REC/LISTINGS Register
REC/PLAY GLENN LANDB ER G
NIGHTTIME 5K FUN RUN—5K run at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, on the Eagle Greenbelt. First 200 to register get headlamps. Register at raceforthenations.org through race day. $20. TURKEY TROT—Family friendly 5K fun run on Thanksgiving morning in Paul. Register on line at raceit.com through Tuesday, Nov. 23. $11-$21, minicassiaturkeytrot.com.
Recurring ADULT CLIMBING LESSONS— The staff at the YMCA can help any level of climber learn safe ways to master the sport. Participants must be age 14 or older. New classes begin the first Tuesday of every month. 7-8 p.m. full-facility member $36; program member $72. YMCA, 1050 W. State St., Boise, 208344-5501, ymcaboise.org. BOISE SOCCER LEAGUE—The co-ed soccer league is open to all levels. Player fees are $24 per season, plus $25 annual dues to U.S. Club Soccer. The team fees are $375 per season. Games are played Mondays on Boise Parks and Recreation playing fields with certified referees. For more information, call Dave at 208-284-9112 or Pat at 208870-5975, or visit boisesoccerleague.com. CYCLOCROSS TUESDAY NIGHT TRAINING RIDES—Ride with a group of cyclists for a great workout. 6-7:30 p.m. FREE, idahocyclocross.com. Camel’s Back Park, 1200 W. Heron St., Boise. DROP-IN ADULT BASKETBALL—The gymnasium is open for drop-in use from 11 a.m.2:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. $4 per visit. Fort Boise Community Center, 700 Robbins Road, Boise, 208-384-4486, cityofboise. org/parks. SASSY SALSA—Drop in anytime for an aerobic workout with Salsa dance steps. No experience is necessary. Wear comfortable shoes (no black soled shoes) and clothing and follow the teacher’s moves. Wednesdays, 7-7:50 p.m. $5 per class. Forte Pilates, 518 S. Ninth St., Ste. 200, Boise, 208-342-4945, fortepilates.com. WOMEN FLY FISHERS OF IDAHO—Women of all ages and all levels of fly fishing get together, compare catches and plan trips and activities. The group meets in the Trophy Room at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. FREE, 208-3381660, WFFID.com. Idaho Fish and Game Headquarters, 600 S. Walnut St., Boise.
Fish & Game WOOLLYBUGGER MEETING— Children ages 7-16 are invited to join the largest fly fishing club in North America for monthly meetings. Family membership fees are $20 per year. 208-3228118, bvff.com. Idaho Fish and Game headquarters, 600 S. Walnut St., Boise.
28 | NOVEMBER 17–23, 2010 | BOISEweekly
NO-SNOW SKIING At 5:45 p.m. on a Wednesday evening, I joined the Idaho Nordic Ski Club for one of their weekly dry land training sessions. We gathered on the northeast corner of the lawn at Fort Boise, carving out space among the 4-year-old soccer players and the 44-year-old softball players. Though I only recognized a few skiers, the group hadn’t been difficult to find. With bodyfat percentages obviously in the single digits, the striated hamstrings and washboard stomachs on these athletes set them apart. I became a member of the Idaho Nordic club last winter, hoping that mere association with a group of cross country skiers who compete and train together would catapult me to a new level of skill and speed. I can skate ski well enough to navigate most of the Nordic area at Bogus Basin, but I didn’t know Swix wax from Toko. When I heard about the club’s dry land training sessions, I connected the dots. Stealth training in the off-season might be the ticket to free speed when the time comes to grab my poles and click into the bindings. What I hadn’t realized was that the club had begun meeting for dry land workouts back in June. By showing up in the fall, still well before any hint of snow, I was already behind. Eyes trained on a pair of legs that would have been the envy of any woman even half their owner’s age, I was startled when the group dashed off at 5:47 p.m., as if in response to an inaudible gun shot. We lapped the softball fields at a brisk trot for a warm-up. Ah running, I thought, I can do this. But that lap ended quickly, and before I had time to catch my breath, we were quad-deep in vertical hops, side leaps and backward skipping—all explosive, plyometric moves designed to build strength, power and coordination. Done properly, their execution is guaranteed to send blood lactate levels through the roof. We moved on to skate-specific balance and strength drills that mimic skiing, but with long pauses to develop muscular endurance. I mirrored Joe Jensen, a club leader who doubled as a drill sergeant, raising both arms forward simultaneously and then yanking them down, slicing the air as if double-poling through deep snow. Jensen described the motion: “You always want to be driving forward from the hips. See how my hips are over my feet? When you pull down, it’s actually engaging your lats—like you’re gonna hug someone.” The remainder of the workout was a hypoxia-induced blur, and by the end of it, I needed more than just a hug. It was a good thing I’d heeded wise advice from more experienced training partners who had recommended that I avoid participation in dry land training if I had any upcoming events, like a bike race or a fun run, because muscle fatigue and soreness would surely result in a devastating performance. And they were right. During the days that followed, my running routine was preempted by couch-surfing and beer-drinking—not a good thing, since I am staring down the barrel of my next adventure: the Boston Marathon. But in the name of recovery, it was necessary. So much for my head start on ski season but at least now the marathon will seem easy by comparison. —Sarah Barber WWW. B O I S E WE E KLY. C O M