Register for Winter/Spring Distance Training
Has a marathon, half marathon, ten miler or other distance event been on your "life list" of things you must do? Have you completed a long distance race before and gotten the bug? Do you seek a new challenge for your current stage in life? Completing an endurance event can be a life-changing experience. Doing it with others sharing that common goal can make the experience even more powerful. And doing it with the support and guidance of an experienced coach makes it much more realistic and manageable.
With the right program design, a good dose of personal commitment and discipline, and a little bit of luck, virtually ANYONE can complete a marathon or half marathon. Whether you are a novice athlete or an experienced runner, the Winter Training Program can help you get to the finish line, and/or get there faster than you have before or thought you could!
PROGRAM DETAILS
The program provides everything you could need for a great race experience and is designed for both for new and experienced runners with training plans structured based on your race experience and goals! We know there are many group training options available in the DC Area; our goal is to provide the best experience and greatest value.
Thanks to our partnerships with Potomac River Running Stores, and various other vendors, we’ve created a great package of benefits for all participants.
- Receive expert coaching from our knowledgeable coaching team — our track record speaks for itself — we’ve helped thousands of runners complete endurance events or complete them faster, achieving personal bests, Boston Qualifiers, and more.
- Get a commemorative program t-shirt and special participant discounts at =PR= stores while you are in the program.
- Attend seminars offered by leading experts on topics ranging from running technique to nutrition to race day strategy, and hear great info each week in your weekly update from your coach.
- Receive weekly email guidance and tips from your coaches covering everything from the week’s specific plan to suggestions on form and technique, nutrition, sleep, and more!
- Enjoy other giveaways and goodies along the way.
Participants are also welcome and encouraged to attend any weekly group run offered on various weekday evenings at various Potomac River Running Store locations (also at 6:30 PM.)
Based on participant feedback, we have SEPARATED the weekend training from the optional weekly interval workout. Runners can participate in BOTH programs or only choose the weekend training and follow the training plan to do speed sessions on their own if they choose. Registration and payment for the DTP and the Evening Interval Program are separate, but the overall cost will be similar to past years if you choose to do both, or lower if you choose to do the DTP by itself.
The weekend sessions are most important, and are focused on improving your long run. You will gradually increase your run volume, being careful to run at a pace that will maximize your body’s ability to recover and to use energy efficiently (coaches will provide guidance on appropriate pacing, and you may choose to train with a heart rate monitor to manage your effort level appropriately.) Some sessions will also focus specifically on your goal race pace.
The =PR= Training Programs’ Winter/Spring Distance Training Program will prepare for spring marathon and half-marathon distances. The program gears toward major “local” early spring races including the Rock ‘n Roll USA Marathon/Half Marathon and Shamrock Marathon/Half Marathon, but also typically includes many runners preparing for other races including the Loudoun Half, Country Music, Pittsburg, and ten mile favorites including Cherry Blossom and the GW Parkway Classic.
Marathoners preparing for Boston or another April race will receive an “extension” schedule to carry them to race day after the program ends. The program provides everything you could need for a great race experience and is designed for both for new and experienced runners. The Distance Training Program is available in BURKE, DC, and RESTON, on either Saturday or Sunday morning depending on location. All training sites begin with an information session, coach meet and greet, and informal first day run the weekend of DECEMBER 1-2. The start times vary by site, and start time/location may be different for the kickoff weekend.
The program cost for the =PR Training= Distance Training Program is $139 for the session. This cost includes up to sixteen weekly coached weekend morning sessions, and participant benefits including a commemorative program t-shirt and other giveaways and social activities. Add the Evening Interval Program for only $30 — just email us at admin@potomacriverrunning.com for a promo code.
Active participants in the Distance Training Program also receive special promotions from Potomac River Running Store and discounts on entry to all =PR= owned races.
Previous Participants in =PR= Training Programs will automatically receive a $15 discount on registration if you use the same account. No code needed!
**NOTE TO RETURNING PARTICIPANTS**: Your returning participant discount will be applied at the end of registration, and will be shown in your cart at checkout.
Week #1 of the Training Plan begins the week of 12/1-12/2 and the first “official” group long run the weekend of 12/8-12/9. The program continues through the week of March 16. (Those with later races will receive extension suggestions for after the group no longer meets.) We’ll also host kickoff events with more informal runs, an introduction, with no set run distance) on 12/1. There are three available training sites for the Winter/Spring Distance Training Program: Burke, DC/Georgetown, and Reston.
Burke-based Distance Training Program: Meeting at the =PR= Burke Store at 5715 Burke Centre Pkwy (intersection of Ox Road and Burke Centre Pkwy). Runs will take place on Burke trails with occasional “field trips.” Location is convenient for runners from southern/western Fairfax County and Arlington/Alexandria runners who seek a Saturday long run day. Weekend sessions meet SATURDAYS at 8:00 AM (Session time will move earlier as program progresses to accommodate longer runs and we ask everyone to arrive 15 minutes early so the run can start promptly.) Register separately for the EVENING INTERVAL PROGRAM in BURKE on Tuesdays (at Burke Store or Robinson at 6:30 PM.)
DC-based Distance Training Program: Meeting 34th & Water Street in Georgetown (under the Whitehurst Freeway at the park area near the start of the Capital Crescent Trail.) The Sunday meeting time allows for available off-street parking. Early start times mean metro is not open yet (though a walk across the bridge enables use of the Rosslyn station to head home post-run.) In past years, many carpools have formed. The DC location is convenient for runners from DC, Arlington, Alexandria, and Maryland. Weekend sessions meet SUNDAYS at 8:00 AM. (We ask everyone to arrive 15 minutes early so the run can start promptly.) Register separately for the EVENING INTERVAL PROGRAM in DC on Thursdays (at Wilson HS at 6:30 PM) OR in Arlington on Wednesdays (at W-L HS at 6:30 PM.)
Reston-based Distance Training Program: Meeting at the =PR= Reston Store in Reston Town Center. Runs on the W&OD with occasional “field trips.” Location is convenient for suburban runners from Reston, Vienna/McLean, Chantilly, Centreville, and more. Sessions meet SATURDAYS at 8:00 AM. (Session time may move earlier as program progresses to accommodate longer runs and we ask everyone to arrive 15 minutes early so the run can start promptly.) Register separately for the EVENING INTERVAL PROGRAM in RESTON on Tuesdays (at South Lakes HS at 6:30 PM.)