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I have never trained
for a marathon or half marathon. Can I really
do this?
That one sounds real familiar. The quick answer
is of course you can! We have helped many first
time marathoners and half marathoners get to the
finish line. Unlike many marathon training programs
ours is 4 - 8 weeks longer than most. That is
done by design to give the beginners more time
to build a solid running base and avoid injury.
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I am a seasoned runner
and have already run a marathon or multiple
marathons and want to improve on my personal
record (PR). Is In Flight for me?
Yep. We write beginner, intermediate, advanced
and elite training schedules for all of the
major races to accomodate all running skill
levels. Also if you are gunning for that allusive
Boston qualifier we know what it takes to get
you there.
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Do you group runners
in pacing groups so I can run with people that
are my speed?
Unlike many marathon programs in Houston we
don't place people in groups by pace or color
group but manage the group as a whole. The reason
we don't do that up front is we have found that
many runners are not aware of what there current
pace per mile is or are training at a pace that
may not be efficient based on their current
fitness level. After a couple of training runs
we get a good feel for each runner's pace as
runners naturally team up in smaller packs and
run with people that are about the same pace.
On a long run the group becomes spread out into
many natural pace groups which may only vary
by 15 second pace per mile intervals. This makes
it easier for runners to progress or move up
to the next pack when they improve their pace
or downgrade their pace if they are returning
from an injury or don't feel at 100% on a training
day.
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Do you have training
groups that target race goal times? For example
a 4:00 marathon or a 1:45 half marathon etc.?
We have been asked many times if In Flight groups
runners into training groups based on a race
goal time. For example a group shooting for
a 4:00 marathon 5:00 marathon etc.. We do not
coach and group runners based on a race goal.
In our opinion this is putting the cart before
the horse. Instead of assuming a runner can
run a certain race time months before the actual
race we would much rather train them well during
the season, see how they progress with race
times and give them realistic goals based on
how they are actually performing. During the
season as we get race numbers on each runner
we do give them estimates of finishing race
times for their goal distance (marathon or half
marathon). We can't look in a crystal ball and
promise anyone a race time during week #1 of
training but with proper training we can give
our runners realistic goals during the season
that they can physiologically accomplish without
getting injured.
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Do you have separate
training groups for marathon & half marathon
distances?
No. We don't really see a need for this. Many
training groups in Houston are forced to do this
out of shear necessity to keep control and manage
huge groups of runners. We cap our program at
250 runners so we don't have this same problem.
The biggest difference between these marathoners
and half marathoners in training is the obvioius,
total weekly training mileage and long run distance.
Marathoners and half marathoners train at different
mileage levels during each Saturday long run with
different turn around points on each Saturday
long run route. During training runs we meld everyone
together into one group. We will always have marathoners
and half marathoners in the group that may be
training at the same pace so we don't want to
cheat someone out of the opportunity of running
with someone that is at their same speed and skill
level. If we separated runners into separate groups
by race goal distance we would be mimimizing the
opportunity to run with others in the group training
at the same pace. This would be a pointless exercise
in our opinion. Hope that makes sense.
- Where do you meet for group training runs?
Most long runs originate from our meeting
place inside Memorial Park. We meet in the parking
lot adjacent to the softball fields in the northeast
corner of the park close to the Westcott Drive entrance
to the park. On some weeks we mix it up and meet
at other locations like Hermann Park, the Houston
Heights, Terry Hershey Park and other city parks
that have adjacent running trail access. A couple
times each season we plan long run road trips to
Seabrook/Kemah Running Trails and Huntsville State
Park to vary the terrain a bit in a more scenic
setting.
During our 10 week hill training season we meet
on the hill adjacent to the intersection of Memorial
and Shepard Drive facing Buffalo Bayou across the
street from St. Thomas High School.
During our 10 week speed training seson we meet
at the Lamar High School track. That campus is located
close to the intersection of River Oaks Boulevard
and Westhiemer Drive.
- What time do you meet for group runs?
Long runs start at 6:00 am on Saturday mornings
shifting to 5:30 am when the long run distance is
greater than 18 miles towards the end of the season.
We ask runners to show up at 5:45 AM prior to long
runs so we can answer questions, get runners signed
in and get the group on the road around 6:00 AM.
Hill training and track sessions start at 6:00 am
or 6:00 pm sharp on Wednesdays and are about 45
minutes in length not including a warm up. Just
show at a time that best fits your schedule. We
ask runners to show up 10 - 15 minutes early to
warm up and stretch on their own so we can get started
promptly at 6:00 am or 6:00 pm. Runners are also
welcome to warm up by running to our training site
to start right at 6:00 am.
- Looks like In Flight is geared towards
a Houston Marathon & Half Marathon training
schedule. I want to train for an out of town race.
Can I still train with the In Flight group and get
training and a running schedule specific to my race
goal?
