Meet Sid Wegener

Sid is well known here in the Heartland, USA trail running community. Sid helped organize the fun training runs for the Kettle Moraine 100. He is captain of the Kettle Nordic trail head aid station & finish line. He helped Keith Aurand mark the race course and he did much more! Sid truly cares about welcoming runners to the Kettle Moraine trails and is a big reason runners, crew & volunteers had such a great race weekend experience!

We are very luck to have Sid in our trail community and as a trusted leader on the Ornery Mule Racing team!

Check out Sid’s website: http://runyourownmiles.com/

Meet Sid Wegener:

Age: 48

Birthday: 01/07/1971

Hometown: Hustisford, Wisconsin

Tell us about where you live: Currently living in Oconomowoc, WI for the last 4 years. I’ve lived in Illinois, Virginia, and now back in WI for the last 10 years.

Family & kids: Wife, Doniel, married for 17 years. We have 2 brilliant kids. Jason 14 and Cassie 15

Tell us about your daily occupation, besides running: Pension Plan administration for 20 years. Part-time, I do social media and marketing for Endurance House in Delafield, WI. I coach the Endurance House trail running team.

When and why did you start trail running? I started running in 2012, mostly to change up my workouts. I was doing local road 5k’s, but wasn’t really enjoying it. I found a trail half marathon in Michigan and decided to give that a try. I met some awesome runners and had a blast. The trail running community is so much friendlier than road runners, IMO. Now I avoid running on hard surfaces as much as possible.

What is your favorite distance to run? I would have to say that 50k’s are my favorite distance. You get your money’s worth, and you’re out there long enough to really experience the trail and the atmosphere.

What race accomplishment are you most proud of? 2019 Galena Sky 8hr. I didn’t place at all, but I had the best run of my life. It was such a fun day, and I just could not stop smiling. I had zero issues at that race and just enjoyed it immensely. The volunteers made the race so much fun.

What, for you, is the best part about volunteering at trail races? I love helping others reach their goals, and see that look on their faces when they realize they are doing something amazing. Seeing them through to the finish line adds a whole new dimension to the trail running experience; seeing it through other people’s eyes.

What have you learned from trail running? There are good days and there are bad days. Smile, and you will get through it. That finish line feeling will last a lifetime, so get there.

What advice would you give someone considering getting into trail running or racing? Try it. Go into it with an open mind. If you’re a road runner, leave that behind, because trail running is so different. Just go with the flow. Trail runners are the best people.

Do you have any goal/big trail races in 2019? Completing my first 100 mile at Hennepin.

What is your favorite pre-race meal? Lasagna the night before. Clif bar and banana in the morning.

What is your guilty pleasure meal? Mexican food. Especially after a race.

Sid Wegener is also a Certified Running Coach through the United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy(UESCA). He is currently working with clients on a limited basis, but is available for questions and consults. He can be contacted at sidwegener@gmail.com