FSRC 50k Trail Training

Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club

15-Week 50k Trail Running Training Program

Dates - early July thru mid October 

Cost - $0 for current Steeplechasers members

Group Runs - one weekend morning each weekend lead by coaches and guest coaches of the FSRC. Group runs may occur on Saturday or Sunday (or both!) in coordination with other Steeplechasers and local runs/races.

Goal Race - The intent of this program is to set you up for success to complete a 50k race. We've partnered with EX2 Adventures (Blue Crab Bolt Trail Running Series) to offer a discount for the Rocky Gap 50k race on Saturday, October 14. On the path toward completion, we've scheduled the training program to encourage you to participate or volunteer at the Steeps annual Pie Run, the Women's Distance Festival, a number of the BCB race series runs, and Rick's Run! If the Rocky Gap 50k isn't your goal race, or you don't have a goal race and just want to increase your trail mileage, that's okay too. We can probably help accommodate your schedule if you let us know!

Program Description - The FSRC 50k Trail Training Program is ideal for the first-time or intermediate 50k runners, and is a great way to improve your running and meet other runners in our community. Each participant is given a training plan including recommendations for mileage, options for cross-training, and days off. While some runs will need to be done on your own, volunteer coaches lead group runs at least one weekend day. Group runs are encouraged, but not mandatory.  A private Facebook page provides a place to coordinate additional runs with other participants, and get support and advice from more experienced participants and your volunteer coaches. We try our best to answer your questions, or at least connect you with someone who can. Participants must be at least 16 years of age on program start date.

Coaches - Our coaches have years of ultrarunning experience at an array of distances from 50k to 100+ miles. That experience has taught us how to handle the things in our control and manage the things out of our control. We’ve also come to love the wonderfully welcoming and super-fun community of ultrarunning. We’ve learned from things we’ve done right and lots of mistakes along the way - - and will share this info with you to go into race day with confidence and excitement. 

The one thing we’ll promise is that you will have a ton of fun, gain confidence, learn lots, and enjoy some time in nature with a bunch of friendly people. 

To Register - You must be a paid member of FSRC to register for this training. If you are not a member, it's only $20 to join FSRC as an individual ($40 for a family!) and you get this training and so much more. Click on https://steeplechasers.org/membership/join/ to learn more and follow the instructions to join. If you think you are already a paid member of the club and you can't register, please check the spelling of the name you used to join the club, using https://runsignup.com/Club/SearchForRenew/668. Once you've joined the club, or renewed your club membership, come back here to register for the training.

To help protect against injury, we strongly recommend you are:

• Consistently running or run-walking 3 days a week or more, for at least 6 months
• Comfortable running or run-walking (with a focus on running) 5-6 mile long runs
• Have the approval of your physician if you have some sort of medical issue that may affect your participation (heart issues, orthopedic concerns, etc.)

To Register, please complete all steps:

(1) Make sure you are a paid member of the club by checking https://steeplechasers.org/membership/registered-members/. If not already a paid member, you need to join before registering for the training program. You can renew or join at https://runsignup.com/fsrc. Click Renew to renew your membership or Sign Up to join. If you're asked to claim your account, please see https://steeplechasers.org/membership/claim-account-rsu/

(2) Register for the training program by clicking Sign Up link at https://runsignup.com/fsrchalftraining

(3) Ask to join the FSRC 50k Training and the FSRC Trail Runners Facebook pages. The Facebook page is our primary means of communicating to keep you updated on when and where runs are occurring, to help you find support and get your questions answered by your coaches and fellow participants, and to notify you of cancellations due to weather.