A boring year will suit Jonny Brownlee just fine as long as he remains healthy heading into a crucial Olympic qualification period in his bid to better his triathlon silver medal at Rio 2016.
After being constantly hampered by injuries in 2018, all the 28-year-old Yorkshireman wants this year is to get his head down, complete his daily training and be free of niggles.
This season is an important one for Brownlee with Olympic qualification up for grabs later this year ahead of what he hopes will be his third Games at Tokyo 2020.
And Brownlee - an Olympic bronze and silver medallist - is desperate to get a full campaign under his belt to give him the best chance of wrestling the gold medal away from his brother Alistair following his 2012 and 2016 victories.
“In 2018 I was never on the start line feeling 100 per cent,” he said. “I’ve forgotten how good it feels to be 100 per cent. I wanted to start 2019 healthy and I have done that.
“I want it to be a boring year of training, nothing special or interesting but one of those years where you are able to turn up for training year in and year out.
“I want to train consistently and get back to my best. Hopefully over the next few months I can kick on and turn up to the Olympic test events in great shape.”
Brownlee won the stage finale of Super League Triathlon series in Singapore in February – securing him third place overall in the four-stage event.
The race included a slip from Brownlee when he was transitioning from the run to the swim, which has left him with a swollen ankle, but it did not affect his race performance as he topped the podium.
“Singapore was important because 2018 was not the best for me,” he said.
“I’ve started the season feeling good and it’s great because Olympic qualification starts – I’m looking forward to a good year.
“It’s just awesome to do something different. It’s pure racing and the fittest athlete always wins. It’s just brilliant to be part of and enjoyed racing healthy.”
Brownlee now heads into the nine-stage ITU World Triathlon Series, including one in his hometown of Leeds in June.
2019 also provides more time for him and his British teammates to improve for the team mixed relay, which provides an extra chance at a medal for athletes in Japan.
And Brownlee is relishing taking on a leadership role as part of the group.
“It’s gone from something which was an added extra, serious but a bit of fun, to now something which is really important,” he said.
“It’s nerve-racking because there’s no room for error with the short time and you’re part of a team who you don’t want to let down. It’s fast and furious – just good racing.
“I always want to help the other athletes get better with the training squad in Leeds.
“With the mixed relay it’s about being calm, if you think you’re being slow you are actually working faster because if you rush things you can make mistakes.”