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2008-09 In Flight
Sponsors



2008-09 Group
Training Programs
Securely sign up on-line for any of our group training programs or run coaching services.
On-line registration

Marathon &
Half Marathon
Training Program #1
Sat Long Runs
Wed Hills & Speed
$225.00 - Best Value!

Our best value for those that can commit to a comprehensive running program. This includes 28- 32 weeks of our marathon/half marathon training program with weekly Saturday long runs, a 10 week season of mid-week hill workouts and a 10 week season of mid-week speed/track workouts. Everything you need to excel this season. For a detailed list of what is included check out the sign up link below.

More Info - Register On-line

Marathon &
Half Marathon
Training Program #2
Sat Long Runs Only
$150.00

Designed for those who cannot to commit to mid week training but want a weekend only program that includes essential long run support. This includes 28-32 weeks of our marathon/half marathon training program with weekly Saturday long runs only. Program #2 provides more than adequate coaching to get you to the finish line. For a detailed list of what is included check out the sign up link below.

More Info - Register On-line

Hill Training
 10 Week Season
Summer 2008
$70.00

US Marathon Olympic Gold medalist, Frank Shorter, once said that hill training is "speed work in disguise" . In our opinion hill training is the missing link that most runners need to take their running to a whole new level. Mimicking hilly terrain during training physically and mentally prepares runners for what they may face on the race course and can help improve race times from the 5K to marathon distance and beyond. Hill training can be included in our marathon package #1 or purchased separately. For a more information on these Wed Summer workouts check out the sign up link below.

More Info - Register On-line

Speed/Track Training
10 Week Season
Fall 2008
$70.00

Do you have the need for speed? Who doesn't and honestly the only way you will run faster is to practice running faster in a controlled environment. Improved times with various interval distances on a 400 meter track improves turnover, form, power and can really help bring those race times down. Speed training can be included in our marathon package #1 or purchased separately. For a more information on these Wed Fall workouts check out the sign up link below.

More Info - Register On-line

In Flight Blog
Tune In & Tune Up
Coach Michael is finally breathing some much needed life into the In Flight Blog. Whether you train with us or not every runner world-wide is welcome here as Michael shares running and marathon training tips. He will also cover the Houston and International running and racing scene.

In Flight Running Blog


Metabolic Testing
RMR & VO2 Max
Starting July 2008
Call 713-523-2577
To Book Your Test
Whether you are looking to loose weight or increase peformance, metabolic testing can help you reach your goals. Our resting metabolic rate tests rates your metabolism and gives you a gauge of how many calories per day that you need to maintain or lose weight. Our VO2 - anaerobic threshold tests let you know your true heart rate zones to get the most out of your fat burning ability while you do your cardio workouts. Runners and cyclists can also take their sport and racing to the next level by getting heart rate zones to help with realistic heart rate training goals. Check out the links below for more info about both tests and call us at 713-523-2577 if you have questions about testing and how it can benefit your fitness goals.

More Info

Recommended Reading
Run Fast by Hal Higdon

Whether you are a beginner road racer or shooting for a new personal best, this book does a great job of breaking down training schedules and drills to run smarter and prepare for race day.

  More book reviews

 

In Flight Running
Houston's Run Coaching, Marathon & Half Marathon Training Program
2008-09 Recommended "Race of the Month" Series
Houston Marathon & Half Marathon Training Races
Registrations Accepted Through July 31st Or Until Our 250 Cap Is Reached - Click Here To Register

Instead of using HARRA's (Houston Area Road Runners) Houston Marathon warm up series of races to help prepare for the marathon, In Flight Running hand picks our own recommended list of warm up races or creates our own long distance training runs for our group. Not that we have anything personal against any of the Houston warm up races but honestly we have lost way to many runners to injury on some of the longer distance races like the 25K and 30K. Many are run on very harsh concrete surfaces which seem to wreck havoc on the bodies of many runners. Seasoned veteran runners may be able to tolerate these races without injury problems but first-time marathoners and half marathoners should be aware of the risk involved. Better to be safe than throw weeks of your training away on a warm up race that may thwart your chances of getting to the start line of your goal race.

