Welcome to anyone who is thinking about joining our Half Wits training program for the first time...and a big hello to all our Half Wits coming back for more this year!
The Half Wits is a FREE training program for Springfield's Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon which will be run on Saturday, April 5, 2008. We will also continue to train through the month of April for the Louisville Kentucky Derby Festival Half Marathon on Saturday, April 26.
You can blame me (Tim) for starting the Half Wits, but we have a whole crew of experienced runners who take part in or help organize the Half Wits.
The basis of the program is a structured and proven training plan that takes people who have a decent base level of fitness and increases their running endurance and distance over a nine-week timeframe. We use the dynamics and synergy which comes from training with a group of people to help get us all through the program. In other words, when you know there will be a bunch of other people out there with you, it sure makes it a lot easier than doing it on your own!
Just a note of caution: this program is not geared toward beginning runners. The Springfield Road Runners Club has another program--Abe's Army--that is more geared to assist beginning runners.
The Half Wits is a program for folks who may have run a 5k or 10k race and now want to move up to the half marathon distance (13.1 miles). The Half Wits is also a great program for runners who have run half marathons in the past and who want to get in shape for this spring's half marathons. You need to have a solid base of fitness for this program. Our first long run (Saturdays are long run days) on Feb. 2 will be six miles. You certainly don't have to be a "world class" athlete, but you probably should not do the Half Wits if you are just starting to workout.
If you currently run, and feel like the six miles on the first day is "doable", then our program is for you. Don't be intimidated by the distance...if you currently can run four or five miles, then you should be OK for the Half Wits. Also, don't think you may be "too slow". We have a wide variety of people to run with--and a wide variety of paces--so there is most certainly someone to run with.
Here is how it works:
We plan the runs, as well as put out the "hydration" stops on the course. All you have to do is follow the program and show up for the runs!
You can can get the info on that particular week's runs (with a link to a map of the long run) on this blog. Additionally, sign up for the Half Wits e-mail and you will get the runs along with other training tips e-mailed to you every week.
Our long runs will be on Saturday's beginning on February 2 (runs start at 7:30 a.m.; except the first day we'll meet at 7:00 a.m. to preview the program then run at 7:30 a.m.). The long runs will increase in distance in a "stair step" manner. We'll increase the distance for a couple weeks, then cut back during a "recovery" week, then increase the distance for a couple weeks and cut back, etc... Our long runs will begin with 6 miles and top-out at 13.1 when we run the actual Lincoln Memorial course two weeks before race day.
On Tuesdays we will meet at either Washington Park or Lincoln Park (yet to be determined) for speed or hill workouts. These will be shorter runs, but the intensity will be higher.
On Thursdays we will meet at one of the parks for a mid-distance (3-6 miles) "easier" run.
Here is our long run (Saturday) schedule:
Sat. Feb. 2 (meet @ Panera): 6 miles
Sat. Feb. 9 (meet @ Panera): 7 miles
Sat. Feb. 16 (meet @ Panera): 9 miles
Sat. Feb. 23 (Abe's Amble course): 6.2 miles
Sat. Mar. 1 (meet @ Panera): 11 miles
Sat. Mar. 8 (meet @ Panera): 12 miles
Sat. Mar 15 (meet @ Panera): 7 miles
Sat. Mar. 22 (Run LM course): 13.1 miles
Sat. Mar 29 (meet @ Panera): 7 miles
Sat. April 5 (Race Day!): Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon!
As I said earlier, this is a proven program to get you in shape to run the Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon. We have had hundreds of people go through the program succesfully over the past three years. Please feel free to come out and join us!!!
If you have any questions about the program, please just post it in comments and we'll get ya an answer!
The Half Wits is a FREE training program for Springfield's Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon which will be run on Saturday, April 5, 2008. We will also continue to train through the month of April for the Louisville Kentucky Derby Festival Half Marathon on Saturday, April 26.
You can blame me (Tim) for starting the Half Wits, but we have a whole crew of experienced runners who take part in or help organize the Half Wits.
The basis of the program is a structured and proven training plan that takes people who have a decent base level of fitness and increases their running endurance and distance over a nine-week timeframe. We use the dynamics and synergy which comes from training with a group of people to help get us all through the program. In other words, when you know there will be a bunch of other people out there with you, it sure makes it a lot easier than doing it on your own!
Just a note of caution: this program is not geared toward beginning runners. The Springfield Road Runners Club has another program--Abe's Army--that is more geared to assist beginning runners.
The Half Wits is a program for folks who may have run a 5k or 10k race and now want to move up to the half marathon distance (13.1 miles). The Half Wits is also a great program for runners who have run half marathons in the past and who want to get in shape for this spring's half marathons. You need to have a solid base of fitness for this program. Our first long run (Saturdays are long run days) on Feb. 2 will be six miles. You certainly don't have to be a "world class" athlete, but you probably should not do the Half Wits if you are just starting to workout.
If you currently run, and feel like the six miles on the first day is "doable", then our program is for you. Don't be intimidated by the distance...if you currently can run four or five miles, then you should be OK for the Half Wits. Also, don't think you may be "too slow". We have a wide variety of people to run with--and a wide variety of paces--so there is most certainly someone to run with.
Here is how it works:
We plan the runs, as well as put out the "hydration" stops on the course. All you have to do is follow the program and show up for the runs!
You can can get the info on that particular week's runs (with a link to a map of the long run) on this blog. Additionally, sign up for the Half Wits e-mail and you will get the runs along with other training tips e-mailed to you every week.
Our long runs will be on Saturday's beginning on February 2 (runs start at 7:30 a.m.; except the first day we'll meet at 7:00 a.m. to preview the program then run at 7:30 a.m.). The long runs will increase in distance in a "stair step" manner. We'll increase the distance for a couple weeks, then cut back during a "recovery" week, then increase the distance for a couple weeks and cut back, etc... Our long runs will begin with 6 miles and top-out at 13.1 when we run the actual Lincoln Memorial course two weeks before race day.
