Tonight I officially registered for the Race Across Oregon. It is a 525 mile race with approximately 40000 feet of climbing. This is what I have been training for for over one year. I hope to do well enough to qualify for the Race Across America. I actually just want to finish. I would also like to finish under the cutoff time. Then I will shoot for the RAAM qualification. Still, the real goal is to qualify for RAAM, so here goes.

My training will be tough. While the weather is less conducive for outdoor cycling, I will do interval training at the MAC (where I work). I am trying to get an extra seat post for a stationary bike so that I can use my own saddle. Once a week I want to do a long ride, probably 75-100 miles. Three of those a month would be good. I am also using my brevets as training.

But most importantly is yoga. My training is all centered around my yoga practice. This is the off season, so my yoga is much more vigorous than it will be right before the event. As I progress I will deepen the mental practice and as I get much more intense on the bike, I will focus on release through asana and really focus on pranayama.

525 miles in around 35 hours is pretty rough, but I am determined to do it.

Wishing everyone all the best, Namaste.

Jim