A second showing of the Unbreakable has been scheduled for Friday, Feb 10. Everything is the same as the previous night.

This is the film of the 2010 Western States 100. It is the only ultrarunning film made with high production values, from cinema-photography to editing, is feature-length (1:45), and follows four contenders as they prepare for the event, then shows the race itself up close and personal from a racers perspective, which turned out to be the most competitive 100 miler ever.

The film will be presented at the Dairy Center for the Arts – a wonderful venue that will enable us to enjoy a full evening of entertainment. The theater seats 250, and comes with a large foyer/art gallery for socializing, and where they sell wine, beer, and snacks.

Best of all, three of the main characters in the film will be participating in an interactive discussion with you – Geoff Roes, Anton Krupicka, and Nick Clark.

Finally, Running Times Magazine is organizing a major schwag-fest – this will be a raffle worth holding on to your ticket for.

The event is a fundraiser for the Boulder Outdoor Coailtion, which promotes stewardship, access, and appreciation of Boulder County’s public land.

Buy Tickets:
http://thedairy.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?lid=63662

Ticket Pricing:
Ticket price is $12 (Dairy Center gets $2 of that)
Buying online is $2.05 fee = $14.05.
If you call the Dairy Center Box Office (to p/u will-call night of show) or go there in person (ticket issued immediately), you would pay the $12 (no fee). Box Office open 1-5 M-F, 303.444.7328.

The Dairy Center for the Arts is a very cool venue:
They are a good non-profit, worth supporting They sell wine and beer (local micro’s on tap!) They even allow same to be taken into the theater

Details:
Doors open at 6:00 pm, Film starts at 6:30 pm
Seating is GA, so don’t arrive at 6:30
There will be an intermission, raffle, and discussion, so the evening should be wrapping up around 9:30 pm
There is a semi-hidden car parking lot in the rear, and bike racks out front
The movie is good, but the party may be better … look forward to seeing you!

About Western States Endurance Run

Film Website: http://www.ws100film.com

(Description From Wikipedia) The Western States Endurance Run, known commonly as the Western States 100, is a 100-mile long (161 km) ultramarathon that takes place on trails in California’s Sierra Nevada annually, on the last weekend of June. The race starts at the base of the Squaw Valley ski resort and finishes at the Placer High School track in Auburn, California. Runners climb a cumulative total of 18000 feet (5500 m) and descend a total of 23000 feet (7000 m) on mountain trails before reaching the finish. Because of the length of the race, the race begins at 5:00 A.M. and continues through the day and into the night. Runners finishing before the 30 hour overall time limit for the race receive a bronze belt buckle, while runners finishing in under 24 hours receive a silver belt buckle.

The book Running with the Buffaloes which chronicles the 1998 CU Cross Country team lead by Adam Goucher is under consideration of being banned in a middle school in Virginia. Its started when a 14 year old avid reader picked up the book from the library. His mom was glancing through it and found some curse words then called the school furious looking for answers. Here is the video.

The book has become a cult classic among high school, college runners and running fans alike. As author Chris Lear follows the team around during the tumultuous 1998 season on their quest for the national Cross Country title, he journals the conversations they have which at times are brash and juvenile yes, but remember this is who they are, young confident college students.

Of particular interest to running fans are the trails they run including the Buff Ranch, the Grange and the fabled Magnolia Road which runners from all around have added to their bucket list.

The controversy has sparked many discussions throughout Facebook and the internets. Teammate Steve Slattery commented on twitter: “People want to ban running with the buffaloes because of my #jersey language. In the age of #jerzyshore you think they would be cool”

Adam Goucher on his blog Run the Edge felt compelled to say,

I know I am partly to blame for the language used in Running With the Buffaloes but that is how we talked. Chris wanted the book to be authentic so he took down our words verbatim. In that sense the book is honest and does a great job of portraying real people on a real team going through a real season. He did not water it down to make it appropriate for all ages.

Tim Catalano, also a CU teammate and Adam’s best friend in college added this:

I taught and coached in high schools for eleven years after I graduated from CU. I am not sure if I ever walked into a middle school bathroom where I did not see graphic illustrations of genitalia on the walls along with language that would have made the characters in Running With the Buffaloes blush. I did not use foul language as a coach because I knew I was supposed to set a standard of intellectual maturity. I was not always mature, but I did uphold those standards fairly well.

A library is the same thing. It sets a standard by what it carries on its shelves. Not carrying books such as these will not prevent kids from cursing. Just as not carrying books about violence and sex will not stop fights and teen pregnancies.

But both Adam and Tim added that Middle school libraries probably aught not to carry the book. “If young runners want to read it, they can find it on amazon, the community library, or at the bookstore.”

And finally author Chris Lear stated:

They (the readers) may surmise after reading it that running can provide an avenue by which they will gain a sense of fulfillment and a sense of self. They may even learn that this melting pot of folks on the team may become like kin should – through shared effort and sacrifice – they commit to chasing some big goals.

