Training Groups?

[Texa]

Has anyone here ever joined an official marathon training group? I don't mean one of the ones affiliated with a Charity but one that you pay for? There are two groups in Austin starting up next month, one is Galloway, (whos book I'm following), the other is called AustinFIT. They are both working toward marathons that concide pretty close to the Disney marathon. I'm pretty intrigued, especially by the Galloway, since that is the program that I follow but I don't anyone around here that has ever participated so I was hoping someone here would have some experience with a group like this/

Thanks!

 

[monte]

No, I've not heard of those groups, but I do start training w/TNT in August. I'm really looking forward to it. Good luck with your training!

 

[windwalker]

Has anyone here ever joined an official marathon training group? I don't mean one of the ones affiliated with a Charity but one that you pay for? There are two groups in Austin starting up next month, one is Galloway, (whos book I'm following), the other is called AustinFIT. They are both working toward marathons that concide pretty close to the Disney marathon. I'm pretty intrigued, especially by the Galloway, since that is the program that I follow but I don't anyone around here that has ever participated so I was hoping someone here would have some experience with a group like this/

Thanks!

Is this an online or paper training or do you actually meet with real people and get together for group training? Are your goals to walk, run/wak, or to run, or just to finish the darn thing?

Dave

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I've worked with NEO fit, formerly Cleveland fit affiliated with USA fit. com.

The training in NEO fit is a little slower walker/runner group so I am glad I went with them. They made me accountable to get myself out in it all and I am greatful for that. Most of the training however is your pace and you may not always find a partner to go with as has happened with me.

My suggestion would be to communicate with the groups and see if they challenge and meet your level.

WISH here has also been a great training group for me and I really have received more from this group than I would have ever imagined. The WISH Team helps to keep me accountable and motivated.

Good luck with your decision.

Come play lots on the WISH Team walkers/runners thread. You will be amazed of the strides (pun intended) you will make.

 

[MouseDogMom]

I'm doing a Galloway training group here, and I love it. We meet once a week on Saturday mornings. There are several different pace groups, ranging from 7:00 to 15:00 (I think?) Each group has its own leader(s) and does different intervals. I'm in the 12:00 group, and we do 3R/1W. (I know the 11:00 does 4R/1W and the 13:00 does 2R/1W - don't know what the other groups do.) We all do the same distance each week, although mileage varies depending on what your target race is. You can run with whatever group you want, so if you're not feeling strong one week you can move to a slower group. They provide water on the course, and I've heard that once we get to longer distances they'll have snacks available too. Some weekends we meet at local running stores, and they have bagels and stuff when we get back. Our large group leader does all sorts of fun things, like a scavenger hunt and a pancake breakfast. I'm being challenged to do much more than I would alone, and meeting lots of other runners. I also love that the routes are mapped out for me, so I don't have to figure out where I'm going to run, and I can't make excuses for not doing those long runs on Saturday when I'm paying good money to run them!

Jackie

 

[Texa]

Thanks for the replies! I think I am going to go with the Galloway group. They meet once a week, every Saturday for the long run. I e-mailed one of the coaches of both groups and the Galloway group is more like you described, Jackie. Which is exactly what I was looking for. The second group sounds great for a more experience runner. They do incorporate walking breaks as well but the coach said there average was 10 minutes running 2 minute walking and I'm not quite there yet! I'm currently at 3 and 1and hope to get to at least 6 or 7 and 1 by the Donald. Hopping over to the run/ walking thread!

 

[DianeL]

How did you locate these groups? Like Galloway? Thru the running stores? My local stores have their own Marathon training but the one for sure is geared to the speedy runners. The other that does more is about an hour away

 

[MouseDogMom]

Diane - Here's a link to the Galloway site that lists all the cities where they have groups.
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training_groups/list_cities.html

I found mine thru a poster in one of the running stores. Jeff was here to do a kickoff seminar at the beginning of the program, so I went to hear him and got hooked into joining!

Jackie