Having a hobby with the tendency to consume as many hours as a part-time job is a minor comfort when unemployed. The past few months I've been able to give myself fully to training, which in turn has given back a sense of meaning to an otherwise aimless period. Most mornings I wake up to a completely empty schedule. Usually this would grant a sense of relief or a feeling of relaxation, but when this day in and day out emptiness becomes normalcy it begins to feel draining and almost crippling. What am I going to do today? The economic hardship that comes with unemployment and the constant need to be looking for work rule out most adventures.
 |
| Post ride cafe: all the more delicious when you can't really afford it. |
Having a training schedule puts at least one item on my list for the day that gives it some sort of structure. Having a race on the calendar gives a long term goal that gives my life at least some sort of meaning. If it weren't for cycling and running I don't think I'd be able to face the drudgery of unemployment or the repeated disappointments of "we're moving forward with other candidates" with half the candor that I've been able to. Still, unemployment sucks though.
Until next time, ride on.
Kyle McCall
