Running Wild | March 2019
Run Wild Missoula Executive Director: Time to Get Ready
February has been a real butt-kicker, hasn’t it?  Bitter cold.  Nasty wind.  Seemingly relentless snow.  Our entire winter season feels like it’s been compressed into the last 4 weeks.  In spite of the wintry weather, now’s the time to begin to get ready for the spring and summer racing season.

I know that it may be hard to get excited about racing when we’re still fighting blizzard warnings.  But, let’s look at what’s on the horizon over the next 5 months.  Run For The Luck Of It in March (just about 2 weeks away in fact); Run For The Trees in April; Sweathouse Half Marathon in May; Pengelly Double & Single Dips in June; and, Missoula Marathon in late June.  And, while it’s not a RWM event, our friends at Runner’s Edge host The Rut over Labor Day weekend (and we know that lots of our members will be taking part).

So, now’s the time to be preparing for your success at those races.  Laying out a training plan – or, better yet, taking part in some our training classes. Show up at Tuesday Track or any of our other group runs throughout the week.  And, don’t feel overwhelmed by trying to put together a plan for these runs. Here’s a few suggestions.

Start with the date of your key event – say the Missoula Half Marathon on Sunday, June 30th.  That means you have 17 weeks left to train and get prepared.  Take a look at how many days a week you can train and which are the best days in your schedule.  Will you run in the morning?  At lunch? After work? Decide if you are going to take part in a training class or go it on your own.  If going it on your own, will you take part in any of our group runs?  Do you have your own training posse?  Or maybe you enjoy the solitude of running on your own and getting a break from “real life.” Taking some time to consider these questions puts you on the path to success – it’s certainly much better than flying by the seat of your pants and hoping that you’ll find some time to run.

Then, start with a realistic consideration of your current fitness.  From there, begin with some moderate mileage and begin building slowly – the rule of thumb is to increase by no more than 10% from one week to the next.  Try to be consistent with the number of runs per week you can fit in and keep working that mileage up week by week.

Finally, plan a few races between now and the half marathon. They’re a good gauge of your fitness and progression, and allow you to have a little fun between now and your goal race.  They can also serve as mini dress rehearsals where you can try out your pre-race meals, shoes, running outfit, etc.

Getting ready for successful racing doesn’t need to be overly complicated.  But, a little bit of planning can really give you a leg up – literally and figuratively! Take some time to plan out your training and you’ll significantly increase your chance to feel good about your performance on the big day.

Good luck with your training; and, I’ll see you on the road, tracks and trails…………. and maybe a training class and/or group run.

Tony
Member Spotlight: Darren Zellman
Where are you from? What brought you to Missoula?

I am from Indiana, Pennsylvania, which is a nice little college town in the western part of Pa. The forests, mountains, and a family connection brought me to the Swan Valley as a young adult. Since then I have migrated a little closer to town. Work, the arts, sporting events and the fun culture bring me to Missoula.


Do you know someone from our Run Wild Missoula community that we should get to know better? Click Here to Nominate
Missoula Marathon Training Classes
Making the move up from the half to the full marathon, and not sure how best to prepare for the added distance? First ever half marathon? Looking for some camaraderie and support during your long runs? In search of a group with whom you can share your suffering?  We have just the thing for you!

Sign up now for  Run Wild Missoula's Marathon & Half Marathon Training Class . This 17-week program is great if you're a first-timer or a repeat runner looking to successfuly train for and complete the  Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon, on Sunday, June 30th . Run Wild Missoula has offered this class since the Missoula Marathon began, to great attendance and success. This year, Courtney Babcock and Tony Banovich will be returning as the coaches.

Class begins Sunday, March 3rd! For more information about the Missoula Marathon & Half Marathon Training Class and to register,  Click Here !

Did you know that Run Wild Missoula also offers a walking class to help you prepare for the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon? Click Here to learn more about our walking class!
End of Winter Garage Sale: Friday, March 15
As winter comes to an end, it's time for a little spring cleaning at Run Wild Missoula. This is your chance to save on Run Wild Missoula and Missoula Marathon gear and merchandise.

Once again, we'll have our End of Winter Garage Sale in conjunction with the Run for the Luck of It! packet pick up on Friday, March 15th from 2:00 - 6:00 PM at Run Wild Missoula (basement of Runner's Edge).

We have some incredible bargains like $2 casual tees and $5 tech tees. Not to mention steep discounts on regularly priced merchandise. You won't want to miss out on these prices!
406 Day 3K: April 6
Come out and support Big Sky High School senior, Madi, as she produces her first race with the assistance of Run Wild Missoula! The 406 Day 3K will take place on Saturday, April 6th at Big Sky Horse Park. Race shirts are guaranteed to the first 50 registrants, and entry fees are just $20.

What's 406 Day? Some call it, Montana Day in honor of our 406 area code here in the Treasure State. Celebrate the morning, help Madi have a successful senior project, and raise money for a great cause!

