Distance Training Program

Has a marathon, half marathon, 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, a Distance Training Program can help you get to the finish line, and/or get there faster than you have before or thought you could!

Summer/Fall Distance Training Program (DTP) Overview

The =PR= Training Programs' Summer/Fall Distance Training Program is geared toward the Marine Corps Marathon, Army 10-Miler. It's also appropriate for other fall marathons like Chicago, Steamtown, NYC, Richmond, and Philly, and half marathons including VA Beach Labor Day weekend. The program provides everything you could need for a great race experience and is designed for both for new and experienced runners! The first group runs are informal on the weekend of 6/15-6/16 and, with training schedules beginning the week of 6/17 and the first "official" group long run the weekend of 6/22-6/23.

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.

- Train in comfort with some new technical gear, including a technical training  shirt you'll receive early in the program. Attend various special in store events and get yourself geared up while you take advantage of some great savings as well.

- 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.

Details

The program is available in ARLINGTON, ASHBURN, DC, RESTON, and ROCKVILLE 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 JUNE 15-16. All sites will meet at 7:00 AM for the first weeks, and later move to 6:30 AM. Thereafter, at certain times, the start time may change again for certain weeks with especially long runs.

In addition to the weekly group long run, participants also receive guidance on what to do on their own for days the group does not meet.  Optional evening track/speed workouts are planned on weekday evenings at 6:30 PM throughout most of the program.  (Speed workouts may change venues or end in the fall when light, team practices and field usage, etc., can cause conflicts.)  Beginners may choose to skip speed sessions, but all are invited to attend them.  Speed sessions are slated for:

- Arlington on Wednesdays (at W-L HS at 6:30 PM);

- Ashburn on Tuesdays (at Stone Bridge HS at 6:30 PM);

- DC on Thursdays (at Wilson HS in Tenleytown at 6:30 PM);

- Reston on Tuesdays (at location TBD (SLHS under construction) at 6:30 PM);

- Rockville on Wednesdays (at Richard Montgomery HS at 6:30 PM).

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.)  Also, note that participants in any Individualized Training Program may always run long runs with the DTP at no additional cost.

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 (some initial testing during the first sessions will provide guidance on this pacing, or you may be interested in Metabolic Testing (ask about special rates for participants) if you choose to train with the help of a heart rate monitor.)  Some sessions will also focus specifically on your goal marathon pace.

The program cost for the =PR Training= Marathon/Distance Training Program is $159 for the session. This cost includes 18+ weekly coached weekend morning sessions, optional weekly track workouts as scheduled and available, and participant benefits including a technical shirt, nutritionals, and other giveaways and social activities. 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.

Upcoming Session and Registration Information

There are five available training sites for the Summer/Fall Distance Training Program. 

Arlington-based DTP Session:  Meeting initially at the =PR= Arlington Store in Ballston (intersection of Glebe and N. Fairfax), weekly runs thereafter will meet there, in Bluemont Park, or in Rosslyn Center (thereby giving us some variety in terrain.) Location is convenient for runners from Arlington, Alexandria, DC, Falls Church, and Vienna/McLean. Sessions meet SATURDAYS at 7:00 AM (Session time may move earlier as program progesses to accomodate longer runs.) Note: if the Saturday session is not convenient, consider the Sunday program in DC.

Ashburn-based DTP Session: Meeting at the =PR= Ashburn Store at 20630 Ashburn Road (a few minutes from Rt 7 or Route 28) in Ashburn. Runs will take place on the W&OD trail -- the access point is just a few minutes from the store lot. Runs on the W&OD with occasional "field trips." Location is convenient for runners from Loudoun County. Sessions meet SUNDAYS at 7:00 AM (Session time may move earlier as program progresses to accommodate longer runs.) Note: if the Sunday session is not convenient, consider the Saturday program in Reston.

DC-based DTP Session: Meeting in Georgetown at 34^th St and the waterfront/K Street under Whitehurst Freeway near the start of the Capital Crescent Trail. Runs will take place on various DC trail options. Early morning start-time means metro may not be a good option, but parking is FREE on Sundays -- in past years, many carpools have formed, and you can find one at the kickoff info session/picnic! The DC location is convenient for runners from DC, Arlington, Alexandria, and Maryland. Sessions meet SUNDAYS at 7:00 AM. (Session time may move earlier as program progresses to accommodate longer runs.) Note: if the Sunday session is not convenient, consider the Saturday program in Arlington.

Reston-based DTP Session: 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, Burke, Vienna/McLean, Chantilly, Centreville, and more. Sessions meet SATURDAYS at 7:00 AM.  (Session time may move earlier as program progresses to accommodate longer runs.) Note: if the Saturday session is not convenient, consider the Sunday program in Ashburn.

MD-based DTP Session: Meeting at various locations in Montgomery County, including Carderock, Lake Needwood, Capital Crescent Trail. Location is convenient for northern DC and Montgomery County residents. Sessions meet SUNDAYS at 7:00 AM. (Session time may move earlier as program progresses to accommodate longer runs.)  Note:  There is no one main meeting spot for this group -- coaches will confirm which trail you'll run through weekly email communications. The first info session/informal run and breakfast will meet at the =PR= Rockville store.

Registration

To register for this program, click HERE!  If you are a past =PR= Training participant and haven't registered for a program recently, you'll note that we are using a new registration tool so you'll need to create new credentials; however, if you've registered for a =PR= race before, you should be able to use those credentials to login. The process is very streamlined compared to the past =PR= Training Registration and should minimize confusion. Coaches will collect additional information from you as well.