TRAIN.
RACE.
EXPLORE.
June 23, 2025
Welcome to Week 1 of Training
HEY MIT FAM!
First, a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for kickoff at TogetherFest last weekend! The energy, enthusiasm, and camaraderie were truly inspiring, and I had an absolute blast cheering you on as you tackled those early miles. If you're new to the MIT family—welcome! You’re in for an incredible journey.
As we dive into the MIT Summer/Fall 2025 season, I want to reaffirm my commitment to being your biggest cheerleader, motivator, and supporter. Whether you're a returning veteran or lacing up your shoes for the very first time, know that I’ll be out there with you—running up and down the path, checking in with groups, and cheering with everything I’ve got.
Each week, you can expect me to help launch our workouts with energy, then hit the pavement to check in with different pace groups. If you see me out there, give me a wave or shout hello—I love connecting with all of you out on the run!
Looking ahead, our first GRIT workout of the season is on Wednesday, June 25th! We’ll be meeting at the Fleet Feet Track House and heading to the track for intervals. We will be monitoring the heat advisory and will keep everyone updated with any last-minute changes to our workout.
Our first Saturday long run will be hosted at Fleet Feet Lewis Center—a great setting for a strong early-season run, where you can stock up on all the essentials you'll need for the season. Don't forget that as an MIT member, you get a discount at all Fleet Feet Columbus locations. I can’t wait to see you all there, ready to log more miles together.
And remember, this newsletter is your one-stop shop for all things MIT: weekly logistics, upcoming events, coach tips, and more. When in doubt, head to our Weekly Workout Hub or use those handy blue buttons at the top of the page.
Next, please keep your eyes peeled for updates on SWAG PICKUP. We will announce swag pickup dates as soon as all of the swag arrives, which we hope will be this week!
Finally, a quick note about inclement weather protocols: Our team monitors weather and trail conditions closely, and we’ll communicate any cancellations or changes at least two hours before any scheduled workout. You’ll hear from us via text, email, and the MIT Instagram account (@mitmarathoners), so be sure to stay tuned to those channels.
Here’s to a season full of miles, memories, and monumental achievements. Lace up, MIT—because together, we’re unstoppable.
Happy Running, Walking, Moving, and Shaking,
Coach Hannah
NOTE: Thank you for your patience as our team continues to assign VDOT training plans. If you have not accessed VDOT, please click the blue "MY TRAINING PLAN" button at the top of this page. We hope to have everyone's plans populated by Friday, June 27th.
Please note my hours:
Sunday & Monday: OFF
Tuesday: 9am-5pm
Wednesday: 12pm-5pm
Thursday: 9am-5pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
Run With Me:
Wednesdays @ MIT - 6:30pm
Thursdays @ Studio 35 Run Club - 6:30pm
Saturdays @ MIT - 7:00am
Workout Hub
This Week's Workouts at a Glance
WEDNESDAY GRIT WORK: TRACK FARTLEKS
WHEN
Wednesday, June 25th @ 6:30pm
LOCATION
Fleet Feet Office
867 North High Street, Suite A
Worthington, OH 43085
(PARKING: The parking lot behind our building is small, so please park across the street in the REMAX parking lot or find free parking in downtown Worthington.)
WORKOUT DETAILS:
Fartlek is a training method for runners/walkers that involves alternating between fast and slow paces. The term comes from the Swedish word fartlek, which means "speed play". Remember: Speed is a relative term, and all paces are welcome and will benefit from joining us for GRIT workouts!
WARM UP: 1 mile from Office to Worthingway Middle School Track
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HALF MARATHONERS:
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7 x 1 minute on, 1 minute off
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FULL MARATHONERS:
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10 x 1 minute on, 1 minute off
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COOL DOWN: 1 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: Fleet Feet Lewis Center
WHEN
Saturday, June 28th @ 7:00am
LOCATION
Fleet Feet Lewis Center
1270 E. Powell Road
Lewis Center, OH 43035
WORKOUT DETAILS:
ROUTE: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2586922
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HALF MARATHONERS:
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4 miles
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FULL MARATHONERS:
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8 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.
