Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie's Fall 2024 Half Marathon Training Program (Rhinebeck Fall Foliage Half Marathon)

Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie & Feldman Physical Therapy & Performance are partnering to offer this 12-week half marathon training group. Our goal race will be the Rhinebeck Fall Foliage Half Marathon on Sunday, October 13, 2024. PLEASE NOTE that registration for the race is a separate fee. After registration, participants will be sent a discount code which can be used for race registration. 

The training program kick-off session will be held on Wednesday, July 17 at 6:30 pm at Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie. During the kick-off, we will review the training plan, go over what to expect in terms of strength training, as well as review some tips for a successful and injury-free training cycle. You will receive your training program no later than Tuesday, July 16, so you can come to the kick-off session with any questions. 

This program offers 2 times a week group runs and a once-a-week in-person weekly strength session:  
Run #1:  Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm at Fleet Feet starting on July 24 
Run #2:  Saturday mornings at 8:00 am at the Morgan Lake Trailhead beginning on July 27***
Strength Session:  Thursdays at 6:30 pm at Gold's Gym in LaGrange beginning on July 25. Our weekly strength sessions are approximately 30 minutes in length and are completed using only body weight and a resistance band (provided). The group workout is meant to be repeated a second time each week during training and video demonstrations of the exercises are provided in the private Facebook group. 

*** IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE SATURDAY MORNING RUN: 
- Our Saturday morning sessions will start at 8 am but as we get into warmer months, they may be pushed earlier to beat the heat if necessary.

Included with the program: 
- A 15% discount code for your Rhinebeck Fall Foliage Half Marathon registration
- A professionally designed 12-week training plan 
- Two (2) times a week in-person group runs
- One (1) time per week in-person strength training sessions 
- Private Facebook group for encouragement, motivation, and camaraderie 
- Option to have the training program workouts programmed for your Garmin or Coros by Feldman Physical Therapy & Performance 
- Running friends forever 
- A custom Fleet Feet shirt or tank 
- Complimentary informational sessions including half marathon fueling, yoga for runners, and demo runs from brands such as Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, ON, and more!

Our primary goal is for you to complete the half-marathon training program successfully without any injuries. As a general guideline, by the program's start, you should be able to run a consecutive 40-50 minutes and ideally have a weekly base of 15ish or more miles. Please be aware that this is not a zero-to-half marathon program!    

Training Program Fees are $150 (+ any applicable Run Signup Fees) 
Fleet Feet Training Group Alumni* Cost: $125 (+ any applicable Run Signup Fees)
*Prior participant in any Fleet Feet training or challenge groups (including Winter Warriors and virtual challenges) or a prior Fleet Feet mentor. 

If you have any questions about the program, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at info@fleetfeetpoughkeepsie.com. This is preferred vs. calling the store as our outfitters are usually busy with customers and don't always know all the specifics of every training group or event. 

All participants will receive the following via email (may not be immediately after registering): 
* Your 15% race discount code. Unfortunately, if you already registered for the race, we do not have a way to retroactively apply the discount.
* A form for us to learn a little more about you and your goals for the program

Please be sure to register with a valid email address that you check regularly or you will miss important communications about the groups.  

FAQs
How do I know if I’m ready?
If you are considering the half marathon training program you should be able to run ‘comfortably’ for a consecutive 40-50 minutes regardless of pace. Training for a half marathon is a time commitment and first and foremost you should make sure that you have the time to dedicate to training 4-5 times per week. If you have consistently experienced injuries during training cycles for a shorter distance then you may want to consider repeating that distance to train injury-free before proceeding to a longer distance. 

What if I can’t make it to the group runs?
That’s ok. Come to as many as you can but don’t let the group run schedule deter you from joining the program. The main determination for joining the program should be whether or not you are willing to put in the time for training. Our training groups are typically around 20-30 runners and it would be impossible to find a single day and time that works for everyone. Don’t think that you won't find value in the program if you can’t make it to every session. We've had runners in the past who didn’t make it to any group sessions but still found great value in the coaching/group dynamic, had a great experience, and successfully completed the race. 

Will I be too slow?
This is probably the most asked question, and the answer is a resounding no! Our groups include runners of all paces, from sub-10 minute pace to 15-16 min. per mile pace. Many if not most of our runners fall in the 11-12 minute pace range. We encourage runners to try to pair up with a partner who is at a similar pace to minimize the likelihood of having to run alone. 

What if I want to train with the group but am doing a different race?
This is fine, but you will be responsible for modifying your training plan to meet your specific needs. If your schedule is ahead of the group’s, we also ask that you don’t encourage other runners to run longer distances than what is prescribed in their training plan. 

Will the group runs happen in bad weather? 
Generally speaking yes, except for unsafe conditions such as lightning. We will always keep the group posted about the status of our group runs. 

Is individualized coaching available?
While we do our best to respond to and accommodate everyone's individual needs, please keep in mind that this is group training. We do not currently offer one-on-one training. 

What if I change my mind about training, can I get a refund?
Unfortunately, once the shirts are ordered we are not able to offer refunds on the program. If you have a unique circumstance that prohibits you from completing the program, we can gladly offer you a spot in a future training program. Any refunds before the ordering of shirts would not include any applicable Run Signup fees.