2024: A Year of Adventure, Growth, and Community

As I sit down to reflect on 2024, photos and memories scatter across my desk like confetti from New Year's Eve. This year marked a powerful comeback story - returning to the sport I love after a challenging 2023 sidelined by injury. Each snapshot tells a story of rediscovered strength, renewed connections, and personal growth, proving that setbacks often set the stage for the strongest comebacks. This year taught me that the best adventures often start with a simple decision to say "yes" - yes to that early morning run, yes to that intimidating cycling event, yes to hosting that gathering you're not quite sure you're ready for.

Building Strength Through Movement

January began with frost on the windows and a promise to myself to return to triathlon smarter and stronger. That promise led to one of the year's defining moments - conquering my fears to leap off a boat into the frigid San Francisco Bay during Escape from Alcatraz. Swimming toward shore that morning, surrounded by fellow athletes and watched by my family, I felt the full circle moment of not just recovery, but evolution. This comeback spirit carried me through completing my first century ride in Marin, swimming across Lake Siskyou (while feeling like a superhero in my tri suit), and conquering Half Dome's cables on a surreal summer day. The journey wasn't always graceful. Returning to snowboarding after a decade away reminded me that progress isn't linear - but it is persistent. Each Friday morning Twin Peaks run, every weekend training ride, built not just physical strength but a deeper understanding of what's possible when you show up consistently. What stands out most isn't the personal records or finish lines, but the high-fives, shared snacks, and belly laughs with fellow athletes who became friends. There's something magical about suffering through hill repeats together that forms bonds stronger than any social media connection.

Adventures in the Great Outdoors

California blessed us with an outdoor playground that constantly beckoned. From learning to cross-country ski (with a very excited dog in tow) to biking along Highway 1's misty coastline, each adventure wrote its own chapter in this year's story. A particular highlight was mushroom hunting in Philo, where expert guidance turned a simple forest walk into a treasure hunt culminating in a feast with newfound fungi friends. These moments in nature became both escape and education - teaching patience, persistence, and the art of finding joy in discovery.

The Power of Community

This year showed me that community isn't just something you find - it's something you build, one shared experience at a time. Leading my first group ride felt like stepping into new territory, but watching cyclists support each other and forge connections made every moment of planning worth it. Our home transformed into a gathering space for everything from post-race celebrations to festival staging grounds to apron crafting nights. Each event taught me something new about the art of creating spaces where people feel welcomed and celebrated. The secret ingredient? Genuine enthusiasm for bringing people together (and maybe some homemade snacks too).

Finding Joy in the Little Things

Between the big adventures, 2024 was sprinkled with moments that reminded me to appreciate life's simple pleasures. Sunset DJ sessions, Bernal walks, and date night Zwift rides became a favorite tradition, with impromptu dance parties, city views that never got old, and unmatched enthusiasm for life. Weekend mornings spent on the bike grew into their own kind of meditation. I discovered the joy of turning hosting into an art form, creating detailed itineraries that transformed regular gatherings into memorable experiences. These small acts of creativity and care often yielded the sweetest rewards - like seeing friends and family connect over a shared meal or watching newcomers fall in love with dance music <3.

Relationship Growth

The year's adventures were made richer by sharing them with loved ones. My partner and I discovered new dimensions to our relationship through shared challenges - from triathlons to festivals. Having my parents watch me race for the first time added a layer of emotion I hadn't anticipated, turning athletic events into family memories. Friendships deepened through authentic conversations on long bike rides and while dancing to music, proving that some of the best therapy happens on trails, back roads, and warehouses. These connections grew stronger through celebration and support, creating a network of people who show up for each other in all weather - literally and metaphorically.

Looking Forward to 2025

As I carry lessons from 2024 into the new year, I'm struck by how the most impactful changes came not from grand resolutions but from small, consistent choices. Morning routines became anchors. Regular training sessions built more than fitness. Showing up for community events created connections that now feel invaluable. Rather than setting rigid goals for 2025, I'm setting intentions: to remain curious, to keep showing up for myself and others, to find new ways to challenge comfort zones, and to continue building spaces where people feel welcomed and inspired.

Closing Thoughts

This year taught me that growth rarely follows a straight line, but it always follows action. Every early morning run, every newcomer welcomed to a group ride, every vulnerable conversation shared added up to create a year of meaningful change. As you reflect on your own 2024 chapter, I hope you'll find threads of growth woven through your experiences, expected and unexpected. Remember that every expert was once a beginner, every community started with one connection, and every adventure began with a simple "yes." Here's to the miles ahead, the communities we'll build, and the joy we'll find along the way. 2025, we're ready for you.