On Tuesdays we will meet at either Washington Park or Lincoln Park (yet to be determined) for speed or hill workouts. These will be shorter runs, but the intensity will be higher.
On Thursdays we will meet at one of the parks for a mid-distance (3-6 miles) "easier" run.
Here is our long run (Saturday) schedule:
Sat. Feb. 2 (meet @ Panera): 6 miles
Sat. Feb. 9 (meet @ Panera): 7 miles
Sat. Feb. 16 (meet @ Panera): 9 miles
Sat. Feb. 23 (Abe's Amble course): 6.2 miles
Sat. Mar. 1 (meet @ Panera): 11 miles
Sat. Mar. 8 (meet @ Panera): 12 miles
Sat. Mar 15 (meet @ Panera): 7 miles
Sat. Mar. 22 (Run LM course): 13.1 miles
Sat. Mar 29 (meet @ Panera): 7 miles
Sat. April 5 (Race Day!): Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon!
As I said earlier, this is a proven program to get you in shape to run the Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon. We have had hundreds of people go through the program succesfully over the past three years. Please feel free to come out and join us!!!
If you have any questions about the program, please just post it in comments and we'll get ya an answer!
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24 comments:
Maybe you should do Tuesday nights Washington Park and Thursday nights Lincoln Park. Keep Sat. at Panera. Sounds good to me!
I'm still waiting to hear what may happen with restrooms at Washington Park. I have heard that the botanical gardens building and the building by the tennis courts may be open so we may be able to use restrooms in those buildings.
what time on Tues & thurs?
-Joy-
I believe that the botanical gardens restroom closes at 4 ro 5pm.
Joy:
The Tu/Th runs will be at 5:30 pm.
Lincoln Park sounds great. Restrooms, water, lights, plenty of parking...Tim, do you know if we will be able to run in Oak Ridge Cemetery?
The tennis courts bathroom should be open in Washington park on T/TH. There is a porta pot if anyone needs it.
I am new to the half wits but have been following your blog for quite some time. AWESOME group! I was wondering if it would be ok to join the half training even though I am not running LM? I am signed up to do the ST. Louis Half on April 6th.
To Anonymous Jan. 22 @11:48,
Feel free to join us on the runs anytime. The Halfwits training is geared specifically for the LM run, but you will find other runners who will be running various races around that time frame joining the runs too. What they usually do is add/subtract mileage before or after the Halfwit runs to fit their running schedule. Come join and introduce yourself to the group. The more the merrier. You will find out others training for the St. Louis too. A lot of us did the very same thing last year.
See you soon.
Anon 11:48--
Yep, Chuck is correct. And the Half Wits training would fit perfectly with your plans as St. Louis is the day after the LM this year.
Feel free to join us!
If you're really crazy, you could run the LM on Saturday and the STL on Sunday.
Not that any of the Half Wits are crazy . . . .
Because of schedule conflicts, my vote (for what's it worth) is Tues/Lincoln Park and Thurs/Washington Park. Persuasive argument.... half price margaritas at Xocho afterwards! Carry on the tradition...Miles and Margaritas.
Kim
I can't imagine doing back to back races of any kind much less 1/2 marathons, but then I am a novice. I need to work on speed, endurance and just running in general. Hoping this spring proves to be more successful than the past fall and winter. Barry, did you order this coooooooolllllld weather?
Barb M.
P.S. Would love to run Saturday from Panera if I could join some slow runners.
btw - Miles and Margarita is being planned for Thursday February 7th to kick off the new training season! We'll be going to Xochi's West on Iles right after the HalfWit Workout (regardless of it's location). Mark your calendar and plan on joining us!
Good work Mary! Glad someone was on this.
Kim
I would like Tuesdays at Washington park and Thursdays at Lincoln park
Tues @ Washington Park & Thursdays anywhere would be good for me.
Joy
Washington Park on Tuesdays would be awesome!!!!! I can go anywhere on Thursdays...
Damn!
I ran 5 miles yesterday and tried to run down some punk H.S. kids in their car. I forgot I dont have Bionic legs like the Million Dollar Man.
I think I will give up running...
...NOT!!!
I have too much fun hanging out with the HalfWits. Who else runs in extreme temperatures. Today would be a challenge. That wind is crazy!
Question for some of you past participants. Myself and a friend are considering becoming Halfwits. We both work out regularly. I have run 4 miles (without problem)in recent months but have been using the elyptical 60 minutes per session lately. I last ran 5 miles 25 years ago in the service. Would we be biting off too much jumping into this program? Thanks for your time.
Anon:
If you are doing 60 minutes on the elipitical, I would imagine your cardio base should be sufficient to follow the Half Wits program, especially if you have done some running recently.
You are certainly welcome to join us and if you feel like it is getting to be too much, you can certainly lay off the long runs.
Honestly, it is amazing what training with a group can do for your confidence. We have had many people over the years who have run the longest run of their life every week when we add a mile or two.
Hope to see you Saturday!
The wind was brutal last night. I did 1.5 mile cruise intervals last night. I ran my first rep into the wind and retraced my steps with the wind to my back on the second one and the wind blew me to a time 22 seconds faster than my first. At least it wasn't cold too.
hey - there's one way to get negative splits!
Tim - do you already have a route planned for Saturday? There's a few of us training for a spring marathon may just add on to what you're doing so we get to run with the group, too.
Thanks!
Mary:
A route should be up tonight...I'm trying to figure it out, given what the wind direction forecast is for Saturday...and I know people get SO BORED with the Fit Club route:-)
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