Wholistic Fitness

MT. TAYLOR FIELD REPORT #3
filed by Ananda

Well, I’m exhausted.
And, I didn’t even race!
It’s been really inspiring to be around a community of ultra fit athletes. Some were scared of their own potential, some were nervous about what the Sacred Mountain would draw from within them. And others, were just downright incredible. I recall the Men’s Overall Third Place Winner at the Race Award Banquet. He had blitzed the 75 kilometer, 4 sport event in under 4 hours. He sprinted and jumped onto the stage to receive his medal. Personally, my knees were swollen in empathy for the hundreds of athletes that were NOT jumping and leaping about that night.

Here is a photo of Team Mountain Yogi the night before their race. Left to right is our half-Siberian Husky WF Teacher Joseph “Haku” Sheader who would soon link up consecutive 5 minute miles through rain, muck, and snow to bring our team into podium potential. Center is our Coach, who exemplifies the grace and strength of the Turquoise Mountain herself. Starting his first of four legs, Coach would pass 2 other racers in white-out, blizzard conditions and bring our team into third place. On the right is Richard “Gram Man” Verderame, our cyclist. Richard held onto the lead pack up the brutal climb to get Team Mountain Yogi into the top ten. On his anchor leg (following a rather hilarious, unplanned race ‘tactic’), Richard bore into a howling headwind to keep our Team on the podium. Team Mountain Yogi were the Men’s 40-49 Champions and 3rd Place Overall.

Each of our brave Warriors will give their own account of their race in an upcoming DL.

For now, Coach and i are taking a little R&R (which in Coach’s world consists of skiing, training, exploring Mother Nature). Since online time and access is limited Coach is only addressing his private Online Students until we return to LA.

I would like to thank you on behalf of Team Mountain Yogi, i bow in gratitude for all the warm wishes and chi prayers that helped fuel our team to the winner’s circle.

Our Sangha is truly a powerful Force.

May the Force be with you.

{Coach, in full mountain yogi ‘armour’. 6:30 am; Race Day…heading onto the shuttle and into the blizzard. Doesn’t he look so cute in his little yellow booties?!}

�opening photo at Meteor Crater, Arizona. The world’s best preserved impact crater.