BTC Group Runs

The BTC hosts group runs of various distances every Saturday (unless we're hosting a race or other activity). As detailed below, we host both a Saturday Long Run and a Saturday Moderate Run. Choose whichever suits your needs better. For these runs, water stops are provided by volunteers who place water and sports drink at designated locations along the route. (Hit up the Volunteer menu or the Donate menu to see how you can contribute!) Check out the details below and feel free to contact one of the group run coordinators for more information.

A few times each year, we turn our Saturday runs in a giant social activity. Come run with us and enjoy food, drink and other social activities at the conclusion of the run. Most social runs are accompanied by prize drawings that may include free swag, gift cards to local businesses that support the BTC, free race entries and more. Details are available here as each run nears. Everyone and every pace are always welcome!!

Our BTC Moderate Group Saturday social runs are beginner-friendly or those returning to running after an injury, postpartum, or another break. (Most routes are also stroller friendly!)If you are training for a half or full, there will be people from each pace group that will meet early/stay later for more miles. We have a group that only walks and the rest of us have average paces that range from 10:45 to 13:00 (including run/walk interval options) and distances range from 3 to 10 miles. Please join us! 

Sarah Jensen (moderateruns@birminghamtrackclub.com) coordinates the weekly meetup. Check us out on Facebook for more happenings. Look below for this week's schedule.

Beginner runners, join us to train, learn, and improve with tailored run/walk intervals! In-person Saturday workouts are always free and open to all.
BTC members will also receive:
-Private GroupMe to build community and camaraderie with mentor runners + tips for staying motivated and fueling during training.
-A 6-week 5K training program grounded in science and guided by Resolute Running's coaching philosophy. This includes midweek workout recommendations to be done on your own.
Complete the following form to let us know your interest in the Birmingham Track Club (BTC) Spring 5K training team: Runnin' with my Peeps. https://forms.gle/pEP9Z7SqyxBBb4US9
To become a BTC member, visit: https://runsignup.com/MemberOrg/BirminghamTrackClub

Session Start: Saturday, March 29 Launch Event + BTC Social starting from TrimTab (2721 5th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233) Join us at 7:00am - we will go over what to expect, the pace groups, the schedule, etc. Then we will set out on our first run or walk followed by our BTC spring social.
If you are unable to attend the launch let Sarah know: ModerateRuns@BirminghamTrackClub.com

Walk, run, walk/run - you'll have a friend!  Lots of options!

This is a beginner-friendly, all-paces-welcome group, and we mean it — no pressure, just good company and shared goals.
If you’ve been following the 5K training plan, congrats — you’re at the halfway mark!   And if life’s gotten in the way (it happens!), this week is a perfect time to rejoin or jump in. Just keep showing up for yourself — that’s what matters most. We’ll meet you where you are.

Routes
3 miles: https://routes.rungoapp.com/route/cVeGnhSWs2 (walk the first hill as a warm up)
6 miles: https://routes.rungoapp.com/route/8klu37jKtF
Water Stops
Thank you to Anna Hurst and Michael Gaston for the water last week!! Just one stop to make it easy this week  
https://runsignup.com/BTCGroupRuns/volunteer
-White Fence/Park @ Columbiana/Green Springs/Raleigh

We have participants that only walk, some run/walk intervals and some all run! Reach out if you have questions or want to make sure you have a buddy.

This is the run for you if you're training for anything from a half marathon on up. Once or twice a year we pick a goal marathon/half marathon and follow a training plan for Saturday long runs. Typical distances start at around 8 miles at the beginning of a training cycle and range up to 22 miles as the marathon nears. Half marathon training distances are adjusted according to a half-marathon training schedule. We usually have two distances planned so you can choose based on your goal race. All paces are welcome but we target between 8:00 and 12:00 minutes per mile. While everyone is welcome, please understand that this is not considered a run for beginners. For more information, feel free to contact the coordinator, Cameron Estes (longruns@birminghamtrackclub.com), or check us out on Facebook. Look below for this week's schedule. 

Drumroll... our spring target marathon will be Rock 'n' Roll Nashville/Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon, both on Saturday, April 26!!! We are kicking off our training on Saturday, January 4 at 16 weeks out from race day! And we are still targeting the Railway HALF Marathon on February 8 as well!

Below is a snapshot of the planned long runs for the remaining of the Railway training cycle and the Nashville/Kentucky marathon training (later on in the marathon cycle, we'll have a shorter second distance most days as well). *Subject to change!!*

And as always, feel free to add on/edit/start early from the posted routes to best suit your personal training goals!

Here is the Trak Shak 3 Mile Route and the Trak Shak 5 Mile Route. These are a good way to add on mileage if needed!

Announcements

Since last week's runs were canceled due to storms, we are going to do the same routes this Saturday that were planned for last week :) Also, for the next little while, we'll keep running some long-ish run until pick a fall race! This weekend, we'll have 10 and 6.4 miles, just for fun!! See you at the Trak Shak at 6am!!

• 10 miles  https://routes.rungoapp.com/route/ftH9G3VCYe  
• 6.4 miles  https://routes.rungoapp.com/route/gqtKFt1PGU  

Water Stops

Thank you to Katie Pirkle for the water last week (even thought it rained!) !! 
Reminder: Select the Volunteer menu item to volunteer to supply a water stop. Unless otherwise noted, please supply 2 gallons of water and 2 gallons of sports drink along with cups and a trash bag.

• Overbrook Bridge (mile 3.2 for both)
• Jacks Shell (mile 5.1, also 6.75 for 10 miles)

https://runsignup.com/BTCGroupRuns/volunteer