RUNNING TO STAND STILL

RUNNING TO STAND STILL 

What makes a story really good? How do we get our work in front of people? How do we create the best thing possible when we finally sit down to write?

The answers to these questions aren't always simple, especially in the dynamic times we're living in. The only thing we can count on, whether it's a 140-character tweet, a 400-page book, or a feature-length documentary film, is that people will always love a good story. In this workshop, we’ll explore, understand, and practice creating stories in diverse formats, as well as examine the various avenues to finding an audience for our work, in both traditional publishing avenues and DIY and self-publishing. We'll also discuss the role of humor in storytelling, and how it can be used even in the most serious situations. We'll talk about how to create the stillness necessary for creativity anywhere, anytime. And each day, we'll run and hike trails around Homestake Pass, an iconic access point along the Continental Divide Trail.

 We'll discuss, among other things:

• What makes a story relatable
• How to get a reader's attention with the first sentence - and keep it
• How to pitch a story
• Humor techniques
• How to think creatively and openly about the construction of stories, and what "publication" means in 2026

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Brendan Leonard is a columnist for Outside Magazine, and his writing has appeared in Runner’s World, Climbing, Alpinist, CNN.com, Men’s Journal, Backpacker, Adventure Journal, and dozens of other publications. He has written nine books and directed several award-winning adventure films. In his workshop, Brendan shares lessons from his post-college “education,” starting at small weekly newspapers (before social media!), and the uncertain process of making a living as a full-time adventure writer, including how he grew his blog from zero readers to more than half a million readers per year, and how creatives can use traditional publishing, self-publishing, and social media to make a living in a dynamic media environment.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS EXPERIENCE

You'll love Running to Stand Still if you enjoy, even a little bit, writing, running, and the company of other human beings. You'll love it if you're funny, or you think you're funny, or you like to be around other people who think they're funny. All writers of all backgrounds, skill levels, and genres are welcome. In other words, YOU are welcome, even if you don't call yourself a writer...yet.

Our days generally look like this: Breakfast. Morning workshop. Run. Lunch. Afternoon workshop. Dinner. We eat good food, drink good coffee, and go for runs in a pretty place. Running to Stand Still begins and ends at Homestake Lodge, ten miles outside of Butte, Montana.

The cohort will meet for the first time around 4 pm on June 7. If you are flying into Butte and need a ridefrom the airport, let us know. If you need any help logisticizing, give us a call. We love to help solve problems! (406.880.8025)

TRAIL RUNS  |  We will aim to get out for 5 to 12 miles each day, on trails. You do NOT need to be a fast runner, and it's okay to walk or hike at any point on our runs. There will always be an option to run faster or slower, or to completely sit out a run if you aren't feeling it. Each day we will offer optional yoga sessions, too.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE  |  As a central component of this workshop, we will be reading and discussing a piece of your work. The draft should be readable and approaching a stage that feels relatively polished. We can read your work with an eye toward revision, or with intention to provide some last-minute ideas before you send it off to your editor at a big fancy magazine. It should be a stand-alone story or essay, so don't feel like you need to provide context.

Please do not be intimidated by the idea of workshopping an essay! We will discuss norms and guidelines for a respectful, stress-free, productive workshop. Here are a few parameters:

• The finished piece should be shorter than 1200 words.
• Any format, structure, and topic is fine, but your piece should be a personal narrative.
• Please bring sufficient copies: one for each cohort member, yourself, and Brendan and Chandra. (We’ll send out the grand total a week before we meet.)

THE DETAILS

Your program fee covers:

• Twice-daily discussions, workshops, and generative sessions with Brendan Leonard and Freeflow faculty
• Five supported and dynamic trail runs with qualified guides
• Professional running guides, safety gear, and high quality running snacks
• Delicious, creative, nutritious meals from dinner on June 7 through breakfast on June 12
• Nearly-bottomless and very delicious coffee
• Comfy, funky accommodations at Homestake Lodge
• Logistical support and thoughtfully curated media list
• The full, university-accredited curriculum, whether you take it for credit or not*
• Post-course community: this experience serves as an introduction to the Freeflow galaxy of writers, leaders, and thinkers
• Discounts on future Freeflow courses

* If you’d like to take the course for University of Montana credit, please let us know.

You need to bring your own running gear: well-fitting, broken-in shoes; good socks; a hydration system; and layers of clothing appropriate for fickle Montana weather. Contact us if you would like to participate but are unable to procure these things. 

Because we believe teachers and students need regenerative outdoor experiences more than most, Freeflow always extends a small discount to contracted educators and enrolled students. We also offer a small discount to our alumni. Because we believe in paying our instructors, facilitators, support staff, and guides an equitable wage, we do not offer individual discounts that compromise the integrity of those wages. If you need financial support, please consider applying for our scholarships. We also encourage you to seek financial support from your organization or employer, as Freeflow courses may be taken for professional development or continuing education.

Gratuities for running guides are not included in the program cost. We definitely suggest giving your running guides some love, and we are happy to discuss norms for tipping – just ask.

Space on this adventure is limited to 12 participants. We will close registration once the roster is full. Please apply early.

All deposits and payments are non-refundable. Payment plans are available. Payments can be made by mailing in a good old-fashioned check, or by credit card or bank transfer via our online payment system. Read more about the registration process and payment options here.

CLAIM YOUR SPACE

If this workshop still has space, there'll be an option to "APPLY NOW" at the top of this page. Once it is FULL WITH A WAITING LIST, you should feel free to contact us to be added to the waitlist.

The price for this program is $3800.

Register early  |  We anticipate this offering will fill up quickly, so please register early. After we review your registration, we will send you a welcome email with an invitation to secure your spot with payment. 

Pay in full or elect a payment plan  |  You may choose to pay in full with a 5% incentive discount. Alternatively, payment plans are available to everyone. We ask for a non-refundable $500 deposit and remind you when subsequent payments are due. Full payment is due by May 1, 2026, after which date no refunds will be given. 

Cancellation + refunds  |  While we would love to be able to issue refunds, we are a very small organization and our investment in each of our participants is full and significant. Please understand the following, and let us know if you have any questions.

• A non-refundable $500 deposit is required for both pay-in-full and payment plan options. This deposit is always non-refundable.
• Full payment is due no later than May 1, 2026, and no refunds are available after May 1, 2026.
• Please see our full cancellation policy here.