Day 1: 211 d, 15 h, 45 min to RAW 2019.

​Today was the day I internally committed to attempting the RAW 2019. 931 miles, 47,660 feet of climbing, four states, two time zones, all in 3 days.
As I told someone before Hoodoo 300... "If it did not seem like too much, it would not be what it is."
After a few weeks of socializing the idea around, and a week of testing the interests of family, friends and teammates to crew, I decided, I'm in. Today is Day One of the journey--not so much a new journey, but part of a continuing one with a new destination along the way. 
I anticipate RAW 2019 will be lots of different things, but mostly I expect an awesome (212+3.5) days of learning more about myself and the limits of what I can achieve, climaxing in the three day crossing of four states.
A bit ironically, yesterday's long ride turned into 4 1/2 strong hours, followed by a 30 min bonk... I only ate 600 calories or so over 5 hours, compared to the 2000 or so I knew I needed. Today's 1.5 hour ride was one that left me wondering I times how in the world I would ride 931. There are still lessons to learn, and relearn.
Lots new to learn over the next 212 days... how to adapt and prepare for a continuous multi-day event through two, or perhaps three sleep cycles. How to train my body nutritionally to utilize more fat. How muster a crew, prepare the logistics, solicit sponsors. How to be physically and mentally prepared to make the team proud as they work as hard as I do for 70 h or so across some truly epic scenery.
Part of the story will be sharing the story. When I was still considering RAW (and maybe someday RAAM), I was googling "Wide World of Sports RAAM". Recall that seeing the early RAAMs in the early 1980s on Wide World planted a seed, that I would later discover. I also found several stories from athletes they had shared similarly recounting the same story. Seeing those stories reinforced my commitment.
Perhaps this FB page, and my blog will just serve to help me discover and refine my thoughts and perspective. Perhaps it will lend some encouragement to someone else on the verger of attempting something beyond what they think is possible now. I hope it will help my friends, family, teammates, and supporters follow and share my journey.
Day 1: 211 d, 15 h, 45 min to RAW 2019.