I don’t feel like I really had an off season this year. With running the Freight Train 50k in December and 3 spring half marathons, I’ve been running quite a bit. It will be fun to get back to the rituals of marathon training, though. We start in 2 weeks! I can’t believe it’s here already!
My, how the years fly! But I guess when you spend half the year training for a marathon, that’s kind of how things roll. This will be my 4th year as an assistant coach with the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team, and my 9th training cycle with them. I’ll once again be coaching with the Pink Nation! I’m super excited that another vegan coach is joining us, too! I love my fellow coaches so very much.
If you’re in the Richmond area and are looking for the best way to train for a fall marathon, this program is the best. If you’re not convinced you can run a full marathon, but you want to meet with a team earlier than August, we typically have several participants who start with MTT and change over to the Half Marathon Training Team when they start in August. This year, there’s no fee to switch!
Obviously, the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team is designed to help you train for the Richmond Marathon, and your entry fee includes your race fee. However, if you are running a different fall race, rest assured that you will find other folks who will also need to adapt the training schedule for these events. The Chicago and NYC marathons are especially popular! If you need financial assistance, Sports Backers has funding to help.
You can register for the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team here!
If you aren’t lucky enough to live in the RVA and want to train for a fall marathon, I strongly encourage you to find a training group in your area, because when you get to those longer, double digit runs, they suck so much less when you have company! Starting with your local run club is a great resource. If you don’t have one, try asking at your local running store. They will also likely know of area training groups.
I’ve found some of my best friends through participating in training teams. I know that some people consider themselves extreme introverts and would rather run solo, but running with a team has immense benefits. You can glean the knowledge from more experienced runners, including, hopefully, great coaches. Routes are planned and supported. And you have a training plan. It takes so much stress out of the process!
As we slowly resume pre-Covid normals, running with teams and participating in real races is definitely coming back. I hope to see some friends return to MTT this year! And if you’re not from Richmond, but will be here to run America’s Friendliest Marathon, let me know so I can support you on the course!
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I still don’t have a fall marathon lined up. I do know that I want to run a race in person! This marathon will be #10. Does anyone have any suggestions? Must be within driving distance of Richmond!
Are you running any fall races? I’d love to hear about it!
As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 