For the 9th consecutive year,  Alpine Physical Therapy will be the exclusive physical therapy sponsor of the Missoula Marathon.  This prestigious sponsorship puts us face-to-face with runners of all skill levels, giving us opportunities to provide consultation to all participants and to present numerous training seminars for area marathoners.

Our team of 17 physical therapists provides both pre- and post-race massages for all Missoula Marathoners. In addition, we offer free injury consultations both before and after the race.

We offer a unique service for all runners called The Runner’s Clinic, which is overseen by expert physical therapist, Matthew Schweitzer, DPT, CSCS. Matt is our sport biomechanics expert associated with high-mileage running.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination.  Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance.  The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one!  For more information on The Runner’s Clinic, be sure to visit our website by clicking here.

Gaining knowledge about your injury and what you can do to resolve it puts you ahead of the pack. We invite you to peruse The Runner’s Clinic section of our website for information on various injuries common to runners.  Gather additional information by clicking on the Patient Resources section of our website for news and information on these and other conditions runners face.

We have three locations in Missoula.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, North
  We are located at 2965 Stockyard Road in the North Reserve Business Center, just behind Carino’s.  406-541-2606.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, South
  We are located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center South on the corner of Highway 93 South and Blue Mountain Road.  406-251-2323.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, Downtown
  We are also located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center Downtown at 150 E. Spruce, Ste A.  406-549-0064.

​All participants of the Missoula Marathon are provided free injury consultations with one of our physical therapists. Call to schedule a free injury consultation or to schedule for The Runner’s Clinic.

​Here’s an update from one of our running specialists at Alpine, Matt Schweitzer, DPT, OCS, CSCS.

************
​
A couple weeks back, a group of runners gathered at Alpine Physical Therapy’s North location (by Jonnny Carino’s) for a beautiful morning run. When the runners finished their training run, a group of five of Alpine’s physical therapists and one athletic trainer were stationed by to help the runners prepare for the upcoming Missoula Marathon.

For the 8th consecutive year,  Alpine Physical Therapy will be the exclusive physical therapy sponsor of the Missoula Marathon.  This prestigious sponsorship puts us face-to-face with runners of all skill levels, giving us opportunities to provide consultation to all participants and to present numerous training seminars for area marathoners.

Our team of 14 therapists provides both pre- and post-race massages for all Missoula Marathoners. In addition, we offer free injury consultations both before and after the race.

We offer a unique service for all runners called The Runner’s Clinic, which is overseen by expert physical therapist, Kristi Moore, MSPT. Kristi is our sport biomechanics expert associated with high-mileage running.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination.  Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance.  The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one!  For more information on The Runner’s Clinic, be sure to visit our website by clicking here.

Gaining knowledge about your injury and what you can do to resolve it puts you ahead of the pack. We invite you to peruse The Runner’s Clinic section of our website for information on various injuries common to runners.  Gather additional information by clicking on the Patient Resources section of our website for news and information on these and other conditions runners face.

We have three locations in Missoula.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, North
  We are located at 2965 Stockyard Road in the North Reserve Business Center, just behind Carino’s.  406-541-2606.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, South
  We are located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center South on the corner of Highway 93 South and Blue Mountain Road.  406-251-2323.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, Downtown
  We are also located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center Downtown at 150 E. Spruce, Ste A.  406-549-0064.

​All participants of the Missoula Marathon are provided free injury consultations with one of our physical therapists. Call to schedule a free injury consultation or to schedule for The Runner’s Clinic.

In the few days or week leading up to a race, avoid doing new things for your body because you just don’t know how your body will respond. Make the day before a long race a lazy day with minimal prolonged standing and walking. Be extra nice to your knees and feet. If you’re thinking about using tape on race day, make sure you have already tested running with it on.

Morning of the race – eat what your body knows. Warm-up! Run in the shoes you trained in. Run in the clothes you trained in. You don’t want any surprises on race day! BODY GLIDE (nipples, bra line, waist band, inner thighs, under heart rate monitor if you wear one) Don’t overdress – to help get it right you should be a bit cool before you start your warm-up. A few pieces of toilet paper in your pocket might come in handy. Water and Electrolytes are equally important.

Schedule a massage for after, NOT before the race. Believe in yourself and your training. Visualize yourself crossing the finish line. You’ve finished! Jump in the River!

Pre-race injuries: Here’s a guide to help you determine whether to run or not to run.

