What do you want to achieve this year? Setting and working towards a big goal can help give your life purpose and a sense of accomplishment. It need not be as audacious as what that alien athlete that lives next to you is pulling off – it should be something that pushes you a little beyond your comfort level (perhaps 10%?) so you aren’t likely to give up simply because it’s too far out of reach, and you aren’t going to kill yourself going for it. And perhaps it’s not an athletic goal! Your big goal might be finally starting that cooking blog you’ve dreamed about, or quitting your job and going back to school… On the DPMR board, talking about our big audacious goals has become a tradition. Sure, talking about them is fun and inspiring, but it also makes you accountable and increases your chance of success! Here are some of the DPMR board members big goals this year:
Kathy Slocum: “For 2022 I want to stretch my comfort level beyond running and experiment in the triathlon world. I have hired coach Wendy Mader with T2 coaching and registered for Ironman Tempe in November 2022. In preparation I have also registered for an Olympic distance in April and a Half Ironman in May in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Let’s go 2022.”
Angela Stark:“My audacious goal for 2022: Is to not have an audacious goal for the first time in years :)”
Carol Patterson: “Either a week in the Dolomites or Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt in fall 2022!
Real stretch: a 50k somewhere (Marin Ultra Challenge is out…. not enough time to get ready at this point)”
Aude Hofleitner: “I am excited to push myself on my 2nd 50 miler and by far the most elevation I’ve ever done at Lake Sonoma. My other goal is to have the biggest celebration at the Laugavegur Ultra (55k in Iceland). This was my first backpacking trip eight and a half years ago, and the hardest thing I had ever done at the time. I had never ran more than 7 or 8 miles so when I heard there were people running it in a day, I thought this was simply nuts. Well I hope I’ll enjoy being part of the nuts and have fun through the river crossings, snow fields, wind but also incredible geothermal features, waterfall and some post race recovery in the thermal pools and more exploration!!”
Chris Cloyd: “My audacious goals for 2022 include running the Wonderland Trail with some of the best friends I’ve got.”
Briana Jaskot: “My big audacious goal for 2022 is to complete the High Sierra Trail, which will be my longest run to date. EEEK!”
Jack Macy: “My 2022 running goals include completing my first 50 miler and doing one race trip to somewhere new. I’ve picked one I’m really excited about in a stunning location, but it will be a 12,000′ beast — the San Juan Solstice 50 in Lake City, CO in June. Then I also want to do one big adventure run in the Sierras, hoping to tag along with Briana on the Evo Loop or High Sierra Route.”
Renee Elsdon Jacobs: “Last year, I was unable to achieve my big audacious goal because of weather and scheduling issues (mom life!), so I’m going to go for it again this year – I’d like to score the Fastest Known Time on the Wind River High Route, in the unsupported female category. It’s just shy of 100 miles, about 65% off trail, over glaciers and multiple 13ers. And I am stewing on a couple backup options in the Sierra. Because I seem to keep teetering on the brink of over training (if not falling off the cliff all together!), I’ve hired a coach for the first time this year. “
Meggie Inouye: “Audacious goal: My husband Chris and I have been studying Roper’s Sierra High Route guidebook and we would love to do a fastpack trip in August or September…we shall see.”
Steve Woo: “Sub 31 hour UTMB (so I can go to bed before midnight!). This would beat my 2019 TDS time, which is 15 miles shorter, 3000′ less climbing! And follow that up with a Sub 3 hour marathon at NYC Marathon (if I get in) – This would beat my 2021 Chicago time of 3:04:51, and I’m not getting any younger!”
Well, not quite as audacious as some previous responses, but here goes…turning 62 this week, signed up for my first half marathon, unfortunately not on dirt, but it’s mostly down hill ;). And two of my friends have signed up as well! We’ll be training until June….Rock Tahoe!!