All proceeds from this race will be donated to the Big Sky High School Life Skills Special Education Program.  Through this program, students at Big Sky High School work with students with disabilities and teach them life skills related to getting jobs and becoming more independent. Funds will also go towards underprivileged kids in the Life Skills Special Education Program in the form of sponsorships so they are able to participate in the Special Olympic Games. 

Spring Trail Running Classes: Registration Opens March 14
Are you ready to start training for the upcoming Spring and Summer trail racing season? Maybe you're looking for new trails to explore with a fun group? Or, are you new to trail running and looking to ease your way into the trail scene?

Run Wild Missoula is excited to offer  four  different trail running classes this spring! Follow the below links to find out more about each class and who the class leaders are:

Thursday Evening | April 4 - May 23

Tuesday Evening | April 2 - May 21

Thursday Evening | April 4 - May 23

Thursday Morning & Sunday Morning | April 4 - May 30

Registration for all classes will open on  Thursday, March 14th at 8:00 AM
Space is Limited. Run Wild Missoula Membership Required.
Spring Races at Run Wild Missoula
How are your tallies coming along for the 2019 Racemakers & Run Wilder challenges? Check out these spring races to add a few more to your list!
Run for the Trees 10K, 5K, & 1 Mile Fun Run: April 20
Join Run Wild Missoula and Missoula Parks & Recreation for the 27th annual Run for the Trees on Saturday, April 20th at Silver Park! We will celebrate Missoula's Urban Forest with a 10K, 5K, and 1 mile fun run for kids of all ages. All 10K and 5K participants will receive a speciality tea blend from Lake Missoula Tea Company, a tree sapling (courtesy the Good Food Store), chip timing, and more!

We can't think of a better way to spend a spring morning in Missoula than running and walking around our urban forest. Registration opens on Thursday, February 14th.

Sweathouse Half Marathon: May 11
Run Wild Missoula is excited to bring the  Sweathouse Half Marathon  to your spring racing calendar! All registered participants will receive a short sleeve tech tee, on-course aid, chip timing, and more. All finisher's will also receive a finisher's medal. This race is capped at 350 participants.

Come run a simple, low-key half marathon in Victor, MT, while still receiving all the amenities of a Run Wild Missoula race. The course is a scenic, looping route, starting and ending at Victor Park. Runners and walkers are welcome and will enjoy the dirt and blacktop course! Race day is Saturday, May 11th.


Run Wild Missoula will also be offering a virtual option for the Sweathouse Half Marathon.
March BOP Social: March 23
BOP color-black
BOP in the Bitterroot

3:00 PM - Meet at Lee Metcalf Refuge river trails parking lot on Wildfowl Lane to run and/or walk on refuge road or trails - please note, this is NOT the visitor center parking & trail system

4:00 PM - Meet at Blacksmith Brewing, Main Street in Stevensville. Beverages for sale; potluck snacks (bring some food to share).

This semi-annual Bitterroot BOP Social has been popular for years; our best-attended socials are those held at Lee Metcalf. Come, get a free BOP Buff, and make new friends.

They're Back! We have replenished the supply of BOP Buffs. Free for newbies (available only at BOP socials.) $5.00 for anyone who has already received a free one.

Last Wednesday Beer Run: Southside Kettlehouse
Last Wednesday Beer Run • March 27th

Our March beer run will take place the Southside Kettlehouse; 602 Myrtle Street. Among their varied beer selections they have a special brew if you're gluten free - the Hip Stripped IPA - all the great hoppy flavor with the gluten removed.

A 3 and 5 mile course will be offered. Our beer runs are open to everyone - Run Wild Missoula membership is not required. As outlined in our " Rules of the Run ," for safety reasons, we ask that dogs are not present during the Beer Run.
"5 Miles to Beer Thirty" - The monthly beer run is a casual fun run/walk open to all runners and all abilities. Each month a 3 and 5 mile route is offered at a different brewery location on the last Wednesday of the month, and at the end is a social gathering with libations and food. What could be a better way to end the month?
2019 RWM Club Miles
We're already entering the third month of 2019! Have you been tracking your miles?? Here are the updated running statistics for our club through February 28, 2019:

  • So far, we have run 16,345.76 miles in 2019

  • As a club, we are averaging 275 miles per day

  • 112 of our members have recorded some or all of their miles in our database

Are you feeling inspired to be part of the 1200/2000 Mile Club in 2019?? It's not too late! Simply log your miles throughout the year - this can be done daily, weekly, or monthly. At the end of the year, we will award the Mile Club members with a gift!

Find out more information about the 1200/2000 Mile Club by  clicking here .
Around Town
The Ultimate Viking Challenge, March 23, Charlo


CASA Superhero Run , April 6, Missoula

5th Annual Bison Stampede , April 6, Dixon School

Bitterroot Runoff, April 14, Lolo


Sentinel Hill Climb , May 1, Missoula

Montana Women's Run, May 11, Billings

Run Like A Mother, May 12, Missoula

Shrine On! 5K, May 25, Missoula
Membership Benefits
Run Wild Missoula Information
Run Wild Missoula | 406.544.7073 | [email protected] | www.runwildmissoula.org
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