2018 a year of possibilities

2018 a year of possibilities

Back in January 2017 I sat down and worked out what my goals for the year would be. I set myself seven goals:

  • Whistler heli-ski for the first time – Went ski-touring instead
  • 24 hour mountain bike pairs race – Didn’t come off
  • Complete the South Downs Way – not quite!
  • 24 hour solo mountain bike race – completed and came 2nd whoop!
  • Walk up Snowden with Martyn – in the diary for 2018
  • Bike Snowden and film it – Swapped to cairngorms bike pack in 2018
  • Bike packing adventure with Mum in the UK – not quite!

What I learnt in 2017 is that goal need to be movable and sometimes things just don’t happen and that is okay. I think the trouble was I set too many ‘fitness’ goals for one year considering I also had the goal of growing my cycle coaching business Pedal 2 Pedal.

There is only so many hours in the day and in 2018 I plan to make the most of them to create change in my own life and make the most of the opportunities I have. To help me I have started using a Best Self diary which helps you set goals and weekly milestones in order to keep focused and on track. So far I’m on week 2 and it seems to be very helpful and I would certainly recommend it.

For 2018 I have set myself three goals which cover three areas of my life and follow my ethos for living these are:

  1. Never stop learning – in 2018 I will complete my L3 Pilates instructor course which will allow me to educate others in Pilates.
  2. Healthy body, healthy mind – in 2018 I am focusing on building my fitness level to improve my power to weight ratio and also increase my endurance ability on the bike and also running. I want to try new adventures on two feet and two wheels so plan to bike pack around the Cairngorms in May and find a running challenge as well. Leave me a comment with your ideas!
  3. Be creative – for 2018 Pedal 2 Pedal (my cycle coaching business) is taking a side step into adults coaching, I have already done several one to ones but now also offer tailored coaching for adults on improving their mountain biking skills. I have already sold out my first women’s weekender and cannot wait to develop more ways to help others get outside and explore the countryside.
  4. Challenge my comfort zone – Mont Blanc, Martyn and I are preparing to climb one of the 7 summits in August.

Good luck for 2018 I hope it is an adventurous one with plenty of possibilities to get out and explore the countryside. Thank you to Grip Grab and Dogtag for supporting my journey into 2018.

Share your goals for 2018 with me on Facebook.

Good bye 2016 – here’s to an adventurous 2017

Good bye 2016 – here’s to an adventurous 2017

Good bye 2016 it has been a great adventure. We have started renovating our first house, got a dog and the biggest challenge of all, racing the Trans Alp Bike race.
I am excited about 2017, after being inspired by Sarah Williams from Tough Girl challenges, who set 7 challenges for 2017 I have decided to write my own list of goals for 2017. So here goes;

  • Whistler heli-ski for the first time 
  • 24 hour mountain bike pairs race
  • Complete the South Downs Way
  • 24 hour solo mountain bike race 
  • Walk up Snowden with Martyn
  • Bike Snowden and film it
  • Bike packing adventure with Mum in the UK

Thanks for a great ride 2016, here’s to an adventurous 2017! 

A new adventure is calling.

A new adventure is calling.

The last two weeks I have been unable to ride my bike or get up to much as I have been recuperating after having an operation.

I am usually fighting a battle between wanting to go outside to play or train and planning the next challenge. Having a week or two not being able to get outside has been helpful. It has given me plenty of thinking time, time to work out what I want to achieve in 2017 and beyond.

Also the fact that next year I leave my twenties and enter the new world of thirties has given me a new perspective. I want to continue to challenge myself, to push the boundaries of what I think I’m capable of physically and mentally. I have found a new love in endurance sport because it tests not only your physical strength but your mental toughness too.

Whilst having some ‘rest’ my boyfriend, Martyn and I started watching the film Everest it set into motion an idea to reach the seven summits.

Neither of us are mountaineers; the highest mountain we have climbed is Snowdon. So before we could even dream about making that happen we needed a slightly more realistic target.

Mont Blanc meaning “White Mountain”, is the highest mountain in the Alps and the highest in Europe after the Caucasus peaks. It rises 4,808.73 m (15,777 ft) above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence.

mont-blanc

In September 2017 we will head to France to climb Mont Blanc after a year of training on smaller peaks we will spend 3 days in Italy with a guide getting used to altitude before attempting to summit Mont Blanc.

Martyn and I fell in love with majestic snow-capped peaks snowboarding down them. Now we will take on a slightly slower but tougher challenge of walking up one of them!

This challenge takes me out of my comfort zone in many ways, I have been focusing on biking for years now and so to change to a walking expedition is very new, having to learn how to use ice axis, walk in crampons and trek through the snow whilst dealing with the altitude will be an exciting new challenge and one I can’t wait to start training for and sharing with you how we get on.

 

I look forward to writing about the highs and lows of getting to the top.