A Year of Slow Adventures

“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.” — George A. Sheehan

I believe I am meant to run through mountains, ride across gravel dirt roads, immerse myself in the sea, explore less traveled paths, and actively engage in Nature. While on that journey maybe I can put a few sentences together that move others to pursue something similar, or better yet, to discover for themselves what they’re meant to be doing.

I’m confident each of us is born with a desire to explore and be adventurous. It’s in our DNA. We may not all aspire to scale El Capitan, summit Everest, ride across America, or do something that’ll get us on the cover of a magazine, but this doesn’t mean our personal yearnings for exploration aren’t worthy pursuits. What is important is not to let the itch to do something pass without a scratch or two. We must do before the doing can no longer be done.

Someday. One of these years. When I have more time.

I’ve softly spoken these words in disdain many times over the accruing decades. Before this year comes to an end I’ll be 56. Fifty-six. Five Six. Five-and-a-half decades, plus one year for good measure. When I was in my teens 40 seemed over-the-hill. Now I’m still climbing to reach new peaks. I’m confident I have many good and active years ahead of me, but I must acknowledge that the years behind me now outnumber those ahead.

Happily, I’ll continue to push my body, and mind, further. Gratefully, I’ll challenge my resolve and resilience. With awe and respect, I’ll step into the forests and submerge myself beneath salted seas.

What I won’t do is wait.

I challenge you, reader, to not wait. I challenge you to muster the courage and will to become the person you feel you’re meant to be.

You are reading these words so I’ll assume that a physical challenge moves you (literally) to be better. The growth a physical challenge offers extends into every facet of our lives. When you challenge yourself on the road or trail you may find yourself better equipped to challenge yourself at work, within your relationships, and in your community.

When planning the year, aside from organized events, be sure to schedule some of what I like to label "slow adventures". For some, it’s important to have specific racing goals to keep us committed to our training, to test ourselves, and to engage in the community, but crafting yearly personal projects is a good way to stay healthy and fresh, both physically and mentally.

Slow adventures challenge us in ways that an organized race may not. They require more planning of routes, travel, sleep, food and hydration requirements, as well as challenge us to fine tune our gear selection. Choose projects that take you out of your comfort zone—out further—but don’t jump right into stressful and anxiety inducing situations. If you’re a city road runner who hasn’t experienced trails in the forest or mountains, plan a few afternoon summer runs in some of the spectacular mountain ranges this country has to offer.

Then, map out a whole weekend of adventure.

This past year proved itself to be full of adventures and new challenges for myself, and Susan. I raced more than I had in recent years, and embarked on a handful of slow adventures. It was a year of firsts because I made the decision to no longer wait. Someday became today.

Susan and I spent some time this year on the road. We spent the summer in Flagstaff, AZ, exploring its labyrinth of trails. We cobbled together a week long slow adventure trip in Colorado, exploring trails in Aspen and Snowmass. We rode gravel bikes in Patagonia, AZ, and mountain bikes in Ketchum, ID. I managed to complete the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike Race Across the Sky. We finally tackled the Mammoth TrailFest 50K this September. And, we visited family from Bend to Boston.

We each have permission to craft our own adventures. How we define adventure is personal. The only requirements as I see it is to engage in Nature and to push yourself beyond your comforts in order to grow and learn.

My goal for 2026 is to again prioritize slow adventures, but as well, fill out my calendar with organized races that will push me physically and challenge me mentally, perhaps another mountain bike and trail running race combo.

Get at it and keep moving, folks. You’re meant to enjoy this life regardless of age or ability.