Don`t forget to write your own lines

Thoughts at the End of 2016

Really, these were my thoughts more than 10 years ago! So actual…

It's been more than 7 years since I started doing more interesting things. I got married. Then I got serious about sports (not that I didn't do them before, but now it's more intentional). Then the kids came along. Everything's good so far, but what does the future hold?

So the kids are growing, the marriage is good, and as everybody else, I've been going to work every day for the last 17 years, no worries there.

The sports side is only getting stronger. I remember when a marathon seemed like the hardest thing in the world. And maybe it is. But it can definitely be done if you set your mind around it. Then came the boredom with marathons, and I looked further ahead. A triathlon? Why not. Sounds good, so let's give it a try.

Then a Half Ironman. Even better. A bit of pain doesn't hurt – it even builds character. But why do "just" a Half? A Full is a different beast. Ironman athletes are superhumans. Could I be one too? Sure. But I don't feel like a superhuman now. I just feel like I need to try new things.

Life is like a carousel. A child learns to move their hands, then crawls, then walks, then runs, and finally starts playing for real. Them maybe will become a world champion.

That's how it is for us too. I've built a lifestyle. A healthy, beautiful, and I think interesting one. Of course, nothing glamorous about waking up at 5:30 a.m. for a workout before dropping the kids at nursery, but once I'm out running, I know I`ll be ok.

I'm in Stockholm now. As always, I have a pair of running shoes in my bag. So this morning I woke up at 6:30, plugged a 10km trail run through the waterfront park. Stunning. That's how I feel alive – travelling for work and running in the morning. The perfect way to start the day. If I remember correctly, in every place I`ve been with work, I ran, or swum, or biked.

I believe any passion in life is sustained by dreams. What you do today can turn into something much more beautiful tomorrow. In an ideal world, you "grow" your passion. You get better and want to go further. And if the people around you say you might be good at something, go for it. It doesn't have to be easy – that's why not everyone does what you do.

You think a passion can bring balance to your life? I do! It makes you more disciplined, react better in other situations that come up. Family, work, friends – they all meet somewhere in your head. But among them all, passion is yours alone. And you feel free when you pursue it.

I'm tied to sports now, and I know I owe it a lot. My character, willpower, ability to help others, need to maintain my lifestyle to afford "exotic" races – it all connects back to sports.

I set ambitious targets, mainly to create experiences. After all these years, I still have the same hunger for sports, but now it's more refined. Maybe that's why I don't achieve better times, but that`s not my goal. I want to do lots, while I still can.

For those needing inspiration, here's what I've set for the next 5 years:

• Extreme Ironman races: Norseman, Swissman, Celtman (all part of the xTRI circuit) – currently, fewer than 40 people worldwide have done all three.

• Lavaredo Ultra Trail (ultra running, mountain running) – ultratrail.it/en/path.html

• Bike Alps – Mountain Bike race – 650km, 20,000+ m positive elevation

• Marathon Des Sables 2021 – AGAIN!!! and/or Gobi March (both 250km desert running) – unique life experiences

  
  

I'll always be there for my family, and I know they're there for me. Races are just the cherry on top – what matters most is setting an example and enjoying seeing them do cool things too.

Lately, I've started going to Alina's races as a spectator. And it's great – I love it. In November, we're off to New York, where she'll run the marathon. I'm proud!

Moral of the story: Follow your passions! In 10 or 20 years, you might not remember how much you worked every day in 2016, but you'll definitely know if you achieved something major tied to your passion – sports, food, photography, adventure, even voyeuristic! :)

YOUR JOB IS NOT A PASSION! It might become one, but above all, IT'S JUST A NECESSITY!

"Follow your dreams, that's all I'm saying... one day it will be too late"(quite straightforward, right?)