Most marathon training programs across
the country are designed and focused on the local
marathon and ours is no different. Last year about
85% of our runners had a goal of training for and
completing the Houston Marathon or Half Marathon.
If you are interested in training for an out of
town race we will also be writing schedules for
most of the major ones nation-wide. This year (2008-09)
we are adding a formal Fall marathon training group
who will start training a month early on May 31st
so these runners have more time to prepare for the
October, November and December races. Each marathon
or half marathon schedule is written in beginner,
intermediate and advanced versions to match each
runner's current skill level.
2008-09 Marathon & Half Marathon
Training Schedules
Here is a list of the major marathon
and half marathon training schedules to choose from
that will be available to our members for our 2008-09
season. If you are interested in any of these popular
races we recommend registering as soon as possible
as most sell out and many are already approaching
registration capacity. Races highlighted in green
are organized In Flight Running travel trips where
runners are invited to take the show on the road
with us. If you have an off the menu race schedule
request we can accomodate you.
- I would like to run two major races this year.
Do I get two separate schedules?
Each year we have many runners that decide to run multiple
races. We supply our runners with any training schedule
they need at the beginning of the season and during.
In most cases it is simple as working one schedule until
your first race is done, taper and recover for a couple
of weeks then transition into the second training schedule.
We can help give you feedback on what is appropriate
to train for based on your running profile, skill level
and how your training is going during the season.
- I noticed you have two different marathon/half
marathon training options. How do I know which one is
right for me?
This year we are offering two levels of marathon/half
marathon training along with 2 separate stand alone
10 week mini-camps of hill training and speed training
to improve your running further. That way you can purchase
only what you need and what you can commit too. Here
is a quick recap of each program and which ones we recommend
for each skill level. Not sure what you need? Then we
recommend signing up for atleast marathon/half marathon
program #1 for now. You can always add track and/or
hills later in the season if needed.
Marathon/Half Marathon Program #1 - 28-32 week
season of long runs
10 weeks of hills + 10 weeks of track
- $225.00 - $7.03 - $8.03 per week
BEST VALUE - GREAT COMPREHENSIVE RUNNING PROGRAM
You get support on weekly long runs plus all of the
other goodies mentioned on our home page. You also get
a 10 week season of hills and a 10 week season of speed
training. This package is great for anyone who can commit
to a weekly group long run on the weekends and a mid
week group run. This program is designed for more experienced
runners who may have already run a marathon or half
marathon before and want to improve their marathon/half
marathon times.
Marathon/Half Marathon Program #2 - 28-32 week
season of long runs only
$150.00 - $4.68 - $5.35 per week
GREAT FOR THOSE WHO CAN ONLY COMMIT TO WEEKEND
GROUP LONG RUNS
You get support on weekly long runs plus all of the
other goodies mentioned on our home page. You also get
a 10 week season of hills or speed training. This package
is great for anyone who can commit to a weekly group
long run on the weekends and a mid week group run on
most weeks. For beginner runners interested in this
package we recommend choicing the hill package and possible
skipping the hills especially if you are training for
your first marathon.
Hill Training Program - 10 week season
- $70.00 - $7.00 per week
This package if purchased separately is 10 weeks of
hill training once a week on the hills of Buffalo Bayou
adjacent to Downtown Houston. It is designed for both
long distance runners and short distance road racers
who want to increase power, strength and turnover and
prepare for varied terrain on race courses. Even if
you don't run your long runs with In Flight you can
buy this mini season as a separate training package.
Speed Training Program - 10 week season - $70.00
- $7.00 per week
This package if purchased separately is 10 weeks of
speed training once a week at Lamar High School (River
Oaks Blvd @ Westheimer Road). Speed training is always
much riskier than other types of running workouts but
we have designed this program to to safer for beginners
and agressive enough for experienced runners. Either
way this program will improve your speed and running
form. We do not recommend this program for runners that
have had recent running injuries or little to no running
experience. Even if you don't run your long runs with
In Flight you can buy this mini season as a separate
training package.
- Why are your marathon/half marathon programs
more expensive than some of the others offered in the
Houston?
Very simple...you get what you pay for. Dollar for dollar
we offer the best run coaching experience in Houston
and offer 2 different marathon/half marathon training
programs you can buy exactly the amount of training
you need and can realistically commit to. Here are a
few reasons why we are a little pricier but well worth
it:
1) We Use Paid, Experienced
Coached Not Volunteers
The largest expense of any business is payroll. The
biggest reason we cost a little more is that unlike
many training programs we have a staff of paid, experienced
and CPR & first aid certified coaches NOT program
volunteers. We tried using somewhat experienced volunteer
coaches and it failed miserably. As an ex HR Manager,
Coach Michael can tell you that hiring coaches on the
payroll has allowed us to recruit the best available
and make sure the each coach is coaching each runner
through their workout and not the coach's.
