I stepped on the scale a week after the new year and I realized that I had found 15 pounds since my birthday in November. After I overcame a brief and ill-advised bout of self-loathing, I realized that this was just a signal for me to start the 2011 season.
2010 saw me finding new ways to get outside of the apartment. I started biking the Don Valley, which had been less than a 10-minute ride from me for 3 years. I started to volunteer at a new bike shop (okay, I'd done this before, but never in Toronto). I raced in a couple of triathlons. I did a multi-day ride. I went on a tour for the first time since I was 14 years old. And I raced on the U of T mountain bike team.
I have set a new benchmark for myself that I must now surpass with some grand plans for 2011. There is the first tri for the year in Ottawa. And there is an 8-hour mountain bike race at Hardwood hills that is just begging for me to go. Plus I have to race faster and harder in the U-Cup this year to try and crack the top-10 overall. And there's the goal of doing an olympic-length tri by the time school starts again in September.
But first there's that 15 pounds. Well, now it's 3 pounds and dropping. It's just the long fire road I have to ride before I can get to the flowy singletrack. Gym Sunday,15 minute workout Monday, swim Tuesday, 15 minute workout Wednesday, Joyride Thursday, rest friday, workout Saturday, repeat. It feels so excessive and arduous, but the first time I hit the trails when the snow finally melts and when I hit the water in the first tri, it will be worth it for the satisfaction of having bested my expectations.
And with that I leave you with my current favorite action shot:
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| Blake Samson and Martyn Ashton riding by Robin Kitchin from Pinkbike |
