null
IN THIS ISSUE
Run Wild Missoula: Executive Director: My Torrid Love Affair
Missoula Marathon: Great Phase I of Missoula Marathon Registration
Catch 'Em If You Can: February 14
Back Of the Pack Social Run/Walk: February 21
Run For The Luck Of It: March 14
View From The Back: Newcomer Finds Community
Diva Day: Meet Our New Race Directors
Alpine Physical Therapy
Around Town
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Every Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.  Runner's Edge








RUN WILD MISSOULA INFORMATION


RESULTS & PHOTOS

February 2015
Run Wild Missoula Executive Director: My Torrid Love Affair 
by Tony Banovich, Executive Director
 

For the February newsletter, it only seemed appropriate to pen an article about love. But, of course, my tome will have a bit of a twist. Yes, I'm madly, deeply in love with my wife Erin (30 years this July). But, I've been having a wild affair for years and years; and, Erin's known about it through the duration of our entire relationship. In fact, she even encourages it (most of the time).


For the last 35+ years I've found an opportunity just about every single day to spend a little time with my mistress. I guess that you could say that we were high school sweethearts. And, I still find her just as attractive and desirable as I did all those years ago.

She can be a wonderful companion. She strokes my ego. She encourages me to stay trim and fit. She causes strange chemical reactions within my body and brain that regularly make me feel just a bit euphoric. Yes indeed, she has brought me to the highest of highs.

Oh! But, she can also be a fickle mistress. Just when I'm feeling at my best, she can (literally) take my legs out from under me. She can leave me feeling bruised and battered. She can make me question why I continue to come back to her day after day.

And, yet, I come back - willingly. I can't imagine her not being part of my daily life. For, without her, life would not have quite the same meaning. In the end, she has done so much to make me the person that I am today. To paraphrase Jerry Maguire.....she completes me.

Her Greek name is Atalanta. Some call her Tammie Trail; or Mountain Momma; or Dirty Girl; or, Rosie Run Run. Me, I call her Lady Mileage. All I know is that I love everything about her and that we plan to spend many more years together. Sure, she has a few miles on her. But, she's still beautiful to me.

Happy Valentine's Day M'Lady
Missoula Marathon


 

Great Phase I of Missoula Marathon Registration

Early bird registration closed at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, January 31st; and, we had a very successful first phase.

In the last week of early registration, we had over 1,200 new registrations. Including deferrals from 2014, the full and half marathon fields are about half full. We're also pleased to announce that we currently have 2 entrants in the wheelchair half marathon division.

Our goal remains to sell out all 3 of our races - that will mean 1,200 in the 5K; 1,750 in the Full Marathon; and, 4,000 in the Half Marathon. So, as Run Wild Missoula members, I challenge you to keep spreading the word about our great event and let's fill the fields!!  Click here to register.
Catch 'Em If You Can: February 14
We are just days away from RWM's 1st race of the year.

The Catch'em If You Can 5K
will take place on Saturday, February 14th at the Osprey Stadium parking lot - 9:30 am start for the ladies, 9:33 am for the men.

What better way to prepare for all those Valentine's treats than a 5K run! Avoid the price increase and sign up early - $15 for RWM members until online registration closes (Friday, February 13th). In-person registrations will be available on Friday, from 4pm until 6pm, at Run Wild Missoula (basement of Runner's Edge) and on race day, from 8:30 am until 9:15 am. Packet pickup is available at Run Wild Missoula from 4pm to 6pm on Friday the 13th, or race day at the race start from 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. Everyone gets socks from the Runners Edge and Big Dipper Ice Cream at the finish line!

We have prizes for the top 3 ladies and the top 3 gentleman. Our famous post-race prize drawing is back as well, and we've collected some nice prizes again this year from these generous businesses: Montana Ace Hardware, Rockin' Rudy's, and Crazy Mike's Video. In addition we have a fabulous "Grand Prize" from Cafe Dolce. Remember you must be present to win. We're too lazy to haul the stuff home and try to track you down later.

Race proceeds benefit Missoula Cross Country and Track & Field programs. So come join us for some fun and help support our community's young athletes on the 14th for the Catch'Em If You Can.

