Training Programs
Races
Fitness Forums
Fun Runs & Walks
Weekly Drop In Runs & Walks
Tuesday Night Clinics
More Community Springtime Events

If you have questions about events, please call us at the store at 360.676.4955 or e-mail us at runners@FairhavenRunners.com.

TRAINING PROGRAMS | Train with Us!

Spring Training for Runners | Jack Be Nimble, Jane Be Quick!
Starts Thursday, April 17
Eight-week Program, $50
Join our eight-week training program to improve running technique and mechanics, speed and endurance, and overall enjoyment of running!  Includes weekly group workout (Thursday evenings, 5:30 PM) in a supportive, non-intimidating environment with strength and stretching tips and instruction; fun giveaways along the way; and a daily training schedule. Your coach, Erik DeRoche, is a former professional triathlete.  He has been a triathlon, running, cycling and swimming coach and has taught clinics on running mechanics.  He has a Master's degree in exercise science and a Doctorate of Chiropractic.  Training program begins Thursday, April 17, 5:30 PM, and continues through Thursday, June 5 (eight weeks).  $50 fee.  Registration and info will be at Fairhaven Runners at 1209 11th Street.  Complete details, along with guidelines and registration form are available by clicking here.

15K Summer Training Program for Walkers
Starts Saturday, July 26, 8 AM
Eight-week Program, $50
Eight-week program will get you ready for the FR&W Waterfront 15K race (9.3 miles).  Includes weekly group workout on Saturday mornings, 8 AM, Saturday, July 26 - Saturday, September 13. Info and registration at the store and www.FairhavenRunners.com.

RACES | Race with Us!

Walk/Run for Literacy 5K
Saturday, June 21, 9:00 AM
Registration is open for the Walk/Run for Literacy 5K on Saturday, June 21, at 9:00 AM, in the historic Fairhaven district of Bellingham, Washington.  Pre-registration is $10 per individual and $20 for a family.  Day-of-race registration is $15 per individual and $25 for a family.  Click here to download registration, or pick up forms at Fairhaven Runners and Village Books, race organizers.  Runners and walkers enjoy a combination road-trail course, age-group awards and prizes.  Free half-mile run for kids, at 8:30 AM, before the 5K race.  All proceeds go to the Whatcom Literacy Council.

Fairhaven Runners Chuckanut Footrace 7Mi
Saturday, July 12, 9 AM
Registration is open for the Fairhaven Runners Chuckanut Footrace, the oldest footrace in Washington State.  Race day is Saturday, July 12, 2008, 9 AM, in the historic Fairhaven district of Bellingham, Washington.  Online registration at www.athleteslounge.com, information at www.FairhavenRunners.com or (360) 676.4955.  Pre-registration is $15, and there is no day-of-race registration.  The seven-mile course is on canopied trail, featuring stunning views of the San Juan Islands.  Race includes chip timing, New Balance technical shirt, age-group awards, draw prizes, and a post-race celebration with food and live music.  Walkers welcome.  Out-of-town visitors: Run & Rest packages available at beautiful inns adjacent to start line - info online.

FITNESS FORUMS | Get Stronger & Smarter!

To help you get stronger and smarter, we offer FR&W Fitness Forums at the store. Come for hands-on learning and expert guidance from fitness professionals who know what works.

Intro to ChiRunning® - Master Instructor Mary Lindahl (FREE)
Thursday, April 24, 7:15 – 8:15 PM
Learn about the principles of ChiRunning at this special, free forum!  Principles include mid-foot landing and not overstriding, a forward lean, and more strategies based on the physics of Tai Chi.   Want to decrease injury, better race times, or run more efficiently?  Hear from instructor Mary Lindahl, who has run 30 marathons and no longer suffers from chronic knee pain.  Mary was trained by ChiRunning founder Danny Dreyer in 2004.  Free preview for extended clinic in May—see event info below.

Deep-Water Running: Into the Pool! - Sandi Halgren (FREE)
Sunday, April 27, 1-2 PM
Set aside your running shoes and pull on your swim suit.  Runner Sandi Halgren will lead us into the pool at the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center for an introduction to deep-water running, an excellent form of cross training and a proven method to prevent running injury.  Water running also can allow an injured athlete to recover without losing fitness!  Learn from a competitive runner and excellent instructor, who has used deep-water running in her own training. (Scheduled on a Sunday so we can enjoy ample pool space.  Important: small fee of $4 for use of the aquatic center required at the front desk.)

