
This year we level up!
I began penning race and fitness goals a couple of years ago. I never really bought into New Year’s resolutions, but I do believe that having goals and actually writing them down is truly powerful. This year I found it tougher to decide on what 2017’s goals should be. It took me almost an entire month (and some time off from blogging this January) to sit down and commit to what I wanted to achieve. Finally, it’s been narrowed down to a simple question, “Have I levelled up?”
At first glance, that doesn’t exactly meet the SMART philosophy of goal setting. But actually, I think it does. Let me explain 🙂
Last year was an epic for LTC. I worked with some awesome people and brands, we made a movie, inspired people to get out onto the trails, I ran my first marathon in November (Winelands Marathon) and then went on to complete an ultra in December. A super-duper year and I thank everyone for their encouragement whether it was training-related or just your support for the LTC movement – a lot of these achievements are due to you
I learnt a few things last year which really helped with achieving my goals:
- Having one major race for the year (mine was Ultra-trail Cape Town 65km) was the best thing for me. It felt like every run, workout, recovery session, cent spent on physio and kit etc. was all about building to that one race and it really helped with my focus
- Sharing the trails with so many new people during the LTC Together runs was really fun. We got to meet so many people and made great new friends. This will definitely be continuing into 2017 and you all can expect the courses to take a step up as well 😉
- And the biggest lesson of all was doing what feels right. There were a couple of times when a tough decision had to be made whether it was about working with certain brands or even making a call on when to abandon a trail run. Those decisions were tough in the short term, but in the long run I’m super happy that I went with what felt right. So more trusting my gut in 2017 lol
But as awesome as 2016 was, it will not be known as the year that LTC peaked. I won’t accept that.
So this year, my goal is to level up and make sure that 2017 is another big one.
On a training note, the goal event for 2017 is PUFfeR. I can’t actually believe that I’ve got the balls to put it down as a goal! A few years ago I wouldn’t have even dreamt myself capable of completing a race of its pedigree and it would definitely confirm that I have levelled up by crossing that finish line. Sitting here writing this, I am optimistic about the challenge, but SHIT it’s a big one!
With all my focus on this one event, a couple of other secondary goals will have to be achieved in order to arrive there fit and ready to rock:
- Finding the right training plan to help me toughen up (any recommendations?)
- Aligning the training plan to fit the other parts of my life i.e. family and work
- Participating in events that will allow me to prepare for the rigours of PUFfeR. There are some epic trail races that I’ve got my eye on such as the Mountain Challenge series and Ocean 2 Ocean. I still can’t believe how the races have stepped up in badass-ness

Welcome to my playground – image by Ebrahim Dalvie
On a blogging note, my goals are to continue growing LTC by:
- Producing more video content with talented filmmakers (including another short film)
- Have a few more people appear on LTC. This blog was always about showing that ordinary people have the power to change their lives and start being active and living healthier. It’s not just the Fareed show and I’m sure everyone is tired of seeing my mug
- Find another way that others can interact with LTC through merch (trucker caps for everyone!) and maybe even an event. Prepare yourself for something cray-cray
All while staying true to the message that we are ordinary peeps trying to live active lifestyles and encouraging others to do so as well. We’ll be breaking some rules and pissing people off along the way – because being disruptive is fun 🙂
So that’s kind of my plan for levelling up in 2017. I really hope we can achieve it all and even more. I’m excited to be sharing it with you and hopefully when I look back as a (wiser) man in December 2017 the answer to “Have I levelled up?” will be a confident “Yes!”
Good luck with all of your 2017 goals. Let’s kick some ass this year!
– Peace

Image by Zahier Abader
Mubeen September
January 30, 2017 at 7:24 pmYes to big race! It’s done so much for me… To think I got the value of the ticket just three weeks after i bought it!… By simply getting out, getting fit and getting into something that feels a little uncomfortable! If you feeling a bit stuck… Enter a Big Race! And the rest will HAVE to follow!
Fareed
January 31, 2017 at 2:14 amIf anyone is an example of signing up for a mammoth task, committing to the training and then bravely tackling it – it is you bro! I draw so much inspiration from you efforts for Pledge a Kay
Zaheer Parker
January 30, 2017 at 8:11 pmAwesomeness!!!
I agree with.setting one event as your main goal. Last year, For me that event was the impi challenge… I made intention… trained and when I completed it… I.felt a sense of accomplishment. If you can recall how I struggled when you took us up platteklip in March last year… finishing the impi was not the best part… but the execution of the plan was what felt great. Thanks for the inspiration… Keep the good work up and perhaps we will bump into each other at the Puffer peace. Love. #Mountainsareawesome
Fareed
January 31, 2017 at 2:19 amFantastic bro! As Hannibal from the A-Team always says, “I love it when a plan comes together.”
And what I find is that it is the things/events foreign to our daily routines that really give us the greatest satisfaction when we complete it. So hats off to making your Impi dream a reality. Super proud of you!