Calpe has been my home now for five weeks and will be for another four, building up to a busy racing calendar in Italy over the summer months, including the Under twenty-three Giro d'Italia, where we shall be racing the crème de la crème. Geographically, we couldn't be in a better location - smooth roads, consistent weather and beautiful scenery. This way, we can focus purely on uninterrupted training.
Lifestyle is a word Flavio uses frequently. To achieve success, one must look after oneself all day, not just when in the saddle. Modern life provides far too many distractions that we simply don't need. You may be surprised to hear that we don't use our phones after nine-thirty in the evening and aren't allowed them until after breakfast, which is preceded by a thirty minute walk, to clear the mind and mentally prepare for the day. This is all part of the list of pernickety peculiarities that we partake in to achieve optimum health. Our way of life is refreshing for me and being a full time cyclist has been the perfect motive to prioritise well being.
However much I love cycling, there is always a limit to how much I can endure without training becoming monotonous. This often happens during the difficult days, such as the fifth day of an intensive block when the last thing you want to do is climb aboard a bicycle for another five hours. I prepare for these days by switching off from cycling completely, playing my guitar or reading, then by the time the morning beckons my passion has been somewhat renewed and the pedals turn ever so slightly more smoothly.
I suppose the most straightforward way to describe life here would be professional cycling work experience. Of course, we all want to be 'pro', but no one witnesses the years of dedication when watching on T.V. I'm far from the answer, but over this year I'll be able to understand which pieces of the puzzle I possess and whether cycling would be an enjoyable, fulfilling career.
I mull over these thoughts on rest days, when my cognitive function returns to normal, as opposed to resorting to troglodyte like instincts, thinking solely of food, water and sleep. I generally come to the conclusion of 'I'm going to give this my very best shot' and replay cliches such as 'Nothing good comes easy' before questioning why I like to push myself and deduce that 'I just do'. Perhaps the path to professionalism lies in not philosophizing, but following a preconceived idea without question?
Thank you to the Lewis Balyckyi trust fund, Flavio Zappi, all of the team sponsors and my parents for providing me with this opportunity.