Quality of Pain
PAUSE: Mostly ache
GO FOR IT: Dull ache, tight, sometimes sharp
JUST SAY NO: Sharp, stabbing, sometimes sharp searing

Intensity of the Pain
PAUSE:  Moderate
GO FOR IT:  Mild
JUST SAY NO: Severe

Tolerance to Running
PAUSE: Worsens with mileage
GO FOR IT: Stays the same or improves with mileage
JUST SAY NO: Worsens and increased mileage causes swelling

Effect on Stride or Form
PAUSE: Mild change
GO FOR IT: No change
JUST SAY NO: Altered stride or form

Stage of Injury
PAUSE: Sub-acute
GO FOR IT: Chronic
JUST SAY NO: Acute
​
If you have other questions, need an injury consultation (free to Missoula Marathon runners), or need more information, call our clinics at 406-251-2323.

Dennis McCrea, PT, will be representing Alpine Physical Therapy in this year’s Missoula Marathon. As part of Dennis’ marathon training he will be writing a three-part blog post. This first part is about why he decided to run the marathon (see below). The second will be about his training and the third about his race experience. Thanks, Dennis. We’re all pulling for you here at Alpine PT!

***********

Why run the Marathon? The question is always “Why”, especially from both family and friends when they hear that I am training for the upcoming Missoula Marathon. I suppose it’s also a question I ask myself, especially on longer runs. Yet I never really have a good answer and frankly don’t know that there is one for me.

When I was in my 20’s I ran a lot of long distances just for the fun of it, but over time I gradually got away from doing that as life got busy or I found other interests.

So now at 61 years of age I was curious to see if I could run those longer distances again, so I added this notion of running a marathon on my Bucket List. My aim with this year’s Marathon is that I complete it so that I can take it off the My Bucket List!
​
Right before the question of Why? is the statement “I hear you are going to run the Missoula Marathon.” My response is, I am training to run the marathon and hopefully, health permitting, I will run and complete the marathon on my 62 birthday.

So the journey has begun, and I will see how well my body holds up as the miles pile up on a body that already has a lot of miles on it. I will keep you posted!
​
Dennis McCrea, PT

Doing untold numbers of post-race massages for our esteemed marathon participants today was hard work. But being together with a fantastic group of coworkers made it great. I believe we did close to the 120 massages (last count was 112 at just after 1:00), which is how many we did last year and the year before. I know it got a little tight at times with so many people nearly dying (running can do that to you) to receive one of our quality post-race sessions.

Special thanks to Angela and to Kristi for taking this event and running with it. Uh . . . pun intended! Organizing this entire event for us is a huge undertaking, and we know you put a ton of effort into making it come together so well. Great job! Missoula Marathon number 7 is in the bag.

To everyone involved, all the way from being at hugely the successful Expo, to the folks on the front lines, to massage coordinators, to bottle washers, to the Alpine runners, and to our tired-handed PTs, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Thanks for giving your time to be there in Alpine array and with your gorgeous smiles . . . and for steading the load for the team. We appreciate all your involvement!

Here’s to our 7th consecutive annual marathon sponsorship. Hooray!
​
Sincerely,
Brent . . . one tired Alpine dude!

Special thanks to guest author and Core Studio leader, Samantha Glaes for this informative and timely article.

***************

This weekend, thousands of runners will descend on Missoula for the 7th Annual Missoula Marathon.  This event lasts three days, with a little something for everyone.  The Core Studio’s sister company, Alpine Physical Therapy, continues on this year as a Missoula Marathon title physical therapy sponsor.  Alpine has been on board with the Missoula Marathon since its inception, and The Core Studio is excited to participate in Saturday’s festivities alongside our fantastic therapists and support staff.

The Core Studio will set up under Caras Park’s tent around 8 a.m. Saturday morning for the Marathon Expo.  Pam, Riley, and Dan will spend the day talking with runners about CoreAlign, Pilates, training, stretching, standing, and running posture, recovery, and also about the great sights and opportunities around Missoula.  The Core Studio will bring a few pieces of equipment to try out, so take the opportunity to see what CoreAlign and Reformer are all about.

Right there with The Core Studio will be an assortment of Alpine therapists.  They plan to answer questions about aches and pains, assess ongoing running issues, and help formulate a recovery plan.  There may even be a little physio-tape involved.  On Sunday (race day), therapists will lead a group warm up at both starting locations. Notably, the Alpine team will once again be providing post-race massages for over 120 half and full marathon participants to help facilitate a faster and more comfortable recovery after race day.

