The Rocket City Half Marathon Training Programs are training
programs designed for beginners and intermediate runners. If this is your first half-marathon we
recommend you use the beginners program. If you have been running for a long time and
have run a half-marathon before we recommend you use the intermediate program. If you want to advance to
the next level of training, follow the Intermediate
Program and adjust your Tuesday and Thursday workouts. On Tuesday join
Fleet Feet Sports at Huntsville High for a track workout. On Thursday join Fleet Feet Sports at Monte
Sano Elementary for a Tempo Run. If you
have any questions at any time you can schedule a personal consultation with
any of the Fleet Feet employees, free of charge!
Remember, these are just programs and can be adjusted. Life sometimes requires us to adjust our
running plans. Cross Training is one way to stay on track when you cannot
run. Cycling, swimming, pilates, the
elliptical trainer and the stairmaster are great modes of cross training. Cross training allows you to rest your
running muscles while training opposing muscle groups and reducing the risk of
injury. It helps speed recovery and
reduces burnout. If at any time in the program you feel sore, tired or too
injured to run…back off! It’s better to
miss a couple of days than to miss the event.
The most important part of these programs is the long
run. Fleet Feet Sports encourages you to
do the long workouts with a group. Check
the Fleet Feet Calendar for scheduled long runs leading up to the
half-marathon. The support from your
friends will make running much easier.
Fleet Feet Sports would also like to encourage you to run the local
races prior to the Half Marathon. This
will give you more confidence on race day!
Good Luck!
P.S. The information
in these training programs was gathered from several sources. Including How to Training by Hal Higdon
(1997, Rodale), The New Competitive Runner’s Handbook by Bob Glover and Pete
Schuder (1988, Penguin Books). Runners
may also refer to the Runner’s World website, www.runnersworld.com for other training programs. Fleet Feet Sports and the Huntsville Track
Club are not liable for any injury sustained from running or following these
programs. The programs are only
suggestions and guidelines for those training for the Half Marathon.