ChiRunning® Clinic - Master Instructor Mary Lindahl ($95)
Saturday, May 10, 9 AM – 2 PM
One-day workshop.  As follow-up to April’s free forum preview, you are invited to attend a one-day ChiRunning workshop on Saturday, May 10, 9 AM – 2 PM.  $95 fee includes personal gait analysis and coaching from Mary Lindahl, in a small group.  Limited to 15 participants.  (ChiRunning Clinic is a separate entity from FR&W.  All fees go directly to Mary Lindahl.)

Your Nutrition Tune-up - Dr. Cherrelyn Seegers (FREE)
Thursday, June 5, 7:15 - 8:15 PM
Back by popular demand, here's your summertime nutrition tune-up, from a speaker who packs out forums with cutting-edge information and thoughtful presentation.  Learn about the best whole foods, what supplements work, and what you can consider eliminating from your plate.  You'll come away with immediate ways to awaken your body.  Dr. Cherrelyn Seegers is a runner and former competitive triathlete.  Her chiropractic practice is called Back in Motion, and her post-race treatment tent — offering massage and chiropractic care — is a welcome sight at local races. 

A Coach's Guide: Your Walking Workouts - Cindy Paffumi (FREE)
Thursday, June 19, 7:15 - 8:15 PM
Hear from a former nationally classed race walker about how to make aerobic walking part of your life.  Cindy Paffumi will talk about the benefits of walking and provide tips.  She will also preview her summer training program for walkers, which will begin in July and culminate with the Fairhaven Runners Waterfront 15K race, an option for her training participants.  Cindy has been the store's walking coach for two years, and athletes in her programs — many new to walking — enjoy her expert guidance and positive spirit.

After Your Workout: Self-Massage - Dr. Cherrelyn Seegers (FREE)
Thursday, July 17, 7:15 – 8:15 PM
Learn simple self-massage techniques to keep yourself supple and injury-free.  If possible, bring two tennis balls and an old sock, and wear comfortable, loose clothing.  You’ll love the way you’ll feel, after this forum!  Dr. Cherrelyn Seegers is a favorite forum speaker who owns Back in Motion—a chiropractic and wellness practice.

FUN RUNS & WALKS | Just for Fun with FR&W!

Just for fun, we plan some friendly get-togethers for all runners and walkers. These aren't races, but they are fun gatherings so that we can enjoy each other's company and our beautiful surroundings!

Stewart Mountain Trail Run (runners)
Sunday, May 18, 8:30 AM
Hey, trail runners!  Come for this fun and rugged 11-mile out-and-back adventure.  The Stewart Mountain trail is rocky and muddy, and includes slippery stream crossing and great panoramic view of Lake Whatcom.  “One of my favorites,” says store manager Craig, who will be munching Hostess cherry pie, and leading the way with trailblazer Polly.  Run starts at 8:30 AM from the trailhead on Y Road.  Carpool option: meet at Sunset Square Starbucks at 8 AM for caravan to trailhead.

Practice Chuckanut Footrace (runners and walkers)
Thursday, June 12, 5:30 PM
One month out from the race, join us for a practice run/walk on the seven-mile course.  We’ll meet at the store, start at nearby Marine Park, and do the course all the way out to Larrabee State Park.  FR&W staffer Tara will lead runners, and designated person will lead walkers.  Important: for this point-to-point seven-miler, we ask you to provide your own transport back from Larrabee—organize with friends and put a shuttle car at the park!

Solstice Run (runners)
Friday, June 20, 8:30 PM
Run with us on the longest day of the year, when we’ll relish 16 hours and 11 minutes of light! Meet at Sehome High School’s parking lot at 8:30 PM.  We’ll run up to the Sehome Hill Arboretum Tower to catch the sunset at 9:17 PM.  This annual sun-lover run will be led by store owners Steve and Genevie.

Weekly Drop-in Runs & Walks - FREE

With these free drop-in runs and walks, you're never far from friends who will hit the trail with you. All start at the store, unless noted. Questions about routes or paces? We're happy to help. Just call or e-mail us (contact info at top of page).

