Celtman is a Team Sport… Solo is Hard

I nearly didn’t do my bike session yesterday. 

There are a million excuses available at this time of year, and a million distractions that suck away time. 

Add to that the usual NHS 'winter pressures', busy shifts, long dark nights, cold weather and the fact I've been out with a repeat of my skin infection for a couple of weeks, and getting out and getting sessions done can feel like an impossible task. 

It's times like these when I have to remind myself WHY I'm doing this.  And just how much time, effort, energy and money I've invested in this thing. 

But actually, the most important thing to remind myself of when it gets hard is just how much support I have from some very important people. 


Most of my training is done alone: all my indoor swimming is solo; most of my bike training both indoors and out; and most road running is also alone.  Mark and Riof tend to join me for trail runs, and for short runs before work; Mark occasionally joins me for a bike session... 

But the majority of my training time is just me, doing my best to get the work done. 

I get lots of support and encouragement from my coach, Alan; Kate - the remaining member of my support crew - checks in on me regularly; and my main work partners are very tolerant and supportive too.  

The point is, training alone for something so challenging is HARD.  Some days I just need a kick up the arse to get out the door... Mark telling me to just Get It Done or that I'm doing ok in spite of feeling low or knackered... or Alan telling me it was ok to do a session as I did it, even if it wasn't ideal... or Vikki or Andy bringing me back to reality with the recognition that what I'm doing takes energy and commitment.  

Celtman is a team sport - and not just on race day.  

For those reasons, and for those people, some days I just have to put on the Big Brave Girl pants, and get out there even if I don't feel like it.  Some days I just need to START and see how far I get.  Sometimes if I don't feel great I'll start and decide to do 15 minutes... often that then leads to 'well I'll just get half way and see how I feel...' and sometimes that leads to 'oh hang on, now I'm feeling quite good - can I finish this?'.

And the bike session? Started off thinking I'll just get to half way... 

Yep, completed it ✅

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