There are worse takeaways to be found all around in media accessible to middle schoolers everywhere.

Are there some f-bombs along the way? You bet. Try training like those men trained, and you’ll find it’s not all unicorns, butterflies and cotton candy.

—

–

Personally, as a father of a middle schooler, I am surprised that this mother didn’t take the time to talk to her obviously smart and well-read child about the context of these words within the story. The book doesn’t contain sex or drugs and is an honest chronicle about hard work, friendship, teamwork, and the twists that life can throw at you. This mother was quoted as saying “I know they hear it. I know they probably say some of them. It’s the age. They think it’s cool. But why should it be put under their noses in a book in the school library to read?” I think what she is forgetting is that her child had a choice to check out the book, and he has a choice not to read it.

Who knows, maybe this boy will connect in some way with the story and take up running himself. Now wouldn’t that be something?

Here is a short list of my favorite things in 2011. Things that made me happy, kept me healthy and that challenged me personally and as a runner. There is also a theme through these products, they are all from people who are highly passionate about running and sports!

Agloves Touchscreen Comfort

I fell in love with my Agloves the second I put them on. They have been the perfect cold weather companion while running and even when walking to work. The silver nylon thread conducts the bio electricity from your whole hand so that you can easily use any touch screen device.

Agloves are great for cold weather running!

New this season is the Agloves Sport. Designed to keep you warmer on active days, the snug-fitted cuff seals the wind out, while the 15% silver-nylon traps heat in. Also check out the stylish Bamboo variety. Order online and they will even gift wrap it for you! Tell them I sent you :)

Agloves.com   @theagloves

Membership to All Sports Recovery Club

For the cost of just one massage or a PT session, you can have unlimited access to top of the line recovery tools like the Nortec MVP compression boots, self administered cold-lasers and ultrasound, free massage sessions and a bevy of other tools to keep you running healthy. Also on hand are experts in massage, MRT, Chiropractic and eastern medicine to get to the root of what ails you. I’ve been a particular fan of the inversion board lately and sipping a warm mocha while sitting in the compression boots.

AllSportsRecovery.com    @AllSportsRec

Run on the Moon: Alter-G

The new Alter G treadmill at High Altitude Spine and Sport

You may have heard of many elite runners such as Dathan Ritzenhein and Kara Goucher running on the Alter-G treadmill when they are injured or safely looking to increase their mileage. Now there is one available to the public at High Altitude Spine and Sport where they also specialize in treatment & rehab for sports injuries using ART/Graston/Kinesiotape. The pressurized chamber around the treadmill effectively reduces the effects of gravity, safely allowing you to run with less impact to manage your injuries. The less body weight the more it resembles running on the moon allowing you to focus on form and leg speed without worrying about impact.
Buy a punch card of 10 or more sessions, you can even try it out for 15 mins for free.

HighAltitudesportsrehab.com  @drRichardHansen

Convert to Skirt

Since its inception 5 years ago, Skirt Sports has been inspiring and empowering women to get out and run, support each other, all while having fun and looking good. With such great programs as Kick it Forward and their fun Skirt Chaser 5k race, its easy to support such a great company.

SkirtSports.com  @skirtsports

Check out the Marathon Girl Ultra a lightweight medium length skirt that will have you running faster while looking good.

Running the Edge

Former CU Buff superstar Adam Goucher and teammate Tim Catallano teamed up again to write a different kind of book about running. The book reveals key characteristics of what it takes to be a successful runner and how to carry that success in to all aspects of our lives. Adam and Tim have filled the pages with honest insights and fun stories from their own experiences as well as great quotes from other high level athletes. You too can become a running Maven!

RuntheEdge.com    @RuntheEdge

Discover the Secrets to Better Running and a Better Life

Building a Better Runner DVDs

Want to become a stronger, more efficient, faster runner? Of course you do! These DVDs detail out multiple exercise routines to help you gain strength and symmetry, while decreasing the chance of injury. Each DVD is also a DVD-ROM and contains both iPod/iPad/iPhone compatible videos as well as Windows Media compatible files. They also include PDFs of each routine, with sequential photos of all of the exercises which you can print out and take with you anywhere.

Co-developed by Coach Mike Smith and Coach Jay Johnson, also a former CU Buffs harrier. Coach Jay also does the tip of the week NikeRunning.com and has great content on his blog at CoachJayJohnson.com

RunningDVDs.com  @RunningDVDs

Building a Better Runner DVD

The Feed Zone Cookbook: Fast and Flavorful Food for Athletes

Boulder residents Dr. Allen Lim and chef Biju Thomas have worked with some of cycling’s most elite teams and athletes including Lance Armstrong, Levi Lephiemer and Team Radio Shack. While noticing that athletes had been under-performing on bland fare and processed bars and gels, they looked to make eating delicious and practical.

