Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Another year.

Just like anyone, as December ends and January starts I get a dose of awareness of time passing. Short days and long nights give us plenty of time for introspection. And of course new year begins, but according to an arbitrary definition. Shouldn't the year begin at the vernal equinox, when there’s renewal of life?

I was born in early January so the feeling of time passing this time of year is doubly acute. It’s birthday time! Oh goody!

I'm into my 5th year of mid-life crisis, and I've become pretty much comfortable with it. Unfortunately I don't have a BMW Z4 or a 19-year-old trophy girlfriend.

Soon I’ll be in my mid-40s(!), but my internal self is somewhere between 28 and 33. The illusion is only shattered when I wind up in front of a mirror. I avoid mirrors. (Any cute 19-year-old girls out there reading this, drop me a line. Let's talk. I might be willing to lease a Z4 if that would make any difference!)

My new normal is defiance against acting my age. For 2008, my immaturity will again manifest itself in a flurry of endurance bike riding. 2007 was by far my most accomplished endurance riding year so far. In 2007 I redefined the boundaries of what I consider possible in terms of endurance cycling. Definitely makes me feel more like I’m 30.

Lots of changes rolled at me in '07. Becoming accustomed to being unmarried is going pretty well. The total freedom that comes with it is exhilarating while also being a little scary. After operating in a partnership for most of my adult life, I now can do whatever I want within the bounds of my financial means without discussion
, consensus, compromise, or approval. It's almost like I’m 18!

Beyond my intent to keep riding like a lunatic, I intend to become an inept telemark skier in winter of '08. I think I have what it takes to achieve true mediocrity in that sport.

Salida is having another real winter so far, but this year I intend to ride it out rather than run away. In February I'll be doing at least a road century and a duo 24-hour race (missed my chance to register as solo at the Old Pueblo. Doh!)

Here's the desperate measure I'm taking to stay somewhat fit for those bikey efforts:



Tom P: committed to not taking myself too seriously in 2008.

8 comments:

Dave Harris said...

Congrats on your renewed commitments to immaturity Tom. Ain't nothing wrong with mid 40's, not by a longshot!

JenyJo said...

heart! hope the soup healed ya up real nice like!

;-)

jj

Matt McFee said...

Not taking yourself too seriously is good policy.

Tom Purvis said...

Thanks everybody. Jeny, the soup fixed me. My cold was done by the next morning. Thank you! Skied yesterday--bluebird.

Dave, you alluded to some kind of SW Utah endurance ride event this Winter/Spring. Troot mon, will it happen?

FixieDave said...

Ummm looking forward to seeing you at OP...

I'll be doing it with a buddy from WA we well both be on fixies =)

No threat from us....

Still no G/f here and i'm in denver...

If I was in a mt. i'd be more then doomed!!

Dirtdiggity said...

I saw that. Reaching for my eye soap...

Chad said...

Drove through Salida on the way back to Tucson from snowboarding at Copper Mtn.... man that place looks incredible with all that snow. You still coming down for the APC or 24OP?

Tom Purvis said...

Chad: I'm going to be at the 24OP for sure. Doing Duo. Team Ass Callus. I'm going to be heading down around Feb 1, I'll miss the APC by near a week.

Andrew: Those who have the patience to sit through the vid are rewarded with a hard-to-shake image of winter whiteness. Sorry for that. Hope you heal up fast.