Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015!

ByAnthony Chan
At a Glance

A look back at a spectacular 2014 — upgrading from Cat 5 to Cat 4 cycling, a mid-season crash that refocused my goals, a Kona qualification at Ironman Lake Placid, the brutal Leadville 100, and finishing the Ironman World Championship — and a look ahead to 2015.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Upgraded from USA Cycling Category 5 to Category 4 in three months
  • Qualified for Kona by finishing Ironman Lake Placid in late July
  • Finished the Leadville Trail 100 MTB — his toughest race ever — in 10.5 hours
  • Crossed the finish line at the Ironman World Championship in Kona
  • Overcame a frightening mid-May criterium crash

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Setbacks sharpen focus: a bad crash pushed him to think bigger-picture and target Kona
  • Memories are building blocks: each experience fuels progression as an athlete
  • Gratitude grounds success: family, friends, and sponsors made the year possible
  • Keep looking forward: big years set the stage for even bigger goals

2014 was a spectacular year! Thank you to my family, friends, and sponsors for the support.

The winter months were filled with hard indoor trainer workouts and miserably frigid run workouts.

Then, I raced as a Category 5 cyclist under USA Cycling’s system, and soon upgraded to a Category 4 racer within 3 months to race alongside some of my cycling training partners. A frightening and sudden crash during a criterium in mid-May forced me to re-evaluate my goals – think, bigger picture.

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Hitting the deck hard, and getting spooned

That bigger picture was to qualify for Kona. And on the last Sunday of July, I punched my ticket to Kailua-Kona after finishing IRONMAN Lake Placid.

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13 days after IRONMAN Lake Placid, I attempted and finished my toughest race ever – The Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race in Colorado. After suffering for 10 1/2 hours, I managed to finish just before sundown. Thank You Team Chocolate Milk for the opportunity!

Fast forward two months: crossing the IRONMAN World Championship finish line.

Savoring the moment
Savoring the moment

There are so many good memories from this year. These memories serve as the building blocks towards my progression to become a better athlete. And although many of these memories will inevitably be archived by newer experiences, I can only look forward what lies ahead.

I’m ready for you, 2015. Stay tuned!

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