Training RESOURCES
Proper training can go a long way in reaching your running goals. To assist you, we turn to our local running guru, Coach Eladio Valdez III from The Runner’s Edge. Whether you are a rookie or a seasoned veteran, we have a schedule that will help you cross the finish line!
An easier and more enjoyable way to train is with others. If you would like to learn more, Coach Valdez invites you to enjoy a complimentary group run anytime. With pace groups that range from 8 to 12 minutes a mile, all levels are welcome.
HALF & Full MARATHON TRAINING
Official pace teams
WHY JOIN A PACE TEAM?
It’s so much easier to let someone else set the pace and simply follow along. The synergy of the group helps you conserve your energy and you can also take turns blocking any potential headwind further sparing energy. Besides, it’s a lot more fun to tackle this challenge with others and our pacers promise to keep you entertained as well as on track.
The SmartPace Team is a collection of all-stars with their running backgrounds and positive personalities. They have been carefully chosen and promise to do something that most races don’t – set an intelligent pace given our course terrain to increase the likelihood that you will achieve your goal finish time. There will be an opportunity to meet the pacers at the pacer booth during the Health & Fitness Expo. While you are there be sure to pick up a complimentary pace band. On race morning, they’ll be easy to spot with their pace signs. We encourage you to take advantage of this major perk!
We have half marathon pacers for 1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:05, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:25, 2:30, 2:35, 2:40, 2:45, 2:50, 2:55, 3:00, 3:10, 3:20 and 3:30.
We have marathon pacers for 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:10, 4:20, 4:30, 4:40, 4:50, 5:00, 5:15, 5:30, 5:45 and 6:00.
By using the SmartPace strategy, we’ll avoid the 3 most common mistakes:
Starting out too fast: It’s very easy to give into the temptation of starting out too fast with the adrenaline rush of race day. If you’re thinking about starting out at an even pace, that also doesn’t allow people to warm up properly. When not warmed up, the body is inefficient at converting fuel to energy and releasing heat – it takes about 15-20 minutes or 2 miles. As a result, people use up too much of their glycogen (sugar stored in the muscles), accumulate too much metabolic waste, and risk overheating to virtually assure themselves of wearing down too much in the latter part of the race.
Rushing through the aid stations: This doesn’t allow people to replenish adequately, especially in the first third of the race when people are most apt to deal with crowded aid stations and feel their best leading them to skimp on valuable opportunities to stay replenished. The reality is that the early aid stations are the most critical for optimal performance.
Pushing too hard on the uphills: Trying to maintain the same pace up hills will exhaust many folks while failing to go faster down hills is a wasted opportunity to use gravity to one’s advantage. Instead, our pacers will rely more on even ‘effort’ which means you’ll naturally and appropriately slow down and speed up according to the terrain to conserve energy.