The Feed Zone Cookbook includes

• 150 delicious recipes illustrated with full-color photographs
• Allen Lim’s take on the science and practice of food
• Portable whole foods, including Lim’s famous rice cakes and more
• Dozens of quick-prep meals for before and after workouts
• Shortcuts, substitutions, and techniques to save time in the kitchen
• Gluten-free and vegetarian alternatives to favorite dishes

Find exclusive content and sample recipes at FeedZoneCookbook.com or order online at Velopress.Competitor.com

Good Quick Food for Athletes

Breeze Bars
Breeze Bars are a healthy, tasty alternative to heavy energy bars. Gluten, Wheat and Dairy Free. Made by local cyclist Breeze Brown, she knows first hand what athletes need.
BreezeBars.com   @BreezeBars

Mix 1
All natural protein shakes made yummy right here in Boulder.
mix1life.com  @Mix1

Whole Foods Boulder
The defacto place to go for a quick healthy bite to eat after a hard workout. You just can’t beat the variety of healthy whole foods and people watching.
@WFMBoulder

Honey Stinger
From our friends up in Steamboat, CO. Delicious protein bars, energy chews and Organic Waffle Stingers!
HoneyStinger.com  @honeystinger

Picky Bars
Although not from Colorado, they are created by elite runners Lauren Fleshman and Steph Rothstein and are Gluten & Dairy Free, All Natural, AMAZING Tasting Energy Bars. Hey, how can you not love that?
PickyBars.com  @PickyBars

What are some of your favorite things that you can’t live without or are looking forward to getting?

Professional athletes have access to a handful of specialists to keep them on their ‘A’ game. A team of massage therapists, coaches, chiropractors, recovery tools and services, gait analysis, blood lactate testing, and nutritionists.

But what does the aspiring endurance athlete or the dedicated weekend warrior who is dedicated to training at a high level?

More and more of these Olympic and elite level services are now becoming available to those of us who are just looking to be the best we can be.

Opened this summer was the All Sport Recovery Club where for a low monthly fee ($59.99) athletes have access to Olympic level recovery tools like the Normatec MVP Compression Boots used by Team Garmin-Cervelo, foam rollers and self massage tools, cold laser and ultrasound treatments, an ice bath, free 15min massage sessions 5x a week. Other services such as massage, chiropractic, graston treatments and level 4 ultrasound are also offered for a lower than your insurance premium price. They even offer a large selection of Mix 1, Honey Milk, or coffee and tea while you recover. And don’t forget the free WiFi.

Stop by to check them out. Your first session is free and they will give you a full tour of the facilities.

High Altitude Spine and Sport just recently added an Alter-G treadmill to their clinic, the first one open to the public in Boulder/Denver metro area. Because the AlterG® uses differential air pressure chambers to precisely lift the user from 100% to as little as 20% of the user’s calibrated body weight, it has become a favorite alternate training method among elite athletes which allows them to safely return to full weight-bearing running after or during an injury.

“The ability to train safely, rehab quickly, and recover faster utilizing this unit is a nice luxury to have, especially with the winter weather fast approaching.” states Dr. Richard Hansen, DC CSCS  on his website. Dr Hansen is also a cross country coach at XC Coach @PeaktoPeak High School.

The new Alter G treadmill at High Altitude Spine and Sport

Other benefits for endurance athletes include:

• Improved aerobic conditioning while reducing ground reaction forces
• Safer adaptation to increased mileage (eg. marathon training) and transitioning to minimalist running
• Overspeed training (run faster longer) and hill intervals (0-15% incline)
• Interval Training in a controlled setting

The price starts at $1 per minute, but deeper discounts are available in Punch Cards and memberships. For example, purchasing a block of 360 minutes (6 hours) saves you $90. You can even try it for yourself for free for 15 minutes.

Dr. Hansen’s services also include Chiropractic, ART, Kenisio Taping, Graston treatments, Functional Assessment keep you running healthy and strong.

Book appointments online at http://highaltitudesportsrehab.com/alter-g/ or call them at 303-442-0355 or email Dr. Hansen at r.t.hansen@gmail.com to inquire about testing out the Alter-G or additional questions.

Other high level services

Boulder Center for Sports Medicine

One of the top sports medicine facilities in the country. Athletes travel from all over the country for their services.

• Gait Analysis
• Bike fitting
• Blood Lactate and VO2 Max testing
• Alter-G Treadmill *coming soon

http://www.bouldersportsmedicine.org

Hudson Training Systems

Brad Hudson is a world-renowned coach for athletes ranging from mid-distance events through the marathon. Individual coaching from Brad, James Carney and Tyler McCandless is handled online and in person if you live in the Denver/Boulder area.
http://hudsontrainingsystems.com

Fuel4mance

Led by Bob Seebohar, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS who has worked with many Olympic and elite endurance athletes, he helps athletes Burn more fat and conserve precious carbohydrate stores while reducing the likelihood of gastrointestinal (GI) distress in training and racing which he calls Metabolic Efficiency Training.

