I turn 36 next week. Not old, but definitely older than I feel. People keep warning me that it’s only a matter of time before old age catches up and deals me the inevitable. Until then, I still have time to reach some old goals and start some new ones. 

Last year, I completed my first Olympic-distance triathlon—a goal that once felt impossible. This year, I’m aiming for my second one. My first goal was simply to finish, but now, I want to do better. I’ve already signed up for one in September. Since that’s still months away, I decided to add a shorter race earlier in the year for practice.

At first, I planned to race in BC’s interior, maybe one of the ones in the Okanagan. But since we recently adopted a new dog, I figured staying closer to home would be better. Last year, I did the North Shore Triathlon in North Vancouver, and I liked how small and manageable it was. It feels like the perfect race to sneak into the year without disrupting everything else.

So, here’s the plan: one sprint-distance race and one Olympic-distance triathlon in 2025. On top of that, I want to run a 10K and aim for a PR—ideally under 45 minutes. I’m also keeping an eye out for a swim- or bike-specific race. I think that’s enough to keep me active without burning out.

You see, it’s not just the training. That novel I keep talking about? Still happening. I might do a video update on it soon, but essentially, I’m working on it 30 minutes a day. That means, when I’m working on it I’m not really getting any deep work. It’s very fragmented. But honestly, the whole project has been built this way. 

At this point, consistency is the only way forward. A little every day adds up, just like training. Of course, there will come a time when I need to push harder and finish it, and that day’s coming fast. For now, though, I’ve got good momentum.

Between the novel, training, work, eating, sleeping, and everything else, life’s busy. And let’s not forget about making videos. Videos tie all of this together. This year, I want to take you on a more immersive journey—especially with my triathlon training. I also want to showcase the sights and sounds of Vancouver. Ever since I started riding my bike, I’ve found a new appreciation for this city that I love, and I want to share it with you.

Consider this the first episode: a weekend ride from Science World to the Stanley Park loop, one of my favorite routes. It rained in the morning, but by the time I got out, it turned into a beautiful January day. Enjoy the ride.

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