It’s fair to say over the course of recording Season 1 of The 1% Club Podcast I’ve become more than simply a little emotionally invested in the outcome of my co-host’s Paralympic dream this year, and more recently, of his wife Lora.
I’m breaking with format slightly by letting you know now, Lora is an upcoming guest on the show. If I took great delight in some of our guests completely surprising me, Lora’s show gave me great delight for exactly the opposite reason.
I had a feeling if everything went as expected it would be part documentary and part Mr and Mrs, because Neil would be interviewing his own wife for his podcast, perched right next to her in the same room. I knew it would create laughs along the way, and possibly at times a deliciously fun awkwardness if I asked the right questions.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not part psychopath like a movie interrogator, I just saw the potential to have a little fun, and I was right.
The reason I’m breaking out a little of Lora’s episode just now is because tonight our time (Friday into Saturday) sees both Neil and Lora compete.
For Lora, the main thrust of her focus is on the road race elements next week, but for Neil, it comes down to about 4am tomorrow morning, where a lifetime of work will be poured into one event.
Just imagine that for a moment. Everything you’ve done your entire life, leading up to this one moment.
One chance to get it right. To leave everything out there. Imagine all the thoughts rushing through your head as you make for the starting line.
Thoughts like, what if it all goes wrong?
You try and reassure yourself by replying to your panic. “Come on, we trained for this, what’s the worst that could happen?!”
If at that point you hear the Dr Pepper theme playing somewhere in the background, my advice would be to withdraw.
Back in the real world – for Lora, the worst already has.
But she followed that up with success, winning Gold in Rio in 2016, banishing those demons and training her mind to cope with what happens now if something goes wrong.
Tonight whilst Neil is preparing, Lora will be doing the same, as her and Neil’s events are in the same session.
Each has to remain totally focussed on their own mission, at least until it’s complete, and let nothing distract them from it.
Like their spouse winning a Gold, for instance.
So today, being invested, I know exactly how my schedule’s going to unfold, and on the off chance you’re as keen as me to watch history happen for the Fachies I thought I’d share it with you.
First, catch up on Neil’s story thanks to Episode 1 of The 1% Club Podcast.
Shameless, I know, but I’m over it.
Then, tonight…
Just after that, I’d advise a brief power nap, so you’re bright eyed and bushy tailed for the main event. Channel 4 has full coverage overnight from midnight.
| Start Time | Location | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 4 10:00 – 12:50 | |||
| 10:00 | Izu Velodrome | Women’s B 3000m Individual Pursuit Qualifying | |
| 10:32 | Izu Velodrome | Mixed C1-5 750m Team Sprint Qualifying | |
| 11:08 | Izu Velodrome |  Men’s B 1000m Time Trial | |
| 11:47 | Izu Velodrome |  Women’s B 3000m Individual Pursuit Final – Bronze | |
| 11:54 | Izu Velodrome | Women’s B 3000m Individual Pursuit Final – Gold | |
| 12:12 | Izu Velodrome | Mixed C1-5 750m Team Sprint Final – Bronze | |
| 12:15 | Izu Velodrome | Mixed C1-5 750m Team Sprint Final – Gold |
A lifetime of work, over in a minute.
And it’s all worth it, if it bags the Gold.
Go on chum. I have faith. You make me proud.
The 1% Club Podcast 