And So It Goes...

The world is a messed up place. A long, very long time ago. It wasn't so messed up...but the world keeps going. Doesn't matter if we like it or not. It just goes. As humans, we can feel on top of the world one day, and then understand that no one - not other humans, not the lakes, the trails or the rain, gives a rats ass if there's air in your lungs. Maybe we need to be okay with that - maybe we don't have a choice. We start as dust, and end as dirt. In between, is a mess of chaos, that we need to learn to love more than we hate, if we don't, the time is gone. Not wasted, but gone. Time is one truly priceless entity.

2015 Recap

Its 2016!!!
The last year has been very interesting. Many lessons learned, and re-learned. There are no guarantees in life. None. Don't be fooled.

Overall I'm ready for 2016 and so excited. I can't decide if that's an inadvertent way of saying 2015 was a bad year, or just keeping a positive spin. I'm happy the things that happened - Happened. I'm a firm believer in no regrets, and will continue to maintain that. When I look back, I have so many really good memories. New Experiences, New People. PR's.
I learned a lot. I accomplished a lot. I stayed on track. I raced hard. I hunted smart.

Races:
The Minnesotan
Miesville 56
Almanzo 100
Liberty 70.3 (Swim/Bike only)
Dirty Lemming 100
MPLS Triathlon (2nd place AG)
Maple Grove Triathlon
Ragnar MN
Minnetonka 5 Mile Swim
HECK of the NORTH
Monster Dash 13.1
I may have missed some??

Music:
Eaux Claire Fest. Sylvan Esso. Sufjan Stevens. POP

Books:
Water for Elephants. Gone Girl. Found.

Bike Tour. Superior- Valhalla - Bayfield - Washburn - Red Cliff - Superior. Sailing. Bike packing, Madeline Island. Black Bears. Sand. Off the Grid Cabin. Nights in a Hammock.

Emily.

Keep Pushing. Can't stop - Wont stop. It's 2016. The most important moment in your life, is always right now, live in it, eat it up, breathe it in. Always.  Nothing will ever change that. Don't hold back. You have no idea how far you can go. No one knows their potential.

Today starts Ironman Training. This is one of the moments where I can start telling myself. I'm going to train hard, train smart, recover smarter, and execute a very difficult race. and maybe with a lot of luck, i could qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. That's a big maybe. more like MAYBE.

Grandmas Marathon filled early.

Maybe DK 200.

January 2016

I wanted to post at least once per month this year of 2016. January has been filled with the start of my Masters in Public Health program at the U of MN. It's an exciting time to be alive, and immersing myself in health care and public health. Other than being extremely busy, i truly enjoy what i'm learning about and where i'm going. This semester will be extremely difficult for me. That is an understatement. Balancing full time work at HCMC, full time grad school, and training for endurance races, does not leave me much time to spend with loved ones, and sleep a little bit here and there. 

I am someone that likes to push my limits and seek boundaries. I think i found some. Writing this down will help me remember this insight. Come June 2016, I will stand victorious at the finish line of the Dirty Kanza 200, having survived that race, successfully completed 8 credits of grad school, and continued to progress in my position at HCMC. 

I continue to find gratitude and inspiration in those around me, and will do my best to not let agitation get the best of me. That is one thing i'm committed to. I will not let grad school turn me into a crabby asshole. If i'm not careful that could happen. Don't let that pressure affect us.

I'm a lucky man.