Dairyland Dirtbags 2024

Dairyland Dirtbags - 2024

Hello trail lovers! Dairyland Dirtbags is back for fall 2024 and we couldn’t be more excited to resume the adventure with you.

Explore the best trails in the area while receiving instruction, support, and camaraderie throughout your training! We’ll be utilizing our favorite segments of the Ice Age Trail to prepare for the Black Hawk Ridge Trail Run (8K/16K) complete with coaches leading, floating and picking up the rear of the herd. There will also be a group camping trip taking place at Mirror Lake State Park for additional fun, socialization, and trail experience.

**Participation Cap: 50 Participants**
Due to the nature of this program and limited parking at many trailheads, we are capping participation at 50 people. We will update the website when the program has reached capacity.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM DATES

• Program Duration: August 18, 2024 – October 27, 2024
• Program Kick-Off:  Saturday, August 17, 2024 - 8:30 a.m. at Fleet Feet Sun Prairie
• First Group Run: Sunday, August 18 @ 7:30 a.m.
• Registration Deadline: Monday, August 12, 2024 (or until capacity has been reached)
• Online Registration Open

TRAINING PROGRAM RATES*

• Registration deadline: Monday, August 12, 2024
• Program Rate: $159
  *Entry into the program includes campsite reservations at Mirror Lake State Park

Program Kick-Off: Saturday, August 17 @ 8:30 a.m. at Fleet Feet Madison. During this first meeting will run through safety concerns and requirements, training plans and program details, trail gear, and discuss how we can help meet your training needs this season. We will not be running this day.

GOAL EVENT
Black Hawk Ridge Trail Run – 8K & 16K

• Date: Sunday, October 20, 2024
• Location: Black Hawk Unit of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway (6950 State Highway 78 Mazomanie, WI US 53560).
• Race registration will open around August 15

Another option:
Ragnar Trail Wisconsin

• Date: September 20-21, 2024
• Location: Nine Mile Forest (8704 Red Bud Rd. Wausau, WI 54401)
• Teams of 8 (or 4) people: 3.3 loop, 5.5 loop, 6.1 loop for a total of about 15 miles per person.

GROUP RUNS
This program spans 11 weeks and will feature TIME-BASED weekend runs rather than mileage-based. Weekend runs will range between 1-2.5ish hours over the course of the program.

Sundays @ 7:30 a.m.
Group meeting locations will rotate between west, central, and east areas of Madison. Travel time to each location will be kept under 45 min from the capitol.  We will not meet mid-week; instead, we encourage you to attend the Monday and Thursday evening fun runs. See Fleet Feet website for details.  

• Some tentative meeting locations: McCarthy Park, Indian Lake, and Montrose, Table Bluff, Cross Plains, and Lodi Marsh segments of the Ice Age Trail.

CAMP DIRTBAG (Oct. 4 – Oct. 6, 2024)
Mirror Lake State Park
E10320 Fern Dell Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913

Mirror Lake State Park covers over 2000 acres and is just three miles south-west of Wisconsin Dells. Sandstone bluffs surround half of the lake which offers excellent fishing, swimming and canoeing, kayaking and birdwatching opportunities. You’ll also enjoy wooded campsites, picnic areas, a boat landing, and miles of biking, hiking and cross-country ski trails.

S’more Fun Trail Run 5k, 10k and half marathon is happening the same weekend we are planning to be at Mirror Lake (Saturday, October 5) for those that would like to participate.

Campsite Reservations:
(Arriving) Friday, October 4 – (Departing) Sunday, October 6 (2 nights, 2 days)
*Registration fee includes campsite reservations.
*A vehicle admission sticker is required to enter the park.

We’ll have some organized group runs and a multi-day scavenger hunt designed to point you in the direction of some state park highlights to be completed at your discretion throughout the weekend. Everyone that participates will obtain memories powerful enough to last three lifetimes.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

• A complete 11-week training plan
  • Strength and core workout videos built into your training plan
  • Hill workouts
  • Includes days we do not meet
• Weekly program emails with advice, trail training tips, and motivation
• Expert coaching and guidance
• Weekly group training runs on Sundays
• Custom long-sleeve shirt
• Sampling of nutrition/hydration products and product demos (e.g. trail shoes, hydration systems, etc.)
• Fleet Feet coupon book
• Campsite reservations at Mirror Lake State Park
• Opportunity to explore various Ice Age Trail segments in our area
• A supportive environment for all athletic abilities that builds lasting memories, camaraderie, and friendships!

NOTES/RECOMMENDATIONS
All levels of trail runners are welcome, but we recommend you be able to comfortably run 3 miles 2-3x/week at the start of training and have completed a 10K within the last year. These recommendations are in place to ensure you stay healthy and injury free throughout the season and build on an existing foundation. If you have any questions or concerns about these recommendations, please contact Megan (sweetm@fleetfeetmadison.com).

CONTACT
Fleet Feet Madison, 8440 Old Sauk Rd.
Ph: 608-833-9999

Fleet Feet Sun Prairie, 2816 Prairie Lakes Dr. #101
Ph: 608-834-9999

Megan Sweet, Director of Training Programs - sweetm@fleetfeetmadison.com