Run Like a Girl for a good cause
One of Denver's "must run" races connects four of Denver's most beautiful parks with runners on Labor Day 2010. The USATF certified course starts at City Park, travels to Cheesman Park then to Alamo Placita Park and finishes at Washington Park. The course will take you through some of Denver's greatest parks, neighborhoods, and parkways. You will see monuments, diverse architecture and of course beautiful scenery.Grab your running skirt, lace up your new running shoes and join in on this fun tour of Denver's parks. You can run, walk or skip but not matter how you choose do it run like a girl.

So much about racing is out of a runner's control: the weather, the competition, the course conditions. This is after all, what makes racing so exciting. Your gear however, is the one thing you don't need to leave to chance. An ill-fitting shoe or a scratchy pair of shorts have often been the difference between victory and defeat, or more importantly having fun or being miserable. Taking the time to find the right "costume" is key in your race day success.

 A few tips...

#1 Practice in what you plan on wearing race day...aka don't buy something new the day before the event.

#2  Take a peak at the weather forecast, a visor or a long sleeved tech tee could make all the difference.

 #3 Bring layers and decide what to wear at race time, you never know how the day will unfold.

#4  Feel good in what you are wearing, a cute running skirt or fun pair of socks can help give you an extra boost.

#5 Hydration apparel--belts, camelbak, or a running water bottle.

#6 Support your girls--a well fitting sports bra is a must.

#7 Smile on the course, it is amazing how it can motivate you and others.

What do you put in those backpacks, anyway? How can you organize your gear inside for different types of terrain? Join us to figure out what you’ll need, what you won’t and how to travel light and safe in the backcountry. Staff from The Women’sWilderness Institute will provide helpful techniques for packing efficiently, special tips for women, and tricks for streamlining your load on the trail.
Please RSVP to events@outdoordivas.com

what: Backpacking Basics

when: September 9th at 7pm

where: outdoor DIVAS, Boulder

cost: FREE

This clinic is great preparation for your own trips as well as several of the Institute’s
upcoming wilderness courses for women and girls. The Women’s Wilderness Institute,
a local nonprofit, offers high quality outdoor adventures and trips for women and
girls 9-17.  www.womenswilderness.org

The Indian Peak Xterra Triathlon was August 8th at Eldora Mountain Resort. Our own Val Bender ( outdoor DIVAS merchandiser for the last five years) crossed the finish line in hot pursuit with a second place finish in her age group. (She even had time to answer a "call from nature" on the side of the trail). Val is a busy mother of two and has been competing for years but this was her first Xterra!

We are very proud of her, way to TRI LIKE A DIVA!

Using the beautiful trails of the Eldora Nordic Center racers will tackled a 1000 meter swim, a 24km mountain bike and 7km run. An exciting course that will challenge the first timer as well as the season veteran XTERRA racer. An XTERRA race will remind you it's more fun to swim in a mountain lake, run off-road, and bike through some mud. Hop across rocks, soar across streams, zig-zag your way along a mountain trail challenging yourself in both mind and body. Be a kid again and rediscover your super-charged sense of adventure and wonder. Anyone can do an Xterra race. Moms, dads, CEOs, teachers, surfers, mountain bikers ... just about anyone with a passion for great sports in the outdoors. See the race results from the 2010 Xterra Indian Peaks race.

The Women's Wilderness Institute (TWWI) an Outdoor Divas Partner, is a nonprofit organization with the mission of strengthening the courage, confidence, and leadership qualities of girls and women, through the support and challenge of wilderness- and community-based experiences. Their tagline is Strong girls. Strong women. Better world. How great is that? Check out the latest events on their website.

Walk Sideways this weekend at the sidewalk SALE

DIVAS deals on Burton, Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, Volkl, K2 and other great outdoor brands.  The Boulder sidewalk sale starts on Friday August 6th through the weekend. Get to our shop early and get the best pick of women's gear. We will open at 10am, as well as most of the other shops taking part in the sidewalk sale on Pearl Street. Shop till you drop! Downtown Boulder’s Summer Sidewalk Sale has tons of deals to find.  Support hundreds of locally-owned business and get in on some of the hottest summer deals around. (Don’t forget that Downtown merchants can be found on and off the Bricks. Make sure to head all the way down Pearl Street from 21^st to 8^th Streets running east to west, and visit businesses located between Canyon and Pine Streets – running north to south).

Make it a block party--- Stop by all the shops that are walking sideways this weekend..., Patagonia, Shoe Fly, PRANA, The Pedestrian Shop, Savvy, Barbara & Company....

Sportswomen of Colorado, Inc. pays tribute to Colorado's outstanding female athletes and to persons who have contributed to girls and women's athletics. Join them on September 15th for a happy hour fundraiser a Choppers in Denver. Details to come!