Weekly News No. 5

It’s Sunday afternoon, I’m sitting on the couch and starting this blog. If the next few sentences feel a bit clumsy, don’t blame me – I spent 4.5 hours on the bike today and then had the brilliant idea to do an easy brick run at 1:00 p.m. In the midday heat. So I’m still cooling down from the run, even though I’ve already cooked and taken a cold shower. The body is still working, the head is slowly trying to catch up.

A Bike Ride for Donuts and Pies

The ride itself was actually simple: out and back to the donut bakery in the Noosa hinterland. One of those small local places you supposedly only know if you really live here. At least that’s how you imagine it. In reality, the bakery sells around 1,000 donuts on a Sunday. During the week it’s much more pleasant to come here, and you can park the bikes on the terrace in complete relaxation.

The main reason I ride there is the donuts – and the classic pies that are eaten everywhere here. Don’t ask me who invented pies, but I’m pretty sure the New Zealanders make the best ones. I just asked Emma, and her answer was clear. I’ve had very good cheese scones in New Zealand too, but the pies are definitely on the list for the next trip.

I personally stuck with a donut – and also ordered a coffee donut, my absolute favorite. The donut is baked like a cup, with a thicker rim, spread with Nutella on the inside, and that’s exactly where the coffee goes. Sounds unusual, but it’s fantastic. After a break like that, the ride home feels much easier too.

Gravel Bike, Forest, and a Quiet Rhythm

This week I also got my gravel bike back from the mechanic, which immediately felt like freedom. On Tuesday I spent two hours riding through the forests, just exploring, without big numbers, without pressure. What surprised me: until then, I hadn’t seen a single snake. That was about to change a few days later.

On Saturday I once again rode around the small lake south of Noosa. Riding there is almost perfect – lots of shade, less heat, and above all a different position than on the TT bike. No power meter, no constant look at the data, just riding by feel. A luxury I really appreciate at the moment.

A Short Moment with a Lot of Heart Rate

The snake story came during a run. Saturday morning, a nice loop through the forest, fully paved and ideal for the heat. Already a bit tired from the warmth, I jogged along until suddenly a large tree lay across the path, branches scattered everywhere. I stopped my watch, quickly checked whether I could get through safely, and finally climbed over it. All good. One quick gel, start running again – eyes on the ground, a supposed branch, my foot lands a few centimeters next to it … and the branch moves. Snake. A jump like in the high jump, heart rate instantly up. Luckily it disappeared straight into the bushes. Honestly, I wouldn’t have known what else to do.

Training Without Pressure

Apart from that, not much is happening right now – and that’s exactly what feels right. I’m trying to bring joy back into training, get enough sleep, and not overdo every session. Many things stay deliberately easy, except Friday morning with JR. There we still work hard, but it feels different than before – lighter in the head, clearer in feeling. And that’s exactly why it’s fun again to show up there and give everything.

Courage, Work, and a Book About Leadership

I also made more progress in the book about the famous All Blacks coach. What fascinates me most is his courage to quit secure jobs twice – even after his police career – to become a rugby coach. In the beginning it didn’t work out, but he kept going, and in the end he stood at the top of the best rugby team in the world. What I take from it: courage often pays off, but only together with hard work and genuine interest.

Less Strava, More Feeling

Another thing that did me good this week was a small digital step: I deleted Strava. Just noticing how quiet it becomes when you don’t see what others are training for a few days. Suddenly only your own feeling counts again. I still get inspiration – especially from podcasts by coaches – but more from understanding why a session works, not just what is being done. That’s exactly how a new session for an athlete I coach came about this week, and suddenly everything made sense.

A Calm Everyday Life Is Sometimes the Greatest Progress

And that’s how this week ends – quite calm, but with a good feeling. A stable everyday life here in Noosa, clear thoughts, joy in training – sometimes those are the most important steps forward.

Thanks to everyone who reads this.

We’ll hear from each other again in seven days.