Overall, the Missoula Marathon is one of our favorite events of the year.  We love the new and familiar faces and the sense of camaraderie among participants, volunteers, and supporters.  The Missoula Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier, and even with those elevated stakes for some, the people on the course are the friendliest of any event around.  Sunday’s races are a great opportunity to see the culmination of hard work and training and to find inspiration from athletes of all types and ages.  So come see us at Saturday’s Expo, and maybe start to think about your own course tour in 2014.  Then come by on Race Day to enjoy lemonade or a Big Sky Brew with everyone who crosses the finish line.
​
*We want to thank all the folks from The Core Studio who are poised to make this the best Marathon ever, as well as Alpine’s PTs. Special thanks to TCS instructor and Alpine superstar Kristi Moore for getting us organized for Saturday and Sunday.  High 5 to you Kristi. You rock!

For the 7th consecutive year,  Alpine Physical Therapy will be the exclusive physical therapy sponsor of the Missoula Marathon.  This prestigious sponsorship puts us face-to-face with runners of all skill levels, giving us opportunities to provide consultation to all participants and to present numerous training seminars for area marathoners.

Our team of 14 therapists provides both pre- and post-race massages for all Missoula Marathoners. In addition, we offer free injury consultations both before and after the race.

We offer a unique service for all runners called The Runner’s Clinic, which is overseen by expert physical therapist, Kristi Moore, MSPT. Kristi is our sport biomechanics expert associated with high-mileage running.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination.  Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance.  The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one!  For more information on The Runner’s Clinic, be sure to visit our website by clicking here.

Gaining knowledge about your injury and what you can do to resolve it puts you ahead of the pack. We invite you to peruse The Runner’s Clinic section of our website for information on various injuries common to runners.  Gather additional information by clicking on the Patient Resources section of our website for news and information on these and other conditions runners face.

We have three locations in Missoula.
​

• Alpine Physical Therapy, North
  We are located at 2965 Stockyard Road in the North Reserve Business Center, just behind Carino’s.  406-541-2606.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, South
  We are located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center South on the corner of Highway 93 South and Blue Mountain Road.  406-251-2323.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, Downtown
  We are also located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center Downtown at 150 E. Spruce, Ste A.  406-549-0064.

All participants of the Missoula Marathon are provided free injury consultations with one of our physical therapists. Call to schedule a free injury consultation or to schedule for The Runner’s Clinic.

For the 6th consecutive year,  Alpine Physical Therapy will be the exclusive physical therapy sponsor of the Missoula Marathon.  This prestigious sponsorship puts us face-to-face with runners of all skill levels, giving us opportunities to provide consultation to all participants and to present numerous training seminars for area marathoners.

Our team of 14 therapists provides both pre- and post-race massages for all Missoula Marathoners. In addition, we offer free injury consultations both before and after the race.

We offer a unique service for all runners called The Runner’s Clinic, which is overseen by expert physical therapist, Kristi Moore, MSPT. Kristi is our sport biomechanics expert associated with high-mileage running.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination.  Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance.  The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one!  For more information on The Runner’s Clinic, be sure to visit our website by clicking here.

Gaining knowledge about your injury and what you can do to resolve it puts you ahead of the pack. We invite you to peruse The Runner’s Clinic section of our website for information on various injuries common to runners.  Gather additional information by clicking on the Patient Resources section of our website for news and information on these and other conditions runners face.

We have three locations in Missoula.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, North
  We are located at 2965 Stockyard Road in the North Reserve Business Center, just behind Carino’s.  406-541-2606.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, South
  We are located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center South on the corner of Highway 93 South and Blue Mountain Road.  406-251-2323.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, Downtown
  We are also located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center Downtown at 150 E. Spruce, Ste A.  406-549-0064.

​
All participants of the Missoula Marathon are provided free injury consultations with one of our physical therapists. Call to schedule a free injury consultation or to schedule for The Runner’s Clinic.

If you’re planning to run in this year’s Missoula Marathon, you are invited to a free seminar at the Good Food Store on February 11th at 7 PM.

Our topic is titled “How to Prevent Injury While Training for the Missoula Marathon” and will be presented by our two top physical therapy running specialists at Alpine Physical Therapy, Kristi Moore and Angela Listug-Vap.

This is a free event and is chalk full of ideas on how to train while preventing injuries. Get there early to get a seat, as it is well attended every year. The information is appropriate for runners, walkers, and run-walkers.
​
For more information on the services we provide to area runners, then be sure to check out our Runner’s Clinic at Alpine by clicking here.