Six Months Sober

Since signing up for the challenge it’s pretty much taken over my life.

If I am not out training on my bike then I am either at work, or asleep, or fixing my bike, or tracking down all the additional bits I need for the trip (sleeping bag, head torch, ear plugs, spare tubes & tyres….there is a long list).

One of the many positives coming out of this is how I have completely stopped drinking alcohol.  I am partial to rum and really like to unwind at the weekend with a few glasses, invariably mixed with coke, so much so that cola does not taste right to me without rum in it!   

I realised back in 2012, when I first started cycling, how my body would not perform as well on the bike the morning after a drink (even just the one) so know that I have to stop my little indulgences to complete a challenge like this. 

The after effects of a particularly indulgent night combined with the prospect of Lejog on the horizon I stopped drinking back in December.  What’s been great is that my focus on the preparation has made this become mostly unconscious for me with little desire to crack a bottle open and even when the thought of how I quite fancy a nice rum comes along I instantly think about the negative effect on my training and dispose of the idea.

I am finding myself very tempted to towards a tipple recently, especially with BBQ’s, sunshine & Pims etc all around at the moment but having achieved 6 months T total it’s now become part of my personal goal.  I plan not to drink before John O’Groats where I may allow myself a wee dram to celebrate completing the ride.