Fuel4mance offers both Metabolic Efficiency Assessment and Lactate Threshold Testing.
http://www.fuel4mance.com

Written by Pablo Vigil

Myrskyla, or place of storms; is a beautiful, small Finnish village, with scattered patches of rolling woods, roads, trails, barley, rye, wheat fields, some rock outcrops. Verdant, pastoral beauty is everywhere, along with many species of mushrooms and edible berries. A beautiful white, wooden church is centrally located, with a small cemetery and a big, beautiful lake behind it. Small farms and some small family businesses are there: Viren Trucking, Safu Fish Company, as well as, a famous red granite quarry. Typical fauna includes moose, rabbits, deer, small birds and on rare occasions, a bear/karhu, or perhaps a wolf/susi. In essence, a setting analogous to what the American poet, Robert Frost, or the Finnish writer, Aleksis Kivi captured in their writings. Aleksis Kivi’s famous book, Seven Brothers, could well have taken place in Myrskyla.

Old, beautiful church in central Myrskyla.

On August 25, 2011, I had the grand honor of visiting Myrskyla for the first time. This small village is approximately 1 hour northeast of Helsinki, capital of Finland, and is home to about 2,000 inhabitants. This summer also happened to be Myrskyla’s 375th anniversary.

Vicariously, I had been to Myrskyla several times since first reading and hearing about it after the 1972 summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. Since then, I no longer thought of Myrskyla, as a place of storms, but rather, Myrskyla, the perfect storm: Lasse Viren!

This serendipitous, “chance in a life time” meeting, was due to an old Finnish running friend, Henrik Sandstrom, former mayor of his municipality, Siuntio, and former international runner. For the past years Henrik has worked as managing director of a recreation area organization in the Helsinki region.

The purpose of the visit was a business meeting with 2 special people. The first was the mayor of Myrskyla, Jouko Asuja, a tall, slim, kind man with a warm smile, bushy eyebrows, and glasses. He also has the physique of a long distance runner, but “attributes it all to genetics.” The 2nd was Myrskyla’s “favorite son”: Lasse Viren, 4 time Olympic gold medalist. His Tour de Force: 5K and 10K gold in Munich in 1972, and again in Montreal in 1976…Surreal!!!

The main topic on the agenda was to discuss the possibility of collaboration between Myrskyla and the recreation area organization. The meeting was to take place in the mayor’s office around noon, but Lasse was running late, no pun intended.

I admit, I was nervous meeting Lasse after having first met him back in 1977 in Boulder, Colorado. At that time, I trained with Olympian Frank Shorter, winner of the gold and silver in the marathon at those same summer Olympics in Munich and Montreal.

Regarding Lasse’s visit to Boulder, Colorado in 1977: Finnish long distance runners in Colorado have a deeply rooted tradition, going back to the 1960s. The first migration of Finnish running stars arrived in Alamosa, Colorado in 1967 to run for Adams State College, under the coaching guidance of Dr. Joe I. Vigil/Chef des Chefs/Coach of Coaches. These early runners included Juha Vaatainen and 2 other Finns. Years later, the Finnish migration would continue; for example: Martti Vainio, Jurgen Salo, Sinikka Keskitalo, Hakan Spik, Jari Nurmista, Tuija Toivonen, Arto Bryggare, Ari Paunonen, Harri Hanninen, Henrik Sandstrom, Tommy Ekblom, Sari Essayah, Valentin Konenen. Recently, Lasse Viren’s son also trained in Alamosa.

Historically, Finnish runners have been big proponents of high altitude/high mileage training. Alamosa’s 7,543 feet/2,299 meters, infinite sunny days, dirt roads, great facilities, and great support by the community and Adams State College, have attracted Finnish runners for years. Equally, countless of other runners from all over the world and the USA have trickled to Alamosa. Runners such as Gelindo Bordin and Stefano Baldini, both Olympic marathon winners, as well as Buddy Edelen, Juma Ikangaa, Laura Fogli, Jeff Turningheart, Greg Meyer, Chuck Smead, Jim Ryan, John Esquibel, Tony Niemczak, Rick Roybal, Pat Porter, Deena Drossin?Kastor, myself included, have trained here. Alamosa, Colorado has really been an international/national revolving door of phenomenal running and athletic talent…and continues to the present.

Meanwhile, the minutes ticked away in Mayor Asuja’s office as we waited for Lasse. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a loud noise coming from what sounded like a large vehicle just outside the window. Lasse had finally arrived, having driven a large cargo truck, the kind used to haul really heavy rocks, lumber, maybe even elephants. Minutes later there was a soft knock at the door and in walked Lasse. I introduced myself and told him about first meeting him in Boulder, Colorado in 1977.

