About
Well, hello there, Flagstaff running enthusiasts. Welcome to Flagstaff Footnotes, which I hope is always a work in progress, just like the Flagstaff running community itself.
When I moved to this mountain town two years ago from a lifelong East Coast existence, I knew next to nobody. Though I confess, as a Run SMART Project devotee for going on four years now, I did have two key friends when I arrived who showed me all the ropes a new runner in town could hope to discover: Vince Sherry, of Run Flagstaff fame, and Michael Smith, executive director and head coach of local running club Team Run Flagstaff, who somebody once referred to as the unofficial Mayor of Flagstaff (I don’t disagree). If you ever decide to move across the country on a whim by yourself, I highly recommend having these two in your corner.
All the same, it made me wonder how other new Flagstaff residents with a passion for running manage to dig up information about all the amazing groups and activities that exist here. I started envisioning a place where it all comes together—a celebration of our unique community at 7,000 feet. There are so few places where Olympic athletes-in-training comingle freely with recreational weekend warriors, where the accountant in the next cubicle wins a major ultra-running race on any given Sunday, or close to 200 people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds workout together on the track every Tuesday night, often under the watchful eye of a world-renowned coach. If you’re a runner in Flagstaff, AZ, there is a group and a place for you to thrive and we should highlight and celebrate that publicly.
And so I hope that this humble blog is where we can gather to share news, discuss issues, and cheer each other on to our next goals, whether you’re chasing a gold medal on the track or learning how to implement a run/walk program for fitness. All are welcomed and encouraged to support each other here. Be nice, be respectful, and have some fun.
Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure, I’m a full-time freelance journalist (hire me!), member of the Team Run Flagstaff board of directors, a Run SMART Project athlete, and participant on the Girls on the Run of Northern Arizona advisory board. Although I’ve endured some good-natured ribbing from an abundance of trail-running friends, my love is training on the roads for the marathon distance. I never tire of Lake Mary, while most others around here find their fun on the peaks. To each her own—so many options are right in our backyards.
As time goes on (and as time allows), I’ll update and improve the site. I’m no tech expert, so forgive the growing pains and learning curve that will inevitably ensue. For now, stay tuned for news, announcements, profiles, and more. I invite you to comment and critique as the journey unfolds. You can always reach me at erin@flagfootnotes.org.
Thanks for joining me and enjoy!
Erin Strout
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