Injury Recognition and Prevention
SEAN HUFFMAN, FIT FOR LIFE PHYSICAL THERAPY
Welcome to Marathoner in Training! Every 7 days, you will see a newsletter article pertinent to that point in our training season.
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When the weather is going to be hot, we will spend time on how to run & walk safely in warm weather.
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During that time in the season when loads of people get sore muscles, we will talk about our Runners & Walkers 10 Exercises.
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If it is that week in the session when we notice more piriformis injuries, we will offer you information on preventing, recognizing, and treating dead butt syndrome.
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And, of course, when race day is approaching, we will work together to figure out a good nutrition & hydration plan.
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We welcome questions, love your input, and will be with you every step of the way…right up until race day.
For the kickoff of each season’s Fit For Life Physical Therapy education series, we lead with our ace: MIT Medical Director Dr Darrin Bright, a primary care sports medicine physician and running medicine expert. Darrin has paced and raced scores of marathons and has been the medical director for the Columbus Marathon, as well as Cap City & Emerald City Half Marathons. A substantial portion of his practice is dedicated to treating runners and walkers just like you. He is our RunDoc!
Today Dr Bright will help us lean into the basics of running & walking injury prevention and recognition – better known as “how to stay healthy while training.” Take a look at the attached article and watch the corresponding episode of our Ask The Experts video series (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0moxK5feILU).
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
ACCESS YOUR TRAINING PLANS
INTRODUCING THE V.02 TRAINING PLATFORM
WHY ARE WE OFFERING TRAINING PLANS IN V.02?
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Your V.02 training plan is based on exercise science principles that improve running/walking fitness for athletes of all abilities, no matter your pace or experience level.
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The app helps you calculate your V.02 fitness score using a recent race time or goal, which determines your personalized paces and effort levels that are built into your weekly plan.
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V.02 scoring is a proven method for enhancing running economy and comparing performances across events, so no matter if you're training to finish a half or PR a full, we've got the details of your weekly workouts covered.
The training plans have not changed - they've evolved! The mileage in the excel sheets will closely align with the mileage in the V.02 app. The app is designed to make your training easier to follow and more accessible than ever, with your weekly workouts at your fingertips on your phone, OR downloaded to your watch!
Click the ACCESS V.02 button below and fill out the form to receive your invitation link.
Note:
Our V.02 platform only supports those whose goal race is the Columbus Half & Full Marathon. We offer three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Experienced in V.02. If you would like to utilize V.02 for a different goal race, reach out to Coach Hannah to explore private coaching options.
Prefer the classic excel sheet or have a race on a different day? No worries, you can plug your race date into the Excel Spread Sheet linked below.
You can access the link to V.02 or the Excel Spreadsheet anytime by clicking the blue "Training Plans" button at the top of each newsletter.
MIT GOES TO DOO-DAH
Walk With MIT in this Year's Annual DOO-DAH Parade
JOIN US IN PARTICIPATING IN THE 2025 DOO DAH PARADE!
The Doo Dah Parade in Columbus, Ohio, is a celebration of life, liberty and the pursuit of literary lunacy. The one-day satirical party features a one-of-a-kind parade filled with characters in costume, humorous cultural satire, live music and a post parade block party in Goodale Park.
Dare to join irreverent self-styled satirists, partygoers, exhibitionists and overall lost souls in the annual Doo Dah Parade on July 4 @ 1pm! The 2025 Parade features Less-Than-Grand Marshal: Marshal Marshall. Colleen Marshall - News Anchor of NBC4/WCMH-TV!
There's no entry fee or registration. Just click the link below if you're interested in joining us in the parade. We will be making signs with the theme: "The Cliches of Running". Line up starts at Noon on Park Street, heading north from Goodale St. to Buttles Avenue.
Location: Goodale Park, Victorian Village, and Short North Arts District
Parade Lineup @ 12:00 p.m.
Parade Start @ 1:00 p.m.
Interested in making signs and walking with us in this 4th of July Parade? Sign up below!
