by Tony Banovich, Executive Director

 

Just like farmers, fall is the busiest time of the year at Run Wild Missoula. Here's a quick rundown of what we have on our docket for the next couple of months:

Sweathouse Half Marathon (Victor), September 12th 

Beginner Runner 101 Training Class, 1st Session, September 13th  

Annual Meeting of Members, September 16th  

Wednesday CORE Lunch Class, 1st Fall Session, September 16th  

Tuesday Lunch Yoga, 1st Fall Session, September 22nd  

Thursday Evening Yoga, 1st Fall Session, September 24th 
BOP Social Hike/Potluck, September 26th 

Beer Run, Location TBA, September 30th  

Missoula All Women's Diva Day 5K, October 3rd  

20th Annual Pumpkin Run, October 18th 

Beer Run, Location TBA, October 28th  

Mt. Jumbo Elk Ramble 15K Trail Run, November 7th 

Beer Run, Location TBA, November 18th  

Turkey Day 8K and 3K Family Fun Run, November 26th

A little of something for everyone on that list - a virtual cornucopia of running related activities you might say. For those of you still trying to meet the 7 Races For A Goodie objective - there's still 5 races on that list!! Make the most of your membership and fill up on this fall feast of events.

More information about all of these events can be found on the Run Wild Missoula website.  

Not as well-known are the Grizzly Cross Country and Track & Field programs. Which seems kind of ironic in a town that is so focused on active, outdoor activities. Given the number of runners, triathletes and endurance athletes in our community, it's a bit of a mystery as to why the programs haven't flourished a bit more. With the ideal setting for training and the educational opportunities, there seems to be no reason why UM can't grow into a national class distance program.

Part of the challenge may be due to funding. To that end, Grizzly Track & Field will once again host the Homecoming Hustle 5K on September 26th. Proceeds go to the T&F program to help support their activities.

It's a fun & unique event that starts in downtown immediately preceding the UM homecoming parade, follows the parade route, runs through campus, makes a loop through Washington Grizzly Stadium and finishes at the tailgate area. They have tailgate food and beverages for all finishers.

While not a Run Wild Missoula event, we are trying to help where we can. We are hosting their online registration; and, are trying to get the word out to members about the race. I would encourage you to participate and do your part in helping our hometown collegiate T&F athletes. Register here. 

In my next lifetime, I want to be an ultramarathoner. I want to skim the peaks and ridges, celebrating the universe a hundred miles at a time. I want to keep going, day and night, confident in my capacity to endure. I want to cultivate the skill of maintaining momentum and balance under duress, of finding my way in the dark.

In this life, I am an ultramarathon groupie. Beginning with my son, who introduced me to the sport, I am inspired by the young men and women who stand on the podium waving their national flags after 15, 24, 30 and more hours in continual motion. I have devoured books like Born to Run, Eat and Run, and The Extra Mile. I have enjoyed interviews with competitors on www.irunfar.com and followed their progress with live updates from the course. I have been thinking a lot about youth and next lifetimes.

Then, last week, the picture expanded. The irunfar interview featured not first place but last. And what an amazing last-place finish it was! The video showed a tall, buff woman smiling into the camera. The headline read "70-year-old Finishes Western States with Seconds to Spare." Gunhild Swanson of Spokane, Washington became the first woman over 70 to conquer that punishing 100-mile mountain course and finish within the 30-hour time limit.

Unlike the deadly-quiet and abandoned finish lines that often greet the back of the pack, hundreds of spectators remained in place, eyes riveted to the clock as she rounded the final turn of the high school track. The crowd erupted with joy when she surged across the line in 29:59:54.

I loved reading about her suspense last winter, waiting to hear whether race officials would allow her to compete in a limited field. I was entranced by her lifetime of pushing to and beyond the 26.2-mile marathon distance. I was moved to hear that her son and teenaged grandson were her pacers. I agonized over the fact that, with several others, she missed a turn and added 3 miles to the total distance. And I misted up to hear that Rob Krar, the overall winner who came in 15 hours earlier, joined her for the final 1.2 miles, coaching her step by step to finish strong and make the cut.

Gunhild Swanson is a year older than I. As I look forward to the final year of my 6th decade, I am playing with ideas for making it special. No, I told my sweetie, I am not applying for Western States. But I am not calling it quits either. I want to use this exciting milestone as an opportunity to gear up and charge the hills (whether actual or metaphorical).

Matt Schweitzer, DPT, OCS, CSCS

https://www.alpineptmissoula.com/
Alpine Physical Therapy Downtown, Located in the Peak Health and Wellness Center
150 E. Spruce St. Ste. A
Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: 406-549-0064
Fax: 406-543-2999