For many organizations, the end of the year and the winter season means some quiet time and reduction in activity. Not so for Run Wild Missoula - we have lots going on as we wrap up 2014 and get ready to move into 2015. 

For runners, winter time often means planning for a marathon or half marathon. Have you been thinking about a spring marathon?  Maybe even the Boston Marathon?  Perhaps you're wanting to get ready for the Missoula Marathon in July. Will this be your first full or half; and, you aren't sure where to start?  Or, have you done a marathon already and now you're looking to get a new personal best?

No matter your goals or level of experience - Run Wild Missoula has a training class for you.  From the Boston/Spring Marathon Class - to the 18-week Missoula Marathon Training Class - to the Galloway Run-Walk-Run Classes, we've got you covered. To find out more and to register for a class, look under the Training Classes tab on the Run Wild website.

Looking for a little inspiration to encourage you to sign up for a marathon or to get out the door to start your training. Look no further than the Missoula Marathon's very own promotional video. Funded by a Montana Office of Tourism e-Marketing Technology Grant; and, produced by High Plains Films of Missoula, the film does a great job of capturing the essence of what we like to call the Missoula Marathon Experience.  Check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DGdTcgTqwM  and be ready to be inspired!

And, don't forget that we have one last event that will close out 2014. The annual New Year's Eve 2-Mile Prediction Run will once again take place at The Peak Health and Wellness Center on Blue Mountain Road. It's a great way to kick off your First Night celebration - find out more and register at http://www.runwildmissoula.org/runwild/index.php/ID/08890371/race/new-year-s-eve-2-mile-prediction/fuseaction/rwm.clubRaces.htm

Finally - on behalf of myself and the Run Wild Missoula staff.........thank you for such a great year; and, have a joyous holiday season.

See you on the roads, tracks and trails.

Thanks to a partnership between Run Wild Missoula and Missoula Parks & Recreation, over 250 runners were able to take part in the first organized event ever allowed on Missoula's open space and conservation lands.

Sure, there was some first rate competition - Andy Drobeck led 4 men under the 1-hour barrier. Cynthia Arnold, fresh off a course record in the Sentinel Hill Climb, took the women's honors. At a bit over 15 Kilometers, the course was long enough to present a reasonable challenge to the participants. And, there was plenty of elevation change as runners climbed over the saddle; down to Marshall Mountain Road; back up over the ridge on the mountain's north loop; and, then a big drop over the last 3 miles back down to the Hellgate soccer fields.

It was easy to celebrate a great day when we were greeted with clear skies, warm sun and no wind. The fog in the valleys below the summit added to the visual delights. But, in the end, it was such an honor and a pleasure to be able to experience the great open spaces that make Missoula such an incredible place to live, work and play.

We are so fortunate to be able to hit an incredible amount of trails and terrain right on the edge of town. It was due to great foresight of the community and the Parks & Recreation department 20-some years ago that these lands were set aside for our enjoyment; and, more importantly, for the long term protection of native plant and wildlife habitat. The Mt. Jumbo Elk Ramble allowed us to spend a few hours celebrating these amazing resources.

Please take the time to let the City's Parks and Recreation Department know how appreciative you are that they allowed this event to take place. Encourage them to allow us to continue to hold this event. And, if you participated in the race, please take a minute to drop an email to Morgan Valliant, the conservation lands manager, and let him know you thoughts about how things went. Morgan can be reached at mvalliant@ci.missoula.mt.us 

When I decided to take on the Blue Mountain 30K I didn't realize it would teach me so much. After running 11 Miles to Paradise earlier in the year I had fallen back in love with trail running. I was really looking forward to Blue Mountain. I wasn't daunted by reports of a "challenging course;" I just wanted to finish.

I am not used to running alone. I typically run with others from my Galloway pace group and my dog, Banyon. I first tried running alone 7 miles into the Sweathouse Half to test my ability to keep going without companionship when fatigue set in. I found that I could, and my confidence grew.

A week before Blue Mountain, I scouted the course and felt good about what I saw. Still, I was nervous about running without my pace group, then the morning of the race my Garmin died. Anxiety was near panic as I headed to Blue Mountain. I was grateful for the loan of a Garmin when I got to packet pickup, and paired up with the other runner who had opted for an early start. I wouldn't be alone after all. I had been rehearsing the mantras, "run your own race," "remember your training and trust it," and "use your map," but standing there at the starting line, those wise words were replaced with other chatter that would prove problematic. . .
 

Read more here  from Rennie how she conquered the Blue Mountain 30K to receive the special Last Best Finisher medal.