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PUBLIC NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS – a half term report

At the start of the year I challenged readers of this blog to make a Public New Year Resolution. Around 200 people replied. I promised I would chase them up halfway through the year to see how they were getting on. We’re down to about 50 hardy souls now, but it’s great to see people sticking to their plans. I’mm especially impressed as I have failed dismally at my plan to complete an Ironman event. The age-old pathetic excuse of lack of time feels both true and very disappointing.
So well done to everyone who is still going with their plan! I’mll chase you all again at the end of the year to see your final results.

Name How have you fared with your New Year’s resolution so far?
James Kennedy Well, I got a long term job, which I didn’t have when I first made the resolution, so I’mve been focusing more on that. I would love to go hike the trail, but working to pay off my student loans sounds like a smarter idea for now. The trail will always (I hope) be there. In the shorter term, I’mve started training for races, and I’mve had the chance to go camping more. Just because plans don’t always work out the way we want them to, there just might be something better in the works for us.
Rory Turnbull Well I am half way through the year and I have done 29/52 new things so I am going strong and if anything slightly ahead of where I need to be. Its been a pretty great year so far, so there is no chance of me stopping.
Will A Fail! Got up to 18 miles in training but picked up tendonitis 5 weeks before the race. Decided to call it off and live to fight another day.

Pros:
Have run the furthest I’mve ever run before
Have started to really enjoy it
Got fit over a cold, miserable winter
Have begun to understand what my body is telling me..
I now have a mappazine hanging up in my house as an interesting conversation piece!

An ultimately frustrating but overall positive experience. Thanks for the encouragement to go for it.

jean seddon I walked 200 miles of a 400 mile journey. We only returned home because my friend’s Mum was seriously ill. We are going to complete it next May. It was amazing and I was pleased that I achieved it with more ease than I thought I would. I just believed I could do it anyway and have no doubt we will complete it next year.
Poorly! was going to get a big chart and plot out some big trips, but didnt even get that far! Had a poor start to the year with family bereavement, so any exciting stuff has been put on the back burner. Have a nice long trip to the Alps planned in August, so not all lost yet!
Steve Perry 1: Be full-time self employed as a graphic designer and website developer by the end of 2013.

Now: Still working full time for my employer but I have learned to be happy where I am and stop running away from things. This has been a large lesson for me this year and one that has left me a lot happier. I have made very good progress with my financial goal towards going full time, in fact I have exceeded my target by 30%! However, I shall be staying where I am now with my new found happiness and will not be going to work full time for myself.

2: Devote good quality time each week to helping other people get active by leading mountain bike rides…

Now: I have focused that much on number 1 that this slipped aside. In fact it is partly this that has made me reconsider not working towards number 1. I believe that I have more to offer than just doing more work. Don’t get me wrong, we all have to pay bills, hence me staying in my full time position, but I don’t want extra hours of work getting in the way of me helping other people in ways that are close to my heart.

3 & 4: Race Solo (mountain bike)…

Now: See above. This as slipped aside, also. This is now back on the agenda for next year. Funds from number 1 will be going towards numbers 2, 3 & 4 so it has been worthwhile.

5: Be kind to myself and allow myself to fail at things.

Now: See all of the above. This year I have really learned to relax and let life guide me a little bit more instead of being in total control 100% of the time. Working hard at number 1 has allowed me to realise that it’s not for me. It has also allowed me to put the funds raised towards more important goals like helping others.

6: And also… I’m running away from my real dreams of climbing…

Now: A friend and I took a trip to Rjukan, Norway, ice climbing back in February! This was totally unreal and a huge eye opener. I was pretty scared for the whole trip but in hindsight it was awesome! It made me realise that although it was a great adventure that I’mll never forget, climbing is no longer my focus. But as per number 5, I can safely tuck this away as an amazing experience that I’mm fortunate to have experienced and simply move on without torturing myself with pressure to pursue this any further.

