Pedal to Podium

To outsiders, it might look like I make impulsive, life-altering decisions that come out of nowhere—sudden, drastic shifts that seem unplanned and unpredictable. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Every major decision I make is the result of months of careful consideration. I weigh every possible scenario, assess my needs and desires, and only after I’ve mapped it all out do I share my plan with others.

That’s exactly how I arrived at today’s decision: withdrawing from two university units next semester to dedicate the next 150 days to training for a single goal. I’m aiming to not just complete the 110km Tour de Brisbane Gran Fondo, but to qualify for the Gran Fondo World Championships in Melbourne. This isn’t a whim—it’s been months of deliberation, asking myself tough questions. Is delaying my graduation worth it? What if I fail? Do I really want to keep spending so much money on travel for racing?

Ultimately, it was my friend Jess who helped me take the leap. During the exam period, she hit me with the simple but powerful question: If not now, when? And that was it. I knew it was time to go for it. So here I am—ready to commit fully to this journey and see where it takes me. I am.

So, where to from here? This year marks a decade since I first got on a bike, and while I’ve loved the journey, I’ve never been a particularly successful cyclist. My performance has been limited by two key weaknesses: my lack of strength and my fear of cornering. Both have held me back, but I’ve decided they won’t anymore. This goal is about proving to myself that I can overcome those barriers.

This isn’t a decision I’ve taken lightly—another example of how much thought I’ve put into it. For the past six weeks, I’ve been working with Helena Sly to improve my strength and body composition, and three weeks ago, I started one-on-one cornering sessions with my old coach, Justin. These steps aren’t just preparation; they’re part of a larger commitment to becoming leaner, stronger, and more fearless. Today, I took it a step further and emailed my incredible coach, Jordan, to tell him what I’ve decided and what I need from him to make it happen.

Jordan didn’t hold back. In the politest way possible, he made it clear: this isn’t just about having a goal—it’s about committing to it fully. His response was exactly what I needed:

“That’s fantastic that you’ve set such a realistic and solid goal for 2025. It gives us the chance to tailor your training properly. If we’re in for this, it starts now.”

I’m lucky to have the flexibility to commit to this. I only work five night shifts a fortnight, thanks to the amazing lifestyle afforded by being a senior registered nurse in a supportive, high-paying workplace. That means the other nine days are mine, and I consider exercise my full-time job on those days. Today, for instance, I started the morning with a 7.5km walk around the suburbs with my dog, a lively 8-month-old Cairn Terrier who’s always ready for an adventure. Afterward, I took a quick break before diving into my strength training session.

Normally, I’d prioritise cycling and save strength work for later in the day, as it’s best to focus on what matters most first. But since today’s ride was an easy one, I switched it up. My strength session went well—I hit some 50kg deadlifts that I was pretty pleased with, though, as usual, my upper body exercises could use some work. Afterward, I made lunch for my husband, who was working from home, and spent some more time with my dog to burn off her endless energy.

Finally, I hopped on the bike for a two-hour base session, cruising in zone 1 at around 106 watts. It wasn’t a high-intensity ride, but it was exactly what I needed to stay consistent and keep building the foundation for what’s ahead. Today was just one small step, but it felt like the start of something much bigger.

See you tomorrow!

Annie