Lasse after pulling up in his transporation

The meeting started and before long, the only thing I could focus on was how beautiful and soft Finnish sounded as opposed to other languages I was familiar with. During most of the 20 minute meeting, I sat politely, as quiet as a mouse, not knowing, nor understanding a single Finnish word. Obviously, no Finnish bad words were spoken, since I would have definitely recognized them. After the meeting, I humbly confessed to Lasse and Mayor Asuja that I neither spoke nor understood Finnish, with the exception of 5 popular bad words. After saying this, it suddenly occurred to me that they might ask me to elaborate on the 5 Finnish bad words and to ask how I had come to learn them. Luckily, they didn’t ask, but out of the corner of my eye I noticed that my friend, Henrik, had turned beet red and looked embarrassed. He was one of the culprits for my bad Finnish vocabulary!! After confessing my ignorance of the Finnish language, Lasse quickly pacified me by looking at me with a twinkle in his eyes and a half smile saying, “Finnish is very easy, even the very small children speak it!” I admit I did feel better after this, especially since this comforting comment came from Lasse Viren himself.

Left to right: Lasse Viren, Author Pablo Vigil and Mayor Asuja

After the meeting, we walked from the mayor’s office to a local restaurant to eat lunch. As we walked along, I kept thinking of what an amazing and surreal experience this was, how blessed I was to be walking in Myrskyla with great company and Lasse Viren, and just across the road was a statue of him.

“Sisu” allegory, Myrskyla, Finland

*Sisu is a Finnish term analogous to “guts”, bravado, perseverance, tenacity, “will to win”, etc…in essence, the “Finnish spirit”.

The day had started off cloudy and overcast and now the sun was shining brightly on Myrskyla.

While walking to the restaurant, during our lunch, and while walking back from our lunch, I noticed that not a single person took a second look at Lasse, or even really acknowledged him. I seemed to be more of a curiosity than Lasse. This incident seemed very surprising to me, maybe even odd.

The Finnish lunch turned out to be a typical one: great salad with beets, lettuce, choice of dressings, real mashed potatoes, a thick gravy/broth with big chunks of real chicken and cooked vegetables, choice of rye white, wheat bread, real butter. Really a wholesome, nutritious meal, typical of Finnish cuisine! Lasse also had extra butter and two glasses of milk. I drank some kind of burgundy-colored, semi-bitter, berry juice, but tasty. During our lunch we talked about different topics, but nothing really having to do with running and training. Better yet, we talked about our children, wild animals in the area, grandchildren, Lasse’s problems with his kitchen floor, the roof at his family’s trucking business, his phone. He spoke of his childhood in Myrskyla, driving a semi?truck…etc.

I confess, I did ask Lasse one running question: Did he currently run for fitness? He confessed that he had run maybe 5 times in the last 2 years. This was hard to believe. He looked amazingly fit: the same lean, small torso, extra long, lean legs and arms, same small, slender shoulders, long fingers, big feet. His once long flowing, sandybrown hair was now very short and salt and pepper colored. His once Quaker?style, sandy?brown beard was gone, replaced by a full, salt and pepper, short beard, glasses covering his sky?blue eyes. He wore a pair of worn white Asics training shoes, semi dress black pants, a short sleeved, navy blue, worn “Bolder Boulder 10k” shirt with a collar. In other words, despite his alleged lack of training and appearance, I’m convinced that he could still do some serious butt kicking…and I wasn’t about to challenge him!!!!

Lasse, still looking great years later!

After lunch we had coffee, which is typical of many European countries. The Finnish coffee is notoriously strong, compared to most wimpy, American coffee. Per capita, Finland consumes more coffee than any other nation in the world. Furthermore, Finnish coffee has been known to wake up the dead and kill the living…man, woman, or karhu!!!!

We then got in Mayor Asuja’s car and started off to see a beautiful trail and area on top of a small hill just outside of town. On the way out, Lasse pointed out the house where he grew up. I asked if we could stop for a quick photo. I quickly jumped out of the car and snapped a picture, only to have an older man come after me shouting “What are you doing here?”. It turned out to be Lasse’s older brother, who also happened to be a retired policeman! Oh, great!! The possibility of being thrown in jail in Myrskyla for trespassing quickly flashed through my brain. Luckily, Lasse called out the car window to his brother. I then quickly shook Lasses’ brother’s hand and took his picture. Also, next door to Lasse’s childhood home was an old, red, quaint log home, which Lasse told me was where his grandfather used to live and at one time had a berry?juice business. Naturally, I had to have a picture of Lasse’s grandfather’s home. What a rare, prized moment!