2) We Have No Intentions Of Being HUGE - This
Means More Personal Attention For Each Runner
We do just enough marketing to attract a group
with a 250 runner cap and have no intentions of coaching
thousands of runners and walkers at once. We like to
keep the coach to runner ratio low and give every runner
more attention during training runs. There is no human
way possible to do that when you attempt to coach and
manage thousands. Besides, we can learn 250 names but
learning a thousand or more would be almost impossible.
3) Unlike Many Group Running Programs We Offer
Full Fluid Support
When we survey our runners on how we are doing
one of the things they like the best about our programs
is that we offer full fluid support (water & Gatorade)
along every running route instead of forcing runners
to carry their own fluids. Our runners have enough on
their plate just completing their long run so that last
thing we want is them worrying about getting adequate
fluids in the heat.
4) We Don't Go Home Until Every Last Runner
Finishes
We don't pack up and leave until every last
runner completes their planned mileage for every group
run. So no matter how slow you are you will never be
abandoned during a long run.
5) Every Runner Has Direct Access To In Flight
Founders/Head Coaches
Each runner has direct access to our founders/head coaches
via e-mail, internet chat (AOL, Yahoo, MSN, Google &
Skype) and cell phone. You have a question you get it
answered quickly. If we don't have an answer for you
we call up our one of our medical/wellness advisory
members and get you one straight from a professional
in their field. Not to mention our head coaches/owners
can offer our runners much more since they are certified
in fitness training and massage therapy along with over
9 years of experience in coaching long distance runners
to the finish line. We also team up with Houston's top
doctors and wellness professionals so runners have access
to the best sports medicine and nutritional guidance
available.
- I am an experienced runner and plan on running
a couple of marathons or half marathons during your
season. Do I get a customized schedule for my entire
season?
We write schedules for 3 skill levels for all of the
races mentioned in the table above and all runners have
access to each one any time they want. So if your short
term goal is completing the Chicago marathon and then
you decide you want to taper and train for the Houston
Marathon or Half Marathon you will have access to each
race schedule. Having schedules built for varied skill
levels and events also works great for runners that
improve their skill level during the season or change
the race they are training for during the season.
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Do you Offer a marathon/half
marathon training program for walkers?
Not at this time. In Flight Running is
designed strictly for runners but does welcome
those of all running skill levels. We do recommend
that our beginner runners be able to run a distance
of 2-3 miles when they start the program even
if they have to intermittently jog/walk. This
may seem harsh to many but we are strictly a running
program and firmly believe that the marathon and
half marathon are long distance events that have
always been intended for and designed for runners
not walkers.
5 Easy Ways
To Sign Up For Our Programs
Program
Capped at 250 Runner Maximum so
Sign Up Soon
Houston Marathoners/Half
Marathoners Who Sign Up Before
5/16 Can Start Training 4 Weeks
Early on 5/31
Official Start Dates: Fall
Marathons/Half Marathons 5/31,
Houston Marathon/Half Marathon
6/28
Sign Ups Are Accepted For
A Races until July 31st without
any additional fees
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Register
On-line at InFlightRunning.com
Register quickly, easily
& securely by visiting our website.
Click on the link below or the "Register
On-line" button on our homepage.
We accept MaasterCard, VISA, Discover
& American Express.
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Register
On-line at Active.com
If you have registered for the Houston
Marathon, Half Marathon or other
races you probably have an Active.com
account set up. Click on the link
about to view our listing and register
with Active.
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Register
by Phone
Call Us At 713-523-2577
- menu option 3 and we can easily
take your credit card order over
the phone.
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Register
by Mail
Pick up our program brochure at
Memorial Park, Greater Houston Area
YMCAs, Running Stores & Bike
Shops. Fill out our application
and mail it with a check payable
to Merlino Fitness to:
In Flight Running
1302 Waugh Drive PMB 267
Houston TX 77019
Fill Out
Our Runner Questionnaire When
You Sign Up
As soon as you register please
fill out our runner at the link
below. We use the information
on this runner profile to gauge
your current running skill level
and design your training schedule.
DO NOT fill out the questionnaire
until you have purchased a training
program.
Are You Interested In Signing
Up But You Have More Questions?
Check our our FAQ
page for a list of frequently
asked questions about our programs
or attend one of our info
meetings during May or June.
You can also call one of the
head coaches at the numbers
below. We will be glad to answer
your questions about our programs
and would love to have you on
board with us for our next season.
You can also e-mail us any time
at info@inflightrunning.com.
If you decide to join In Flight
Running you may be required to fill
out and submit other forms including
a medical history questionnaire.
Based on your current health conditions
and fitness level, we may also require
a physician's release from your
doctor before starting any of the
running or fitness programs we offer.
Thanks again for your interest
in In Flight Running!
Regards,
Michael Merlino, Owner, Head Coach
Duval Ruiz, Owner, Head Coach
In Flight Running
"Take Your Running To New
Heights" TM
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