Group History

The Sisu Project is based out of Haverhill, Massachusetts and is composed of members from the Haverhill-Newburyport, Boston-Medford and Fitchburg-Leominster areas. We compete in Cross Country events in the fall, Indoor and Outdoor Track and summer road races. The team also boasts a strong presence of triathletes and marathon runners. We receive grass-roots support from New Balance, are a USATF sanctioned club and a member of the Mill Cities Alliance. Since Sisu exists within everyone, we accept any positive and passionate person to become part of this group of committed athletes and close friends.

Traditions

The Finnish Sauna: The concept of Sisu was first introduced to members of this team when as Fitchburg State College runners they would indulge themselves in revelry following Cross Country and Track meets. The birth of this idea came amidst stripping down to running shorts and sitting in a scolding a hot room heated by a woodstove. To gain respite from the ever rising heat they would fling themselves into an ice cold creek situated out behind the estate of blue blooded Finns from the “Old Country”. At these crazy college events it was custom to consume large quantities of cranberry juice and stay up to all hours of the night. This is why cranberry juice is the official drink of the Sisu Project and where our Finnish name and influence come from.

Juice Parties: Sisu Project gatherings are substance free…but this doesn't stop us from exploring the powerful effects of nature's fruits and vegetables. Juice parties involve everyone bringing fruits and/or vegetables to a designated location and through the magic of the Jack Lalane Power Juicer turning them into ambrosial liquid fun. It's healthy, it's wacky and it is always a good time.

Sisu Project Goal Summits: The turn of the New Year is taken very seriously by the members of the Sisu Project. Every New Year's Eve members of the team gather for a night of reflection, inspiration and growth…along with a good share of juice, food and laughter. A goal summit consists of each member doing a presentation on something they learned about in the previous year that helped them grow as a runner or as a person. These are concepts they hope will be beneficial to their other team members. After a break, each member then gives another presentation on their goals for the coming year. Members then get the opportunity to give words of advice and encouragement to this presenter. A goal review gathering is scheduled following the outdoor track season and should be a celebration of each member's movement towards these goals.

Philosophy

The Sisu Project is a diverse group of individuals with various ideas and beliefs. Together we share consistent themes and beliefs. These themes play an important role in our training, but they also touch every part of our daily lives. This is best expressed to the outside observer through running. We often come together and apply these themes through other energy sharing activities such as: hikes, saunas, goal sharing and juice parties.

The cornerstone of our philosophy is Positivity, especially in the face of adversity. We believe that positivity gives one-strength to overcome any challenge. We strive daily to engage in Positive discussions, activities, and habits. We believe through sharing Positivity we can cultivate inner strength that is boundless.

As we travel up the mountain together as one we are reminded that a teammate’s goal is also our goal. This is accomplished through the mortar of Stability. We work to make our foundation solid and to serve as a solid foundation for our teammates. Throughout our training and our approach we work to establish cohesion with each other and the earth beneath us that cannot be shaken.