Becoming a consistent runner and triathlete has afforded me so many positive benefits it would take a lifetime to list them all–and I would end up being punched in the face repeatedly if I decided to expand on this premise. I suppose being physically active improves things such as overall health, endurance, stamina and maintaining a positive state of mental well-being; however, integrating swimming, running and cycling into my lifestyle has also provided me with skills I hadn’t previously possessed. For example, being able to strategically pee myself–very handy. But, for purposes of this entry, I’m referring to things like patience, time-management, planning and goal setting.
To set goals is one thing, to follow through is another. Over the past five years I’ve handedly accomplished pretty much everything I have set out to do. From 5k to Ironman and everything in-between, I feel like somehow I’ve been able to systematically take all of the steps necessary to achieve my aspirations. Hopefully in 2017 this construct will transcend into other aspects of my life–such as this neglected website and my poor guitar.
2016 was a weird year. I set out to compete (and complete) my first Ironman. It didn’t go quite as planned the first time, but I didn’t give up and in the end I earned my Ironman medal–at the very least it made for a good story. The time commitment was so stringent that I had to forgo any races or events not in-line with my training. Pretty much I had no life the entire year. I don’t regret any of it, but I am looking forward to 2017 as a year to have fun, relax, get fast again, run with friends and set goals above and beyond my race schedule.
This doesn’t mean I will be avoiding improving as an amateur athlete! I still have a lot of athletic goals for the new year including improving my BQ (Boston Marathon qualifying time).
So here it is… my goals for 2017:
Race Schedule and Athletic Goals
My entire 2017 race season is going to be largely predicated on getting my back healthy. I’m currently on the road to recovery and have been able to start rebuilding fitness with easy runs, spins and swims. I am extremely confident that I am going to be 100% soon enough. One big difference between a happy back in 2015 and a not so happy back in 2016 was that I slacked on the yoga, so I will definitely be incorporating this “back” into my regimen.
I’m looking forward to participating in the B.A.A. Distance medley this year, a race series starting with a springtime 5k, a summer 10k and finally a half-marathon in October. (The Boston Athletic Association organizes the Boston Marathon.) In 2015 I finished 4th overall in my age group so I’d really like to see if I can PR my previous times and maybe move up in ranking.
In late May I will be racing my first Marathon since 2015. I’m pretty excited about this because I am looking to improve my Boston Qualifying time. Because damnit… eventually I have to run Boston. This will be a great race because so many people in my running group will also be racing which means lots of long-run training partners!
And then by mid-June I will start focusing on the Summer tri season. I’m registered for the Patriot Half Ironman and then most likely I’ll race a few Olympic Distance tris and finally an end-of-season half-Ironman. (Thinking Pumpkinman.)
One of my favorite races is Vert Sasquatch–a sprint trail race close to Boston. I held 1st place in masters two years in a row but wasn’t able to race this past year due to IM training. I’m looking forward to reclaiming my title! I’d also like to compete in more fun 5k’s. I think it’s an underrated race!
Last, I think I may run my first ultra — which is to say a baby ultra, a 50k trail race in late September. (This is requiring of a bit more reflection.)
So far:
April 9th (sun) – Doyle’s 5 miler, Boston, MA (registration open)
April 17th (sat) – BAA 5k (Medley), Boston, MA (registration opens 1/11)
May 21 (sun) – Sugarloaf Marathon, Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine (registered – registration open)
June 17 (sat) – Patriot Half-Ironman 70.3 (registered – registration closed)
June 25 (sun) – BAA 10k (Medley), Boston, MA (registration opens 1/11)
July 8 (sat) – Vert Sasquatch Trail race, Stoneham, MA (The Fells) (registration open)
July 30 (sun) – Boston Tri (Olympic Distance), Boston, MA (registration open)
August 20 (sun) – Cranberryfest Tri (Olympic Distance), Lakeville, MA (registration open)
Sept 10 (sun) – Pumpkinman Half-Ironman 70.3, South Berwick, Maine (registration open)
Sept 30 (sat) – TARC fall classic 50k, Carlisle, MA (registration open)
Oct 8 (sun) – BAA half marathon (Medley), Boston, MA (registration opens 1/11)
And then dream races that aren’t happening but worth mentioning:
July 9 (sun) – DATEV Roth Challenge Ironman, Roth, Germany (registration closed) I am forbidden from IM in 2017.
August 13 (sun) – Casco Bay run swim ultra, Casco Bay, Maine (registration closed) Definitely planning for this one next year!
So far it’s looking like a solid race calendar! Other athletic goals include, becoming more involved with my tri-team (the awesome E3TS), improving my swim and, again, getting back into the yoga studio.
Back into the (other) studio!
From 1993 to 1996 I shoved the guitar under the bed while finishing up school in Athens, Georgia. Of all places! In 1996 I moved West and from 1996 to 2011 fronted a handful of indie bands. (Who could forget such ensembles as Outro 50 Seconds, The Darlingtons, SassyStarX, SubSpark and Lagoon?!) After adjourning band life, and all that being in a band entails, I took up running and slowly over time I exchanged calloused fingers for calloused toes. I’ve dabbled a bit here and there with some writing and a few one-off recordings, but simply haven’t made the space to do “the thing” that used to be the main focus of my life.
I have, however, made time over the past few years to loosely develop material that I originally envisioned as part of a musical. And then I realized writing a musical would fucking take forever. I think I was getting too hung up on creating a fully flushed out narrative. Most of my material, in album form, usually tells a story to some degree–so it’s still not our of the question that the music could be repurposed for the stage… but for now, I think just making some music is the goal.
I’ve cleaned up my basement studio and its ready to go!
I am also super excited to have some friends on board to help me out including the amazing ex-Lagoon drummer Marisa Chattman!
So look for a full album from me sometime this year.
Changing up ye olde website!
I’ve decided that my design acumen has been poorly reflected on my sister portfolio site davidtornado.com. I also really hate managing two sites–I like everything in one place. Probably sometime within the next few months I’ll be incorporating my portfolio into this site, and hopefully writing a bit more about design, process and creativity related to my field.
I’ve already started procuring material and I am excited to start sharing my professional work in a more intimate and candid setting.
Refinishing this cool old workbench:
Unfortunately after adding an additional five weeks of Ironman training into my life followed by six weeks of my back going to shit–this poor project has sat out-of-doors underneath a tarp succumbing to the elements for the past five months. But, I swear, I just bought a brand new drill and this thing is going to be amazing when I am done with it. So listen up raccoons! Make yourself comfortable for the long New England winter but come Spring prepare to vacate the premises.
And finally, some new tattoos!
I’m excited to be working with Melissa Baker at Fat Ram’s Pumpkin Tattoo (right here in my hood) for some brand new ink. Seems like a good way to spend the off-season and I can’t wait to rock some new designs this Summer.
So that’s what I’ve got for 2017! Sounds like a lot of fun to me… and isn’t that what it’s all about?
Happy New year everyone!
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