This blog series is about goal setting, in the first episode I talked about the recipe and ingredients needed for a goal, and in the second I talked about the big challenge last year, cycling from The Italian Dolomites to Lake Garda. On the last hill climb on the final day of the ride, I had my photo at the summit with the biggest smile and a huge sense of contentment having completed what I set out to do following months of planning, training, and getting my mind where it needed to be. If it was a film, then that would likely be the last scene, leaving viewers with a warm feeling, uplifted and possibly even inspired…but of course, that’s not real life, is it!
That’s not to say that the uplifting feeling didn’t last for a little while, it most certainly did, but I also found myself with the weird aftermath feeling which so often comes after a big goal. I hadn’t anticipated that and therefore wasn’t prepared for it – I had come to expect it in sport, after every fight there’d be an odd spell afterwards, almost like a temporary void, having spent weeks being consumed by training and preparing to fight it would feel disorienting to then be without that lazer focus. Since I wasn’t competing or racing to win on the bike, I viewed it differently, but the lull upon returning home was present all the same.
I had the goal to cycle up Mount Lovcen in Montenegro soon after and it sustained my motivation and kept me in the gym, it was another fantastic experience, a 20 mile climb which seemed to go on forever with some steep parts and breathtaking views on the way up (although a little hairy at times on the hairpin turns I have to say!) but when I arrived home my motivation plummeted, I didn’t know what was next, plus significant changes happened in my professional life which impacted my routine and very quickly I found myself back to feeling lost, eating rubbish and not prioritising my wellbeing.
And this is where having a goal isn’t a magic potion, it doesn’t mean that everything falls into place. It would be months before I had another solid goal in the form of another cycle challenge, this time for charity.
Part one was Wembley Stadium to Manchester, and leg two was Leeds to Doncaster. The rides were in memory of a former coach of mine, Julie Chipchase, a real trailblazer in women’s football and it was raising money for the foundation set up in her name to help fund qualifications for aspiring female coaches. Along the way I visited primary schools to teach kids about the history of women’s football, making them aware of some of the pioneers of the game, and had some great guests visit alongside me to inspire the children. I also had cycling buddies for 3 of the 4 days. My former team mate Catherine joined me on the first day, she used to be our goalkeeper and is now in the RAF, we had a great time chattering away about old times but also catching up on what we’d been up to recently…and I was especially grateful to have her alongside me when we came across some giant cows with huge horns sticking out of their heads (I’m afraid of all animals but these were particularly scary!) Catherine moved them on, I would’ve gone the long way round to avoid them! Day 2 I had the company of my uncle Neil, an experienced cyclist who kindly went at my pace as I had never cycled with pannier bags before and was certainly feeling the difference on the hills. Then Day 3 – well that was brutal. I was alone that day and it happened to be really difficult weather conditions. I was cycling from Leicester to Leek so it got gradually more hilly, and by the time I reached the halfway point the rain was absolutely lashing down, then there was some hale, heavy wind, and I was getting battered! One of the A roads felt really unsafe, the speed of the passing vehicles, the conditions and the lack of a bike lane meant it really wasn’t ideal for a cyclist, my progress was very slow too as my stuff was drenched and I was soaked, too. As I got near Leek the hills came more frequently, on the country lanes large farming vehicles passed me and each time I got covered in all sorts of undesirable stuff as the huge wheels would flick up every bit of mud, cow dung and horse manure gathered in the puddles! I’d been cycling 6 and a half hours as I neared Leek and my body was really cold, I could feel my sugar levels dropping, my energy was sapped and mentally I started to wonder ‘what if I can’t do it?” But the other voice in my head quickly replied ‘you’ve got no choice!’ Luckily I had a final stash of wine gums and a tiny can of red bull left in my bag so I guzzled and gulped it all down and continued on. My phone battery was dying and when I called the folks I was renting the night’s accommodation from to get directions my heart sank when just as he said ‘you need to find the red phone box’ my phone went dead! I panicked for a few seconds as I was REALLY cold by then, but I knew I had to just keep going. Eventually I came across a small house at the road side having not seen anybody or any buildings for miles, I knocked on and must’ve looked a real sorry state when they answered! I asked if they by any chance knew where there was a red phone box – and they did! It was just around the corner (up a massive hill!) I found the phone box, found the house I was staying in, and the biggest relief of the day was when I raced down to the local pub I’d passed on the way and they agreed to serve me some food despite having stopped serving 5 mins before I arrived – I think they could see how desperate I was! The 4th and final day was much more pleasant, a great school visit in the morning then mum cycled that leg with me and we got a wonderful welcome when we arrived at the final school as the children were outside with banners they’d made cheering us home, it really meant a lot.
The bike ride was completed and we raised over £1,000 for the cause and engaged hundreds of youngsters. The final leg finished at Doncaster’s stadium and there was an amazing welcome from those attending the memorial game, I did an interview for Sky Sports (without realising I had oil all over my face!) And met up with lots of former teammates who were also at the game to remember our coach, the club unveiled a permanent tribute to ‘Chippy’ to so it was a really special day.
So, what now? Well, the next adventure is already here! We leave August 27th for the coastal route of the Camino Way – 178 miles from Porto in Portugal to Santiago in Spain on two wheels. And I’ll tell you all about it in my next blog. See you in September!
Chapeau!