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Life and Work with Junko Kazukawa

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Junko Kazukawa.

Junko, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Japan and moved to Colorado alone 32 years ago for studying in the University. I wanted to do a big challenge/Adventure for my life, so I decided to save money and come to US to study all by myself.

 I achieved a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Kinesiology / Exercise Physiology. I have worked for different health-related organizations such as a Graduate Assistant at the University, an intern at the Cardiac Rehabilitation, a coordinator at Corporate Fitness/Wellness, a Therapist aid at Physical therapist aid in the past.

I currently work as a Personal trainer / Group Fitness Instructor/ Run Club Coordinator at Colorado Athletic Club Tabor Center. I am also an endurance Running coach ( Junko Mountain Training.com ) to help clients achieve their running goals. I love working with all fitness levels, different ages, and different goals. This is such a rewarding work to help change people’s life.

I am currently running for Berkeley Park Running Company Wild jackalope Team, who is one of the best Denver running community leaders. I am very honored to be a member in this such an awesome team.

I have ran more than 50 marathons, 18 hundred mile race finisher by 2019 current. and made summit 35 Colorado 14ners, Mt rainier, Kilimanjaro, Mont blanc most recent big summit!

As I am a 2 x Breast Cancer survivor in 2005 and 2009. I went through many surgeries, Radiation, Chemotherapy during that time. Then I decided to do what I wanted to do for a long time. I made a commitment to challenge myself and ran 100-mile trail race( Leadville 100). That was my 1st 100 miler. I made it and raised more than $6000 for charity as well.

 I learned through my tough time that Life can be short, unknown what will happen tomorrow, so I like to do challenges and adventures of my dream while I can.

 I have ran 18 hundred milers in the US, and also around the world- Japan, Chile, France. I was the first person to finish Grand slam Ultrarunning( 4 hundred mile races), and Leadwoman series ( 6 races of run and mountain bike) in one season. That was my highlight of Athletic achievements.

If I can inspire any people by what I do, I would love that, and my way to pay it forward to people who supported me to get through hard times.

 I would love to keep on planing lots more adventures and challenges in my future!

Here is some of my athletic achievements in the past.
2015 I am 1st person to finish Granslam of Ultrarunning (4x 100 miles )and Leadwoman series (6 races of run and mountain bike in one season.
2015 Grandslam – (series of 4 oldest 100 miles races in USA in one season) Female 1st
2014, 2015 Leadwoman( 6 race series in Leadville marathon, 50 mile and 100 miles mountain bike, 50 mile and 100 mile trail run, and 10k run in one season) 3rd Ultra Trail of Mount Fuji
2016 Ultra Trail of Mont Blanc
2016 Ultra Trail of Mont Blanc
2017 Ultra Fiord in Patagonia Chile ( 2nd Female )
Total 18 100 miler finisher
More 50 mile and 100km races
50 Marathons finisher

Awards
2017 3rd Colorado Residence Badass by Elevation Outdoor voted by readers
2015 Sports Women of Colorado Ultrarunning/ Inspiration award
 2014, 2015, 2016 MVP for Runners Roost Mountain Ultra Team

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My childhood, I was not an athletic child in elementary school, Jr high school. My PE grade got so bad even though I attended all classes (perfect attendance!). I needed to challenge to PE teacher to show what I can do, and challenge myself when I saw my worse PE grade. Then I decided to sign up to play basketball.. I know I was not good – rathe say ” bad” as other kids in the school/team. I made so much effort to build up my fitness, skills, and confidence by training hard, practice and more practice! In high school, I was one of starting players and proved myself that I could do it, never gave up. This event in my life changed my life. Now I am a coach, trainer, instructor, marathon runner, and ultra trail runner. I always try not to forget the determination and courage of that time and always go back to basics when I am in low motivation.

I had breast cancer two times, and I survived and still alive luckily. I decided to sign up my first 100-mile race after my treatment was done.. I was always thinking to do 100-mile race sometimes in my life. By surviving cancer twice, I thought there may not be tomorrow to do what I want to do if I don’t commit now. So I have been trying to do new challenges every year after the cancer episodes. That makes me feel great and alive when you completed.

Please tell us about Junko Mountain Training, Colorado Athletic Club Tabor Center, Berkeley Park Running Company.
I am a Personal trainer, Group fitness instructor for 30 years. I had worked in the area of rehabilitation (Spin and back rehab, cardiac rehab internship.), Corporate wellness/ fitness, Commercial fitness facility-health clubs. Currently, I work as a trainer/group fitness instructor/ Run Club coordinator at Colorado Athletic Club at Tabor Center in downtown Denver. Also, I am a coach for Endurance running, I coach endurance runners by giving personalized running program with strength training plan online. I believe in hiring a coach is the way to train to accomplish a big athletic goal safely and efficiently, with motivational support and guidance, making sure you are on right track. You can check on my website: Junkomountain training.com. I also offer workshops and talks. I am an ambassador for Nuun #nuunlife, and also Altra #altrarunnnig.  

I am a member of Berkeley park running company “Wild Jackalope” which was selected as Best running store 2019 by Westword magazine. Also, I created and coordinate Run Club at the Colorado Athletic Club Tabor Center.

 I am passionate to help building great running community with great people and culture, that anyone can be welcome, and people in this community are so grateful and helpful, having fun through running events, cleaning up trails, fundraising etc.

My Own Brand Junko Mountain training is my own coaching business, at the same time my missions to spread out – how fun to do “Exercise/run/ outdoor activity/ mountains/ with friends” , you can do anywhere and anytime and makes your days more positive and interesting. I post short, fun exercise videos by many friends from around the world.

 I would love to expand more of this: Junko Mountain training in 2020.

I am proud to represent local running store Berkeley Park Running Company, Colorado Athletic Club Tabor Center, and my own brand-Junko Mountain training.

I found myself very helpful to connect with people by participating in running events, group runs, talking to team members, people in the community. Of course, social media sites Facebook, Instagram are very helpful. I gain lots of info through friend’s posts, or asking advice on Facebook can get lots of great ideas.

Who have you been inspired by?
My mother. She recently passed away and I am very sad and miss her already. She was so kind to any people, very strong, hard-working woman that raised me. She would never complain and always giving to people.

 My goals are to be strong like her, and treat people like you would like to be treated. She will always stay in my heart and mind when things get tough.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Alex Berg, Phil Snyder, Keisuke Nishimoto, Shuhei Yamashita

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