After this exciting ordeal, we zipped off to a nearby beautiful wooded area on top of a small hill with a winding, beautiful trail: Lassen polku/Lasse’s trail. This great trail curves around the rim of a small hill and wooded area full of tall, slim pine trees, lots of wild mushrooms, and delicious blueberries, which Lasse and I couldn’t stop eating. I think I got the best of him by eating the most blueberries. This trail also winds around for about 3.5 kilometers over soft, sandy ground covered with mossy, forest vegetation, with some slightly rocky areas. All in all, Lassen polku is the kind of trail that most runners and hikers drool over, or dream about. Along the edge of the rim is also another trail, that branches down about 80 meters over 800 meters in length. Lasse trained here countless times, so he knew this area like a wild karhu. On another side of the trail rim beautiful cliffs appeared. Meanwhile, the sun shone like wild honey as we walked along stopping sporadically to eat wild blueberries. Along the way, Lasse also pointed out vestiges of an old, 300 meter track, now overgrown with forest vegetation and once used by Finnish soldiers during WWII to maintain fitness.

Lasse at Lassen polku/Lasse’s Trail…still looking like a “lean and mean running machine”.

Finland, fitness/running, are synonymous and nothing new. Per capita, Finland has produced some of the greatest distance runners ever: Wille Ritola, Paavo Nurmi, Juha Vaatainen, Martii Vainio, Hannes Kolehmainen, Pekka Vasala, Tapio Kantanen, Kaarlo Maaninka, are just a few. As we continued to walk along, Lasse, Mayor Asuja and Henrik stopped periodically to view a detailed forest map of the area. Lasse also told us another interesting story regarding a small plaque and monument in one end of the forest. The gist of the plaque read: This memorial is in gratitude of all the Finnish women and their generous contributions during WWII. During WWII, Finnish women had not only worked as nurses, cooks but also as sentries.

Left to right: Mayor Asuja, Lasse, Henrik Sandstrom at Lassen polku

While at Lassen polku, I asked Lasse if he had encountered any wild life during his training runs in the woods and trails in the area. I was imagining and expecting great stories of wild bears, or wolves, or the possiblility of Lasse fighting off a bear/wolf, then sprinting off to safety. What crazy thoughts, but I felt compelled to asked Lasse these stupid questions. Lasse simply answered that he has only seen bears in zoos. What??? And what about a wolf/susi??? He replied, “I have never seen one and I hope I never see one!!!!” So much for my stupid questions and imagination. I got what I deserved, albeit, disappointing!!

After this, we drove back to Mayor Asuja’s office where he presented both Henrik and me with a beautiful book about Myrskyla. This special book contains copies of old black and white photos taken in the 19th and 20th century, along with recent ones in color. Both Mayor Asuja and Lasse signed our books, plus Lasse autographed several postcards of himself wearing his 4 Olympic gold medals. I then followed Lasse to his monster cargo truck and asked for one last photo. The last photo taken, I thanked him for his generous time and hospitality and… most of all, his inspiration. One thing for sure: next time I visit Myrskyla, I will definitely insist on Lasse showing me how to drive his cargo truck, after all, he assured me that driving a big truck was easier than driving a smaller vehicle. Again, Lasse seems to have a way of making many things look and sound easy…maybe even winning 4 Olympic gold medals??? Furthermore, I think Mayor Asuja and I need to have a meeting ASAP concerning my idea for a name change for Myrskyla: I was thinking of changing Myrskyla to MyrskyLasse….It is only a simple change of 3 extra letters!!!

PS: Special kiitos/thanks to Henrik Sandstrom, Mayor Jouka Asuja, and Lasse Viren for my 1st visit to Myrskyla…home of the perfect storm: Lasse Viren!
Kiitos! Kiitos! Hyva! Hyva!…Sisu!!!!!!!

Denver Chiropractic Center and Dr. Jeff Stripling Presents:

FREE BAREFOOT RUNNING CLINIC

July 13th at 6PM, hosted by Crossfit Conquer

Learn how to run and walk pain-free by trading in your expensive shoes for the ones you were born with — bare feet. Find out how to run barefoot safely and easily, how to transition from standard running shoes, why barefoot running can reverse injuries, and when is the right (and wrong!) time to use minimalist shoes. Whether you’re an experienced barefoot runner, someone who finds the idea of being able to Feel The World intriguing, or someone who just wants a few tips to be able to run faster and easier, you’ll enjoy this experiential hands-on (feet-on?) evening.Speakers include Invisible Shoes founder and elite sprinter, Steven Sashen, who along with Dr. Jeff Stripling will focus on improving running form, preventing injuries, and how to make running more enjoyable.

Crossfit Conquer @ 1137 South Huron, Denver, CO 80223

Any questions? Email us at steven@invisibleshoe.com

BoulderRunning.com announces the NoBo Park Classic Team Challenge.

