Cycling Psychology (Part 1)
As my first proper blog entry, I thought I’d try to give a view on what the build-up to the challenge and any predictions I might have (or have heard) for what this will take mentally to get through. Before I launch into a tirade of mental observations, notes and general outpouring of feeling – I have to make the single statement that is screamingly obvious; the mental journey and our mind-set throughout the journey from today to the day in which we race for the Kigali sign, is ultimately what will decide our fate. It is widely noted that many an explorer and athlete have pushed through physical barriers and illness to achieve goals that, if they conducted themselves purely on feedback from their body, they would otherwise not have attained.
I have no qualifications or understanding of this other than my own life experience, so please take any comments as my own observations, not those of any worldly scholars or philosophers of note. Although I won’t mind the inevitable comparisons. The past few weeks have seen a transition in my own mental state from knowing that I am to be cycling a long way through hazardous places “at some point,” to a reality check like a slap in the face. With a wet, icy cold haddock. The kit lists, the inoculations, the visa’s, the management of money and time, achieving our sponsorship targets and obligations – not least the fitness required, have dawned on me like a high speed time-lapse of the sun rising. Now although this induces a behaviour of a more focused individual (something I am not lacking already – this added pressure has taken me to an “exciting” new level) and a marked improvement in ticking off the to-do list, it also creates space for some negatives. Sadly, as a human being, we all experience worry, panic and stress.
Mainly induced by a cocktail of pressure, lack of the unknown and having to rely on other people – our reactions vary. If you let yourself follow the natural course, you can easily wind-up snapping, as the cycle (please excuse the pun) of a lack of time, energy and sleep takes you in a downward spiral into a world of frustration, momentary questioning of motive and sometimes unexplainable procrastination. Most of this is measured by those around us, as an external viewpoint is much more likely to see changes before we see them ourselves no matter how in-tune we are. This is probably why we take out so much on the people we know and love as they are in easy striking distance and we are not likely to see until too late. It has to be noted at this point that I find myself surrounded by an exceptional group of family, friends and a partner who has exception resilience – not to mention the best team a cyclist could hope for.
As far as four table legs go, we’re all successfully propping up our corner marvellously. Clearly the additional weight of the coming months will test the best of us, but early indications are that there is some solid English Oak in us all. So, how does one manage this situation better? One of the very best methods has to be the creation of that which we can touch and feel. Setting realistic goals is something you hear repeated time and time again, but actually achieving something towards them is the key – the real, true measure. Again, doing things in bite-size chunks (not building Rome too quickly or eating an elephant in one go etc.) is crucial to avoid overload. On the other side, actually listening to your body and doing the things that truly matter, despite their relative feel (sleeping, eating properly and resting – all boring in my book!), is fundamental and the real glue that holds you together and prevents the cracks from appearing. One of the quotes I once heard and try my very hardest to live by – “it is better to think yourself into a better way of feeling, than feel yourself into a better way of thinking” – is applicable to almost every waking moment. The reality of any given situation is rarely what the mind perceives, and even if it is, changing one’s mind has a dramatic effect in overcoming almost anything. This also leads to a much better feeling of enjoyment when on the journey.
Striving for a goal is one thing, but the arrival can be an anti-climax if the journey is not celebrated along the way. Did we all do this with a motive to make a difference to those who have very little in a country far away? Yes. We wanted to reach out and touch them with a desire to do good, to make a difference. But, rarely can such a thing be achieved without a little self-focused motivation. I am confident that we are driven by a sense of achievement, the people and challenges we may meet and the inevitable, untouchable closeness that will be created between us. But most of all, we want to have fun. If you were able to read some internal e-mails flying around at the moment, you’d probably realise that we started down that path long ago. On the 10th puncture of the day in a very hot African sun, having done only 20 miles, this will be tested. The conclusion then, I guess, is simple (as most things in life are!) – avoid extremes, check reality frequently to improve your mind-set and don’t forget to have fun. Time will tell whether this works….
Pete Goodwin
