Do Something Epic in 2015
Every year, is your year. You own every second of it and it is your choice how you spend those seconds. Last year, I posted the article “Do Something Epic This Year” that described what Epic really meant and what my Epic plans were for 2014. Many people start their year off with some New Year’s Resolutions. I am not talking about New Year’s Resolutions. I am talking about accomplishing something Epic that you can look back on later in life and see it as a major accomplishment. 20 years from now you will look back and that Epic event as a stepping stone to developing who you have become later in life.
You need to define what Epic is for you. It is different for all of us. We are all at different levels of endurance and have different goals for our endurance levels. I am very much focused on my endurance, but I try to carry this goal setting attitude across everything in my life. Life is a journey and my destination is to be the best that I can be and not waste any of the seconds that God has given me in life. This will require new goal setting and new Epic adventures each year. What was Epic for me last year or the year before is something of the past and no longer Epic for me this year, but rather a stepping stone to what I will accomplish this year and the years to come.
Last year, completing the Lutsen 99er and taking a good chunk of time off of my Chequamegon 40 finish were my Epic events and accomplishments. Outside of racing last year, I also finally went Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah. Moab had been on my bucket list for years. I not only got to ride there myself, but also got to take my family with me. My then 4 year old, road about 9 miles of single track out in Moab during that week. We had a ball and even at his age, he is talking about the next place he can ride and how much farther he will go next time. My kids were so fired up about biking that they participated in the kids race the day after the Lutsen 99er. They are already building and completing Epic moments in their life.
I have a couple of Epic events planned for this year. First of all, I already signed up to do the Lutsen 99er again and plan to take some significant time off of last years race. I am working this winter to set a good base to build on when spring hits. Secondly, I have registered for the Maah Daah Hey 100, which will no doubt be my big Epic event for 2015. It is 1 month after the Lutsen 99er, which should set me up pretty nice for the Maah Daah Hey 100. I will also race in the Chequamegon 40 again, if I make the lottery. I’ll get a Gate 3 start and make a run at the Gate 1 racers. Again, what was Epic for me last year is turning out as just another stepping stone for what I will accomplish this year.
You have to take everything in steps and control where you are headed in life. Things don’t happen by accident. It is up to you to create the end product of you and what you will become. Don’t set New Year’s Resolutions, set goals, sign up to accomplish something. You will change in the process. I don’t need to set resolutions to lose weight, eat healthy or exercise more. Those things are all bi-products of what is happening in the process of me accomplishing my goals or Epic events for the year. As a result of me accomplishing my goals, I will be in better shape and eating healthier at the end of this year compared to where I am today.
Remember, only a couple of years ago, I just wanted to finish the Chequamegon 40. Now I am talking about chasing down the lead pack. Start with something that will stretch you out a little and build on it every year. This year might be entering a short beginner race to get your feet wet. Not a lot of people are willing to take that step and those are the decisions that you make that set yourself apart from the rest of the crowd in life. Get out there and see what you are made of and build on it. It’s never too late. I read articles all the time about people of all ages jumping into a sport. We all see it when we watch the Kona Iron Man and listen to the stories of people stepping out of their comfort zone to accomplish something they never thought they could do.
In summary, take control of your calendar and define what you will do this year. It will only build on supporting a greater you and what you will become. You can do it. It is just a decision. You need to plan it and commit. What Epic event do you have planned for this year? What are you thinking about doing? I’d like to hear about it.
Read these posts about my 2014 performance in the Lutsen 99er and Chequamegon 40:
My First Lutsen 99er Race Review, Results and Advice
2014 Chequamegon 40 Review and Results
