It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

That’s right, fellow runners. We are about to enter fall marathon training season! And if you’re lucky, you are part of a marathon training team like mine. There is absolutely no way I could have run any of them without the help of the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team. 

Meeting with my team again each year feels as fun as summer camp! This will be my 8th training season with them. To run with a group of like-minded individuals who have the same goals is super motivating. To work with fellow coaches who also strive to improve and help others fuels my inspiration as well. To have the headache of planning routes, hydration, and nutrition during my runs taken out of the equation is such a relief. Speaking of hydration, Sports Backers will provide Nuun Endurance and water on our long runs. As a participant, focusing on the run itself is the only real worry. 

Although last year’s experience was a bit different, and this year’s certainly will be too, it may also start to feel a bit more like normal. Like last year, Sports Backers MTT will begin on your own or in small groups on June 6th, and the weekend of June 12th, we will begin meeting at the stadium again. This avoids the large group meetings and allows runners participating in Monument 10k weekend, which coincides with the first week of training team, to do so. Pink Nation plans to meet at Dorey Park to run one of the official courses for this race on June 7th.

I am back coaching with the Pink Nation, one of MTT’s subteams. We are a “500” team, meaning novice, but the names of teams were changed to reflect total mileage, not experience level. Another key difference between the 500 and 700 teams is that we only run one 20 miler instead of three. I will forever choose to run a novice schedule for marathon training and incorporate more cross training to reduce my risk for injury. That’s just what works for my body. But if you are a more experienced runner chasing a Boston qualifying goal, or perhaps are running an earlier fall marathon, the 700 schedule may suit your needs better. There’s a subteam for everyone on MTT!

As our world begins to return to a new normal, what better time to chase that marathon dream? I feel optimistic about the likelihood of at least some bigger marathons, including the Richmond Marathon, having a real race on the traditional course this year. Last year’s move to the Virginia Capital Trail was a great adaptation, however! 

As I cannot run Richmond since I will be supporting our team race day, I must find another fall marathon. I’m open to suggestions, preferably within driving distance of Richmond! I’m considering Rock ‘n Roll Savannah and the Outer Banks Marathon right now, if they actually happen in person. But then my best friend Patty, the woman who inspired me to run the marathon to begin with, is trying to tempt me with running my first ultra in December. Decisions, decisions…

Are you considering running a marathon this year? If you’re on the fence, look back at my previous post, The Power of the Marathon for inspiration! If you’re in Richmond, I strongly encourage you to run with the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team! Your race entry is included in your training team fees. But hurry! Prices go up May 18th! Look for my blog to trend toward more running related content as I shift toward educating our team in the next few months. As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.