2021 Race Team RVA 9 Mile Marathon Training Program

Summer Training Team 2021 - The 9 Mile Way

Please note: Registration for Race Team RVA training does not include race entry. You must register separately for your desired race.

Saturday Group Run Location:  Uturn (off Staples Mill Road, near West End),  Group runs will be held at Uturn Sports Performance facility located at 2101 Maywill Street, Richmond, Va.  Team members may be required to run at various tracks to perform testing needed to calculate your critical heart rate (CHR) and conditioning at the start of the program.  Below are guidelines on when you should start the program based on the following marathon dates:

Marathon          Race Date            9 Mile Program Starts          CHR Test done by
Richmond         Nov 13th               Aug 16th                                Aug 14th  
NYC                   Nov 7th                  Aug 8th                                  Aug 5th
MCM                 Oct 31st                 Aug 2nd                                 July 31st
Leakes Mill       Nov 7th                  Aug 8th                                  Aug 5th  

Sunday Group Run @ Uturn:  Optional group runs will be held at Uturn Sports Performance Academy so you can run both Saturday and Sunday if preferred.

The 9 mile program. This program is based on World Class Ironman Champion, Marlies Kort, who developed this program to help her train more efficiently and in less time and effort than using the traditional marathon plans.  As a busy mom, she was looking for a better way to train so she worked with several PhD researchers to develop this program.  This program is now being offered worldwide and since rolling out in 2015, many have run marathons the 9 mile way.   For the Full marathon, your longest run is 9 miles.  This program uses your Marathon Heart Rate (MHR) as a means to control your running so that you stay in your MHR zone during your runs.  You will need a watch that has a heart rate monitor so you can stay in your zone.  For this program, you will train with our team of runners and in early August we begin our testing for your Critical Heart Rate (CHR) & your 10k time, together these are used to calculate your Marathon Heart Rate (MHR), which is the basis for the program.  The schedule for this plan is:

• July - can start running with our team anytime in July/August to start conditioning
• August 8 - 10k trial run (race) - uses this time for the MHR formula (members who miss can use an old 10K time from the past year or race on their own)
• August 2, 8, & 16 -  CHR testing offered 3 dates - Meet at track to determine CHR to use for MHR formula.  If you cannot make these dates, you will have to do your CHR testing on your own (we will show you how).
• August 16 - week 1 starts (Monday) of 9 mile training see schedules above; days 1 of 90 day plan
• Aug 28 - First group run using MHR

Although we have had runners who used this method to train for their first marathon (including your Head Coach, Eichelle Hamaker), we do not recommend for first time marathoners.  We believe first-time marathoners should train the traditional way to have a greater appreciation for this program.  You can also use this program to train for a half marathon too.

9 Mile Summer Training Team Program

Marathon Training Program (starts August 2 to align with Richmond Marathon)

This program will prepare you for any fall race you choose (see above schedule on when you should start this program)
Cost: $70.00  

Discounts for over 60 years old and for High School or Full Time College Students (email raceteamrva@gmail.com for more info)

Requirements for the full marathon training program:   Must be able to run 5 miles by start of program and be at least 18 years old to participate.

Please note: Registration for Race Team RVA training does not include race entry. You must register separately for your desired race.

What does Race Team RVA offer?

• Experienced coaches many of whom are CPR Certified
• Performance training for this program
• Organized group runs on Saturday or Sunday with Water/SAG support
• Coach’s Talks geared to help you during your training
• Discounts for Fire/EMS/Police (email us for more information at raceteamrva@gmail.com)
• Periodic mid-week speed or hill workouts (West End / Southside)
• 90 day program - individual training plans to help you complete your trainign
• Team socials 
• Technical Race Shirt
• Private Facebook group to communicate with team members and coaches, and receive frequent updates and training tips
• Participate in the 9 mile marathon program developed by Coach and World Ironman Champion Marlies Kort
• Option to participate in Core/Strength programs (Additional Fee lead by one of our Coaches)

Refund Policy – If you change your mind about participating in our programs, we are happy to honor your decision as long as the refund request is made before September 1, 2021.  To request a refund, please submit your request in writing to Dan Blankenship, raceteamrva@gmail.com. A check will be processed once the refund has been accepted and approved.

For more information, email us at raceteamrva@gmail.com