We protect what we love 

FRIDAY . 05 . 03 . 21 .

Hi there,

My name is Freddie Henttonen and I’m delighted to be your host for this week’s For Wild Places newsletter. First of all, thank you for being interested in the state of trail running and the future of our wild places. We do not take your attention for granted and want you to feel this is a space for contribution and collaboration, but also a place to simply enjoy a moment of connection to this magical sport of ours.

I stopped being the fastest 100m runner in 4th or 5th grade. Instead, I’ve been gently pushing the finish-line further away until somewhere along the trail, running became just as much about finding stillness as gaining motion. 

Today, the idea of stillness in motion has evolved into a philosophy that informs how I approach most things in my life. I thank trail running for; friendships, community, belonging, companionship, and an ever-increasing curiosity for the connection between body and mind… and of course, the usual gifts of blue toes, oozie blisters, unmentionable chafing and a deep expertise in how to properly go about your business in nature. 

Most of all, trail running is my simplest expression of fundamental gratitude for the wild and natural places I choose to spend my time in, and with it comes the urgent awareness that we can no longer take these places for granted. 

As runners, I believe we have an undeniable opportunity to create a stronger connection between our love for running and the places we love running on that will benefit, not only our own health and wellbeing, but that of the world at large.

I’m looking forward to putting one foot in front of the other with all of you for a long time to come.

Here is a short list of things that are currently grabbing me:

MEET THE TEAM

Freddie Henttonen

Learn more about Freddie on this week's FWP blog post

WHAT I'M READING

Jonathan Franzen - The end of the end of the world

This book is a couple of years old now and is essentially just a poster child for my deep appreciation for anything written by Jonathan Franzén. Also, David Whyte’s Consolations is a book that I think should have a permanent spot on every self loving nightstand. It’s a magnificent dictionary and mind altering perspective navigating the landscape and language of everyday words and emotions. I also read most things John Steinbeck and feel strangely at home in 1930s rural California. Ultimately, I find comfort in the fact that our our words are important and can be used to connect things and ultimately give people the energy to change things.

See more from Jonathan Franzén here

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO

Bruce and Obama in conversation

Being a life long Bruce fan, the fact these conversations happened is an absolute gift and blessing. Could not recommend more. 

Listen via Spotify

WHAT I'M RUNNING IN

Altra

After my first Sydney marathon in 2009, I abandoned shoes with any sort of drop and went on a quest for better shoes. It took a couple of years until I came across Altra and have not looked back. As I get older I’m once again embracing a bit of cushioning and currently run trails comfortably in the Lone Peak or Timp, and for my road endeavors I go to the Escalante for longer runs, and the Solstice when I want to feel fast and a little bit furious.

Check out the Altra range here.

CAMPAIGNS I'M FOLLOWING

Surfers for Climate

I’ve had the good fortune of being involved closely with the early days and formation of this fantastic group of people. I think there are a few groups of people that have more in common than we think. Surfers and trail runners share a connection to the land and the ocean that puts us at the forefront of what is happening in the world. We are often the first to see the changes and also the first ones to be impacted. I hope we can begin to use that position to listen, learn from and connect with those who came before us and advocate for those who don’t have a voice, access or direct familiarity with these vital, magnificent and significant places.

Learn more about Surfers for Climate here, and give them a follow on Instagram

I think that’s all for now.

Thank you again and happy running!

Don’t be a stranger.

Freddie & the For Wild Places crew

CHECK US OUT ON INSTAGRAM

And don't forget to grab your tickets for our International Women's Day Summit, happening this Monday 8th March! You can get your tickets here.

We acknowledge the the First Nations people who have been custodians of land, waters and culture for tens of thousands of years. We pay respects to First Nations Elders past, present and emerging. This email was created on Wadawurrung land. Always was, always will be.

By For Wild Places

We're a group of adventurers who love to

protect wild places we run on

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