Get more info at runwildmissoula.org or email dara@runwildmissoula.org. Click here to register and for more information. 
Back Of the Pack Social Run/Walk: February 21
by Pam Gardiner, Leader of the BOP

BACK OF THE PACK SOCIAL RUN/WALK -SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21. 3:00 pm. 
Meet at Great Burn Brewing Company, 2230 McDonald Ave West of Brooks behind the Brooks Street Motor Inn. 
Please park on the street, not the lot, while running 

Run/walk 2-4 miles on Bitterroot Branch Trail. Return to Great Burn for socializing. 

Please bring snacks to share and purchase beverages from Great Burn (non-alchoholic options in addition to a variety of craft beers). 
Run For The Luck Of It: March 14
by Jen von Sehlen, Race Director

Registration Now Open for RWM's Iconic St. Paddy's Run

It's February folks, and we're a quick six weeks out from the 6th running of the Run for the Luck of It! on Saturday, March 14, in Missoula's awesome downtown. We're pleased to announce that registration for the 5K, 7-Mile, and FREE kids' dash is now officially open. Stay tuned to RWM's social media sites and the race website for updates, as there are a few exciting changes on tap for this year (details to be revealed soon).

This year we're giving away sweet cotton-blend t-shirts you'll be thrilled to add to your wardrobe. These are not your typical unisex, boxy Ts; they're soft, comfortable and available in men's and women's cuts. Get registered today to guarantee yourself one of these shirts! As in years' past, we'll be rewarding our top finishers, both overall and age group winners, with extra schwag.

As always, the beer will be flowing to quench your thirst after you make your way through Missoula's Northside neighborhood. And, don't forget to don the greenest and wackiest St. Patrick's Day-themed costumes you can come up with. This year, we're changing it up a bit and giving away one big prize to one winner (can be individual, couple or group), decided by you!

Whether you're really Irish or just Irish-at-heart, grab your friends and family and get registered for this festive and fun run today! If you can't run or walk it this year, but would like to volunteer, please get in touch with the race director - we always need lots of helpful folks out there on race day; we couldn't put on this event without you! Click here to register.

Support your local running club, race local and sláinte!
Missoula Marathon: Walking Class
Leader needed!
Are you interested in training to walk the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon?  Have you taken the annual RWM Walking class before and want to give back more this year?  RWM loves getting to offer this class each year - but we desperately need a leader for the 2015 class!  Please contact Hillary Ogg, hillaryo@runwildmissoula.org, or 370-0137, if you're interested!
View From The Back: Newcomer Finds Community
by Anne Stone, RWM Member

BOP color-black

So, here I am, living in Missoula, a full-fledged member of Run Wild Missoula, a Back-of-the-Packer, and training for the Missoula Marathon with my new friends in the Galloway program.  A year ago, I had no idea any of this would be my life, so how did it happen?

Flash-back to 2013, living in Iowa and on the verge of retirement...  My son Dan moved to Missoula a few years before and during my visits here, I somehow came across Run Wild Missoula and the Back-of-the-Pack.  I was so impressed with what they were doing, I contacted Pam Gardiner and she added me to the RWM email list.

In 2014 I started traveling with my two dogs and arrived in Missoula the first part of May.  We picked up a travel trailer, put over 9,000 miles on it over the next few months, and ended up back in Missoula by the first of August!  During our time on the road, I was looking for a new place to live and saw some wonderful places, but Missoula has always had such a great vibe, a feeling of community, and of course, my son.  So, I decided to move here, found a place to live, drove back to Iowa where I packed up a U-Haul and moved here in September!  In October, I showed up at the Wednesday Night Beer Run, Pam happened to be there, we connected and here I am...

The running community here is extraordinary in their commitment to all types of runners and the effort they put into providing the structure to train and race shows that commitment.  I believe it's unusual to move into a community, not knowing anyone, and within three months, truly feel like a part of that community.  Thank you. 

