Join me for mobility, sports joy and running in IKEA

The University of Kansas marching band learned the Algerian National Anthem and played it for the team as they came to train at the university women's soccer facility. 

According to The Guardian, "Local organizers wanted to make sure that the country felt welcome in their city... So much so, they’ve commissioned artwork, and signs appear on the lampposts with the phrase “1,2,3, Viva l’Algérie!” Even McDonald’s drive-thru windows have signs welcoming Algeria and soccer fans to Lawrence." 

All of this is because of a University of Kansas student, hoping to bring her college town and her local Algerian diaspora together.  She made an Instagram plea and now, this is just one of the many stories that remind us that people are good and sports are great ways to showcase it. I couldn't care less about the World Cup but I do care that Bostonians and the Scottish are having a huge party creating a beer shortage. I care very much that the Europeans discovered that we aren't all Trump supporters and more importantly, we have ranch dressing. Lucky for us we can access this kind of sports joy in running, spectating racing and pacing our friends. Hope you are finding some sports joy right now. 

YOU ARE INVITED TO MOBILITY
Every Monday at 7am Pacific, I teach a class called Rise and Shine. It used to be behind a paywall but now everyone is invited. We spend 30 minutes foam rolling and doing mobility. This is NOT strength training. It is designed as a way to help recover from a rad weekend of training and racing. Hope to see you there! 

STRENGTH
Just two hours of strength training per week can help you live longer? How about I help you get 30 minutes of that time!
You can watch the FINAL Strength Training for Runners class from this link.  Next week I will share a link to the archives so you can dig into a 30-minute strength session anytime. 

WESTERN STATES WRAP UP
In case you missed the hype around the Western States Endurance Run this past weekend, here are some highlights from the 100-mile race in Auburn, CA:

• Jennifer Lichter won, set a course record and oh yeah, it was her first 100 miler ever. More about her here. 
• On the men's side, the course record was broken not just by the winner but by everyone through fourth place. 
• "In the women’s race, Fu-Zhao Xiang’s seventh-place time was good enough for the 10th fastest time in women’s race history by more than 11 minutes." (full results article)
• "The tenth-place finisher would have won every edition from 2007 to 2022." More stats on how the women's race has changed and become MUCH FASTER here. 

A MARATHON IN IKEA
There is a marathon happening inside an IKEA in Croydon, England. Only 80 spots and likely it is already sold out, but you can start dreaming about it for 2027 if that is your jam.