Vicki Ayriss, Operations and Facilities Assistant, shares her perspective on Stress Awareness Month and how training benefits her mental wellbeing. She also reflects on her preparation for Ironman Cascais 2026, supported by LendingMetrics as part of their commitment to employee wellbeing and personal development.

Spring is well and truly underway, the days are longer, and the weather is hopefully improving. It's also Stress Awareness month, so it feels like an important moment to pause and reflect on how I experience and manage stress in my day-to-day life, whether that stems from work, family life, or even the demands I place on myself through training. For me, it’s a reminder that wellbeing is not something to address only when I’m overwhelmed, but something that needs consistent attention. Over time, I have come to appreciate the value of building simple, sustainable habits that help me keep things in check.

What Helps Me Stay on Track

 

Preparing for the Ironman Portugal-Cascais triathlon means ultimately taking on a 3.812 km swim, a 179.5 km bike ride, and a full 42.2 km marathon to finish. Training plays a huge role in my day-to-day life as I build towards the event. With it taking place this October, I am still working towards the heavier stages of training, so the focus now is on putting the effort in and keeping my routine consistent.

Alongside work and raising my twins, it takes time and energy, and there are days where it is super demanding. At the same time, it gives me something to focus on and a way to channel that pressure, helping me keep things in perspective of how far I’ve come.

It really plays a big part in keeping my mental health in check. It gives me time to clear my head and manage stress in a way that feels constructive, and I notice a real difference in my mood and energy when I stay active, even on the more demanding days. Knowing how I feel afterwards, even from a shorter session, is usually enough to keep me showing up.

Exercise is part of how I structure my life and is something I really enjoy, but it also requires a lot of discipline. Having the support and sponsorship of the team at LendingMetrics makes a real difference, and it’s something I don’t take for granted.

Finding Value in Community

 

This April, the LendingMetrics team took part in Whiteley parkrun, a 5K community event open to all abilities. Parkrun has always been a big part of my running. I completed my first one back in 2015 and have kept going ever since. It was something that really helped me stay consistent in the early days and gave me that push to get out the door on a Saturday morning.

It is a great environment to be part of. Seeing people of all abilities take part is genuinely motivating and a positive way to start the weekend. Being able to share that experience with colleagues this time around made it even more meaningful, and their support is really driving me forward.

Alongside this, the team has come together through our “Road to Cascais” challenge, collectively working to cover the 2100km distance from Whiteley to Portugal by tracking our own running, cycling, and swimming. As part of that, we also took time for an office wellbeing walk, which brought everyone together in a simple way. I loved seeing that level of support and people getting involved has added another layer to the journey.

For me, having that kind of support around me makes a real difference. It shows that managing stress can be simple, and that taking time to move, reset, and connect with others has a lasting impact.

 

Stress Awareness Month is a reminder that managing stress is not about making big changes all at once. It is about being consistent with the small things that help you stay on track, whether that is training, getting outside, or simply taking the time to reset.

Everyone’s version of that will look different, but the principle is the same. Finding something that works for you and making it part of your routine can have a lasting impact. It is not always easy but having that structure in place makes a real difference over time.

And with one more deep breath, it’s off out for another training run!