PRG Newsletter – September 2026

September 2026 Performance Running Gym Newsletter

It’s hard to believe that Summer is already winding down. For us that means the kids going back to school, harvesting veggies in the garden that are hitting their peak, remodeling at the gym to prepare for a big fall ahead, and of course; the beginning of the fall racing season!

This month we are taking part in two of MN’s biggest late season events. First on the docket is the Superior Fall Trail Races! Happening on September 11th-12th. This legendary event features one of the oldest 100 mile races in the country, dating back to 1991. Since then it has added 50 mile and 26.2 mile distance options and has become one of the most popular trail running events in the country.

This year, as always, we will be hosting and sponsoring two aid stations on the 100 mile course – the Tettegouche (mile 33) and Finland (mile 50/start of the 50 mile race) aid stations. Dozens of our PRG members and coached athletes will be taking on these challenging and rugged events!

Just one week later, we’ll be supporting another race that we sponsor, the Loppet Foundation’s “Trail Loppet” events! This year these events kick off at Wirth Beach, run through beautiful Theo Wirth Park and finish at The Trailhead. We’ll be hosting a water stop on the course and cheering our friends and community members on.

We look forward to supporting you for another great month of training and racing!

– Aaron Boike

Superior Fall Trail Races (PRG Sponsored Event)

Friday + Saturday, September 11th-12th

Volunteer with us at one of our PRG Aid Stations!

Tettegouche (AS Director, Isabel Boike) – Mile 33
Finland (AS Director, Amy Clark) – Mile 50

Fall Trail Loppet (PRG Sponsored Event)

Run or Volunteer with us at one of the Twin Cities premier trail running events!

PRG Run Club – Wednesday Night Group Runs

Every Wednesday at 6pm at PRG

Join us each and every Wednesday for a fun, free, community group run starting at PRG! We host 4 and 6 mile routes weekly with paces ranging from walk/jog up to ~9 min/mile.

Tuesday Night Trail Group Runs w/ The Loppet Foundation

Every Tuesday at 6:30pm at Theo Wirth Park
Starting location at Xerxes Ave. N and Glenwood Ave., Golden Valley, MN

We’re excited to be hosting the Loppet Run Club’s Tuesday Night Trails again for 2026! Join Coaches Aaron Boike and David Nogle for a 4 or 6 mile run through beautiful Wirth Park. Pace groups from walk/jog to ~10 min mile will be available.

Member Spotlight – Annie Magnusson

Meet Annie – a 4 year veteran member of Performance Running Gym who loves to lift heavy and run fast surrounded by her favorite community.

Initially, Annie joined the gym for the Woodway Treadmills. Being a Nurse Practitioner, she needed a place that she could get in 4:30am runs before the start of her 12-hour shifts. While she came for the treadmills, she stayed for the welcoming and inspiring community she found at PRG.

Nowadays, she takes advantage of outdoor runs for the most part, only taking runs inside on snowy and icy winter days. However, you will find her back in the weight room 2-3 times per week lifting heavy with free weights, strength machines and grinding through sets of impressive plyometrics.

The community is what keeps her connected and has kept her at PRG for the last four years.

Learning from and being inspired by others has also nudged her to set and accomplish her own big running goals – often her next half or full marathon race. She says “The Speed Project,” a team relay spanning 340 miles from LA to Vegas, tops the list of her recent running accomplishments.

Before running, Annie built her fitness base in hockey. She grew up playing in her hometown of Fergus Falls, and almost played in college at Mankato State. Now with the demands of being a Nurse Practitioner, running helps her relieve stress, take care of herself, and live up to her favorite mantra: “I can do hard things.”

Thanks for being a member, Annie, and for giving our community another person to be inspired by!

Stronger, Faster Evening Bootcamp

Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm-6:45pm
Hosted by Aaron Boike + David Nogle
Performance Running Gym
Next Session starts 9/22!

Loppet Run Club – Tuesday Night Trails Hosted by PRG

Every Tuesday
@ Theodore Wirth Park
Meeting Location: Xerxes Ave. N and Glenwood Ave.
6:30 PM

PRG Run Club – Free Group Runs

Every Wednesday
From PRG Lobby
6:00 PM

Coach Tips with Jack Zahn – Better Posture = Better Running

Posture! We all talk about it, and we all have varying definitions of what it means to us. This is true, especially when you talk about posture in different contexts.

While “ideal” posture varies for everyone based on health history, past injuries, and daily habits, improving alignment is a primary goal for many of the clients I work with.

To begin improving your posture, I recommend starting with foundational core exercises. One of my favorites is the Supine Dead Bug using a stability ball. This movement builds essential core control while testing shoulder strength and stability.