I would be remiss if I didn’t spend a few minutes promoting those that have made this program possible. KORT-Partners in Physical Therapy, Ken Combs Running Store, The Cheddar Box and our newest sponsor, Alpha Energy Solutions have all stepped forward to make this program possible. Please acknowledge them and utilize their services when needed. Click on any of the links within this post to get more information about each entity.

We are scheduled for a nice and easy 5 miles this week. Click HERE to view the interactive route. Feel free to utilize the interactive tools on the left side of the map to zoom in a little for more details. Don’t forget, we plan to start running promptly at 7:30am, so please arrive 10-15 minutes early to take care of any last minute bathroom breaks.

Here are a few tips and tidbits to help you become familiar with our program.

Study Up: Our sponsors have put together what we believe to be the most comprehensive Online Running Manual available. All of your running/walking questions can be answered in this manual. Use the link above to start enjoying this valuable resource.
If you are not already actively running or walking outside, spend some time getting used to the weather temperatures and clothing requirements for this time of year. All of this info can be found in the “Running Basics” section of the Online Training Manual, Pages 7-21.
Register early for the Louisville Triple Crown to save yourself some cash. Spend some time planning out your racing schedule for 2015. Check the race dates with your personal schedule for conflicts and commit early. Links are provided below for several of the races we plan to attend as a group. Don’t forget that the KDF mini marathon is no longer part of the triple crown and will require an additional registration.
The actual training schedules (listed below) begin Monday, January 5th. My recommendation is to use the beginner schedule if you have never completed this distance. Those seasoned veterans can choose between the intermediate and advanced schedules. Don’t forget to spend some time reading the schedule explanations on the second page of each file. This file should make everything self-explanatory.
The weekly blog is now posted on the “Home” page of our website. Scroll down a little to see it at the bottom of the right hand column. This window will show you the last three entries. We plan to post an entry into the 2015 Run/Walk blog every week with a map, special instructions and friendly reminders. This will be our primary means of communication. We will send weekly emails out on Monday/Tuesday of each week with a direct link to the blog. You will also see a Facebook entry each week. (One more reason to LIKE The Training Studio on FACEBOOK)
Inclement Weather Policy: We only plan to cancel the group activities for two specific things, lightning and excessive ice and snow. The policy is very simple, we will post an entry in the online blog one hour before the scheduled departure with our intentions to cancel. Simply log onto the blog before leaving the house.
We expect this to once again be a very large group, so please be patient with us these first few weeks. We will do our best to accommodate and help everyone we can, but sometimes the sheer number of participants can make it a little confusing. Please do not hesitate to contact myself (dale@thetrainingstudio.com) or Stacey (stacey@thetrainingstudio.com) anytime for questions or concerns about the program.
Your #1 goal these first few weeks is to find a pace group that is right for you. We plan to have everything from 8 minute milers to walkers covered. Just remember that these weekend runs are not a race. These are your scheduled long runs of the week, meaning that your pace should be 1-1:30 minutes slower than race pace. If you cannot hold a conversation during these long runs, then you are running too fast.
One last thing, keep in mind that this group is a service we provide to help promote the fine sport of running. Myself, Stacey, the sponsors and all of your pace group leaders are here to help make your running experience enjoyable. We are happy to address and help with basic questions or concerns, but this is not a private coaching service. If you would like specific, individualized coaching please contactDale for more information.