Every once in a while I’ll do something completely random at last minute notice. Three years ago I booked a ticket to Paris for 5 days, 24 hours before we left. Last summer I went to Jamaica for a month on 2 weeks notice. This past March on 24 hours notice, I went to Maui for Perry Marshall’s exclusive internet marketing seminar. I LOVE these trips and for some strange reason, they keep happening…
Last night I got a call from my good friend Jesse Oxford. I’ve known Jesse for almost 10 years and he’s creative genius and amazing videographer. He’s involved with some very cool organizations all over the globe and has been a part of creating some extraordinary work. If you want to travel the world and do rich media work, Jesse’s a heck of an example to follow.
Jesse’s latest involvement is with the Race Across America (RAAM). RAAM has been happening annually since 1982 and according to the site: “The Race Across America is one of the most respected and longest running annual endurance events holding legendary stature the world over. It is one of the pinnacles of sporting accomplishment, globally seen as the highest rung of the endurance sports ladder.”
Now that’s all well and good and I’m all for tradition, but what really got my attention was this little snippet from the FAQ:
The Race Across America is almost 50% longer than the Tour de France. Solo racers will finish in about 10 days, which is half the time of the Tour de France, and will have no rest days.
Whaaaa? Okay, NOW we’re talking. Putting things in perspective these guys are pretty BA.
They’ve actually already started the race and are passing through Kansas right now and getting close to Missouri. The race is getting intense, and the crews don’t get to sleep much so Jesse asked me to help him film out. I’m going to be meeting him in St. Louis, Missouri and driving with them to Annapolis, Maryland. I am pumped.
Now, unfortunately I’m not actually going to be racing (actually considering my lack of training, that’s probably a good thing), BUT I’m still incredibly excited for this opportunity for two reasons:
- I have the honor to work with Jesse, one of the most creative people I know.
- I get to be a part of such a huge cycling event and diving into the world of cycling in an amazing fashion.
Yea, sure I’ve done cycling classes before at the gym, but I’m still looking for a decent bike to invest in and haven’t even done any rides outside yet. This is going to be a heck of an experience jumping into the sport and seeing first hand how everything goes down.
The team I’ll be helping film is team Durham Cares from, you guessed it, Durham, NC. In their words, they’re riding to “call attention to our great city and its great charities for volunteering and investing.” While I’ve never actually been to Durham before and can’t vouch for it’s greatness, their overall mission of “calling attention to it’s great charities” is something I can get behind. The fact that they’re in 5th place as I’m writing this, doesn’t hurt either :).
I haven’t even left for St. Louis yet and I’m already inspired by these guys by watching some of their videos. Here’s one of the promo videos that just gives an overview of what this is all about.
The team left Oceanside, California on Saturday, June 12th and they’re scheduled to ride into Annapolis, Maryland sometime Saturday, June 19th and I’ll be flying back to Indy on Sunday so I’ll be gone 4-5 days. Honestly, I have absolutely no idea what this is going to mean for my workout or blogging schedule as I think we’ll be on the road almost constantly. In fact, I actually don’t have much of a clue as to much of anything. However, the last two times I did a trip on 1 day notice, I ended up going homeless in paris (one of the best experiences I’ve ever had) and going to Maui for 10 days, so I have high hopes. While I’m going to try to workout and blog on the road, whatever I miss for these 4-5 days in terms of blogging and workout I’m going to get back in stories, inspiration and sheer knowledge of the sport.
I find that spontaneous trips are usually the best kind. I never regret them. Combine that with an good cause, and an epic race, I fully expect to come back with some awesome stories to tell and a few profiles of amazing people doing some pretty impossible things.
I cannot wait. =)
– JR
*****
I’d love for you to keep up on the race if you’re interested. As always, you can check up with me on twitter [@joelrunyon]. You can also follow Jesse [@joxford] for some of the newest videos and Durham Cares [@durhamcares] for race updates.
You can also check out the DurhamCares team page on RAAM & the YouTube Channel for daily video recaps. If you’d like to learn how you can donate to the various causes that DurhamCares is raising support for you can find out more here.
[Photo Credit]
Anshul Gupta says
That might have been an hack of an experience. Certainly encouraging many souls…. Nice post.
Joel Runyon says
Thanks Anshul! I just landed in St. Louis and I’m certainly excited to see how everything plays out!
roe says
Longer than the Tour De France?! Respect.
Oh and: “I find that spontaneous trips are usually the best kind. I never regret them.”
I like that. Truer words were never spoken.
Joel Runyon says
I know, it’s pretty hardcore!
Spontaneous trips rule =) Speaking of which, when’s your next one?