TRAIN.
RACE.
EXPLORE.
August 11, 2025
Week 8 of Training
You’ve made it past the halfway mark. Through heat, humidity, and plenty of early alarms, you’re still showing up! This is the grind that builds not just stronger legs, but a stronger you. As the miles continue to climb, remember to check in on how your body’s feeling and give it the care it needs to keep going strong.
Your MIT team, Fleet Feet Columbus, Fit For Life Physical Therapy and expert partners are here to help with smart training strategies, a supportive community, and tools to keep you healthy, motivated, and ready for what’s next!
🦵 Injury Prevention & Recognition
This week, we’re talking about Achilles Tendonitis: what it is, why it happens, and how to prevent or spot it before it sidelines your training.
🦶 Stretch of the Week
Give your calves some love! We’ll walk you through simple stretches that can help improve mobility, prevent injury, and keep your stride smooth.
👉 Train Your Brain: “That Fuzzy Feeling”
Dr. Heather Bechtel dives into what we know as the runner’s high: why it happens, what’s going on in your brain and body when it kicks in, and how you can tap into it to fuel your motivation.
Whether you’re pushing for a PR, logging miles for your future self, or chasing that endorphin rush, remember: every step is building something bigger than just race day.
See you out there.
– Coach H
Workout Hub
This Week's Workouts at a Glance
WEDNESDAY GRIT WORK: TRACK PYRAMID
WHEN
Wednesday, August 13th @ 6:30pm
LOCATION
Fleet Feet Office & Trackhouse
867 North High Street, Worthington, OH 43085
PARKING:
Please park across the street in the REMAX parking lot, or find parking in historic downtown Worthington.
WORKOUT DETAILS:
Dead Poets 2 Milers. Let's go the distance. You'll start and end with faster paces with longer reps at solid, steady-state paces in between!
NOTE: V.02 workouts on your watch for this one might be funky. As a safe bet, just dismiss the workout prompt on your watch and follow the instructions below.
Between each repeat, you’ll walk/mill about for recovery. Make sure you bring a cup or bottle, as coach Hannah will not always have an extra!
ROUTES:
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HALF MARATHONERS:
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1 x 2 Miles @ Race Pace Effort
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Advanced Halfers can either do 2 x 2 miles or add a 1 x 1 mile loop.
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4 x 30 sec strides with 30 sec recovery
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FULL MARATHONERS:
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2 x 2 Miles @ Race Pace Effort
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Advanced Fulls add a 1 x 1 mile loop.
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4 x 30 sec strides with 30 sec recovery
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COOL DOWN: 1.25 mile back to office
Note: Please be sure to bring a hydration bottle or bottle to every Wednesday night workout. Hannah will have a cooler for water, but we are cup-less!
SATURDAY LONG RUN: Whetstone High School
WHEN
Saturday, August 16th @ 7:00am
LOCATION
Whetstone High School
4405 Scenic Dr, Columbus, OH 43214
PARKING
Do NOT park directly in front of The Hills Market. Please park in the surface lot on the North side of the market.
WORKOUT DETAILS:
ROUTE: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3075190
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HALF MARATHONERS:
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8 miles
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FULL MARATHONERS:
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14 miles
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Be sure to bring your own hydration cup or bottle - our water stops are cup-less! Use your MIT Discount at any Fleet Feet Columbus store and snag an amphipod flexible cup, a handheld bottle, or hydration vest.
Achilles & The Runner's High
That Fuzzy Feeling...
Ever heard the phrase “Achilles heel”? In Greek mythology, it was the single vulnerable spot that led to Achilles’ downfall. For runners, that weakness often appears as Achilles tendonitis, pain where the calf muscles meet the tendon at the back of the lower leg. It’s been a hot topic on the trails, in our stores, and at recent FFL clinics.
This week, physical therapist Laura Comtois, P.T., one of Fit For Life’s founding clinicians, dives into what causes Achilles tendonitis and how to stretch your calves to keep them healthy. Laura earned her master’s in physical therapy from Notre Dame College and her doctorate from Franklin Pierce University. She’s passionate about working with endurance athletes, is certified in bike fitting, and brings years of experience helping runners stay strong and injury-free.
Also in this issue, Dr. Heather Bechtel returns with a Train Your Brain article on “That Fuzzy Feeling” after a long workout.
Fit For Life Physical Therapy are proud to be the Official MIT and Fleet Feet Columbus Medicine Partners. We care for people of all activity levels — to help prevent, recover from, or rehabilitate athletic injuries.
Michael Sean Huffman MS, ATC, PT
Fit For Life Physical Therapy
MIT Medical Resources Coach
