TRAIN.
RACE.
EXPLORE.
June 4, 2024
Kick-Off Newsletter
The week before training kicks off is like the calm before a storm. You can feel the energy buzzing in the air, the anticipation of what's to come. You've signed up for the race. You've built your base mileage. You've written down your goals.
Now reflect on what led you to this moment. Why are you training for a half or full marathon? Why are you embarking on this journey? What do you hope to gain? What do you hope to learn?
I encourage you to take some time to review the FINDING YOUR WHY page of the pre-season guide, jot down some notes, and come up with a theme for the summer.
Much like the Columbus Half & Full Marathon picks a theme every year for their race, I would like you like to take a moment to review your notes & narrow them down into a word or phrase that will act as a central theme for your training block.
Once you're done, feel free to share it with me and the team! We will read a few out loud at kick-off on Saturday to start the training block out inspired and with intention!
CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR SUMMER 2024 TRAINING THEME
There is a lot of information in this newsletter, so please read through carefully to make sure you're fully prepped for the season.
Can't wait to see you all on Saturday for our first long run of the season!
Happy Running, Walking, Moving & Shaking,
Coach Hannah
MIT 2024 SUMMER KICKOFF RUN & PARTY!
Saturday, June 8th at 7:30AM
Start the summer & your training cycle off on the RIGHT FOOT! This is the first official workout of the season, and we HIGHLY encourage attendance so you can meet your pace coaches, learn trail etiquette, and run TOGETHER!
Location:
Fleet Feet Lewis Center
1270 E. Powell Road
Lewis Center, OH
Run Schedule:
Half Marathon - 3 miles
Full Marathon - 6 miles
MIT EDGE* - 10 Miles
*Read more about MIT EDGE below!
ROUTE
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2642910
NOTE: We do NOT have cups at our hydration stations! You are responsible for bringing your own water vessel. Collapsable cups and handheld bottles are available for purchase at Fleet Feet with your MIT discount! If you forget your cup/bottle at home, let your pace coaches know, and we will try to find an extra for you.
Parking:
Do NOT park in ASPEN SKI & BOARD parking lot. Please respect any NO PARKING signs or cones posted by neighboring businesses!
Details:
Arrive at least 30 minutes early to find parking and use the restrooms. Pace Coaches will be in place carrying large blue pace signs. Find your desired pace and join the group! (NOTE: Your long run pace should be 60-90 seconds slower than your desired race pace.)
Pop over to the New Balance table prior to the run to demo new shoes and snag raffle ticket!
Stick around afterwards and celebrate our first day of training with bagels, snacks, coffee, beer (and N/A beer!), and to shop our EXCLUSIVE MIT Kickoff Sale! Our retail staff will be VERY busy with the big crowd, so please be kind and patient as they work hard to serve you!
FIT FOR LIFE EDUCATION CORNER
PREPARING FOR NEXT SEASON
Whether you're a seasoned MIT participant or training for your first race, increasing your mileage safely is essential to avoid injuries and ensure optimal performance. Attached is a plan to help boost your running or walking mileage gradually and effectively, preparing you for the Marathon, Half Marathon, or No Boundaries training session during the next few months.
Now, how would you like to learn more about this directly from one of the most recognizable names in Columbus sports medicine? Fit For Life Physical Therapist, Joe Simko, has been an avid runner since 1978, qualified for the Boston Marathon 14 consecutive years, has a marathon PR of 2:45…and is an even better clinician who authored this week’s article.
Fit For Life Physical Therapy is proud to be the Official MIT and Fleet Feet Sports Medicine Partner. We Move People by caring for runners and walkers of all activity levels — to help prevent, recover from, or rehabilitate athletic injuries.
MIT UP NEXT
UPDATES & EVENTS
MIT EDGE
Introducing MIT EDGE, MIT's Advanced Training Sector.
At MIT, our mission is to Motivate, Inspire, and Train runners and walkers to reach their half or full marathon goals while creating a safe, uplifting, and inclusive community where people thrive.
Central to this mission is our advanced training program, MIT EDGE.
MIT EDGE (formerly ATP) is a program designed to provide exceptionally talented and dedicated runners with the focused, intense training needed to push them to the edge of their running potential.
