Marathon Training Program -- Winter-Spring Edition

Bill H

I’m a masters veteran runner who first took up running when I turned 40, about 12 years ago, as a way of getting in shape to keep up with my two young boys and as a stress reliever from work. I live in Smithtown, Long Island and have a two-hour commute each way into downtown Manhattan where I work as a corporate controller for a financial institution.

I realized that the only time for me to run given my long commute and to not sacrifice family time would be to run early Saturday and Sunday mornings and maybe one or two late night runs during the week. So that became my running schedule to get in shape and prepare me for my first goal of running the LI Half Marathon in May 2000. Fast forward 11 years and several dozen races later — including 12 marathons from my first marathon in Mystic CT in 2002, to 4 NYC and Boston marathons — and that had been my running career up to last year.


With the Boys After Boston Marathon 2011

Two years ago I joined the NY Flyers after I saw the club listed on the NYRR’s website and clicked on their link under the listing of Manhattan running clubs. When I went to the Flyers website, I liked what I read about the club and the activities they participated in and thought it would be neat to be part of a running club when I ran my next race in Central Park. So during my first year as a Flyer I ran a few NYRR races in Central Park with my red Flyers singlet (by the way I always do hear “GO FLYERS “) but other than that I didn’t really know anyone in the Club.

Flyers Inaugural Marathon Training Program

Last April, after my 12th Marathon and fourth Boston, I ran my slowest marathon with a time of 3:46:57. I realized I shouldn’t have been too disappointed given that all my times at various race distances were getting slower over the last year or two. At 51, I thought maybe I should accept that my best racing times were behind me.

Then a few weeks after Boston, I saw on the Flyers website that then Flyers President Glen W was working with Certified USATF Coach Todd Weisse in putting together the Flyers Inaugural Fall Marathon Training Program (“FMTP”) that would consist of a 20-week training program beginning in June and include Wednesday night group speed workouts, organized long training runs and individual training programs designed by Todd and the assistant coaches for each individual in the FMTP based on their goals, age and fitness level. The group varied from first time marathoners to competitive veterans. It sounded perfect so I signed up.

Todd Weisse is very personable and knowledgeable coach in all aspects of running, training and racing and he selected an energetic team of assistant coaches (Kari, Evelyn, Will and Joe) also with solid resumes of coaching and running experience. I was excited to meet other Flyers who enjoyed running and shared similar goals as me. This would be my first time training with other runners and coaches. All my previous training and coaching came from training schedules out of running books or websites.

The FMTP was a great experience. The coaching was excellent and I met many Flyers of all different ages, running experience and abilities with one common goal of preparing to run their best marathon that fall whether it was their first or 13th like me. My personal certified coach was Kari S who is a talented runner/marathoner with a lot of enthusiasm and who had a real commitment to helping me and other Flyers meet our goals.


Reyna F with Coach Kari S

Each week Todd would vary the distance and intensity of the group’s Wednesday night workout in Central Park with intervals ranging from 200 to 1200 meters including hill work at various paces based on individual ability and progressive fitness levels at different locations within Central Park. In addition, there was several coached long training runs during the program, but with my LI commute I participated in only one of the 20-milers, which was the 3 Bridges Long Training Run that was an excellent training run in preparing for the NYC Marathon that fall.

The assistant coaches worked directly with each runner in designing a training schedule that would get them progressively stronger and more fit each week while keeping them healthy and avoiding injury. As the program went on each week I felt stronger and my intervals were getting faster. The camaraderie among the group was very motivating and rewarding. The final payoff was on the first Sunday in November when I ran the NYC Marathon in 3:26:55, which was 20 minutes faster than my previous Boston Marathon. That time qualified me for another Boston under the new faster qualifying times.



With Janine S at FMTP Social Event

It was very exciting at the NYC Marathon to have coaches Todd, Kari and Evelyn there cheering all the Flyers from the FMTP on at Mile 10 in Brooklyn and an incredible pick me up and surprise to see coach Kari also at mile 22 cheering for me to finish strong. The fall marathon season was capped off by an awesome FMTP post marathon social in mid-November organized by fellow FMTP training partner and Club photographer Bob C. All the coaches and many of the Flyers attended to kick back, drink and celebrate all the goals everyone accomplished that fall.

FMPT BROUGHT BACK FOR 2012 WINTER/SPRING

I was excited when Coaches Todd, Kari, and Evelyn were retained again by the Flyers, this time to coach the 2012Winter/Spring Marathon Training Program, which was to be modeled after the successful fall program. This program was designed to help runners train for a spring full or half marathon (including the NYC Half and Boston) or to get a kick start for the spring racing season.


MTP Runners Gather for Evening Speedwork
Not Rain, Snow (well, no snow this winter) Nor Dark of Night
Keep Us From Our Training Runs

Several of the Flyers I trained with from the fall program joined this program as well. The spring program incorporated additional training including dynamic warm ups lead by Coach Kari, which I’ve found very helpful. Everyone who came back from the fall program was starting at a much higher fitness level. I was happy to have Kari back as my coach.


Adam H Seems Spooked!
Or Is He Being Chased by FMTP Speedsters?

I’m two-thirds of the way through the spring training program right now, and running better and faster than ever. I just ran the NYC Half Marathon in a time of 1:31 flat, almost 2 minutes faster than my previous best NYC Half time from 6 years ago. I was happy to see many of my Flyer spring training partners (Allison B, Mitch C, Katie H, Adam H, Dave K, and Dave S) who also ran the NYC Half on Sunday post some awesome times that met or exceeded their goals.  Coach Kari Smith ran the race in 1:24:08 and was the 48th woman overall.  I look forward to congratulating them at this week’s speed workout and raising the bar for our next race as well as continuing my training with the next Flyers fall Marathon training program.

Running to a PR at the 2012 NYC Half

I'm hoping that the FMTP program will continue in a similar manner for the fall training season.  Keep an eye out on the Flyers website for announcements, as I encourage any Flyer interested in running their first or best half or a full marathon this fall to join the program.

-Bill H