Loads of folks think looking back at the last 12 months or setting goals for the next 12 months is ridiculous because “January 1st is just another day”. I get that thinking but you have to be a certain life guru type to be able to continually assess trajectory you are on, your goals and whether you need to make changes. For most of us mere mortals it is quite easy to just get into coasting mode, churning the handle and before you know it years have passed. So that is why I will always advocate for a pause, reflect and change course or set new goals on New Years. As normal I will be writing this mainly for my own reference so apologies if you have been bored enough to read it.
If I was to look back at 2023 right now, I would say it has been a year of two halves. The first half seemed great, I was so focussed on my first marathon and I made some great trips and had an amazing visit from my folks. The tail end of the year from September onwards felt pretty grim to be honest, and that has made 2023 seem a bit naff. Although the reasoning for that was really all to do with work being quite stressful and the forever stress of not having concluded the Green Card process. It is ironic of course that the process to keep me in the US is actually contributing to me not enjoying it as much as I should be, but not having my destiny in my own hands is just frustrating for me and given the economic turmoil it has made for a very stressful few months.
Still, some of my friends back home have had real awful times this year, so the frustration/hassle of part of my year is nothing in comparison what some people have had to go through this year.
January
Up until April was really consumed by training for my first marathon but I did manage to combine my training with a trip to my favourite city on the planet (New York). Well into double figures of times I have been and it was as great as ever. I stayed near Central Park to do my training and got to many Islanders games and finally got to see the absolutely hilarious ‘A Book of Mormon’ on Broadway.
I did also treat myself to a new, proper bike to make full use of the Colorado trails and bikeways. Mango Magic it was named and I loved riding all through 2023 when it fit into running schedule.
February
Got in some races in February including a difficult Ralston Creek half marathon. February was dominated by my trip to the UK though which involved watching Dougie playing for Cardiff, a trip to Birmingham with my folks and some running with Rhondda Valley Runners.
March
In the UK I also got to catch up with the boys from back home which was absolutely class. Had a great time and Huw and I decided to keep the party going by heading to some ropey club in Ponty for Kevin and Perry/Ibiza Classics night.
I also squeezed in Newport half marathon with a hangover and then caught up with the football boys at Lisbon (A) which was a great trip. Ending the trip with a booze cruise to Fulham (A) on HMS Piss the League was a brilliant bookend to a great trip.
April
Marathon month and FINALLY despite Covid’s best efforts in 2020, I was to do a marathon. I popped to Portland, Oregon first which was as rough as a cows arse, but thankfully it was a brief visit and spent most of the time in Eugene which was beautiful. Where Nike was born was where I did my first marathon and it was as hard as I thought and more. The first 18 miles were quite easy and I’d put in the work but the 20 – 26.2 was pain I had never felt before and I fell to pieces for a bit of time. Thankfully, I managed to pull myself together and got in for a very good 3:38 (great for a first timer). I was disappointed I didn’t make my sub 3:30 I wanted and that unfortunately meant that I had to book another! I booked California for October and Manchester for April (Spoiler Alert: I dropped out of CIM due to lack of training).
As well as running my first marathon, I also raised over £500 for Dogs Trust, a charity close to my family’s heart.
May
Headed to another Colorado Rockies game with Joe after vowing to never go again (this was third time). It was much better when lots of alcohol involved prior and a roasting hot day, but baseball is monumentally shite and I will never catch the bug (like I have with Basketball and American Football).
May also sees probably my favourite race – Bolder Boulder. I put in a very good time but still could do better but I absolutely love the race and finishing on that track. I’d re-arrange plans to always be available for that race.
Moving into June it was time for a big part of my year, the annual visit from the folks!
June
The folks visit to Colorado this year was epic, too much to mention but drinking, eating, pool and grilling as per usual. I took them to Miami and we had a great time on Miami Beach and also visited the Everglades. The in-state trip then I took them on was to Glenwood Springs which was great, hot springs, and we headed up the Gondola to the theme park also.
We also got to experience Bandimere Speedway which was something pretty special, especially as it was their last year at that location. We also got some great hikes in like the continental divide and the Hanging Lake.
After the ridiculous antic of Grizzly Rose last year (not letting us in due to my 60 year old parents not having ID), we finally made it to the famous Grizzly Rose!
