Finding Work Life Balance

Get Back On a Bike and Get Back On Track With Fitness

In mid 2012 I quit my job. I desperately needed time off work and to find some work life balance and reassess my next step and thinking about what retirement would look like down the track.

During those first few weeks off work I fell in love with and bought, a new beautiful traditional bicycle. Given my second-hand one was in the shed covered in cobwebs, my husband was sceptical that I would use it. I proved him wrong. I enjoyed many beautiful rides along the river during my six months break and I still ride most weeks. My rides usually fall into three categories:

• Support for my daughters’ training runs
• Company while my husband trains for a run
• Longer rides with my husband along the Yarra River

On 19 January I added a new category to the list. Yes, I recorded the date on my training calendar. My husband suggested we explore the mountain trail bike tracks off the main trail another idea, not on my list of things to try. These tracks are narrow with ruts, steep gullies, low hanging branches, tight corners and in parts close to the edge of the bank with the river below. If you don’t concentrate you are likely to crash into a tree, end up in the river or at the very least fall off.

A Day Off Each Week is Perfect to Re -Energise and Do Something Fun

On my day off this week, we explored a new trail with long undergrowth, great for snakes. Not for me. So what happened? I fell into it of course. Not a full fall but a fall none the less. I was sore for a day or two but I confess I do enjoy these tracks even though I won’t be hurrying back to this particular one. The bicycle rides I enjoyed during this time and the increased level of fitness I felt were factors in my decision to not return to full time work. I really think that work life balance is just about impossible working full time. One day a week off work is a major factor in helping with the work life balance. A day off also helps you to prepare for slow transition to retirement.

Update November 2017

The Trainer is back and we are out on our bikes again.

I have only recently found the Prevention Magazine here is link about getting back on your bike      https://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/benefits-of-riding-a-bike