The Boulder/Denver area no longer has a shortage of running clubs in the area. Whether you are a serious club team, affiliated with a running store, or just a bunch of friends who like to run together, this is your chance to show your colors and possibly walk away with some serious bragging rights.

Read more about the Boulder Classic race.

Creating a Team

Its quite simple. Register for the race. Then come back to this page and sign yourself and your friends up for the team competition using the form below.

• Teams can be made up of all men, all women, or a mix of both (2 men and 1st woman scores).
• Top 3 runners will score and teams can be up to 5 people, but if you have a large organization that would like to register more, you certainly can.**
• Team members can be a part of either the citizens and the elite races. (subject to change)
• Prizes will be awarded for the top teams in Men’s, Women’s and Mixed. The prizes might go deeper than top teams, and we will at least recognize top the Masters.

Winning teams will enjoy a podium finish, awesome product from local companies, a team photo published on Facebook and media websites, a special web badge to add to their own website or blogs, and exclusive bragging rights around town.

All team results will be posted on BoulderRunning.com

Any questions about the Team Challenge can be directed to todd@boulderrunning.com

Group Registration

You don’t have to field a team to register as a group. In fact contact the race director for special pricing for the more participants you bring. Contact Donna Shaw or Matt Hill for details and promotions for your group. northboulderparkclassic@comcast.net

Declare your Team

Remember filling in the form below is not registering participants for the race, just declaring them on a team. You need to make sure each participant is registered as well.

If you need any better excuse than the mild temperatures of June to get on your bike, Boulder and Denver have dedicated the entire month as Walk and Bike Month.

Both cities have offered classes, workshops and free events to walkers, cyclists even runners. The events will culminate with the annual Bike to Work Day on Wednesday, June 22nd.

Cycling to work on that day is really fun as you can visit a variety of breakfast stations along your way to work. Stop by and get everything from coffee, bagels, juice, breakfast burritos to a full breakfast at the many sponsored stops. Some stations even offer quick bike tune ups for you to make sure your ride is safe and smooth.

Check out the breakfast stations in Boulder, and Denver.

I started working again in Denver two years ago and started riding my bike due to serious running injuries. I always enjoyed riding to work when I could when working in Boulder, but Denver posed a bit more of a commitment. I initially followed my friend Kevin’s route who commuted from Boulder to Denver almost every day for two years before selling his company. And after a few times riding the route, staring at the map for other safer roads, I finally came up with what I think was a pretty good option.

On Wednesday, BoulderPage has organized an Epic Bike to Work Day group ride from Boulder to Denver starting at 5:30am at the Chase Bank parking lot on Table Mesa and Broadway. Details are on Facebook.

Cycling is a great way to complete all or part of your commute, but that’s not the only alternate to driving.

One Boulderite has chosen his feet as his transportation means. Nico Brooks, an avid trail runner commutes daily to Denver’s LoDo where he is a partner in a small digital marketing agency TwoOctobers.com.

“So far the other partner has been pretty flexible regarding our dress code.”

According to Nico he commutes via running shoes: “Pretty much every day. I don’t own a car, so I have to mooch a ride if I’m not running.”

“My wife has a car, which we share use of on weekends. I also use carshare.org, which is a great option if I have a meeting I need to get to in the middle of the day.”

He gets in between 5 – 10 miles, depending on the route he chooses in the evening and says he gets about 35-40 commuting miles in per week.

What’s your typical route?
I run about 2.5 miles in the morning from my house in Boulder to the Table Mesa PnR. From there I take the bus to Denver. Sometimes I run the same way back in the evening, or I run across Marshall Mesa and the Bluestem Trail, which is about 7.5 miles. I don’t have a shower at work, so it’s better to keep the morning commute shorter. It’s mostly downhill, so my busmates don’t have to put up with too much stink.

I have the best commute in the whole world! #running Marshall Mesa

Moon rolling down Bear Peak

You listen to books on tape mostly. Any favorites?
I’ve recently been listening to a lot of historical fiction. I like learning stuff, but straight non-fiction can get a little boring on long runs. I just finished Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet, which was fantastic. I’m listening to the Australia Trilogy by Bryce Courtenay right now, which is very good as well. I’m also a big fan of NPR podcasts – Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and This American Life in particular.

What are the benefits for you?
Not having to deal with a car is a huge benefit, both in terms of cost and stress. And I love to run.

As I make my way across the mesa with the Flatirons as a backdrop, I often think to myself that I have the best commute in the world.

Carrying a bunch of stuff to work can be cumbersome, what kind of pack do you wear and what do you take with you?
Right now I’m using a Black Diamond Octane pack, which I’m very happy with. The swiveling hip belt makes it great for running with weight. I carry clothes, a laptop and a water bottle. I’d guess that the weight is around 12-14 lbs, but I haven’t weighed it.

Wednesday June 22nd is Bike to Work Day. Will you stop at any breakfast stations?
If it occurs to me.

