Karen Darke | Athlete | Speaker | Author

Racing season over, its ‘downtime’ time. Instead of prescribing killer training targets and structured sessions, my programme this month simply says ‘Do what you feel like, you need a rest.’
Ahhh, luxury. Free choice however brings hesitation, especially when its horizontal rain outside; weirdly, there is something strangely liberating about being told what to do.
So, having free choice I’ve defaulted to what I enjoy most….cruisy bike rides in Scottish Highland scenery - its good to be home - but I’m having to work hard to moderate it so that it really does include some rest. Its hard to stop, or do less, when you’re in the rhythm of always doing; but sometimes we have to force ourselves to put the brakes on, or we’d grind ourselves into a hole (sure we all know that feeling in one way or another); and for a few weeks at least, its nice to be a ‘normal’ person i.e. not always pedalling, or thinking about when I should be pedalling next.
Talking of Scottish scenery, I saw the film ‘You’ve Been Trumped’ at the weekend. Brilliant. Its a self-funded film which brings to life the arguably media-neglected other side of the Aberdeen Donald Trump golf course story, which smells of capitalism and corruption. How was permission granted for a US millionnaire to destroy a unique dune landscape and site of special scientific interest. It’s a must see film (see www.youvebeentrumped.com/youvebeentrumped.com/THE_MOVIE.html) and one that stimulates thought about saving landscapes, protecting the natural planet, our own impact on that etc.
Leaving the cinema I was challenged to reduce my carbon footprint, and picked up a sheet of paper with options. I checked the box that said ‘I’ll only boil the amount of water in my kettle that I need’, but when it came to ‘I will get a train to a European holiday instead of a flight’, I paused for thought. It’s ironic as an avid cyclist, enthusiastic for all its health and environmental benefits, that since making the cycling team, I’ve flown more than ever to compete in races. Note to self: must do better at that. Have since been thinking of cycling from the UK to a winter training camp in Mallorca.