What a wild ride it’s been since I launched this blog in January 2013. At the time, I was only a year removed from my final marathon, still holding onto the hope that there might be at least one more 26.2-mile journey in my future. Half marathons were a regular fixture on my calendar, I was beginning to truly embrace the 5K, and—perhaps most ironically—I absolutely hated cycling.

Fast forward to this year’s stats, and the transformation is complete. My only “race” of 2025 was an untimed 2K fun run, yet I powered through over 6,000 miles in the saddle. It’s quite the shift in perspective, but looking back at where I started, I wouldn’t trade these miles for anything.

 

The Year in Cycling

I originally set out with a goal of riding 5,000 miles in 2025, but after finding myself well ahead of schedule, I reset my target to 6,000 miles—a milestone I was thrilled to hit in early December. This year saw a significant shift in how those miles were earned; I spent far more time on my indoor spin bike than usual. Interestingly, after upgrading to a Peloton Bike+, my total mileage actually decreased slightly as the workout intensity increased, proving that quality of effort often trumps raw distance.

 

The Year in Running

My running shoes saw very little action this year, as I only laced them up twice. I made a point to get out for Global Running Day, and my second outing was the local Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. I opted for the 2K non-timed fun run—a relaxed contrast to the competitive marathons of my past, but a wonderful way to stay connected to the running community.

 

The Year in Walking

While cycling is my primary passion, I still make plenty of time for walking—especially when I can get outdoors. Beyond the simple enjoyment of a fresh-air stroll, my main motivation is the vital weight-bearing benefit it provides. It remains a key part of my routine to help protect my bone health and stay strong as I age.

 

The Year in Hiking

Historically, I’ve never enjoyed hiking quite as much as trail running, but 2025 was the year that finally changed. Perhaps it was the awe-inspiring scenery of Glacier National Park, but I found myself genuinely looking forward to every trek. My hiking adventures took me across the country this year, with nearly all my miles recorded in the beautiful landscapes of Utah, Montana, West Virginia, and Tennessee.

 

The Year in Strength Training

Consistency was the theme for my strength work this year. I logged a total of 139 hours in the weight room, typically focused on solid, one-hour total-body sessions. This total doesn’t even account for the 10 to 20-minute Pilates core classes I’ve been taking since joining Peloton in mid-December. I’ve absolutely loved adding those into the mix, and they’ve become a perfect supplement to my heavier lifting sessions.

 

Hospital and Recovery Laps

I also spent six nights in the hospital and walked very slow laps around the corridors as I recovered from an emergency appendectomy and residual complications (3 hours and 30 minutes worth of laps). Once home, I walked laps around my kitchen/family room (7 hours 35 minutes) until I was strong enough to walk on my treadmill or outside.

 

Questions
  • • Looking back at your own fitness journey over the last decade, what is the most surprising shift you’ve made in the types of activities you enjoy?
  • • 2025 was the year I finally fell in love with hiking—is there an outdoor activity you used to dislike that you’ve grown to appreciate?
  • • Do you find yourself chasing specific mileage goals, or have you shifted your focus toward intensity over junk miles in your workouts?