Group Training Programs – 5 Ways Runners and Walkers Can Benefit
Joining a group training program for preparing you to run or walk a marathon, half marathon, or other-distance race requires more than paying your registration fee — if you want to get the most out of the program, that is. Here are five ways to do just that.
Read your group training program’s email messages thoroughly.
Your program’s email messages can be dense. Many email readers today have gotten into the sometimes-useful habit of skimming only the top two or three sentences in an email message. Unfortunately, this habit can be bad for you, too. Many programs’ email messages are packed with information. So, if you are going to skim your group program’s messages, at least be sure to scroll and skim all the way to the bottom of each one. Even better: Read each message thoroughly. You may just learn about a special discount or race registration deadline that you otherwise would have missed.
Regularly read your group program’s website.
Your program’s coordinator may occasionally publish online updates or corrections to the current training season’s workout schedule. He or she may host or have the program’s coaches host an online forum where you can get answers to your own questions and read answers to other members’ questions as well as the latest advice from the coaches. And your program’s website may announce member-only discounts and group social events.
Study the route of each group run or walk before your group workout.
Many longer races can be filled with twists and turns. So studying the route for each group run or walk before your group workout can prepare you well to anticipate those races’ twists and turns. And memorizing a route may save you from a wrong turn — or even getting very lost — in the event that you forget your map or get separated from your coaches and fellow members.
Take a printed map and directions with you on group runs or walks.
Even though you should study the route of a group run or walk, you should also take a printed map and directions with you to consult during the workout. Think of this print-out as a backup for your memory, just as you could think of your memory of the route as a backup when you fail to take your print-out with you to the workout location.
Print extra maps and directions to share with other members before group runs or walks.
It can feel good to give extra print-outs of a group workout’s map and directions to fellow members before your run or walk, knowing that you may have spared them from getting lost. Plus, it can be a great way to start new friendships!
What do YOU do to get the most…? Please leave a comment here. Thanks!