Diva Day: Meet Our New Race Directors
by Michelle Weaver Knowles, Co-Race Director

After many years of successful Diva Day races, Sue Falsey has decided to give up her reign as Race Director. Of course, she will be available to assist the 3 of us who are taking over... Susan Colyer, Patti Prato and Michelle Weaver Knowles. We thought we would share with all of you a little about each of us.

Susan is a financial planner here in Missoula. She was born and raised in Montana and has been involved in the Missoula race scene since 1993. She is a member/volunteer in many capacities for Run Wild Missoula and also participates in many club races.

Patti Prato is a veterinarian who owns Four Paws Veterinary Clinic here in Missoula. She started running four years ago for some unknown reason and has embraced the Diva Day race as a sponsor and her unabashed team always brings an amazing energy with their silly behaviors/costumes to Diva Day. She is a member of Run Wild Missoula and participates in various Run Wild Missoula races.

Michelle Weaver Knowles is a registered nurse in women's health and has lived in Missoula for 23 years. She ran in high school and was inspired to start running again after being introduced to the Galloway run/walk program. She has been a Run Wild Missoula member/volunteer and race participant for a few years.

All of us agree and believe that the Diva Day All Women's Run is an opportunity for ALL women to embrace who they are (or aren't depending on your costume) for a day. We all love the diverse group of women that bring a whole new spirit to the Diva Day Race. All of us have experienced the energy that all the participants bring to Diva Day. We are also all very passionate about seeing the success of other women.

We have all felt embraced by Run Wild Missoula as the term "runner" is not defined as those who run and win every race-but rather encompasses a vast population of those who get outside and move-whether walking, running or a combination of both. We all wanted to become more involved to reach out and celebrate that Diva Day is about being a strong, confident female wherever you happen to be in your own journey, and that's the race you win that day!
Alpine Physical Therapy
by Matt Schweitzer, Alpine Physical Therapy

Alpine PT Logo I hope all of you are enjoying the New Year and your training is going well. The New Year brings new goals and new opportunities for races, fitness and happiness. I will be working with Jamie Terry, DPT, SCS, CSCS to bring you exercises to help you create a solid foundation to reach your running goals. In the coming months Alpine will be posting videos of exercises needed to restore, correct, build foundational strength and improve flexibility to complement your running program. We will do our best to recommend exercises to keep your training program on track and injury free.

For the first month we will provide some very basic, yet essential exercises. We are designing a monthly progression so you can build on your foundation leading up to the marathon. Much like your running mileage gradually progresses, so will the exercises. Typical progression goes from basic exercises in which you find the correct muscles to more complex exercises with functional application. We will be using videos as a teaching tool so you can hear our specific instructions and review as needed. It is easy to do exercises incorrectly and if you do, you will not reap the benefits.

Everyone is unique and if you do start to experience some discomfort in your running program, even if you are being consistent with the exercises, don't wait! Come in and see us at Alpine Physical Therapy for one of our free 15 minute consultations we offer for our community. The sooner you address the issue, the easier it is to treat. The Missoula Marathon is 5 short months away, so this is the perfect time to start preventing aches and pains as you increase your mileage. Enjoy the exercises and happy running!

Matt Schweitzer, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Jamie Terry, DPT, SCS, CSCS
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
Around Town
36th Snow Joke Half Marathon, February 28, 2015, 11:00 a.m. Seeley Lake. Registration $25.00 until January 1. Register here  http://mtsnowjoke.com

Butler Creek Boogie, 1 mile and 5K, March 7, 2015, Desmet School, 6355 Padre Lane, Missoula. Contact Linda Briggeman at 549-4994 or lbriggeman@desmetschool.org 

Griz Glow 5K Fun Run, March 21, 8:30 p.m. University of Montana Golf Course, participants encouraged to dress brightly - neon and glow in the dark. umt.edu/crec/youthcamps/grizglow.php

Buttercup Run, 1 mile, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, April 4, Arlee, 10:00 a.m., buttercuprun.org 
Run Wild,

 

Chris Everett, Running Wild Newsletter Editor

P.S. Unsubscribing to this email won't eliminate you from receiving emails about volunteer opportunities.

Find us on Facebook
Twitter