November 2018 | In This Issue
|
|
Run Wild Missoula Executive Director: Heroes & Inspiration
Running Through the Holidays
Tuesday Track Winter Schedule
Mountain Running Film Festival
Parade of Lights
Run Wild Missoula on Strava
November BOP Social
Club Running Stats
November Beer Run
Member Spotlight: Justin Grigg
|
|
Run Wild Missoula Executive Director: Heroes & Inspiration
|
In life, we can all use some inspiration at one time or another. Whether it’s personal, professional, or recreational, many of us find comfort, inspiration and/or meaning in the words, actions, and deeds of those around us. Many times, it’s a famous person. Perhaps it’s a parent our spouse. Or maybe a close friend who has done amazing things. We typically call these people heroes and we often look to them to help us be inspired.
Running is no different. There are amazing athletes throughout history whose performances have moved many of us to try to run farther and faster. After listening to a recent podcast about this very issue, it got me to thinking about who inspired me in my running “career”. And, since this is a club for running and walking, it seemed to as though this might be a good venue to share some thoughts about my running related heroes.
When I was in the midst of my competitive running, I was truly inspired and amazed by the great Haile Gebrselassie (Geb) of Ethiopia. Beginning in 1993 and continuing through 2010, Geb was at the top of the track & field and road racing scene around the world. His range was incredible – winning world and Olympic titles from 1,500 meters to 10,000 meters and setting two world records in the marathon. That range made me realize that one shouldn’t silo themselves into specific race distances. Mixing up race distances and surfaces allows you to continually work on developing different physiological systems and keeping things “fresh” and exciting.
For many years, I’ve also been a fan of Mebrahtom Keflezighi (Meb) of the United States. His backstory is amazing, having come to the US as child with his family as they fled atrocities in their native Eritrea. Meb went on to become an All-American at UCLA, a silver medalist in the 2004 Olympic Marathon (Athens) and winner of the 2009 New York City and 2014 Boston marathons. Two things impress me about Meb. First is his longevity – winning Boston at 39 and making the US marathon team for the London Olympics (2016) at 41. Second is his place as a great ambassador of the sport. Thoughtful, articulate, open and engaging, Meb works hard to encourage everyone to strive to reach their ultimate potential.
As my role in the sport has moved on to administrative and event management roles, my perspective has changed as well. I’ve come to be inspired by those athletes that aren’t the whippet thin, naturally gifted gazelles at the front of the pack. Those who got into running to lose some weight. To improve their self-confidence. To push past all the negative feedback (internal and external) to accomplish what seemed to be an unattainable goal. To run their first mile…. their first 5K…….. their first half………….. their first full…………….. and more. How can you not be inspired by those who pressed on in spite of whatever physical and/or emotional challenges that might confront them? Who used running and walking as a way to become the best version of themselves?
It seems that there is also a message that heroes can take many forms. Olympian, BOPer, Walker, or somewhere in between. We just need to be sure to take the time to identify and recognize those inspirational souls who walk and run among us.
Until next month, I’ll be out looking for inspiration on the roads, tracks & trails.
Tony
|
|
Running Through the Holidays
|
|
Turkey Day 8K & 3K Family Fun Run: November 22
|
Join us on Thursday, November 22nd and get some fresh air and exercise before feasting on a Thanksgiving meal! The Turkey Day 8K and 3K Family Fun Run courses travel along the Riverfront and Milwaukee Trails, with short distances on a few Missoula city streets.
All 8K participants will receive the coveted knit hat (we've made a few updates, and are really excited about how they look and feel!). Knit hats are guaranteed to all pre-registered runners through Tuesday, November 20th at 12:00 PM (noon).
The 3K run is untimed and noncompetitive; perfect for kids and families! The run is free, but registration is required.
The Turkey Day Run is a great way to be outside and active on Thanksgiving morning; it just seems to be part of the Missoula lifestyle. But, it's also a great way to give back to your community and help out those who may be facing some struggles and challenges. During registration, you will have the ability to make an optional donation to
The Missoula Food Bank
.
NOTE: Due to construction on Cregg Lane and at McCormick Park, it is possible that we may have to change the race day venue. We'll post more as soon as we have a confirmed venue.
|
|
Resolution Run 5K: January 1
|
Kick off the New Year with a $5 5K! At that price, you to have no excuses not to come out and start the new year right with us!
Each registered runner will receive a 2019 Resolution Run ceramic soup bowl, warm soup to put in the bowl after the race, AND a "No Peak Envelope" from Runner's Edge! Each envelope contains a prize (from socks to apparel and shoes), but you can't peak! You must bring the
SEALED
envelope to the Runner's Edge during the month of January, and with the purchase of any item, they will open the envelope with you at the store to find out what you have won! The Resolution Run will also count towards RWM members' 2018 and 2019
Racemaker's 7 Races for a Goodie
tally!
Registration opens on
Thursday, November 15th at 8:00 AM
.
Space is limited to the first
500
participants - don't miss out
|
|
Tuesday Track: Winter Schedule
|
Did you know Run Wild Missoula hosts weekly track workouts that are
FREE
to our members??? Stay motivated through the winter and join us each Tuesday for a great workout!
