TRAIN.
RACE.
EXPLORE.
January 6, 2026
SEASON KICKOFF IS HERE!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, MIT!
This Saturday marks the start of something extraordinary. We hope you're ready for the 2026 Season Kickoff Run! 🌟 As we lace up and gather on the familiar running trails of Columbus, we’re not just starting a new season. We’re stepping into a year full of limitless potential, both on the pavement and in life.
The start of a new year is a powerful time. It’s a clean slate, a chance to reimagine what’s possible. Whether you’re aiming to conquer a personal best, train for your first 5K, or simply rediscover the joy of movement, this is your opportunity to unlock new levels of resilience and strength.
Remember, the discipline and determination we cultivate in running and walking ripple into every part of our lives. In our work, our relationships, and our ability to tackle life’s challenges head-on.
Let this Saturday be a celebration of community and possibility. Together, we’ll cheer for each other's goals, share miles and smiles, and remind ourselves why we love to move. It doesn’t matter where you’re starting! whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or just dusting off your sneakers for the first time in months (or ever!), you belong here, and we’re excited to support you every step of the way.
📅 Event Details:
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When: Saturday, January 10th at 8:00 AM
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Where: Meet at Fleet Feet Lewis Center
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Who: All paces welcome: runners, walkers, and everyone in between!
As you prepare for Saturday, think about one thing you’d like to accomplish this year. Let it fuel your first steps of the season. You’re capable of incredible things, and with this community beside you, 2026 could be the year you surprise yourself.
We can’t wait to see you out there. Let’s make this season kickoff the first chapter in a year of adventure, growth, and success!
Here’s to a strong start and a stronger year ahead!
Happy Running, Walking, Moving, and Shaking,
Coach Hannah
NOTE: ALL TRAINING PLANS WILL BE ASSIGNED BY 1/15. THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE!
2026 SEASON KICKOFF
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10th at FLEET FEET LEWIS CENTER
LOCATION:
Fleet Feet Lewis Center
1270 E. Powell Road
Lewis Center, OH 43035
WHEN:
Saturday, January 10th, 2025. The run launches at 8:00am sharp, so please arrive with plenty of time to find parking, use the restrooms, get your swag bag, and find your pace groups! Please read note below on seasonal swag pickup.
WHAT:
The first long run of the Winter training season! Let's kick off the training cycle on the right foot with miles together in community. After the group long run, stay around for coffee and donuts provided by our friends at New Balance.
MILEAGE:
Half: 4 miles
Full: 8 miles
ROUTE: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1707786
SWAG PICKUP
Swag pickup will be take place on 1/10, 1/17, and 1/24 workouts ONLY.
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SWAG ITEMS: All participants will receive:
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An New Balance x MIT tech tee*
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A pair of Feetures socks (available for pickup on January 10th ONLY)
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*Annual Members will receive their cozy sweatshirt
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If you are unable to pickup your swag on the dates above, you must ask a friend or MIT Pace Coach to pickup for you. We will not hold items at our store locations or ship them to you. Review the above dates and plan accordingly!
BRING:
Your beautiful smiles! Make sure you have comfy running/walking shoes, plenty of layers for winter weather, and a hydration vessel. Our long runs are fully supported with water and gatorade stations on-course, but we do need you to bring your own cup or handheld water bottle (available for training group athletes for 10% off at Fleet Feet Columbus).
PARKING:
Expect quite the crowd, so arrive EARLY! Please be sure to be respectful to our neighbors, and do not park in coned-off spots. NO PARKING IN THE PANCAKE HOUSE LOT. NO PARKING IN THE ASPEN SKI & BOARD LOT. YOU WILL BE TOWED.
THE AFTER-PARTY:
Stick around to shop our exclusive kickoff sale, have tasty bevs and donuts from our friends at New Balance, and get to know your teammates and coaches!
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
SEAN HUFFMAN, FIT FOR LIFE PHYSICAL THERAPY
DR. HEATHER BECHTEL, MD
It is that time of year! Many MITers are making New Year's resolutions this month. You are probably making big running or walking goals for 2025, whether you are looking at training for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, or ultramarathon.
The attached FFL New Year’s Resolutions article includes a few tips to help you make a well-thought-out plan to reach your goals and avoid injury.
And, in our annual Cross Over Week, we tackle the mental health component of race preparation, group participation, and injury rehabilitation with a Train Your Brain gem from Dr Heather Bechtel. Heather is a marathoner, pediatrician, and proud mom of two.
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
🎉 YOUR TRAINING PLANS ARE HERE!
Hit the ground running for the 2026 Winter/Spring Season!
You can now access your 2026 training plan and get started for the season ahead. Choose the option that works best for how you like to train:
📱 Option 1: V.02 App (Recommended)
Get your personalized plan delivered through the V.02 app, perfect if you like workouts synced to your watch or phone.
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Personalized plan built from your form responses
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Sync with Garmin, COROS, Apple Watch, Strava, Suunto & more
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View workouts in-app, on your watch, or print if needed
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Plans available by 1/15 or within one week of form submission
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⚠️ Be sure your profile is set to Monday as the first day of the week!!!⚠️
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Note: V.02 plans align with races on 4/25, 4/26, 5/2 and 5/3 only. Races outside of these dates can be customized in the spreadsheet version only and may not align exactly with current MIT season.
📊 Option 2: Classic Excel Spreadsheet
Prefer a more traditional format? The Excel version gives you flexibility and visibility across the entire season.
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Ideal for athletes who like to view the full season at a glance
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Best option for races outside the standard V.02 race dates
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Allows for additional customization beyond the app format
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Note: The spreadsheet will not exactly align with current MIT Wednesday and Saturday workouts. These should be used as a guide for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mileage.
👇 Choose your preferred option below to access your plan and get started!
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KICKOFF SALE
STOCK UP ON GEAR FOR THE NEW YEAR
We've got a deal for you, MIT! 🏃♂️ Stock up on much-needed gear for the season at Fleet Feet Lewis Center this Saturday at kickoff! Get 25% off on New Balance gear, and 15% off everything else THIS SATURDAY ONLY! Check out our CLEARANCE items to get a mega-steal on last-season items.
Click the link below to see what's in stock to plan what you want to snag this weekend!