Whether it's qualifying for World Majors like the Boston Marathon or achieving the prestigious goal of a sub 3:00 hour marathon, MIT EDGE is committed to helping runners realize their greatest running dreams.
If you have any of the following goals for 2024-2025, you should consider joining MIT EDGE:
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Sub 3:00, 3:15 or 3:30 marathon
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Boston Qualifying Time / World Major Qualifying Time (Any age!)
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Back-to-back marathons
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Ultramarathon completions
MIT EDGE RUNNER PROFILE
MIT EDGE athletes comfortably hold a minimum base of 35-40 miles/week and run 6 days per week. MIT EDGE athletes' peak at 60-100 miles/week (depending on individual goals), and have higher intensity workouts built into at least two runs per week.
In-person Workouts
MIT EDGE athletes run with MIT at 7:30 on Saturday mornings. MIT Edge Pace Coaches lead any prescribed mid-long run workouts.
MIT EDGE athletes run with MIT at 6:30 on Wednesday evenings, but break from the large group with Coach Dylan who leads separate EDGE workouts.
COST
For Summer 2024, MIT EDGE is covered by your MIT membership fees.
COMMUNICATION
In addition to the weekly MIT newsletter, MIT EDGE athletes receive their own weekly training plans & details on MONDAYS.
THE MIT EDGE SEASON BEGINS ON MONDAY, JUNE 10TH!
INTERESTED IN JOINING MIT EDGE? FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW!
MIT EDGE
Welcome our new MIT EDGE COACH, DYLAN MILLER!
Hello, MIT! I can't tell you how grateful and excited I am to join the MIT Coaching team with Coach Hannah and Coach Jeanne as the new MIT EDGE Coach.
Running has been a part of my life for a very long time. The very start being my first track practices in middle school. I quickly fell in love with the sport. After graduating middle school I joined a club track team called “Hot Feet” and with more experienced coaching I quickly saw huge improvements. I competed in 3 consecutive AAU Junior Olympic National meets with my top performance being a 2nd place finish in the 3000m when I was 16. In high school, I went to the state meet all four years in both track and cross country with a top finish of 2nd place in both track and cross country. I went on to run and study at the University of Kansas, producing top performances of 8:17 (3k), 14:08 (5k), 30:10 (10k XC).
I was fortunate to have been coached by Michael Whittlesey, top American finisher in the 1995 Boston Marathon. Whittlesey coaching record is impressive, having coached Shalane Flanagan in her 2004 Olympic Debut, and my former teammate Sharon Lokedi who was the 2022 NYC Marathon champion.
Whittlesey coached KU alum marathoners on the side, and these runners would often join in on our collegiate workouts. It was incredible to train alongside some of the best runners in the country, as well as receive the same coaching day-in and day-out by Coach Whittlesey.
Training and competing for three and a half years under coach Whittlesey had a huge impact on my running career and ignited the spark to begin embarking on my own coaching journey. During that time, I took away a plethora of valuable information and running insights, lots of my workouts and knowledge come from his teachings. His influence will no doubt play a part in my coaching of the MIT EDGE program.
However, we all know that training for running is forever evolving. The way in which the top runners train is shifting. We are seeing more and more about the power of double threshold workouts and threshold training as a whole, which are things I plan to weave into our training plans with the incredibly talented group of runners that comprise MIT EDGE.
I'm looking forward to continuing the legacy of Coach Steve and Coach Dave, helping MIT EDGE members find their why, improve their running performance, and stay healthy while pushing themselves to the EDGE of their potential.
Join us at an upcoming introduction & info session! Get up to speed on the program, training schedules, workouts, and resources. Meet your pace coaches, learn about weekly workouts, and ask questions! All are welcome, but please RSVP BELOW!
DATES:
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Wednesday, June 5th @ 6:00PM - IN-PERSON SESSION ONLY
LOCATION (6/5 only):
Fleet Feet Office
867 North High Street
Suite A
Worthington, OH 43085
PARKING:
PLEASE PARK ACROSS THE STREET AT THE REMAX BUILDING OR FIND FREE PARKING IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WORTHINGTON.