I always love the new year because it’s new. We get to look back at what we’ve accomplished and set new goals. We get to start redefining / evolving who we are. We get to hatch plans and make dares. I love to think about what I’m going to take on. I love to get a little scared about challenges, and then go all-in. Last year I swam/biked/ran/hiked (but mostly biked) over 8,000 miles with more than 600,000 feet of gain. Which is a lot. But this year, more.
While I love the triathlon, and will definitely compete in 2 or 3 local races, I’m most looking forward to challenging myself with some new events. I’m taking on 141 miles of gravel in Steamboat Springs in August, followed by Rebecca’s Private Idaho just 2 weeks later. This week I did my first century ride of the year, for my birthday. It was a remarkably calm, mild day in Colorado, and the ride was fantastic. I’m aiming for a century ride each month this year.
I’m also looking forward to seeing part of Colorado that I’ve never been to with Roll Massif in September. This whole series looks amazing. I kind of wish I could do them all. (Watch the videos and just try not to throw them all of your money).
In my opinion, one of the best ways to make goals is to think about what you liked about the year that’s ending, and what you want to work on to make the next one even better. In one of my final rides of 2018, we were in New Mexico, and I climbed Sandia Crest just outside of Albuquerque. It was an absolutely perfect day: bluebird, full sun, right around 50-degrees. The road was awesome, with constant switchbacks for 18 miles, and 4,500 feet of gain. The views from the top were unending. When I got back to our Airbnb, something went wrong with my Garmin, and I lost all the data from the ride. It certainly didn’t take away from the experience, but I was more than a little bummed to not get the payoff of reveling in the numbers via Strava. And that embarrassed me.
So this year, I’m not off my devices, but I’m a little less attached to clocking every step. This year it’s not about data and statistics: it’s about doing epic shit just for the views from the top. I don’t think looking at data is a bad thing, but adventure is the name of my game, and I don’t ever want to forget that.
I just saw Free Solo (PLEASE GO SEE IT IMMEDIATELY). One of my favorite quotes from Alex Honnold is, “Nobody achieves anything great in the world by being happy and cozy.” I’m all for getting happy, or as Honnold says, “delighted,” but I also want to get uncomfortable this year. A lot. I want to push it. I want to see sunrise and sunset as often as possible. I want to feel at the end like I can’t go any farther. I want to be just absolutely thirsty.
Onward.