Coronavirus. Covid-19. Words that have come to take over our minds and our lives over the last few months. Any semblance of normality has been thrown out of the window as life as we know it has turned its back on us. There is no “normal” anymore. It’s lockdowns, toilet paper shortages, and rationing food. It is surreal. That is really the best way I can describe it.

I am currently in extreme social distancing. I haven’t left my house in weeks. I train in the shed, I study and work in my room, and I get my sunlight by sitting in the garden. The medication I’m on makes me a vulnerable person, and I really, really, do not want to get sick. A big ask it seems in times like these, but it is what it is. I have to make the most of it, but I still feel robbed.

As humans, we had plans for this year. Some of us wanted to travel, to race, to learn new skills, to be with people more, to move homes, to be someone else. There was always something that was a definite; this is life, we all have the same amount of time, and everything is possible. That rule has been broken. For now.

My own plans for this year were quite simple: Pass the bar professional training course and qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships. These are obviously the big goals (there are always little goals within those) but those were the ambitions. Those were the things getting me up early and to bed late, to making tough decisions on socialising, working, commuting, travelling, having relationships, to everything. All my decisions were based around those two objectives. It is a weird thought to think that even those goals, those definites, are up in the air.

First, the BPTC. Well, I passed all my exams thus far with Very Competent (70+) and that’s about it. I am happy with those results. However, exams that were scheduled for April aren’t happening until August according to the BSB and that’s all we know. Pupillage applications are obviously an additional mess with most sets not even responding. I mean, who could blame them? It is not like there is a lot going on right now. Yet, I have to keep going. There are no other options.

Second, race goals. Well, 70.3 Gdynia has not officially been cancelled. English nationals in June has been. I am assuming 70.3 will follow suit and my A race for this season won’t be happening until the end of 2020 if at all. Now, this while tragic, presents an opportunity. I recently partnered with a coach and our goal is to work the bike leg as hard as we can. The run fitness is in a good place, the swim fitness is in a good place, but the bike…the bike needed work. We only had 5 months to work with and suddenly that has been extended.

We now have the opportunity for specific, periodised, bike training. To put in that time that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise, and here lies the opportunity. It is not what we wanted, but maybe it is what we needed. Afterall, no one has ever complained about being too fit. So, I’m gonna chase this opportunity down as hard as I can and make the most of it. Watch this space.