By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG
It IS possible to walk a half marathon (13.1 miles) or marathon (26.2 miles). And the Missoula Marathon makes it event more attainable by giving participants 7 ½ hours to complete 26.2 miles.
Run Wild Missoula will help you train to walk the Missoula Marathon with a class especially for those wanting to learn how to walk more efficiently, increase endurance and learn other tips like proper walking nutrition, stretching, strengthening, and footwear.
The class will also help increase one’s fitness, increasing mileage at a safe pace.
Everyone knows how to walk, right? True, we all walk every day.
But are we walking as efficiently, seamlessly, and gracefully as we could? Many of us have the fitness to walk 13.1 miles without proper training, but when we train, it feels easier, less tiresome, and our bodies feel good the next day.
The Missoula Marathon Walking Class is taught by veteran marathon walkers who have completed the distance several times before. They will get class participants to the finish line with motivation and, most of all, the camaraderie and friendship of others in the class.
Speakers who are experts on topics such as footwear, nutrition, and injury prevention will also offer their knowledge.
The Missoula Marathon Walking Class starts Saturday, March 17 at 8 a.m. and meets in the Rehab Gym at Community Medical Center.
Class will continue for 16 weeks and will meet every Saturday at 8 a.m. and every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Community Medical Center.
The cost is $40 for RWM members and $65 for non-members. Register on the Run Wild Missoula website.
With the Training Program participants receive:
- Encouragement, coaching and practical suggestions by veteran marathon walkers
- Comprehensive training program
- Twice-weekly group walks on Saturdays at 8 a.m. and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Rehab Gym at Community Medical Center
- Speakers on various training topics
- Gels or other nutrition on the five longest walks
- “In Training for the Missoula Marathon” shirts
- A fun group of people to train with!
- Post-training class potluck party
Thanks to Community Medical Center and Cherry Creek Radio for sponsoring this class. We look forward to class starting this Saturday at 8 a.m.
****************
Planning to run the 2012 Missoula Marathon? Check out Eva’s post about the marathon training program.
Stay in the loop with Missoula’s running community! Check out the Run/Walk It archives for more posts from Eva and other Missoula runners and walkers.
*************
Eva Dunn-Froebig is the executive director of Run Wild Missoula and has been running since the seventh grade. She moved to Missoula 12 years ago from upstate New York to attend the University of Montana’s Journalism School graduate program. Eva never dreamed that she would have a running-related job and feels lucky to be a participant in Missoula’s vibrant running community.