Run Wild Missoula November 2013 Newsletter

As the autumn and winter days get darker and colder, safety comes to the forefront of my mind even more than it does during the warm, light-filled summer months. Staying motivated to run becomes harder in the dark, but when we do get out it's important to take safety precautions like wearing bright, reflective clothing, and lights on our front and in back in order to see and be seen. Read Eva's article here about safety and the RWM Heartsaver CPR, First Aid and AED class on Monday, November 18.

Missoula Marathon: Registration Is Underway

by Anders Brooker, Missoula Marathon Race Director

Registration opened on October 1st; it's time to get signed up. We've raised the registration cap of the Full and Half Marathon; we think after the event we had last year, both events will start filling up fast. Don't forget RWM members get a registration discount, so use the coupon code when you sign up! You can find your RWM coupon code when you log into your RWM account. Get signed up - July will here before you know it and it's great motivation to keep running during the winter months. 2014 Registration Cap: Full Marathon - 1,750; Half Marathon - 4,000; 5k - 1,000. Click here to register

Courage To Start

by Gwen Florio, RWM Member

It's generally accepted that some of the best stories from any marathon can be found as those in the back of the pack cross the finish line. There you find people who've battled illness, injuries, weight, every personal demon you can imagine. Each month, Run Wild members nominate runners they find particularly inspirational when it comes to that sort of courage. Nominees are interviewed about why they started - and why they keep running. We think you'll find their answers as uplifting as we do. This month's nominee is Betsy Mulligan-Dague. Click here to read about Betsy's courage to run.

View from the Back: State of the BOP

by Pam Gardiner, Leader, Back of the Pack

Run Wild Missoula's Back of the Pack (BOP) program is celebrating its third anniversary this month, and it is growing stronger all the time! Click here to read about all the BOP has done and what it's doing. The Back of the Pack welcomes anyone who wants to spend at least some of their time in a casual, non-competitive running and walking community.

Member Spotlight: Greg Munro and Barbara Mitzkus-Munro

by Terry Stekly, RMW Member

Meet RWM members Greg Munro (65) and Barb Mitzkus-Munro (59). Greg is a U of M Law professor who has been running since 1975, while Barbara a retired teacher has been running 5 years.

"We joined RWM when our niece joined our household and we were all doing more races. We saved money on registrations and gear. We gained easy access to healthy running information."

Click here to read the entire article.

Diva Day Report

by Sue Falsey, Diva Day Race Director

Another year and we celebrated a fantastic fun day. Is it legal to have this much fun and get great exercise and go 3.1 miles at the same time? If not, we are in big trouble. All 1,260 women and kids who participated had smiles for at least most of the time, wow. We asked our participants what they thought and the answers, and a whole bunch of photos, tell the story best. Click here to get the full report and responses of our participants. Also, click here for a super slide show reliving the great day everyone had.

photo by Neil Chaput de Saintonge

Pumpkin Run Report

by Ben Schmidt, Pumpkin Run Race Director

Well over 300 people showed up for the first Sunday running of the Pumpkin 400 meter and 5K. The run this year was on a Sunday to avoid conflicts with Saturday events that were in the downtown area. All proceeds went to the Missoula Food Bank. The overall winner, coming in 113th place, was Mary Stewart of Missoula. Way to go, Mary! Once we have consulted The Pumpkin Oracle, we will know what place is the winner next year. Click here for a full race report and to see pictures of the fun event including the great pumpkin!

Montana Super Skippers Workshop for Runners on Nov. 21 and Dec. 5

by Bev Williams

Some may ask who are the Montana Super Skippers, to sum it up, they are a group of jumpers who compete in the sport of jump rope. Besides that, they love jump rope. It's fun, easy, and offers many health benefits. They want offer the opportunity for adults to learn the skills and work outs of jump rope. Rope jumping literally has it all - it works your legs, it works your abs, it works your arms, it works your heart, it works your mind. It increases strength, agility, speed, timing and rhythm. Its impact increases bone density. It's both a fantastic cardio and strength training workout all in one. Read the entire article by Bev Williams.

Turkey Day 8K & 3K Family Fun Run on Nov. 28

Thanksgiving Day at 9:30 a.m., McCormick Park.
The 8K run/walk (chip timed) and 3K Family Fun Run (untimed) courses are along the Kim Williams Trail. The race is open to anyone wanting to get some fresh air and exercise before feasting on a Thanksgiving meal! It's a great run/walk to do as a family on a holiday. The course is open to strollers and walkers. NO DOGS ALLOWED PLEASE. There are no aid stations.

We encourage everyone to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Missoula Food Bank. Please note that the race will start at McCormick Park this year. Everyone who signs up for the 8K gets a fleece hat. Door prizes are given to participants. The 3K is free and untimed. 3K participants have the option of purchasing a fleece Turkey Day beanie for $10. Awards are given in the form of Thanksgiving food to the top 3 female and top 3 male overall winners. Click here to register.

Around Town

Can The Bobcat Fun Run 5K, 1 p.m., Nov. 10, McCormick Park. Register at Missoula Food Bank or Karl Tyler Chevrolet & Cadillac or by clicking here. Proceeds go to the UM Grizzlies Can the Bobcats Food Drive. More info:

549-0543.

Montana Trail Crew's - Mountain Running Film Festival, Nov. 22, 7 - 9:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), The Wilma. Tickets available here or at the Runner's Edge. A portion of the proceeds benefit Montana Conservation Corps.

Missoula Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5K, 10 a.m., Dec. 7, Caras Park. Wear holiday themed costumes, tie jingle bells to your shoes and raise funds to fight arthritis. Includes 1K run with elves for children. Register online here.

Light The Way 5K Fun Run, TBA, Greenough Park. Three 1-mile loops in Greennough Park with the trail lit by luminaries and with hot cider and cocoa at the finish. Click here for more information.

Rattlesnake Resolution Run 10K and 5K, 11 a.m. for the 10K and 11:15 a.m. for the 5K, Jan. 1, 2014, Rattlesnake School. Click here for more information.

Run Wild,

Chris Everett, Running Wild Newsletter Editor

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