Good for the mind

 Physical activity has always been a huge element of keeping on top of my mental health. The impact of the adrenaline or dopamine or just the fresh air and vitamin D really do boost my mood and help me forget any troubles. 

In some of my darker moments in the last couple of years this has become harder, either to find the motivation or to actually find the peace when out on a ride or for a walk. 

These moments of calm where you are focussed on your pedalling, admiring the scenery, worrying if you'll get to the top of a hill or simply smelling the blossom in the spring sunshine are opportunities to be in the moment. As a chronic overthinker these moments are priceless for me. Also now having the focus of a challenge like I've never done before, for a girl who's bravery is so inspiring gives me more of those moments. The drive to go for that ride when you don't feel like it or eat the right thing, or more importantly not eat the wrong thing 😂.

We don't all need to ride huge challenges, or sign up to mammoth feats to get outside, but the benefits of moving, of fresh air and raising our heart rates are so important to our mental fitness. I know it matters to me and I'm sure it does to you so please step outside. 

Day One

 So you commit to a ride, tell everyone and then the reality of cycling for 115 miles for two days on the trot is on the cards.

For those who don't know me I'm comfortably the wrong side of 100kg, I have a love of crisps and with a busy job and daughter that keeps me busy in taxi duties, finding time to train can be tough. 

Today, I needed to pick up a rental mini bus for work so decided to cycle there to pick up rather than driving. So 45 minutes to cycle just shy of 20km to collect it will be my training. When I get these smaller windows I will push hard to make it as high intensity as possible and hopefully that will aid when it comes to the times I get to do longer rides on a weekend. 3 months is only 12 weeks away so the dread is real. 

Just to put it into context I've only ever cycled 88 miles before in one day. 😧

Follow my Strava tracker to see my activities... 

To start a challenge you have to commit

Yesterday I announced on my social channels that I will be cycling from the Centre of London to Mann Island in Liverpool over the 24th and 25th June 2025. 

The intention is to raise awareness and hopefully some money for the Making Millie Mobile campaign. Millie Blair is an 11 year old girl living in Northamptonshire. I had the pleasure of coaching Millie football for a couple of years whilst she played in the same team as my daughter and they became close as did her family. Last year Millie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer and especially rare in Children. During her treatment she lost her left leg above the knee in January and as a girl full of energy and sporting prowess and potential this has been a real challenge for her. She is  however quite remarkable. Her attitude to going back to school days after the amputation, continuing to push and strive to support her team mates and share her story has been remarkable as has been the courage of her wider family and friends. 

I hope by cycling further than I have ever cycling in one day before twice, back to back, I can do a little to share Millie's story and help raise much needed funds to support her ambition to be back playing sport and fulfilling all her dreams. 

I hope you can support in some small way to this amazing girl and her go fund me page.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/making-millie-mobile-help-her-take-her-next-steps/cl/s?lang=en_GB&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_c&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&attribution_id=sl%3Ab848fe15-e7c2-41f6-888f-643b4a9da95f