Wow. 2010. I can’t believe how much has happened and where I’ve been in a year. I look back and I can’t believe it. I pinch myself. 2010 was yet another year for growth, and I couldn’t have done with without the support of everyone, so thank you, danke, obrigado, gracias, merci, شكرا (shookrun), おかげで!!!!!!
Best New Race for me: Breck Epic! Wow, was that this year? It was only 4 months ago, but it feels like it’s been longer. 6 day stage race in some of my favorite mountains and trails, and the race has LOTS of singletrack and high alpine riding. Yes yes yes!
Biggest Disappointment: The good news is that it’s hard for me to think of one. I’m going to go with Marathon National Champs. My legs stayed home that weekend… I don’t know what they were doing, but I hope they had a nice vacation.
Favorite Ergon product this year: Still rockin’ the GX3s, but next year I’ll be trying the GS3s.
Best new sports nutrition product: I still love my Elete, Acid Zapper, and FRS. However, I got sponsored by PowerBar this year and I love the endurance fruit punch powder and the GEL BLASTS. Yummy!
Best new beer I tried: *scratches head* hmmm, hawwwww. I’m going with Marble Brewery Imperial Red Ale. Unfortunately you can only get in in Albuquerque and it’s a special brew. One of my new years resolutions last year was to try different styles of beer and different brands. I did a lot of tasting this year. How about since you can’t get that, I’ll pick another – Dogfish Punkin Ale, errr…. Lagunitas Maximus IPA… errr Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, errr…. Lefthand Milk Stout. Ack, I give up. 
Best Trip: Oh man, this one is hard!!! Can I pass? I got to go to Germany twice this year… and Brasil. Can I say a tie between the 3 trips? They were all very different. Germany 1 was to go visit Ergon HQ and Offenburg. Germany 2 was World Championships. Brasil was the ass kicking Claro Brasil Ride stage race. All very amazing experiences, and I took something different away from all of them.
Thing that’s hard to believe: This year, I somehow exceeded any expectation or goal I made for myself in cycling. That goes to show you that you CAN dream big. I’ll try not to be afraid to dream even bigger. I still can’t believe that 7 years ago when I started racing when I was a junior in electrical engineering at UNM, that all this would happen. Amazing what can happen when you don’t give up.
Coolest jaw-dropping thing I saw this year: The start line of Marathon World Championships in St. Wendel, Germany.
Decision this year I am most excited about: I tried stage racing… which is a very unique experience. It deepens the level of your understanding of yourself.
Funniest quote I heard in a race: a guy in the Bailey Hundo, “Now this is just CRUEL!” upon a short, steep hike a bike at mile 99.5!
Hardest moment: Almost every stage of the Claro Brasil Ride. I thought I wouldn’t make it. I thought I might collapse. I’d see the never-ending road in front of me and it seemed like I’d never get to the finish.
…but each day we did.
New Experience OFF the bike: I finally hiked a 14′er this year!
States I went to this year: CO, NM, CA, AZ, NV, OR, WA, UT, KS, OK, AR
Countries: USA, Canada, Brasil, Germany
Favorite quote I heard: “It’s hard to beat a person who won’t give up.” -Babe Ruth
Favorite new trail I rode: A bunch in Steamboat Springs, CO!
Best New Brewery I visited: Ninkasi Brewery in Eugene, OR
Best photo someone took of me:
Cascade Creampuff 100. Best new 100 miler I tried this year
Best reminder for myself and everyone around me:
Kick ass, but don’t forget to HAVE FUN!!!!!
I posted this on facebook. It was the first thing that came into my head about 2011:
“How about for 2011, let’s say “I WILL” instead of “I CAN’T.” Find ways to say yes instead of no. Dream instead of doubt. I will!” – me
This should be applied everywhere in our lives, not just pedaling!
My next post will be my favorite photos I took in 2010. I took thousands, so I can’t pick just one
Thanks for a great 2010. Again, one of the best years of my life. There have been some tough times, but it has been a very positive year and I wouldn’t have done it any different. I feel very lucky to be LIVIN’ THE DREAM!