Tuesday Track is a great way to get your speed workout in
(no matter your speed!)
each week and take advantage of workouts led by Coach Courtney Babcock, a former Olympic athlete; and other experienced athletes.
Beginning Tuesday, October 30th, Tuesday Track will meet at the Run Wild Missoula office at 5:30 PM. The coach will go over the workout with the group and runners will head out onto the Milwaukee Trail or other location to complete the workout on their own.
|
|
Mountain Running Film Festival: November 9th
|
When:
Friday, November 9th at 7:30 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Cost:
$12 Advance / $15 Door
(plus applicable box office fees)
Tickets:
Available at The Top Hat, The Wilma Box Office, or
Online
What to Expect:
short trail films, raffle prizes, and more. Limited edition
Montana Trail Crew
merchandise will be available for purchase (preview below).
Montana Trail Crew
&
Run Wild Missoula
invite you to come down to
The Wilma
for our
6th annual Mountain Running Film Festival
. This annual end-of-season party celebrates the trails that connect the outdoor community to the wild lands and open spaces so abundant in Montana. Join us for an evening of spectacular trail running film capturing the lure and indescribable sensation of venturing deep into the wild.
|
|
2018 Parade of Lights: December 1st
|
Get in the holiday spirit and walk with Run Wild Missoula in Downtown Missoula's annual
Parade of Lights
on Saturday, December 1st, 2018! This has become a fun holiday tradition for our members. Last year, we had over 50 members help represent RWM in the parade!
Meet us at the Run Wild Missoula office (304 N Higgins, basement of Runner's Edge) beginning at 4:15 p.m. for hot chocolate and holiday cookies. We will leave RWM and head to the parade start at 5:00 PM. Or, you can meet us at the parade start, please arrive by 5:30 PM.
The parade begins in front of the
Missoulian building
at 6:00 PM and proceeds across the Higgins Avenue bridge to the red XXXX's, on East Alder Street.
For more information about the social and to let us know you're coming,
Click Here
.
Please RSVP so we have enough treats for everyone
|
|
Run Wild Missoula on Strava
|
Run Wild Missoula will start to utilize Strava for more upcoming group runs, socials, and more. Strava is a free activity tracking app primarily used for running and biking activities (although they also have expanded into swimming and other sports). Through Strava, we have the opportunity to map routes for our members to use - either through the app or my uploading the route to a GPS watch (like Garmin or Suunto).
Join our club and keep informed about Tuesday Track, weekly and quarterly group runs, future virtual run opportunities, and more.
|
|
November BOP Social: November 18th
|
Sunday, November 18th at 3:00 PM
• Run or walk 2-4 miles through neighborhoods
• Return to The Olde Dairy for refreshments & social connection
• Order off the menu: Deli sandwiches, salads, soups; coffee drinks, beer, wine; ice cream
|
|
Run Wild Missoula Club Running Stats
|
Fall is in the air and Run Wild Missoula staff are still out logging miles, are you?? There are 61 days left in 2018! Here are the updated running statistics for our club through October 31, 2018:
- So far, we have run 117,637.23 miles in 2018
- As a club, we are averaging 387 miles per day
- 56 members have recorded over 1,000 miles for 2018!
- 172 of our members have recorded some or all of their miles in our database
Did you start logging your miles at the beginning of the year, but haven't continued to add up your miles? Or, are you feeling inspired to be part of the 1200/2000 Mile Club in 2018??
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.
|
|
Last Wednesday Beer Run: Double Front Chicken
|
|
Last Wednesday Beer Run • November 28th
Our traditional November Thanksgiving Beer Run location is once again at
Double Front Chicken
, 122 W Alder Street. Chicken is the closest thing we can get to Turkey, and this run has an almost cult following every year, mostly because we all have an excuse to eat delicious fried chicken, perhaps delineating from our otherwise 364 day healthier runner eating habits (Ha! Yeah, right).
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?
|
|
Member Spotlight: Justin Grigg
|
Where are you from? What brought you to Missoula?
I was born and grew up in Portland, Oregon, then moved to Missoula in the early 1990s to attend the University of Montana. After graduating, I moved away for a few years for work, but returned in late 1999 and have been here since.
Huge thank you to Justin for all of his hard work and dedication as Race Director for Run Wild Missoula's second largest race, the Turkey Day 8K & 3K Family Fun Run!
|
|
Member Spotlight: Nomination Form
|
Do you know someone from our Run Wild Missoula community that we should ge
t to know better?
With 1,500-plus members, we have a wealth of talent, passion, expertise, inspiration, and enthusiasm for running and walking among us.
Maybe it is someone who has been inspirational to you, achieved an insurmountable goal, demonstrated a courage to start (or re-start!), or clearly exemplifies the club's core values. Perhaps there is another reason?
If so, we'd like to hear from you! Simply complete the form on the Run Wild Missoula website.
|
|
Come down and support downtown Missoula businesses on
Small Business Saturday. Be sure to visit our friends at
Runner's Edge on
Saturday, November 24th for special deals and more!
|
|
Run Wild Missoula Information
|
|
CONNECT WITH RUN WILD MISSOULA
|
|
THE MISSOULA MARATHON IS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, TOO!
|
|
Unsubscribing from this email will not eliminate you from receiving emails about volunteer opportunities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
