TransRockies was the biggest adventures of 2012- and an amazing adventure it was. As with any special occasion, when the dust settled and the race had ended, it felt like something had vanished into thin air. Life was different. Preparations for TransRockies were intense; there were months where day-to-day life revolved around waking up, working, riding bikes in accordance with specific training plans, eating, and sleeping… only to do it all again, day after day, for weeks at a time. Life without that routine seemed, at first, depressing. I needed something more- something to look forward to- something that would keep my cascading need for adventure from drying up.

Trail running in New London

Skin/ski at Mt. Sunapee

Skate skiing at Solitude in Utah

Part of the problem with being an athlete in love with adventure and racing, (although it’s hardly a problem) is that you’re always thinking about the next trip, race, outdoor excursion, or a way to get that adventure high. There’s something about being free in the woods, letting endorphines loose, that brings me back for more. It’s a need that I wouldn’t want to live without.

Hiking up Mt Washington with my best girl, Dudli

An icy trail run up past Zealand Falls hut with my friend, Sandra

In the months following TransRockies (and until now) there have been many fun adventures. There were trail runs at night and during the day- runs through snow, along pavement, and in mud; a cyclocross race; mountain bike races; a 6 hour adventure race in Dover, NH; and the 30-hour USARA Adventure Race Nationals in Kerhonkson, New York.

I wasn’t sure how 30 hours would treat me. Not only was this a LONG race- my longest race ever- but I’d be competing with amazing athletes on the same team. An actual “team”- eeks. It’s one thing to race as an individual where the only expectations are self driven. Things get a little more complicated when other people are relying on you to keep up and keep it together.

Untamed New England- Team #1
Dave, Me, Chad

Untamed New England- Team #2
Molly, Jason, Tracyn

Fortunately, this team- Untamed New England- is a group of people that immediately felt like family; a family that I could get lost in the woods with.

… and that is exactly what we did. (More on the USARA Nationals to come…)