Singletrack n' Switchbacks

http://www.vigilanterunning.org

Trailrunner magazine voted Helena one of the country's top trail running towns. This is your chance to experience Helena's singletrack and become a more confident trail racer. This weekend is well suited to runners looking to gain more trail experience, apprehensive about trying a race, considering running an ultramarathon, wanting to explore Helena's world-class trail system, or just desiring an inspiring training weekend with other trail running enthusiasts. Before hitting the trails, participants will discuss hydration and nutrition, uphill and downhill racing strategies, goal setting, and race tactics. There will be plenty of trail time.

Course Content:

Friday 5:30 - Meet downtown.  Make introductions, share the schedule for the weekend, and have a short discussion about goal setting and race strategies.  Easy 4-8 mile run, preferably on all or part of the Don't Fence Me In 12k race course. 
 
Saturday morning - Meet downtown.  Discuss hydration, nutrition, and equipment either at the meeting spot or the trailhead.  Longer run of 8-15 miles.  Most likely on a portion of the Elkhorn 50k or 50-mile race course in the nearby Elkhorn Mountain Range.  Picnic lunch at trailhead following the run.  

Saturday afternoon - Optional run of 2-5 miles in the South Hills or Scratchgravels starting from downtown Helena walking mall.

Saturday evening - Dinner and a question and answer session with a panel of experienced trail racers.   

Sunday morning - Short workshop about uphill and downhill racing strategies either at the meeting spot or the trailhead.  Final run of 4-6 miles, preferably on the Mt. Helena race course.  Finish with lunch.

Cost: $125

Includes a Helena trail map, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, dinner on Saturday and transportation to trailheads.

Instructor: Marta Fisher

Marta Fisher is an accomplished trail runner who lives in Helena, Montana and runs daily on the outstanding trails that start right from the heart of downtown. With mile-high Mount Helena towering over the city, Marta describes her passion for running the rugged Rocky Mountain trails of Montana and Helena: I started running at 15 because I thought I should try some kind of sport. I quickly fell in love with running and competing and ran varsity track and cross country through college. In two decades of running I’ve raced just about every distance from the mile to the marathon; I’m still looking forward to racing an ultramarathon. I became specifically focused on trail running about four or five years ago. While I can enjoy almost any run, I appreciate trail running specifically because the terrain always provides a challenge and the views are so frequently stunning, especially here in Montana. My biggest running goal is to continue running until I’m old enough to show up to a race and win an award for just being old. I’m also slowly chipping away at a goal to run a race in every US state. So far, I’ve raced in nineteen states. I’ve posted impressions of many of these races at: http://www.racereviews.blogspot.com/. While running is always fun, I especially enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes from racing. In the past few years, I’ve had notable finishes at trail races in Helena (Don’t Fence Me In 12k in 2008 and 30k in 2010– 1st, 2008 Mt. Helena Classic – 1st, 2006 South Hills Annual Trail Series – 1st in series), around Montana (2008 and 2010 Pengelly Double Dip – 1st, 2008 and 2010 Wulfman’s Continental Divide 14k – 2nd), and around the US (2007 Meeteetse Absaroka Challenge Mountain Run in Wyoming – 1st, 2007 Keewenaw Trail Running Festival in Michigan – 2nd in series).