I admit: summer is my favorite. Long days and warm sun tempt us runners and cyclists into calling in “sick” for lengthy adventures outside. Plan now to honor the upcoming summer solstice and 4th of July with a couple weekends of racing and celebrating the season!
June 20 - Bend, OR — Cascade Lakes Relay
June 21 - Hillsboro, OR — Helvetia Wine Run 5k
June 21 - Sandpoint, ID — Race the Wolf
July 4 - Eugene, OR — OTC Butte To Butte Presented by Rexius
July 4 - Tahoe City, CA — Run To The Beach Trail Run 5 & 10k
July 4 - Sisters, OR — Red, White and Blue 3miler fun run/walk
July 5 - Ridgefield, WA — Ridgefield's Independence 5k/10k
Hopefully we all got a chance to celebrate Global Running Day last week! Not long ago running was not exactly a widespread activity enjoyed by the masses. It wasn’t until the 1970s that running became popular outside of serious racing. After winning gold at the 1972 Olympic marathon, Frank Shorter brought attention to our sport and invited casual athletes to start running “for the joy, camaraderie, and health of it.”
The Most Influential Runner in History
Health & Human Performance Specialist, writer, and runner, David Lipman, discusses the genesis and implications of our current running boom in this recent Substack post. From “couch to 5K’ to obsessions with longer and longer ultra events, he wonders what is driving us, and if our pursuits are sustainable and healthy: “It is important to consider yourself, your tendencies and more broadly your “why” (in both exercise and life).”
Do you consider yourself an “athlete”? Please do! Even if you don’t like standard competitive races or feel your pace doesn’t deserve athletic recognition, consistent participation in any sport makes you an athlete, “There is plentiful evidence to suggest that adopting an athletic mindset invigorates your motivation, enhances your mood and work ethic, and, therefore, greatly improves your chances of achieving progress…These mental strengths have countless benefits in sport and life.”
The Benefits of Adopting an Athlete Mindset
The Rest Day: Do You Need One?
Rest. You know you need it. Others are always saying you need more of it. What is rest and how much is enough? And do you really need it? There are many different ways to interpret rest.
New Training Theory, High Mileage, Heat Training, and the Effort Paradox
Today we’ve largely discovered the correct balance of endurance and intensity. We now realize that mostly high mileage and strategic intensity is the right approach.
Building Resilience: The Secret Weapon
In the world of trail running, resilience is more than just a buzzword – it’s a vital component of every runner’s journey.