Tuesdays | Evening Track Workout 5:30 PM
Fairhaven Runners’ weekly track workout emphasizes team approach for running and racing.  Meet at Sehome High School for warm-up run, workout at WWU track.  Led by Steve Grichel, who can answer questions: scgrichel@yahoo.com.

Tuesdays | Evening Run 6 PM
A friendly run at 9-11 minute-mile pace.  Great for beginners!  Groups run according to pace on relatively flat southside paths and trails for 3-5 miles.  Led by Cullen, FR&W staff member.

Wednesdays | Evening Epic Run 6 PM
Strenuous runs of 1.5-2 hours on hilly terrain with experienced trail runners (recently featured in the Bellingham Herald!).  Often epic.

Thursdays | Evening Hill Run 6 PM
A friendly run on some hills and trails at a 7-8 minute-mile pace.  Led by Craig, FR&W store manager.

Saturdays | Fairhaven Walking Club 8 AM
This drop-in walking group is for all levels, from those who want to improve to those who want to compete in races.  All paces are welcome.  Led by former national-class race walker Cindy Paffumi, who makes sure that all walkers feel included.  Drop in for walks listed below!  Or, call Cindy at (360) 319-3350 for more info on start locations or to ask questions. 

Saturday, May 10, 8 AM - Meet at Fairhaven’s Village Green and walk trail to Bellingham’s market depot, then back for round-trip.

Saturday, May 17, 8 AM - Meet at Adagio Café in downtown Bellingham (corner of Railroad and Champion) and head towards Fairhaven to ferry terminal, then back for round-trip.

Saturday, May 24, 8 AM - Meet at Lake Padden, at the park entrance by the showers and swimming area (NOT the golf course entrance). Two loops around the lake for 5.2 miles.

Saturday, May 31, 8 AM - Meet at Gooseberry Point to take 8:10 AM ferry to Lummi Island.  One loop around island, then no-host breakfast at Beach Café.

Walking & Hiking Groups for 2008
We updated our list of county-wide walking and hiking groups for 2008! Click here to download or pick up the list at the store.

TUESDAY NIGHT CLINICS | One-on-One Injury Prevention

Tuesday Night Clinic | One-on-One Injury Prevention
Tuesdays, 6–8 PM
This clinic has helped hundreds of runners and walkers get stronger, avoid injury, and improve performance!  For just $15, you get one-on-one attention from some great local physical therapists.  They can assess your range of motion and strength, do a gait analysis to examine your running or walking biomechanics, assess pain or injury, and give you tips for improvement.

Clinics are open the second, third, and fourth Tuesday every month, 30-minute sessions between 6-8 PM.  Call the store at (360) 676.4955 to make your appointment.

MORE COMMUNITY SPRINGTIME EVENTS

NORDIC WALKING CLINIC!
Discover Nordic Walking in May
Nordic walking began as a summer training exercise for cross country skiers.  Fitness walkers in Europe adopted Nordic walking as a low-stress, total-body workout.  Thierry Werderits, who was recently featured in the Bellingham Herald for Nordic walking, is leading four clinics, starting May 21.

• Trail-walkers: Wednesdays, 6 PM, starting May 21, 2008 - Those who want to try Nordic walking on trails can meet Thierry at Lake Padden swim area for 1.5-hour walk.
• $120 fee: Includes one set of lexi Nordic walking poles - valued at $90, plus 1.5 hours of instruction at each meeting.
• Details and questions: contact Thierry directly at (360) 354-7558 or at mountainmoxie@comcast.net.
• The Nordic Walking Clinic is a separate entity from FR&W.  All fees go directly to Thierry Werderits for gear and instruction.
  

Girls’ Night Out in Fairhaven
Thursday, May 8, 5 PM - 10 PM
Join your girlfriends for an evening of socializing, shopping, and fashion.  At FR&W, we’ll feature spring apparel, special treats, as well as personal gait analysis and footwear fitting.  Entire Fairhaven event benefits breast cancer research at St. Joseph’s breast cancer clinical trials program.

Bike to Work/School Day
Friday, May 16
Here’s the best day to cycle: celebration stations, refreshments, and camaraderie will thread Bellingham bike lanes—to keep you inspired to go all year.

Ski to Sea
Sunday, May 25
Kick off summer’s spectacular start!  Stop by our booth at Marine Park for giveaways and best wishes for a glorious season.