Note to readers,
it is Tradition within the Wholistic Fitness® Path to always recognize publicly the Noble Efforts of those who produce the altars upon whose terrain we spill our sweat…this is an actual excerpt i recently wrote to the Rio Grande Sun, a small newspaper covering the remote northern New Mexico area wherein many secret, sacred spaces vibrate…
former Chama Ski Classic King of the Mountain, Steve Ilg, crushing it again on Cumbres Pass for a 2nd Overall in the King of the Mountain, 1st place 7.5k skate, 3rd place 10k Classic
Namaste!
My name is Steve Ilg, a Durango native and multi-time champion of various events at the Chama Ski Classic. The Chama Ski Classic has been a fixture in my winter racing since in
Jr. High School – a long time ago, considering I am now 51 years-old! I’m honored to have more than a few “Champion Ristra’s” adorning my home in Durango!
THANK YOU to Chama Ski Classic race director, Mary Ann DeBoer, for again
putting on such a high quality, fun, family-friendly event last month!
Award nights at The High Country (thank you, Che!) is like the best thing ever (i think the Green Chile Stew
is the best on the planet and the live music is the bomb!). The raffle prizes from the generous local merchants really put a world-class stamp of integrity on this race, thank you!
It was deep honor to once again help Mary Ann by offering yoga (and spontaneous race announcing!) to the
huge turnout of skiers and snowshoers over January 18th and 19th. I counted at least eight Durango athletes in attendance and I plan to double that amount next year…many of us
stayed at least one night in Chama (special thanks to Terri and Kit Correy at The Cumbres Suites for their remarkably comfortable lodging!).
I cannot close this Letter of Thanks without a bow to my longtime friendly ski rival; Clay Moseley whose butt I’ve spent chasing around nordic and bike racing courses for longer than I wish to recall and
his stalwart course grooming crew, including another New Mexico bicycle racing friend, the one and only, Dave Wycoff for producing year after year, a Miracle-On-Snow whereupon
they create a scintillating ski and snowshoe course upon virgin snows way up high on beautiful Cumbres Pass, all to be soon erased by the Cumbres winds like a winter version of a Tibetan sand painting.
The Chama Ski Classic is truly what nordic skiing and snowshoeing is all about; fun, family, and fitness! THANKS to ALL the Race Volunteers and Staff for keeping this
vital economic driver of Northern New Mexico a huge success…may my own 6 year-old daughter grow up racing this event and feel at least a fraction of the love and beauty
inherent to anyone participating in this great venue! I strongly encourage all winter warriors and fitness families to attend next year’s event!
Head bowed,
Winter Spirit vowed,
your former King of the Mountain and lifelong fan,
coach steve ilg
Durango, Colorado
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!