Pedal to Podium

Today was a bit of a juggling act, but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding days I’ve had in a while. My morning kicked off with a four-hour fire training session at work. It’s a regular part of my job, but with such a large chunk of time dedicated to it, I had less time for cycling than I usually do. That said, the session ended on a high note—using the fire extinguishers, which I always enjoy. There’s something empowering about it, and it gave me a little energy boost for the rest of the day.

The real highlight came later when I met up with Justin for a 1:1 skills session. We started at Bloom, one of my favourite cafés in Hobart, for coffee and a catch-up. It’s a cosy spot, perfect for unwinding and talking about what we’ve both been up to. I shared my excitement about winning my category in the state road race, and Justin filled me in on his incredible achievement of completing the Dirty Warny. Hearing about his experience was so inspiring—it’s a true testament to grit and endurance.

From there, we headed towards Salamanca and set out to tackle the Mt Nelson bends. On the way, we unexpectedly ran into my dad, which was such a nice surprise. I introduced him to Justin, and we had a quick chat before getting back to business. The climb was intense but so rewarding. Justin pushed me just enough to challenge me without overdoing it, and my legs felt fantastic. Despite not going full gas, I managed to PB the segment by about 30 seconds and cracked the top 10 of all time, landing 9th! That kind of progress always leaves me buzzing—it’s a great reminder of the work paying off. After the climb, we shifted focus to skills work in a nearby park. Track stands and tight cornering were the main objectives, and I could feel my confidence growing with each attempt. By the end, I was far more comfortable, which was such a satisfying feeling.

The day finished with a descent, which turned out to be the biggest mental challenge. I struggled at first, feeling tight and overthinking every move. Justin stepped in with a pep talk that helped me reset my mindset. With his reassurance, I approached the second half with more trust in myself and started to find my flow. By the bottom, I felt elated—a mix of relief and pride in overcoming that initial block.

Today reminded me how much I value the support I have. Justin’s guidance was spot-on, as always, and I’m so grateful to have him coaching me alongside Jordan, who designs my program. Together, they’ve helped me push through barriers—physical and mental—and continue growing as an athlete.

If you’re curious about today’s session, you can check it out here: Strava Activity.

Balancing commitments like work and training isn’t always easy, but today proved that even with less time, there’s always an opportunity to make it count. Days like this fuel my excitement for the journey ahead.