Thanks Alastair. It was great to read back through this and see how my perspective has changed in this last 6 months. As for you making the decision to put your goal aside, well done! It’s not an easy thing to do but we all have to make choices based on what our hearts say. If you don’t have the time then it’s not the right time.

Cathy Colless I have signed up for the swim and paid my entry fee.
Am due to do the swim in August. I still need to get organise a wetsuit. But I reckon I am going to do it.
Thanks for extra pressure !
georgina By Feb the weekend only drinking was out of the window. Booo.

But at least one bike tour per month, I am doing a little better on this one.
January – we went to Windermere and had the place almost to ourselves in the beautiful snow.
Feb – we went to Llangollen. My first time to N Wales. Beautiful.
Mar – this was my cycle club’s AGM out of Skipton (not too far from home) – just after all that crazy snow. Stunning.
April – We had another trip to the Lakes. We stopped in a climbing hut & did some of the most challenging off roading I have ever done in my life. Amazing. Also a wkend in remote mid-Wales at Dolgoch hostel (no electric)
May – We cycle camped at Lazonby near Penrith for that sunny bank hol.
June – we toured The Great Glen Way over a week. Spectacular.
July – this month is starting with a tour to a wedding over on the Fylde coast – we’re going on the tandem and stopping over.

As yet the rest of the year has nothing penned in because we’ve put an offer on a house. Hopefully I can still make my resolution, but reality might kick in if the sale goes through.

Blog of my adventures is Pennine Pedalling, although this is now extended well beyond The Pennines.

Tony Pretty well! I’mm at least healthy again! Got my swimming up to 100 lengths. Dubai was great too!

Some misses though. I had set myself a goal of running a marathon this year – ain’t going to happen! And that book I’mm writing just isn’t getting done. Also didn’t walk the Downs – emergency at work meant I had to cancel a week’s leave! 🙁

Yep, our old friends lack of time and “real life”! 😉

Trey Jackson Well, I’mve raced 6 (the 7th is tomorrow) races, and have locked up the series championship for the Clydesdale category. I’mm still 230#, so I didn’t reach 220#.

Overall, feeling good about the progress.

jack atkinson Really well, pretty sure this is the first big resolution i’ve followed through with! I ran the Classic Quarter ultra marathon – 44miles along the South West Coastal Path in just over 12hrs and loved every brutal minute of it. I’mm now signed up for a 60 mile ultra at the end of August out in the Alps and looking forward to smashing through the double marathon and beyond!
Brilliantly! Two years ago I bought and built a touring bike with the dream of hitting the road and seeing where I ended up. Reality struck, I stayed at work and never left.

This year I decided to Do – Not Buy. Stop buying toys and use what I’mve got.

Tomorrow I head off from St Pancras – on the first direct train of the year – to Avignon in the South of France. I have two weeks annual leave and aim to get as far north as possible – ultimately aiming for Lille.

While I’mm there I plan on picking a basic level of French (after buying Teach Yourself books – and never using them), plus travel through Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.

Wish me luck!

