2020 RT RVA Summer Training

COVID-19 Update: We have moved our start date to June 13, and have made plans to comply with guidelines suggested by our local government. We plan to start our group runs using wave starts, with 10 people starting every 5 minutes. Read more below about our plans to keep our runners safe.

Summer Training Team 2020

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

Saturday Group Run Locations: 3 options:  Willow Lawn (near West End), Short Pump & Woodlake (Southside).  Group runs will be held at Lucky Road Running Store in Willow Lawn Shopping Center, Short Pump Park and at Woodlake at Woodlake Swim & Racquet Club.  Team members may be able switch between locations during the season but will need to confirm available times due to wave starts.

Every other week we will also offer a trail run option on Saturdays.

Sunday Group Run Locations: Group runs will be held at Lucky Road Running Store and at Rutland Commons in Mechanicsville (this location limited to 10 runners) .

Note:  As a member of the team, you can run both Saturday and Sunday, and we encourage you to do so.  Many of our runners have found running 2 days during the weekends have improved their performance.  For example, you may want to run one day for your marathon running pace (MRP) and the other for an easy recovery run.

Optional 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 in June & July, then in early August we begin our testing for your Critical Heart Rate (CHR) & your 10k time, together these are used to calculate your MHR.  The schedule for this plan is:

• June 6 - August 8 - train with the rest of the team for your 10k trial run in August
• 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 15 & 22 -  CHR testing offered 2 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 15 - week 1 starts (Monday) of 9 mile training; day 1 of 90
• Aug 29 - First group run using MHR

Register for one of the programs below and make your decision by early August if this is a program for you.   This is optional and not recommended for first time marathoners.  We believe first-time marathoners should train the traditional way to appreciate this program.  

Summer Training Team Options

Marathon Training Program (starts June 13)

This program will prepare you for any fall race you choose, whether your first marathon or your 20th.
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 June 13 start date.
Must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Half Marathon Program -Two Options: starts June 13 (aligns to Patrick Henry Half) or August 22 (aligns to Richmond Half)

If you want to commit to a full season (6 months) of half marathon training with the team, this is the program for you. Those who register for this program will begin in June or August and will train for the Patrick Henry Half and Richmond Half.   This is a base-building program that will keep you fit to run any half marathon in late summer or early winter season.

Cost: $60.00 (for June 13 start)     

Cost: $50.00 (for August 22 start)   

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 half marathon training program:  Must be able to run 3 miles by June 13 or August 22 start dates.
Must be at least 18 years old to participate, or 14 with a parent's approval.

Just Run Program (starts June 13 or you can join at anytime during the summer/fall program)

New to running or just want to stay in shape? This program will help keep you fit and prepare you for any 5k through marathon race, depending on your desire to run the distance.  For the athlete that wants to stay in shape and use running as a means to stay fit through the summer / fall.
Cost: $40.00

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 those looking to increase race times
• Organized group runs on Saturday or Sunday with Water/SAG support (see safety note below)
• 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)
• 23 week individual training plans based on your predicted finish time
• On-course support for the Patrick Henry Half (August 29),  Charlottesville Area Trail (CAT) Half/Full Marathon (October 24), Marine Corp Marathon (October 25), Richmond Marathon (Nov 14)
• Team socials (virtual for now)
• Technical Race Shirt
• Private Facebook group to communicate with team members and coaches, and receive frequent updates and training tips
• Option to 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 through our partners)

COVID-19 Safety Plan

After careful consideration, we have decided to proceed with group runs starting June 13, with modifications to comply with CDC and local government guidelines. As this is an evolving situation, if guidelines change or if we determine that it is in the team's best interest, we reserve the right to switch to a virtual training team at any point.

We will utilize wave starts in order to limit large groups gathering. Starting at 6:30 am, every 5 minutes 10 people will start their run. We will allow runners to sign up for their preferred start time. Runners should not gather in groups larger than 10 at the beginning or end of training runs, and should maintain 6 feet distance from other runners before, during and after runs. We ask that runners bring their own water. We will look into whether we can safety provide SAG support further into training, but for now please plan to be self-sufficient with water and fuel.

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 July 15, 2020. (for June 13 starts) and August 15 (for August 22 starts).  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