2023 was a year of transitions. Transitions in mode/s of enduring and enduring changes in my aging body. I spent more time on the bike than I ever have and thoroughly enjoyed the humbling experience of learning a new sport.
Two rides of note were GRUSK and my first participation on the longstanding, and world famous, Deer Camp Ride:
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Deer Camp Ride Strava Link
I had hopes of running a few races this year, but unfortunately it simply wasn't in the cards. I would string together a week or two of decent training, then some sort of injury would pop-up every 4-6 weeks -- like clockwork it seemed. With that said, I feel lucky to have gotten in the 1,300+ miles that I did. I have come to grips with the reality over the last couple of months that I will need a paradigm shift to my training approach if I want to find myself running more ultras. And I certainly do! I am approaching the new year with about six weeks of strength training and dietary tweaks and I'm already feeling stronger than I have in years. Perpetual positive forward motion . . .
The numbers:
Lifetime Running Mileage:
2002: 651
2003: 2,213
2004: 2,506
2005: 2,667
2006: 3,124
2007: 2,759
2008: 2,812
2009: 3,353
2010: 3,056
2011: 4,523
2012: 2,718
2013: 2,180
2014: 2,375
2015: 2,205
2016: 2,101
2017: 2,507
2018: 2,436
2002: 651
2003: 2,213
2004: 2,506
2005: 2,667
2006: 3,124
2007: 2,759
2008: 2,812
2009: 3,353
2010: 3,056
2011: 4,523
2012: 2,718
2013: 2,180
2014: 2,375
2015: 2,205
2016: 2,101
2017: 2,507
2018: 2,436
2019: 2,210
2020: 1,3942021: 1,412
2022: 1,378
2023: 1,366
Total: 51,946
2023 Cycling Miles: 1,263
So here's to a new year full of more abundant healthy adventures in exploration of endurance. I intend to dive head first with a heart full of strength, courage, grit and resilience!
Happy New Year!