dexey Still not done it. Kit and bike are ready but I haven’t cycled since 1st April because off ill health and crap weather. Weather has changed and health may have stabilised so I’mm getting short on excuses.
Nicola I have completed a couch to 5k running programme and will be doing a 5k race tomorrow! I have done yoga fairly regularly, although I need to keep making time for it. I have cut back a lot on junk food and am eating better quality protein and more vegetables including leafy greens like spinach and kale. There is still work to do, but looking at it like this I realise I am actually doing quite well with the resolution!
Tom Allen I’mve become pre-fluent (i.e. conversationally comfortable) in Farsi! Video evidence: http://vimeo.com/69632820
Epic fail. No running and no 10ks. But I have started the ball rolling with a new physical activity that is going to lead me into a sideline of work that will have me outdoors much more, and working with people, walking for physical and mental health. This is going to redress my work:life balance somewhat, so all good! A very positive six months!
Mike F. Well Al, I started off my list ok. The Asics Tuffman 8k off-road race was ticked off before the end of February. I then ignored any training completely despite signing up for the Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive. Race prep consisted of a curry the night before and a coffee in the morning, yet it came as quite a surprise to fold up with cramp at the 30 mile mark, then again 5 miles later, where I had to call it a day. So annoyed was I at my failed attempt that two days later, armed with a bucketful of energy gels I attempted it again on my own and cracked it it just over four hours. Sadly the triathlon will have to wait until next year, but my last challenge for the year is the Marlow Open Water Swim in August. So, in answer to your question, I’mm not doing too badly in the resolution stakes. Cheers!
andrea Totally failed
Fernanda Rodrigues I’mm in the first third of a course to qualify as an educator and carer for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Chris Rettie Personally I wanted to try and complete 5/100 adventures drafted however a case of appendicitis followed by a kidney infection around March/April ruined some plans resulting in just 2 being done. (If interested in the ones done and the rest of list they’re on my website: http://www.lifeofadventuring.com/the-list/) should hopefully be getting a few more done now summer has started!
Ian Down to 96 from 108. More than 7cm from the waist. Taking it a day at a time. Lifestyle change. Loads of exercise and adventure. More at EagerExistence.com
Jamie On Monday, I start my adventure. This week I am putting the finishing touches to my bicycle. My route however, has changed a little. I originally intended to cross the equator in Africa. I am now aiming for SE Asia (quite a bit further) and hope to cross the equator there in many months.
Jake McManus Got a good 2.1 but fell very out of shape and unfit. In America now though and have joined a gym and fitness is coming on well.
Jack Franks I did not complete my resolution this year. I did one peak in Meribel in February and found it very difficult. This year I am heading to the alps in November and will do at least one mountain hike in snow shoes a week to train for three peaks. Hopefully I will achieve this before the end of the winter season.
Bidi Baxter My dream to sell everything I own, including house and business, and set off on a long-term cycle tour around the world is still very much alive. In fact I live, eat, sleep and dream about nothing else! My business has been on the market for some time now, but, only this week, I’mve accepted an offer! We are in the process of transferring ownership. Result! I’mm clearing out and giving away/selling/eBaying personal items. I’mve also bought tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag and stove, and been out wild-camping a lot to practice using them. I’mm also more than halfway through converting my bike into a heavy-duty, long distance tourer. I’mve even bought my domain name — BidiBaxter.com — (early days, work in progress!!) I literally cannot wait to get Mary, my bike, loaded up and set off but there’s still so much to do. I’md love to get away later this year but spring 2014 is looking more realistic. Still, that’s less than a year away! See you on the road. Regards, Bidi.
Jason Walker I have now enrolled on an Access to Humanities course to start in September and will then be going to uni next year. In fact, just today I went to my first Open Day at Canterbury. As a mature student (28) I felt very old walking around campus but it’ll be OK I’mm sure.
Sandy Van Soye I have finished nine chapters so far so am making slow but steady progress!
ian Unable to complete YET due to time restrictions, plan to complete before the year is out.
Kevin Post My New Year’s resolution was going well until I trained too hard and began developing “climber’s elbow”. Several weeks later I was installing a pool and it fell on my left hand forcing me to remove one of my finger nails. Even though I haven’t been able to climb in over 5 months it has giving me the opportunity to obtain much needed rest. I wasn’t giving my joints and muscles time to heal and in climbing the rest days are just as important as the workout days. As soon as my nail grows back (it’s half way there!) I’mll slowly work my way up to climbing 5.12s again.
Megan Cumberlidge Great! Have been on a couple of adventures including cycling from Hitchin to Northampton on the snowiest weekend of the year and then a three-day 185 mile ride from Derby to Cardiff. In two weeks time I am planning on doing the reverse of my first trip, Northampton to Hitchin, but this time camping on the way as hopefully the weather will be better!
Harrison GL Well six months on I am doing well, I’mm spending a lot of time in the sea, cycling and having good time with friends. I spend a lot less time inside which I’mm really pleased with, anything from lying in fields watching the sunset to wandering around haha. half way through the year i feel its not a resolution that i will achieve or fail. My plans to go back to NZ seem to have shifted further to after Christmas. For the next six months i will continue to keep active and fun. Over the next two weeks ill be working full time on two beautiful Cornish beaches, followed but some time off. I have to go to London as well but hope to turn this into a interesting adventure. I am focusing more on traditional photography and will spend a lot of my time with that this year. In my first legal month I have decided not to drink alcohol (poison) haha
All is well, I’mm loving life
Jon Pinsker Things have gone well. I stopped procrastinating, worked hard, passed my medical school finals and I am going to my graduation ceremony tomorrow! To celebrate this success me and two friends went on a bike trip. The exams were much more stressful and took more time away from training than we all hoped so we adjusted the original plan a little and cycled from Leicester to Monaco instead. It was fantastic low budget, self supported trip and we finished the ride with a cycle around the Monaco GP circuit (annoyingly 1 week before the actual GP). An amazing experience and I am looking forward to planning more adventures in the future!
Brenda Nutter Lost 10 pounds, have walked up a storm extending my distance and my capacity to walk longer distances several days in a row. I have much to do and have been travelling for the last month so my training has lapsed. My plan is to try to get back at it this week and see in three months whether it makes sense to book the trip that I am interested in.

