A Glimpse at Who Is Training for the Missoula Marathon

Close to 450 people are registered for the running, walking and run/walk classes to train for the Missoula Marathon. That’s a lot of people to get to know. We thought it would be fun to get to know some of them and find out why they are training for the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon.

Name: Hillary Ogg
Age: 32
Profession: Research & Business Development Specialist/Mom to 2 Boys
Training Class: Running
Will this be your first marathon / half marathon? Nope - my first 1/2 was the Seattle in 2007 (so.many.hills.)
What motivated you to sign up for the training class? I've basically taken the last three years off from running with any consistency- I had my two boys (one in '08 and one in '10) - was on bedrest for the end of my last pregnancy - had foot surgery - and needed something to get me back in the game, to keep me in line and keep me honest! I wanted to get back into running without getting injured and figured this class would be great to follow for mileage, as well as any questions I had along the way. A few of my friends and I put together our own running club in '03, Girls Gone Running: Best of the West, and three of us decided to do the training class together. We have a few other friends who are training for the Missoula Half in Seattle and Billings, as well. The class has been great for our friendships (both here and long-distance) and our exercise goals.
What is your race goal? My race goal is to finish under 2 hours 10 minutes.
Do you plan to do another marathon or half marathon? I have a secret dream (not so secret anymore) of doing either the New York City Marathon or the Paris Marathon in the next few years (say, within 5 years). I figure if I'm going to do a marathon, I want it to be somewhere I want to visit - good ol' multi-tasking.

Name: Barbara Riley
Age: 58
Profession: business co-owner; fitness instructor (dance)
Training Class: Walking
Will this be your first marathon / half marathon? Yes, the first.
What motivated you to sign up for the training class? Following the blog of Kimberly Dredger last year... and wanting to achieve weight loss and fitness from an activity I enjoyed but seemed to have some physical problems with when done on my own. I knew from Kimberly's experience that we would learn how to "walk" correctly and would have lots of support in reaching any goal. I also was looking for an activity my husband and I could do together anywhere, such as while traveling.
What is your race goal? To complete the half-marathon in 3.5 hours and without injury.
Do you plan to do another marathon or half marathon? Yes, already planning another half-marathon in the fall with family members in Georgia.

Name: Suzanne Tilleman
Age: 39, turning 40 in July
Profession: Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Montana
Training Class: Running
Will this be your first marathon / half marathon? It is my second half marathon. I did my first in February. I am pretty new to regular running.
What motivated you to sign up for the training class? My running buddy, she is always encouraging me to run.
What is your race goal? To run the entire length.
Do you plan to do another marathon or half marathon? Yes.
~Eva Dunn-Froebig