This year, unlike years past, I’m not going to recap the past 365 days. Not that it was a bad year, in fact it was a pretty good year. For some reason, I just don’t feel like a recap is all that important. I did want to reflect a little on this time in space exactly one year ago, though. I was sitting next to a dog on a few feet of snow watching a fire burn somewhere in the middle of the Pecos Wilderness outside of Sante Fe in sub zero temperatures. I was thinking back on 2012 and also ahead of all the goals I wanted to accomplish in 2013. No fireworks, no alcohol, no silly hats or whistles, no people, no ticking clock, just absolute solitude and quiet.

This New Year’s Eve, I find myself in a polar opposite, albeit familiar place, Austin, TX. I’m hanging out down here in the warmer temps, getting in some good training, and even getting a little office work done before one last TX race on Jan 4 and then a long drive back to Durango. Some things I miss about the mountains already, but my time here has made me realize what I miss about Austin- the Greenbelt, breakfast tacos, incredible sunsets, a beautiful skyline, the Capitol, UT, Posse East, and the awesome bike routes, to name a few.  Austin’s achilles heel is always quick to remind me what I don’t miss about her though: traffic.

Anyways, 2013 was what it was. I don’t wish for 2014 to be a good year for you, but  instead, for you to take initiative to make it good year. Luck and circumstance only go so far, the rest is up to you. So hopefully, you aren’t too hungover to start anew and start kicking some ass from the get go. I can tell you that my aspirations for this year are absolutely HUGE. I will be mindful of my limits but I will not settle for mediocrity. Awesome adventure awaits. It’s time to take the bull by the horn! Happy 2014.
Greg