Thanks for asking. !

James Youngman The act of not consuming any alcohol has gone really well and, as I suspected, this was the easy part.

What’s been a tougher adjustment is recognition of all the chances I have each week / month to drink some alcohol. There were far far more than I realised.

Suddenly all those situations, where in 2012, was a simple do I fancy alcohol or do I not – now the choice it made for me!

The immediate new year was really hard with various family visits and the normal drinks. Now making drinks for family and not having one – arrrgh!

It took till end of March before I could brave any of the weekly visits to the pub for lunch.

However, April was almost like a switch. Like I’md experienced all the alcohol options and passed them by, now any other events I had experience to fall back on.

Now in July, it’s actually not a challenge.

Much to the consternation of immediate family, I have, already floated the fact that I may not go back to any alcohol in 2014 or onwards.

Why? Well, I simply don’t seem to need it 🙂

I have also ridden myself of the dreaded alcohol fuelled “munchies”

However, not having alcohol fuelled rubbish food binges has highlighted that I still eat to much rubbish food generally.

Actually, I’mm now seriously looking at a no crisps / cakes / chocolate undertaking from 1st August.

Why? Well want to complete a half iron distance race in 2014 and the full iron distance in 2015, so carrying on extra 2 stone isn’t ideal.

David Charles We’ve finished the 11th draft of the script, held a public reading, entered a BAFTA-run competition and had the script edited by a professional script writer.

Needless to say, we are still miles and miles away from getting it commissioned, let alone made into a major TV series! But I’mve learnt a lot and enjoyed the process so far – so what more could I ask? Let’s see what the next six months will bring…

All the best,

David

Graham Wilson Confession time: I did not do it.
Why? Insufficient time (pathetic excuse, I know)
Any Redeeming Features? I hope so. I was invited by a German friend to cycle through the Swiss Jura, French Alps and Mont Ventoux instead.
Any More Redeeming Features? I hope so. I organised a charity cycle ride across Dartmoor for Devon Wildlife Trust (85 cyclists took part) and Sustrans have involved me in all sorts of exciting cycling matters, e.g. new cycle routes across Dartmoor, possible bicycle expressway into Plymouth and I am to take part in Stage 4 of Pedal On UK, a national event celebrating cycling starting in August
My Motto: Keep pedalling
PS: Like your microadventure stories
Tom Evans Sadly I haven’t made the ultramarathon yet but joining the Territorial Army has proved one of the best decisions of my life; I’mve been serving for four months now. Early on in the year I decided that I wanted to join the regulars and that the TA wasn’t quite enough for me. Having undergone the Army Officer Selection Board and earned a place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst I start in September!
Alex Gandy Well in many ways things haven’t exactly gone to plan. A dog bite, knee injury and spell in Iranian prison have turned the planned straight line route across Asia into something resembling a bad day in a silly string factory. But it’s not an adventure until something goes wrong I suppose and the last four months have been some of the most adventurous of my life. In that sense things are going entirely to plan, but whether my bike and I ever make it to New Zealand is anyone’s guess.

