“There was glitter in the pavement and OM in my mind.” – Coach Ilg. a contemporary Yoga Master practicing Pratyhara. no ego (asmitra), just Coach Ilg, stayin’ low and aero as He teaches in his HP Yoga classes as he dives moment afer moment into hurricane force winds across Death Valley approaching Townes Pass, a 5,000′ climb which he will climb in record time to help his Team Sasquatch to a First Place Finish at the Furnace Creek 508 Mile bicycle race. Photo; Chris Kostman.
“While other racers were scarfin’ pancackes for energy, RJ (Ron Jones) was inciting the CHI through High Performance Yoga warm ups.” Photo; ilg archives.
“Half of winning is wise preparation.” – Coach Ilg . Ron Jones interviewed by LA Times Photographer about how we set up our Race Van in the mist before the Start, Valencia, California…508 miles to go. Photo; ilg archives.
HP Yogi and Furnace Creek 508 Race Director, Chris Kostman delivers final race directions to the racers. Photo; ilg archives.
What i do IMMEDIATELY after a pull (drink a Ilg Supreme – thank GOD for SUNRIDER HERBS!) and crash…if possible…even 5 minutes is worth it!
What it looks like following a FC 508 racer at night. From the Support Van, up Townes Pass at about 2:00 am.
Why ultra racers do what we do. You do not KNOW ANY stretch of pavement until you and your breath have united upon it using effort as the Bridge!
Keith Kostman, early morning hours of Day Two. Gaining Inner Spirit and elevation over another mountain pass! Photo; ilg archives.
Team Sasquatch receiving First Place medals after 31.50 hours of racing. Photo by Ananda.
Two old pros in-Joying old age and still some medal around their necks!…Ron Jones with Steve Ilg. Photo by Ananda.
Coach Ilg sandwiched delightedly, if not dazed, between Laurie and Ananda at the finish. Coach Ilg, age 43, still setting standards for what all ‘certified personal trainers’ should do; walk their talk at a World Class level. Why settle for less?
After two days of no sleep…finally, sleep! Coach Ilg crashes 508 miles later in Twenty Nine Palms, California. Photo; Ananda.
How our Coach recovers after winning a world class ultra endurance race: 1) go to a High Desert such as Joshua Tree National Monument shown above. 2) Fish (non-harmingly) for Kangaroo Rats. Photo; Ananda.
Morning, Joshua Tree National Monument. “The coyotes raided our camp at night and stoled all of my chips and canned tuna.” – Coach Ilg.
“One of my goals about Furnace Creek was to rock climb at a high level and immediately teach advanced yoga classes within 24 hours of winning a 508 mile endurance race…both of those goals i met. This was big to me.” – Coach Ilg
Noble HP Yogic Warrioress Ananda ropes up for a climb at Joshua Tree National Monument (aka; JT). Photo by ilg.
For God’s sake…will SOMEBODY PLEASE make our Humble Leader use a rope!!!! Coach Ilg free soloing (no Rope) a route called, “B2” at JT.
“The major themes of my Furnace Creek race revolved around steadfastness and the ability to cope. As Ananda and i were leaving Joshua Tree National Monument to return to LA, this coyote darted out from the Cresote bush to seemingly re-mind me that my outer world Work is but a paltry reflection of my inner Work. Coyote Medicine teaches us that our Highest Truth is Innocence and that being Unpredictable is very wise.” – Coach Ilg. photo by ilg.
These teachings are the "Rasas" or "sap" of Wholistic Fitness. You’ll find insights to ponder, student chi to keep your own chi topped off, and plenty of proven training techniques to test on your own body, mind, and spirit! Also, you’ll find my very popular Race Reports, and news of our Sangha’s (community’s) latest transpersonal fitness adventures!