The bruises had just started to fade and the memories seemed to be distorted, so I entered another cyclo cross competition. After a couple of hours of actual coaching prior to my second race I thought that maybe these new skills could make a difference. Well I didn't didn't fall off but I think this was down to the less technical course rather than my actions as a rider. It is quite a new experience racing in an event that is physically demanding as well as extremely skill based; I am using these cycle races to replace my usual cross country running season although I do miss being able to give the 100% lung burning effort. Having said that I have received some encouraging news, after many slightly inconclusive scan results my stress fracture is allowed to be tested with gentle jogging, so you never know I might still catch the end of this season.
These last few weeks I have spent a lot of time in Plymouth working with the Dame Kelly Holmes trust helping young unemployed people gain skills and confidence needed to obtain a suitable job. It has been most rewarding watching them grow throughout the course, but more importantly it has made me realise how challenging finding that dream job or any job can be. Some of these young people have degrees, some excellent vocational skills and all of them the desire to earn a living, with the course wrapping up now I do hope that local employers can benefit from what is on offer under the surface.
