Life seems to be going great right now. Lots of new and exciting things are coming my way so far in the new year. Ive been doing a lot of base training (riding my bikes for lots of hours) and it gives me a lot of time to think about everything.
I've thought a lot about how becoming a professional cyclist would be really cool. I guess i have always been hesitant to say out loud to people that i want to get to that level, because that would put a lot of pressure on myself. I've decided that i want that pressure, i want to have people helping and knowing what I'm striving for. It will give me the extra drive that i think i need in this upcoming season. I have a job that is allowing me to train as much as I need to, travel when I want to and still get paid good money. Since i have that in place, I am FULLY committing myself to train and be my best in the upcoming road and cross seasons.
Goals are something that i always use to try and achieve more (like a lot of other people). Ive been thinking a lot about the ones that I have set for myself for this year. I've decided to write them down in this blog so i can refer back to them whenever i want. Also, it gives me more incentive to achieve them because other people will know what I'm striving for this year.
I have separated my goals into two sections and since cycling is a big part of my life i gave it its own category.
Cycling Goals:
- Get signed to a pro team for the 2012 season
- Win 2 New Enlgand elite races this season
- Be considered a good / fun teammate
- Get into EuroCross camp next cross season
- Race my bike in another country
Personal Goals:
- Travel to three countries I've never been
- Do the best job I can at work and take advantage of the opportunities given to me.
- Take the GMAT / GRE and apply to grad school
- Meet a girl
- Read more books
- Meet as many new people as I can
- Eat new foods
- More to come!
I realize that cycling is a big part of my life. It has given me many opportunities and friends that have changed my life and i am very thankful for that, but i want to make sure that I remain a well rounded person and balance my non-cycling life with everything else I do.
So those are my goals this year, I'm sure i will be adding more as the year progresses.
Family at my brothers going away party before he left for cambodia
The next few months are looking really good for me. I am traveling to the Jelly Belly Training camp in San Diego CA with Jeremy Powers and my teammate Anthony Clark. It should be really fun and it will be a great way to meet and ride with pro cyclists for a few days. After the camp i will be staying out for an additional 2 weeks to train and see what California is like. Ive never been to the west coast, so im really looking forward to it.
After California i will be back for the month of march. So hopefully, the weather will be nicer when i get back! After march though, i have the trip of a lifetime planned for April 8'th - April 26'th. I will be going toFlorionopolis Brazil and i will be racing in two big UCI (UCI means big race with fast guys in cycling) races.
The races are"Volta Ciclistica Internacional de Gravatai" y ""Tour de Santa Catarina" . This is the opportunity of a lifetime, not only to get to travel to another country and race my bike (which checks off one of my goals for the year) But to also race bikes against some the South Americas best racers.
This is the "queen stage" climb. Looks crazy!
This year looks to be a good one so far. So I hope it continues on that path.
ALSO! I did my first yoga class ever, and I did one of "These"..... Just kidding. But is did do one of "These". I never knew i could bend like that. Yoga is a very humbling thing, it makes you realize you can be terrible unfit in a lot of areas of the body. My hips are tight, and my upper body is not quite there!
I consider myself very lucky to be having such great opportunities being brought to me this year. I can't wait to go to brazil and hang out in one of "These fine pieces of clothing"!
My past couple months in pictures:
Christmas at my cousins
Winter storm survival pack
Bacon Sushi
CLimbing with my brother on Christmas day
Racing bikes in Tennessee
Best night out with all the housemates. Bowling and endless beers!!!!
