Speaking of Running

Speaking of Running is a community lecture series on running-related topics. For information about upcoming events, or to suggest a speaker or topic, please contact HVR Board Member Joel Harris (406-670-3319 or bigskysailor@gmail.com).

Up Next!

On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Dr. Janna Vilen (double board-certified M.D. in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine who recently started a practice called Intuition Health here in Helena with her husband and co-M.D., Dr. Erik Vilen) will give a talk on “Running Strong: Innovations in Non-Surgical Sports Injury Care.” Bringing a unique blend of expertise in family medicine, regenerative orthopedic medicine, and sports medicine, Janna will be sharing her approach to whole-body health and healing. Dr. Erik Vilen will be there as well to help answer questions. 
This sounds like the perfect way to start out the year on the right foot and be proactive about preventing and rehabbing injuries. Here are the details:
When: Thursday, January 15, 6pm
Where: Large Community Room, Lewis and Clark Library, Helena
Why: Because we’re not getting any younger

History of Talks

2025
• September 9 — If you have any pains, mobility issues, or if you are just looking to take the next step in injury prevention, we have a great opportunity for you! Drs. Jesse Bostrom and Cody Cooper from Full Curl Physical Therapy & Sports Performance will be holding a Running Capacity and Longevity Workshop at The Bar (gym) in Montana City. They are Doctors of Physical Therapy who specialize in treating athletes and active adults, and this event is FREE for anyone who would like to attend! Of course, we want you to be running with us for a long time, so we strongly recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity!
We want you to be able to push yourself and safely, and these workshops are a great resource for our community. You can email Jesse if you have any questions at jesse@fullcurlpt.com.

2024
• April 5 — University of Oregon phenom and sub-4:00 miler Mark Feig will share his memories of running with friend and teammate Steve Prefontaine, and his personal history and perspectives as an elite runner. Join us at the Lewis & Clark Library Large Conference Room at 5:30 pm (mingling & refreshments) before the 6:00 pm talk.

• April 23 — Longtime Vigilante runner and local historian David Curd will recount the colorful history of Helena’s premier running event – the Governor’s Cup, as it celebrates its golden anniversary year! Join us at the Lewis & Clark Library Large Conference Room at 5:30 pm (mingling & refreshments) before the 6:00 pm talk.

• December 19 — Mark your calendars for a special pint-night edition of our “Speaking of Running” series talks where several physical therapists from Mt. Ascension Physical Therapy (including Jeff Shirley & Sierra Richmond) will hold a discussion (participation and conversation encouraged!) on proactive strengthening and stretching runners can perform to have a better chance of staying injury free. Grab a pint and join us!

2023
• March 24 — Local coach, ultra runner, and new father, John Fitzgerald will be giving a talk on the training and trials inherent in ultra running at the Lewis & Clark Library Large Conference room at 6pm on Friday, March 24th. Coach Fitzgerald has been working with hundreds of athletes from around the world since 2012 (see coachfitzgerald.com). His approach is rooted in curiosity about the world around us and what the human body is capable of. Having done nineteen 100-mile races (including a 9th place at last year’s Hard Rock 100), John is an incredible ultra runner in his own right (nordic skier and cyclist, too). We hope to see you there. 

2022
• September 2 — Marc David, an Arizona-based author and longtime runner, will be giving a talk titled “Running for the Health of it.” Mr David, author of The Addicted Runner, will present on his journey of running every single day for almost 40 years, an impressive streak that he will complete (knock on wood) in early 2023. Through a mix of good fortune and taking good care of his body, Marc has been able to make it through this streak injury free. Along the way, he has met many inspiring individuals and has tallied a lot of lessons learned–much of which he chronicles in The Addicted Runner. You can check out Marc’s website at: http://www.theaddictedrunner.com

2019
• June 26 — NCAA Division 1 All-American Nico Composto “Dealing with Depression as a College Runner”

2018
• January 22 — “Jason Mohr and the Perfect Score” (Adams State 1992 XC Season)
• July 19 — Bill Schneider, “Fifty Years of Running in Helena”

2017
• March 30 — Helena Elite Runner Heather Lieberg, “Balancing it All”
• May 18 — Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton, with Jason Deshaw opening
          (co-hosted by Free Ceramics and others, fundraiser for Girls Thrive)

2016
• January 19 — Olympian Jeff Galloway, “The Run-Walk-Run Marathon Program”
          (co-hosted with Run Wild Missoula)
• March 21 — Mike Moore, “Backcountry Safety”
          (co-hosted with Helena Ultra Runners League)
• May 9 — Jeff Shirley, DPT and Dr. Buzz, “Running Injuries”

2015
• March 12 — Dr. Buzz Walton, “Sports Performance and Nutrition”

2014
• March 13 — Jeff Roush, ND, “Prolotherapy/Prolozone for Knee Issues”
• September 23 — Nikki Kimball, “Ultra-Runner & Depression Survivor”
          (co-hosted with NAMI-MT and Carroll College)

2013
• March 7 — Dr. Matthew Fischer, “Minimalist Running”

2012
• February 2 — Dr. Philip Steele, “Hip and Back Injuries in Runners”
• March 29 — Dr. Kammeran Gersbach, “Hamstrings, Plantar & ART”
• May 9 — Brad Lamson of Hammer Nutrition, “Nutrition & Fueling”

2011 (“Speaking of Running” lecture series officially launched)
• January 20 — Dr. Philip Steele, “Injury Prevention and Recovery”
• February 17 — Dr. Nick Soloway, “Trigger Point Massage”
• March 24 — Pat Bollinger, “Lifestyle Eating and Performance”
• May 12 — Nancy Wong, “Chi Running”

2010
• September 10-12 — Trail Running Clinic hosted by Marta Fisher

2009
• May 31 — Aubrey Curtis & Matthew Parks, “Running Technique Clinic”