes and that will be followed on Saturday by the last physical coaching session too. 

But rather than the end of a journey, it feels like the beginning of a new one. Not sure where it’s going to take me, but at least I’m ready for the ride! 

Finally, if you think or know that a mate is struggling, send them a message. Don’t push them for an answer, but don’t be afraid to contact them. You might not get an answer, or you may get one eventually. It’s highly likely though that it will be read and appreciated. 

One way of signing off is this.

“Please don’t feel any obligation to reply to this. I know how difficult it can be to deal with things when your mind isn’t right and I wouldn’t want you to feel any pressure.“

Love and lockdown hugs
Blot