Alex
http://www.cycling-east.com/

but as a result I’mm having a fantastic adventure. Whether I ever make it to New Zealand is anyone’s guess.

well unfortunately I failed my resolution to cycle around great Britain, I got offered a job as trainee centre manager helping in the running an outdoor pursuits company, so I decided to take it!
Dan I have made a start… I done the intro, but am no where near the 50% mark.
Hannah Floyd Well, it would be boring to say I have nailed my resolution wouldn’t it?! It’s 5 out of the 6 bivvies so far.

It has gone a little something like this…

January: With the weather being so bloody cold I feared that dying of exposure out on a snowy Dartmoor, on my first ever bivvy, would be less than ideal. The intention was there, but before we knew it, it was February.

February: Pub dinner on Dartmoor. Fell asleep under a starry sky, rumbles of the River Dart in the valley below. Makeshift tarp blew off in night, very windy and cold rain. Felt awesome though (upon reflection later at home).

March: After a worrying encounter with a driver flashing his lights at us in the car park (‘doggin… ur no..’ as Kernow King would say) we headed off to some cliffs in North Cornwall. Favourite bivvy so far. Waves were massive and crashed all night long.

April: Dartmoor again. First proper microadventure from home. Got on the bikes and rode out onto the moor and set up camp. Woke up in the shade with ice on the tarp, looking at the sunshine the other side of the valley. Mental note: make a note of which way is east.

May: The first of the 5 to 9 bivvies! Top of a Tor. Was all going well, until the dog decided to disappear… Eventually found, we fell asleep under another starry sky. With intermittent sleep, you get to see how the stars moving across the sky throughout the night. Amazing.

June: Another 5 to 9 adventure and we even roped a friend into joining us. The woods near home. We had spied an awesome spot, across the river on an island, where we would be hidden from view. Bonfire, hot dogs and cider.

So, to sum it all up so far, it’s been great. I have learnt that I will insist on choosing sloping sleeping surfaces which ensure a bad night’s sleep, but I am trying to get better at this.

I want to say thank you to you, for giving me the kick up the bum to do something like this. If you ever want to join us on Dartmoor, let me know!

Rich I haven’t followed it to the letter (or minute), but have made an effort to ramp up my efforts. Nothing so far, but a couple of positive leads… Hopefully by the end of the year…
Nick Tobin all completed
Two of us managed to walk most of the way from Lindisfarne to Melrose over four days of the worst March weather for 60 years. Not the conditions we had hoped for but due to other commitments this was our only chance to go for it. At least we had the wind behind us…

We had to get down off the hills and take a detour along the road on day two – only way we were going to make it to Town Yetholm for the night. Day three was cut short at lunch time – walking buddy was struggling, so we the got bus to Melrose. I went back to do day four by myself.

So, I didn’t quite walk the full distance but pleased with what I achieved. Was it on your blogg a wee while back that I read the Bruce Lee quote about a target being only something we aim for – we shouldn’t expect to hit it every time? Well, missed that target but now aiming at a few more. Off wild camping on the Berwickshire coast tomorrow night with 12 year old son, his pal and his pal’s dad – a first for all of us…

