January 5, 2024 - The High Five By 55 Project 2024 Focus

As I really begin to dive into this project, into this entire idea, I'm wondering what to focus on for this year. There is lots I know I have to figure out, and lots more that I don't even know I need to know and figure out. But for 2024, I think I'll keep it simple. Focus on fitness. Specifically focus on getting stronger. Both stronger as a climber and descender, and building a stronger body overall. And stronger from a muscular endurance perspective. And stronger from a recovery perspective.

I think I've pretty much picked up the vast majority of the aerobic capacity my body is capable of building. Sure, there's always more, but I have a feeling I'm in that area on the diminishing returns curve where the amount of effort needed for even minor gains is so lopsided as to make it a total waste of time. So, I'll just work to maintain my current aerobic capacity with the minimal amount of work required to do so. And that will open up time to work on strength instead.

I'll also continue to flesh out what this project actually means to me. How deep do I want to go with the idea. Do I want to make it something real and tangible, a brand with potentially fundraising goals over the years, where I try to get exposure for the project, and (I hesitate to even write this) where I look for sponsorship to reach goals? Or do I want it just to be a thing I'm doing where I'm publicly sharing my thoughts in this space for whatever reason I do so.

But mostly I'm going to stay simple this year and just get things started. Get stronger. Get myself ready to finish Bighorn 100. Get that first Hardrock lottery ticket under my belt. Build a habit of recovery that's as strong as my habit of training. Hopefully get the opportunity to pace and crew a friend or two at mountain races. Nothing too complicated for 2024.

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