HOW INJURY TAUGHT ME A VERY IMPORTANT LESSON
I learned a very valuable lesson 6 years ago when I was competing as a cyclist, and I want to make sure you don’t make the very same mistake.
Being a very driven athlete and an all or nothing person, I put every ounce of energy I had into the sport, blocking everything else out of my life so I could focus only on me and the bike. I became selfish. Everything needed to revolve around me in pursuit of becoming faster on a bike. I chose training camps over family holidays. I stopped socialising. I even shut out my loved ones to lessen distraction. I was existing in a bubble. I felt like a robot – and a shadow of my former self.
And then I got injured. I couldn’t train. In that moment I realized how unhealthy my obsession had become. My life was empty without cycling. I had alienated myself from loved ones and friends. I hadn’t let anything else give me any joy. And for what? Even if I put a few extra watts on my FTP would it have been worth it? NO!
As I began to realise the extent of my obsession, I vowed to never make it all about me, all about bikes, or all about singular focus again. I wanted to be the best athlete I could be, but not in this way. It wasn’t healthy. I promised myself I would make life balance a priority and always add value to those around me.
Life balance is about maintaining connection and investing in relationships and your complete life, not just training. You need to be connected to it all.
But how do we actually achieve it?
Here are a few tips I have learned from doing it right and doing it wrong that might help you find fulfilment in all aspects of your life.
1. Write down your Mission and Values: What is important to me, and what does my best possible life look and feel like? If I ever feel like I am losing that healthy balance and training is starting to control me, I often return to these to help me stay true to what matters most.
2. Prioritize: You have time for the things you make time for. In the past I only had time for my training. The reality was I wasn’t prepared to make time for other things. It was all about priorities.
3. Let go: Make sure there are times when you throw the plan out the window and have fun. Life isn’t scripted. Go play! Having things that you love outside of your sport which make you happy and fulfil you is critical.
It wasn’t easy to let go, and if I am honest there are times I can feel myself being sucked back in. But by reminding myself that I am enough outside of my sport, and that I am still valuable and loved because of who I am rather than my successes as an athlete, helps me regain that much healthier balanced life.
Healthy, happy athletes are fast athletes!
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If you would like to work with me online coaching is available. Contact me to book a complimentary call.
I also run a free Facebook group for mature female cyclists where I share lots of tips for improving on hills, endurance, speed, power, health, strength and hormones. Here’s the link if you’d like to join:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/agewithoutlimits
Or if you’d like to see more info about the Online Cycling Transformation Program for Mature Females, where we transform your health, performance, enjoyment and longevity on and off the bike, here is that link:
https://go.heidivilesperformance.uk/apply-now