1. Get the balance right
When you’re preparing for a challenge, there’s always the temptation to launch yourself head-first into your training programme.
Our advice is to start slowly. You need to find a balance between training and the rest of your life. Training requires focus and commitment but it doesn’t have to take over.
Structure your training around your life, not vice versa. Don’t train hard every day as you’ll soon get very tired and very bored. By all means put some harder sessions in, just make sure you have easy or rest days too.
2. See the big picture
Getting ready to cycle a long distance is tougher than you think. Unless you’re a seasoned cyclist, you’ll likely be using muscles that you haven’t used before. You’ll ache in unusual places. Sometimes you’ll get off the bike and your legs will feel like jelly.
There will be ups and downs along the way. Some training sessions will be brilliant, some will be horrible. It happens to us all.
See your training as a big picture where each week you paint a little bit more to make it more complete.
3. Track your progress
Write down all your cycles and how you felt after each one. It’s an excellent way to track what’s working and what isn’t.
It’s also great for some extra motivation. If you ever feel like you’re struggling and the last thing you want to do is get back on the bike, then you can look back at your journey and see how far you’ve progressed.