Anna McNuff I’mve only gone and done it! I’mm in Canada at the moment, 2 weeks into a 7 month cycling touring trip through North America and all the 50 states. I’mm writing more, loving every day on the road, feeling über fit in body and mind and scaring myself a decent amount. I feel like a big kid! Definately creating stories to tell my Grand Kids when I’mm pushing 90 and I’mve got one tooth left. I’mm sure not all of it will be plain sailing – but man oh man, it. Is. Awesome.
Jon Beardmore After departing on April 13th 2013 I have now travelled over 11,000 miles across Europe and Central Asia. Currently I’mm in China heading towards South East Asia. The trip has been full on highs (all the countries, organising the first ever game of cricket at the top of the Wahkan corridor in Afghanistan), and lows (multiple vehicle breakdowns, China travel group problems with a biker in our group having an accident). In the next few weeks I’mll be turning around and heading back to Europe via SE Asia, India, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. I’mve managed to keep to my targets and goals to share the journey from the road, even in hugely challenge conditions. Everyday day brings new surprises. It is my most challenging and rewarding journey I’mve done and I still have 6 months to go. You can follow the rest of my trip via my website: www.bigoadventures.com
Janek I’mve finished the Red trail
Haven’t had the chance to get out with other people
1983 km covered so far
Outing have been very rare

So that’s one done, one going rather well and two not going very well at the moment

Susan Lafferty I failed miserably to stick to my resolution. I started off the year well but as the weeks went on and things began to get busy, and the weather got colder, it all became very sporadic. However, I did manage to get out on my bike more than the previous year and I did do the 270 mile mountain bike and camping trip through Wales; which was absolutely awesome. We stuck to route 8 and did it all the hard way with all our gear on the back. It took us 6 days and 2 hours. It was way too beautiful to rush it and we would have missed out on all the wonderful places and people we met en route.

Since coming back from the trip I do use my bike more and I’mm hoping to do another small trip soon. I am also using it to take me to remote trails to run as I am preparing for an Ultra Marathon – so I always have a reason to use it now.

I think it’s hard to stick rigidly to plans but I’mm happy with the way things have turned out.

Read Comments

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Comments

  1. Hello! my resolution was to make this my year microaventuras. And declare that went beyond. Leaving the comfort zone gave me courage to change jobs, I have participated in mountain racing, including being champion in my division and finalizing the proofs in the top 10. Now I prepare for an ultramarathon 80km in the mountains and still performing many microaventuras

    Reply
  2. Neil Posted

    Great feature – Somehow I missed the original post so didn’t sign up to this officially, but on my list for this year was:

    1. Move up a climbing grade – tick
    2. Climb a particular adventurous route here in Cornwall which I’ve had my eye on for a while – tick
    3. Use my all too shiny crampons and ice axe – had trips planned to Lakes and N Wales but weather was way too warm when I could go so i’ve had to move this on to this coming winter.
    4. Get out bike packing more – tick, completed he Westcountry way across Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Quantocks, brilliant route and we were so lucky with the weather, highly recommended. Also completed the summer solstice bivi and did my first 5-9 bivi and dragged a couple of mates out who had never bivied before.
    5. Sail more – put off buying a sailing dinghy as we have a little one due in less than 2 weeks so I will probably buy a slightly bigger boat in a few years so the wife and little one can come too.
    6. Buy a van, convert it and go somewhere – tick, spent a couple of months of long winter nights on the conversion then took 3 weeks off work and headed down to Venice with the wife and dog, took it steady to take in the scenery and spent almost a week at Lake Garda, mountain biking and via ferrata every day – amazing! Then headed back through Switzerland and France.
    7. Do a via ferrata – tick (as above)
    8. Continue working towards my SPA (climbing training award) with a view to launching my new business (in addition to the day job not instead of) in Spring – tick, I’ve logged enough hours now to take my assessment and got my first aid booked for September (a pre requisite for assessment) so hopefully will take assessment before winter.

    I’ve kind of written off the rest of this year except for the odd days climbing and working towards my SPA because of little one arriving.

    So on next years list:
    1. Start off with the New Years Day Brown Willy run (not as bad as it sounds, Brown Willy is the highest hill in Cornwall!)
    2. Bivi/ camp out at least once a month (at least 1 night solo).
    3. Use those crampons and ice axe.
    4. Launch climbing business.
    5. Possibly complete summer ML training? (This will probably have to wait till 2015).
    6. Improve my sailing skills.
    7. Buy a bike trailer and get fitter by hauling little one around in it!

    Reply

 
 

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