To end our trip we went up Pikes Peak on the Cog Railway which was amazing, a great way to end a great trip and we are all hoping and praying they can do it again in 2024.
Oh and I almost forgot, the Nuggets won the NBA Championship which was epic to be around
July
I climbed my first 14er (Colorado has many 14,000 ft + mountains) Mt Evans at a summit 14,272ft. July also saw me do some volunteer work with my company whereby Habitat 4 Housing builds affordable homes for people/families.
August
Finally got to explore some of Rocky Mountain National Park properly with may hikes including Bear Lake, Haiyaha Lake, Dream Lake and Poudre Lake.
August also saw an amazing trip to CASA BONITA! I was absolute buzzing and have been dying to go since it announced the ownership of the South Park writers.
September
My international travel has definitely slowed since relocating to Colorado but I did manage to get to one new country this year, Dominican Republic. I am hoping in my 40th year on the planet in 2024, I can at least hit 2 new ones but it will be a struggle. Ideally I want to hit 60 in 2024 but I think it is unlikely, still, we can try! Highlight of the trip was definitely the visit to Saona island, amazing place.
I also got to Mile High Stadium to see the Broncos in September, I try and go once a season, the lazy shithouses only play 17 games if they do not make the playoffs.
September also meant the start of my Foundation level Welsh classes starting, carrying on from my 2020/2021 entry level class. Determined to speak my mother tongue fluently.
October
October was dominated by a great work trip to India to meet colleagues I had worked with for almost 4 years. As well as a great work trip, I got to see Mahabalipuram (UNESCO site) and run traffic free on the East Coast Road.
October = Hockey season and meet-ups with the Denver Islanders kicked off.
November
Pretty stressful around this time of the year with work so I was not doing a lot, but I did force myself out to do the Manitou Incline for the 2nd time and a thanksgiving race. I also got to see the Nuggets at Ball Arena in great seats.
December
Started the month with a 5k race Colder Bolder, but blood tests showed my TSH levels had slipped again so whilst I was annoyed, I was also glad to catch it so I can hopefully sort the levels out by the time January comes around and marathon training kicks in.
My trip home for the first Christmas back in 3 years was great. Spent some quality time in Norfolk with friends and my 3 Godsons and then an amazing Christmas back home and got to catch up with a few of the boys. Managed to sneak in a Liverpool weekender for Liverpool (A) too which was great to catch up with the football boys.
Time with the family was great, then my and my parents headed to Brum to complete the trip. I got back just in time to squeeze a New Years Eve race in Fort Collins and tied off a mixed 2023.
2023 Goals Review
I set goals in my January post and I always like to look how I have done mid year and end of year
Complete first Marathon – DONE, Eugene Marathon in April
Raise £500 for charity – DONE, Dogs Trust in April
Hike 14er – DONE, Mt Evans, but wish I could have done more
Biking – DONE, bought new bike and got some miles in. I did fail to sign up for a club as per my goals mind, but I joined a club for some group rides, but they clash with running club long runs
Weight Loss – DONE for April Marathon but slipped in the last few months of the year, now I have to go again in 2024 for Manchester in April. Determined not to yoyo in 2024, so I have good running goals for rest of the year also
New Countries (2) – PARTIALLY DONE. I only got to 1 new country disappointingly this year (Dominican Republic). I need to find ways to do the trips back home and my folks visits but not sacrifice my own travel goals in 2024.
Welsh Learning – DONE, signed up for Foundation which kicked off in September
Social – FAILED. Probably didn’t do as I intended on this front. I still have to be much better now coming into my third year here.
Hockey – FAILED. Intended to do 3 new arenas but did 0, very bad. I cancelled Seattle and Vancouver due to marathon training I never ended up doing. Annoying, but I intend to make up for it in 2024 with 3 already booked in.
Call More not Text – FAILED. Apart from my folks who probably wish I called less, I have been really bad at keeping in touch properly. Liking shit on FB and the odd message isn’t properly catching up to be honest.
The Arsenal – DONE. Managed to get to Lisbon (A), Fulham (A), Liverpool (A). Was happy with what I got to but not too fussed about it in 2024, but I have still set myself 3 x games plus 1 UCL (A) goal.
I have already got my 2024 goals sorted so I will be popping them for accountability later. Hope everybody had a great 2023 and Happy New Year! For those who have lost folks in 2023 and there are many friends back home who have, I hope 2024 treats you well.
