Chasing Mavericks

Last night my wife and I watched a movie called Chasing Mavericks.  No, this is not a movie about chasing wild horses...it's a movie about surfing.

I take that back...Chasing Mavericks is a movie about chasing a dream, and making it a reality.  It's a movie about setting attainable goals, the work that goes into achieving those goals, and the lessons you learn along the way - which ultimately serve to aid you in achieving what is quite possibly the biggest challenge of your life.

Mavericks is a once-secret surf break that produces some of the world's largest waves.  It is located near Half Moon Bay in California...which is located about an hour north of Santa Cruz.

The movie is based on the true story of local Santa Cruz surfer, Jay Moriarty, a fifteen year-old kid who discovers that the legend of Mavericks is real - and is determined to ride the killer waves.

Jay Moriarty

Jay enlists the help of a coach...local surfing legend Frosty Hesson, to help him prepare to ride what few others had dared.  Frosty takes young Jay on a journey of not only physical preparation, but one of self actualization...one which leads to the understanding of who he truly is, and what he is capable of.

The iconic shot of 16-year old Jay Moriarty at Mavericks

As I was watching the movie, I realized that I have chased numerous Mavericks in my life.  

A few years ago, a great friend introduced me to mountain biking...shortly thereafter, he introduced me to mountain bike endurance racing.  I remember preparing for my first 24-hour team race - thinking to myself "What in the world have you gotten yourself into?".  You see, I had been riding for less than a year, so I was far from experienced.  I was still trying to master the skills necessary for riding during the day.  Now I was going to have to strap on lights, and ride at night too?  On top of that craziness, I would be riding 10-mile loops, on mountainous terrain, every three hours...for 24-hours! 

During that time, and a handful of races later, I realized that these events had changed my life.  I had achieved something I didn't know I was physically or mentally capable of.  I had found a part of myself I never knew existed.

Fast forward a few years...

I have now moved on from competing in team-based 24-hour races to solo 12-hour events...a new Mavericks...one that, once again, has taught me something about myself that I did not know before.

So what's next?  What is my next Mavericks?

The 2013 Ride 430 Challenge - and it's gonna be a doozy!

In December of last year, I rode my mountain bike 100 miles in just under 10-hours to raise money for injured U.S. Marines and their families.  I had never dreamed I would be capable of such a feat, but the lessons I had learned from chasing previous 'Mavericks' had prepared me for what would be the most physically and emotionally challenging event of my life...well, maybe not the most - after all, I am a father!

Now I am facing an even greater challenge...one which will require me, and others, to ride our road bikes nearly 430 miles, in just four days.  "Why?" you ask.  Once again, this is to raise money for injured/killed U.S. Marines and their families.  These heroes have put their lives on the line for our safety, and many of them are in desperate need of financial assistance.

In years past, this ride began is Scottsdale, Arizona and ended in San Diego, California.  Riders were faced with tough challenges including the grueling climb out of the Imperial Valley, up and over the Santa Rosa mountain range.  

This year however, the course has changed - and it is going to be even tougher.  For 2013 the course will take us into the beautiful mountains of northern Arizona. We will pass through historic towns such as Wickenburg, Prescott, Strawberry, and Payson as our riders complete more than 16,000 feet of vertical climbing in less than four days. This year's route promises to be the greatest physical challenge we have faced yet.  

Great.  Welcome to the team John!

Why am I sharing this with you?  Am I bragging about what a tremendous physical and emotional feat I am taking on?  Absolutely not.  

I am sharing this with you because I am scared.  Yep...me, the big tough guy, who's not scared of anything - well let me tell you, this scares me!

This is my Mavericks...what's yours?

Please help me raise much needed financial assistance for these true American Heroes by visiting my fundraising page.  You can click here or click on the link on the right side of this page.  It only takes a couple of minutes to pledge your support, and all donations are tax deductible!

Yours in Health and Performance, 

John (the scared one!)