Summer Half Marathon (SHM) Program
The Summer Half Marathon (SHM) Program is designed to develop and improve a runner’s ability to complete 13.1 miles. The training schedule will prepare runners for 10-mile and half marathon distance races ranging from early September through mid-October. While the base training program enables success for those new to the distance, experienced runners will be challenged with program adaptations to help them meet their individual objectives. Our team of pace coaches ensures personal attention resulting in great experiences and accomplishments.
Prerequisites: SHM works well for runners currently able to run 6 miles continuously at a 13:00 pace or faster. For those who may not be able to maintain that pace, a portion of the group uses a run/walk method and trains based on both time and mileage (e.g., in one workout, run/walk participants may run 10 miles or 2 hours, whichever ends first). The course for the goal race of the program, the Parks Half Marathon, crosses many roads and requires runners to average a 12:30 min/mile pace to stay ahead of the re-opening of the roads. MCRRC Membership is required for participation in this program. If you are not a member, you will have the opportunity to join MCRRC during registration. Participants must be 18 or older to register.
Structure: Participants will receive a full 16-week training plan, two in-person workouts each week, a program premium, one or more pace group coaches, and access to electronic communication with coaches and their pace group via our groups.io platform (required), Strava Clubs (optional, but encouraged), and a Zoom orientation call.
Prior to the first workout, participants will be placed in pace groups with others of similar ability, based on participant-provided pacing information.
We will meet on Saturday mornings at 7:00 AM for long runs, which will take place in various locations, as well as on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM at the track at Montgomery College (Rockville Campus), 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD.
Cost: Online registration is $100. Each participant will receive a 2024 SHM premium.
Program Dates: Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Sunday, September 8, 2024
Target Race: Parks Half Marathon – September 8, 2024 (a discount code for the Parks Half Marathon will be presented to participants at the beginning of the program).
*PROGRAM ORIENTATION:
Date/Time: Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Location: Zoom Meeting ID: 863 9582 0047; Passcode: 291216 – Zoom Direct Link
*Note: You do not need to register for the program in order to attend orientation. We will be providing an overview of SHM and answering any questions you may have.
Head Coaches/Directors: Larry Feidelseit and Crystal Groesbeck
Larry is a Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) certified running coach who has been running for over 30 years. He has 25 years of experience teaching and coaching athletic activities, including instruction in swimming and karate and coaching soccer and running. In addition to directing this program, Larry has directed MCRRC’s Winter Trail Program, has helped coach the 5K and 10K Programs, and has completed races from 5K to 50K. In his non-running time, he is a Program Manager for a Systems Engineering and Integration company, husband to a non-running wife and father to two millennial daughters.
Crystal is a Road Runner Club of America (RRCA) certified running coach who has been running MCRRC programs for over 10 years. She has helped coach Summer Half Marathon, Winter Half Marathon, and 10k Programs. Crystal loves coaching new runners just getting started and motivating seasoned runners to stretch to big goals.
Please Note
A CURRENT MCRRC MEMBERSHIP is REQUIRED to participate in this program. Please note that membership is NOT included in your program registration. PRIOR TO JOINING this program, you must become a member. If you are unsure if you have a CURRENT MCRRC Membership, please contact office@mcrrc.org for assistance. Otherwise, please click here to become a valued member.
Communication Methods
We will use a private, online group to facilitate communications. Everyone will be required to join this group to participate in the program. Instructions on how to join this group will be provided by the Program Director.
Disclaimer
The program director reserves the right in his sole discretion to refuse admission to the program or dismiss any individual from the program whom the program director believes is unsuited for running the specified distance or is unable to meet the demands of the training schedule, or is disruptive to other program participants. Those individuals will be denied entry into the program or dismissed from the program as appropriate. The program director also reserves the right to limit the number of participants in the overall program or in individual pace groups. MCRRC has a No Refund policy. Program registration fees cannot be refunded due to injury, schedule conflict or any other reason.