Anything else you care to share?
Commuting on foot and bus works for me, but walking, biking and public transportation are all great alternatives to driving. When I talk to people about my commute, they often have some explanation for why they absolutely must drive a car to work. Nine times out of ten I don’t buy it. I’ll grant that cars are a tough habit to kick, but the alternatives are cheaper, less stressful, healthier and better for the environment. I also have to give props to RTD bus drivers – that’s a hard job, and they do it well.

Connect with Nico at http://www.dailymile.com/people/nicobrx & http://twitter.com/nicobrx

Check out the options for June’s Walk and Bike Month at these websites:
http://www3.drcog.org/biketowork
http://communitycycles.org/bike-month.html

Share your stories of Bike to Work day or on alternate ways you take to work.

Running moms deserve some pampering this Mother’s Day. Here are a few ideas from local vendors and active Mom’s to get you started.

Run

Who needs breakfast in bed when you can start off your Mother’s Day with fun for the entire family?! Join in the fun at the 9th Annual Mother’s Day Title 9k+ Race at the Boulder Res, or the Mother’s Day 5k in Wash Park, Denver.

Looking Good

Mom’s should look good and feel good while out on the run. Skirt Sports has just the right mix. Perhaps its just the thing for her to do her own Happy Butt Dance.

Running Skirts and more from Skirt Sports

Moms can travel to and from the race or group run in style with a messenger/mommy bag from oh My Bag which offers ample storage, outside bottle and carry anything pockets, a nylon liner, and a long fixed strap all in a unique style that’s all her own.

Messenger Bag from oh my bag

Recover

Book an hour and a half with her favorite pair of hands, or book an appointment with a Massage services shops which have grown in popularity over the last few years. Usually their hours are very flexible for busy people and they employ many therapists who often specialize in different forms of massage, whether its sports specific, or just to relax and de-stress. A few of those businesses that support the local running community in Boulder are Massage Specialists, Elements, and Life Sports Chiro.

Local athlete and mother Susan Eastman Walton, was looking for a product to combat her aching legs during and after a run. Her answer was the RecoFit compression sleeves. Made of high tech fabric and even fitted to left and right calves, wearing them aids in recovery and is like a mini massage.

RecoFit Compression Sleeves

Give her some quite time

Local Author Dimity McDowell co-wrote the wonderful  Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving – and Not Lose your Famil, Job, or Sanity which offers both inspirational advice and practical strategies to help multitasking women make running part of their busy lives.

Run Like a Mother Book

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If anything, just get out on a walk or hike with Mom on the hundreds of miles of trails in Boulder’s Open Space and enjoy the day and the wildflowers.

What gifts do you have in mind for your favorite running mother?

Biker along the Meadowlark Trail

The Boulder County Transportation and Parks and Open Space departments, along with the Town of Superior, have announced that the Coalton Trailhead and the new Meadowlark Trail at McCaslin Boulevard and Coalton Road are now open.

The Coalton Trailhead, located at the new roundabout intersection of McCaslin and Coalton in Superior, provides access to the Coalton Trail and the new Meadowlark Trail, which runs parallel to McCaslin Boulevard. Map.

Trailhead and parking lot amenities are still under construction, and are due to be completed this spring. A public ribbon-cutting ceremony at the trailhead will take place on Thursday, June 2 at 3 p.m.

Planned amenities for the two-acre area include a shelter with two picnic tables, restrooms, bike racks, trash cans, a dog station, and an information kiosk. The parking lot will accommodate 27 cars, two handicapped spaces and three horse trailers, one with horse hitching rails. The finished trailhead will also have native varieties of trees, shrubs and grasses.

The new 2.7-mile, multi-use Meadowlark Trail extends from the Coalton Trail at its south end to the Mayhoffer-Singletree Trail at the north end. This trail extension completes an approximately 10-mile loop that includes the City of Boulder’s Greenbelt Plateau, and Community Ditch and Cowdrey Draw trails that now connect to the Town of Superior and Boulder County trails. The project area includes the former route of the Morgul-Bismarck Loop of the Coors International Bicycle Classic from the 1980s. This new trail also provides a highly anticipated link to the City of Boulder’s Marshall-Mesa trails, and the county’s Rock Creek and Coal Creek trail systems.

Funding for the improved intersection, trailhead, and multiple phases of the trail system has come from the Boulder County Transportation Improvements sales tax, federal transportation funds distributed through the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ Transportation Improvement Program, and the Town of Superior. Planning was a joint effort of the county’s Transportation and Parks and Open Space departments.

Map

<br /> <a href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29644764″ _mce_href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29644764″>New Dirty Bismarck connector out/back</a><br />

The majority of the land provided for the trailhead and trails is Boulder County Open Space property purchased with Parks and Open Space sales tax funding, with additional parcels provided by Superior.

More photos