As mentioned in a previous post, I usually write my blogs on rest days, where I can recover and mindfully reflect on past events. However for the last week or so, we’ve been partaking in a big training block to prepare for the Giro, so this blog comes from the perspective of a fatigued mind (and body) in the present.
Fatigue can take many forms, but my favourite is the feeling of slight delirium, which could be compared to a couple of glasses of wine. Legs become numb and the body is so entirely invested in recovering that you have little time to think of anything else. Sometimes watching T.V is too much effort, which is when music triumphs, nothing upbeat though, perhaps some relaxed Pink Floyd. For this feeling I need to be a seriously cooked unit, but it wears off as recovery progresses and by the next morning I’ve got The Strokes on, getting mentally ready for the next days training.
Going through the hard times together also makes us stronger as a team. I was ill for the first 4 days of the block (others have been too) so we can help each other through when someone is having a bad day. Meanwhile Flavio the enabler is always watching, pondering and planning our next session. I think we all have a love-hate relationship with him. He pushes you to the limit but only because he wants the best and there are days when it’s too much for some riders, myself included.
As for my condition, I’m not quite where I want to be but plans are being put in place to step up to be fighting at this extremely high level and I don’t feel like I’m that far away. A special mention has to go to my family for coming out to visit me a couple of weeks ago and topping up morale in the process. Thanks again to the Lewis Balyckyi trust fund for making this opportunity possible. Until next time, ciao.
