The full stop at the end there is deliberate and definitive.

The last 6 weeks or so has been the second time I have worked with a coach.

After having losing a lot of motivation and like many, having suffered through lockdowns and job loss, I felt that I needed something different to protect me from giving up the sport.

Read back a few posts on this website and you will see where I was at. Lots of negativity about motorists and the dangers of cycling with very little expression of the joys riding a bike can provide you.

For successive years I have wanted to get better at running, to support my limited abilities on the touch rugby park. I wanted not to be spluttering to get onside every play… I wanted to be in position and ready to make a tackle or if we were attacking receive the ball.

So after a chat with a local coach, he has devised a challenging plan to fit around work, wife and kids which is engaging and interesting enough to get me on the bike, whilst making me work hard to learn running.

So if you are uncertain about whether coaching is for you, there are key benefits. Structure, discipline and regularity are the main things I have found again since taking on a coach.

There is also a sense of community amongst other riders in his stable. It’s not competitive between us, its supportive and encouraging.

I will keep you all posted on how its going!