Reflecting on 2018 and Ahead to 2019

December 31, 2018 · hiking

I like to close out each year by looking back on the year’s goals and accomplishments and setting some for the upcoming year. It’s a great way to see how my perspective changes throughout the year. For example, 2017 was the year that my outdoor activities switched from primarily hiking-based adventures to trail running.

2018 GOALS

Vermont Endurance 100 Race

2018 was certainly another year of change. Though I kept most of my running goals, personal life changes made during the year have affected them and any I may set for 2019. Here’s a rundown of what I did or did not accomplish in 2018.

• I did not complete the Maine peaks of the New England Hundred Highest list
• My family and I did not do a Spartan Race
• I did complete my first ultra race and 50-miler at Pineland Farms, but did not complete a 50k race
• I did complete my first 100-miler, at the Vermont Endurance 100 Race
• My friends and I did return to California in to complete another section of the John Muir Trail
• I did run the Pemi Loop with friends from my run club
• I did not do some dirtbag running this year, but I did spontaneously join a friend in Connecticut for some trail running and hit the Connecticut High Point
• My friends and I did not return to Adirondacks for a long weekend in the fall
• I did not cap off the year with the Millinocket Marathon

OTHER 2018 ADVENTURES

Celebrating my 40th with Portland Sweat Project

I did enjoy some other adventures that were not goals of mine at the beginning of the year:

• Attempted my first Fastest Know Time on Pleasant Mountain
• I ran a 24 hour race, The Hamsterwheel, and completed 65 miles
• I ran 40 miles on my 40th birthday
• Completed a few more New Hampshire 48 Winter climbs of Mount Jefferson, Mount Cabot, Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette

2018 TRAINING

Not a goal, but probably what I was most proud of this year was the amount of training I accomplished. I was nagged by ankle issues early and late in the year and tight hamstrings for most of the year. Despite those issues I was able to put in more work than ever before and hit new levels in my fitness, exceeding at 40 what I was able to accomplish in even high school. Here’s a high-level rundown of my training for the year:

• 1588 miles of walking, hiking and running, for a total of 382 hours
• 552 total hours of exercise (23 days!)
• Almost 187,000 feet of elevation gain while walking, hiking and running
• 100 strength workouts which included bodyweight circuits, CrossFit, rock climbing and Portland Sweat Project

2019 GOALS

Virginia Lake at end of day during JMT hike

2019 promises to be as much of an adventure as 2018 was. I’m continuing the pattern of setting big race goals early in the year and planning my training schedule around it. On top of that I have a few vacation adventures being planned.

• I want to complete several shorter ultras including the Runamuck 50K in Vermont, and the Drummer Hill 50K in New Hampshire
• Friends from my run club and I will be racing the Beaverhead 100K in Idaho, a Western State 100 qualifier
• I want to return to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks to do more exploring with a friend
• My friends and I want to complete the final leg of our John Muir Trail hike, going from Bishop Pass to Horseshoe Meadow, including summiting Mount Whitney
• I want to run the Presidential Traverse or the Hut-to-Hut

There are smaller runs and adventures in the planning, but I’m going to try to be flexible and do these as they come up. More important than setting goals and attaining them is to enjoy life while I can. I seem to get the most out of life when I’m outside being active with friends. So, my biggest goal will be to stay physically and mentally fit to maximize those opportunities. 2019 will certainly be full of ups and downs, but I think I’m prepared for both.