Compare and contrast my mindset at the beginning of the lockdown to how I’m feeling now and it’s very different.
I’ll be honest, I was finding it tougher at the start.
I think that had a lot to do with the stage of the season we were at in curling.
Our whole year was building up to the Worlds and for the coronavirus shutdown to kick in while we were actually out in Canada for those champs took a while to get over.
And, it was hard not to think about the big Grand Slam events we were missing out on when they came and went without a stone being thrown.
I’ve definitely reached a place now, though, where I can see the benefits I’m getting from the shutdown of sport and traditional training.
Physically, I’ve been able to keep on top of things absolutely fine. And mentally, it’s definitely starting to feel really beneficial.
I can totally get where England cricket captain Eoin Morgan is coming from when he said the break has fired up his enthusiasm to extend his career rather than started him thinking more seriously about retirement.
Professional sport is getting closer to being a 12-month thing with very few opportunities to step off the treadmill.
Normally you think that when you were out injured or if you were contemplating taking a break, you would be thinking about the rest of the pack pulling away from you.
The old story about Seb Coe going out for a run on Christmas Day because he thought Steve Ovett would be doing the same is one every top level athlete will understand.
In curling, it’s knowing that the Asian teams will be spending seven or eight hours on the ice, five days a week!
The key difference for this lay-off is that we’re all in the same boat.
There are no competitions, or a chance to gain an advantage, for anyone.
We’ve all been forced into this situation but for me, an unexpected period of recharging the batteries and re-focusing strength and conditioning could end up being a real blessing in disguise when we come back and it’s full steam ahead for the Beijing Olympics.
* The budget cuts proposed for Formula One could be a big boost to that sport.
F1 has a devoted fanbase but it’s a turn-off for a lot of people who appreciate the skill and bravery but can’t get past the fact that it’s not a level playing field.
If more drivers are able to compete for the title because of cost-cutting for teams, that can only be a good thing.
* It was announced this week that Mike Hay is stepping down from his role as Team GB’s Chef de Mission ahead of the next winter Olympics.
Mike has been on the scene since my first Games 10 years ago and, trust me, he’s earned so much respect from the athletes for the hard work he has put in. That is no ceremonial role!
It’s been great to have someone as high up in Team GB from the world of curling. I don’t know what Mike’s plans are next but I’d like to think our sport will tap into the expertise and knowledge he has. It would be a real waste if he’s lost to curling.
