Runner’s World+ Member: Ron Schaar
Ron is a Runner’s World+ member. Join him and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print!
I joined RW+ to keep up with the latest trends and issues involving running.
I am motivated to run because I like the way I feel after competing or a long run by myself. Sense of self-satisfaction. Sometimes I don’t feel like running but do it anyway by thinking that “Winners Never Quit”. Once I get going and get a few miles in I am happy that I started. I like to run first thing in the morning and only once a day. I usually run three to four times a week or cross train by bike riding. I am also an avid alpine skier. I ski 50 or more days a year.
Living in Montana makes it difficult to keep up a consistent running pace in the winter. I love running over mountain trails. I do a run every year called the Wulfman Trail outside of Butte, Montana. It takes you over the continental divide. The scenery and solitude is inspiring. I also bike ride this trail.
I run primarily in Nike shoes since I like the fit and weight. Depending on conditions I usually run with a shirt from a previous race. I started to run in competitive races at age 71. I wish that there were more runners my age to compete against. Sometimes I am the only person in the race in my age group. I tend to avoid very large races since they are few and far between in Montana. I try to travel as least as possible.
My running goal is to run or cross train 30 to 40 miles per week at a 10 minute clip. Easier said than done in winter months!
This photo is of me training for the Big Sky Marathon in Ennis, Montana at mile 15 marker. The Big Sky Marathon is the 2nd longest downhill road marathon on planet earth. I finished this race in under 5 hours and thought I would surely die before the end….but winners never quit. However, I did shed some tears at mile 25 when I knew that I would surely finish.
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