Life & 2010 Goals

I've been doing a lot of thinking this past month (more than usual?) as my life is about to change in an awesome and amazing way with the birth of my son this month! I've been racing my bike since was 14, and really since I was 6 if you count on the way home from school!

When I first starting racing, my objective was to get to a Cat. 3 as soon as possible (at age 16) so that I could go to Nationals. Then I wanted to be on the Regional Team. Then it was the National Team (which didn't quite happen). However at Virginia Tech I went from a 3 to a 1 in 6 months and decided that the next step was going P.R.O. However during this time I lost my best friend, Chris Strader: http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-06-29/news/1997180072_1_bicycling-annapolis-racing-team

It was during the following year that I poured my heart and soul into riding, and I was winning races. The problem was, while I thought it would make me happy, it wasn't. I returned to school that Fall, hung my bike up and decided to have fun. I asked myself, "If I die tomorrow will I look back and think I really have no regrets?". I sold ALL my bikes the following year. I didn't ride that year and had a great time! It made me think about life and my priorities. I began riding again the following year, but didn't race again until 2007 - a 10 year hiatus. The impending expansion of my family as well as some other events (the recent diagnosis of my mom with cancer and a friend with DDD of two levels in his back: http://www.cannellchampiontraining.com/blogs/entry.php?id=127) have made me think even more about what is important.

Cycling is now a big part of my life, but while it once was the top priority in my life, it's now below my family and career. It's something that provides an outlet both physical and social as well as a hobby where I can enjoy the technical aspects. This year I'm excited to share some of this with my new son! I've been working with my coach, Andy Applegate of CTS Asheville, to tweak my goals for the season as the new baby, and a Europe trip will temper my objectives a bit, but I think it's still good to have goals for the year no matter how small or incremental they may seem. Andy laughed when I told him that I got up early Saturday to get my workout in so that I could put the nursery together! I sense that this is just the tip of the iceberg . . .

My goals this year include winning the NC State TT Championships, another cyclocross race, and completing the Shenandoah 100 MTB race. Of course woven throughout this will be raising my son, being a good husband, and continuing a successful career. I will keep getting up at 5, getting on the trainer and putting in some pain before the day starts. I'll spend time with my wife and son, and will sometimes give up a ride (or 2!) to do so. I'll have that beer, or cookie from time to time, and I'll probably try to take more naps (if what I hear about having a baby is true). I want to be able to look back and think, "I lived a great life". I hope that you can too.

Check out a great article on goal setting here: http://www.trainright.com/articles.asp?uid=4787