Wish me Luck?

live tracking Late tonight, I'm taking a redeye to Miami before the even longer flight down to São Paulo. There will be plenty of time to sit and think, which is exactly what I need to prepare for 135 miles in the mountains of Brazil (that and sleep) I don't feel ready, although I don't know how you feel ready for this, unless you've got Shackletononian experience (amazing new word - you read it here first ;)

We've got 48hours to complete the course that winds throughout the hills and mountains along part of the Caminho da Fé, a pilgrimage route in the Mantiqueiras. There's over 30,000ft of climbing and that is scary. I have no clue (!) what that looks like. Over the past few months I've been seeking out hilly, off-road training rides and I have yet to come close to a ride that averages anything like this Ultra Marathon's terrain.

However, it is scary in a good way. This is a challenge and for all the grandiosity associated with such epic events, it is for sport. I'm going for the experience, to see what I've got, to see Brazil, to meet Mario Lacerda (the race director who's agreed to have me =), and to live a little!

You can track the race on this live map - I will be some sort of blip with bib # 1009 Race start is on the 18th-20th of January and starts at 7am (South American East Coast Standard Time, is what they call it - maybe)

http://www.ftrx.com.br/corredores/index.php

Walter Reed Visit

Molly Shen from KOMO news did a story about my visit to veteran friend Dan Berschinski and other wounded soldiers at Walter Reed - it was an amazing experience and an eye opener. We are awfully isolated over here, especially tucked way up in the Pacific NW - much of that is a blessing and much of that is thanks to many generations of veterans and active duty service members. I was thrilled to be able to help in any little way and believe we all can and should do more.

Golf to benefit the CAF

Welcome to the 1st Annual AJK Classic
to be held on the 25th August 2012 We are very excited to announce a great day filled with Golf, Friends, Food, Drinks and an Auction to benefit a wonderful Foundation, the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

This is a Foundation that I am extremely passionate about and greatly respects what they set out to accomplish.

I am where I am today because of all the support I've received and now, with your help, I’d like to “give back” and "play it forward."

To register or contact us regarding Sponsorship Packages please follow the link: AJK Classic To Donate please follow the link: Donate to the AJK Classic A word about the CAF:

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) was founded in 1997 by a group of triathletes who were attempting to raise money to buy racing equipment for their friend, Jim MacLaren, who was one of the best amputee triathletes before he was tragically struck by a car while competing in a triathlon and paralyzed. Since that time, CAF has grown into the preeminent resource for support and equipment for para-athletes across the United States and beyond. In addition to fundraising through charity events like the AJK classic, CAF also raises money and awareness through events that encourage participation, including their San Francisco to San Diego bike ride or the San Diego Triathlon Challenge.

Like thousands of other athletes, CAF has greatly impacted my life and made it possible for me to compete in triathlons around the world. In 2011, I qualified for Nationals and the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. I had only recently started racing in triathlons and at the time, I was using an older handcycle that did not meet the required regulations. Without a new handcycle, I was told I would not be able to compete in the World Championships. While I was ecstatic to have qualified for the World Championships so early in my racing career, I was devastated by the possibility that the cost of regulation equipment would prevent me from participating in the race. Through its grant program, however, CAF stepped in and purchased a regulation handcycle for me - allowing me to compete at Kona and finish 2nd in my division. Today, I continue to race with the handcycle given to me by the CAF.

There are countless other stories like mine, where CAF has provided support and equipment and given competitors like me the opportunity to compete. This is what makes CAF such a special organization

I support the CAF and hope that you will help me raise money so that they can continue to step in and give athletes the chance to compete and reach their goals

Thank you,

Andre Kajlich

Outside Television – Profile

Outside Magazine

From the January 2012 issue of Outside Magazine

Andre Kajlich