Below is a list of In Flight Running's recommended Houston area warm up races for marathoners and half marathoners. We recommend these races to our members and any other Greater Houston area runners who are training for the Houston Marathon or Half Marathon. We have picked what we feel are the best run races and those that fit great with the Houston Marathon or Half Marathon training schedules. Many are great holiday races that do not conflict with the all important Saturday or Sunday long run. These races, dates and times may change as we get updates from race directors so bookmark this page and check back often for a great series of races that will get you to the finish line of your big race goal.

Run Wild 5K
Houston Uptown Park Plaza
Friday July 4, 2008 - 7:30 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
What better way to celebrate our country's independence than to put on a pair of running shorts and run wild through Houston's Uptown Park. One of the steamiest races of the year and another well organized race from Run Wild Chip Timing. This race is a great chance for Houston Marathoners and Half Marathoners in training to get one of their first gut checks early in the Houston Marathon training season and the race date does not conflict with the standard Saturday long run.

Lazy Crazy Days of Summer 5K
Houston Downtown Aquarium
Saturday August 9, 2008 - 7:15 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
An out and back course ran from the Downtown Aquarium on Memorial Drive. This is always a hot race run during the dog days of summer but a great first test of our runners 5K race times. We use this race as our first official time trial for our Fall Marathon training group.

Fired Up 5K
Sugarland, Texas (Southwest Houston)
Labor Day - Monday September 1, 2008 - 7:00 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
This Labor day race is a bonus workout for our runners as it does not conflict with the usual Saturday long run or mid week hill workout. Another opportunity to get a solid race time to help our runners guage proper pacing speed as total weekly mileage and long run distances increase.

Watermill Express 5K
Run For A Reason Kickoff Party
Sam Houston Park - Downtown Houston
Thursday Night September 18, 2008 - 7:30 PM
Race Website & Sign Up
In our opinion this is one of the most innovative things the Houston Marathon has done to meld the sport of running with community and charity. The Run for a Reason Kickoff Party will be held on Thursday night, September 18, 2008 and starts the countdown to Houston Marathon/Half Marathon/5K race day on January 18, 2009. The party will feature live music, refreshments and charity, running club and vendor booths. The party will be held alongside the Watermill Express 5K, which features a downtown route that starts and finishes at Sam Houston Park. The race starts at 7:30 p.m. and is a unique opportunity to run a twilight race in Downtown Houston. Provided that the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Half Marathon or EP 5K have not yet reached their caps for 2009 events, attendees will be able to register for any of those races at the Kickoff Party. Their will be 2,000 cotton "In Training" t-shirts to be given to the first 2,000 attendees to present their registration confirmation for one of our 2009 events at the "January Event Registration" booth.

The "Run For A Reason" is the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Half Marathon & the EP 5K's official charity funding raising program. Each runner who signs up for any of the Marathon Day races can "Run For A Reason" and pick an official charity to raise money for and in honor of. Each runner gets their own fund raising website where they can easily solicit donations from friends, family and business associates. Last year "Run For A Reason" runners raised over 1.25 million dollars for charity. This year In Flight Running and one of our lead sponsors, KSBJ 89.3 FM Christian Radio will be activitely involved in helping the Houston Marathon reach the 2 million plateau in fund raising. We are challenging all Houston runners and running clubs to get involved and take your running to the next level by helping others.


R.O.C. 5K/10K
Kemah Boardwalk
Saturday September 27, 2008 - 7:00 AM
Race Website & Sign Up - Coming Soon
Run a nice scenic loop over the Kemah bridge and along the bay. Take in a breath of fresh salt air compared to the usual, boring Downtown Houston race. After the race hang around for breakfast and shopping on the Kemah Boarwalk. A great family activity. This race benefits a great cause with proceeds benefitting Reaching Overweight Children, Inc.


United Space Alliance 10 Miler & 2 Person Relay
Clear Lake City - University of Houston Cleare Lake Campus
Sunday October 12, 2008 - 7:00 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
Run around one of Houston's only major bodies of water in this well run race. One of the HARRA warm up series races this race allows marathoners to tackle that first double digit race (10 miles) while half marathoners can team up and tackle almost half a marathon (5 miles). Perfect for all runners and a required training race for our group.


Koala Wellness Luke's Locker Half Marathon & 2 Person Relay
Downtown Houston - Sam Houston Park
Sunday October 26, 2008 - 7:00AM
Race Website & Sign Up
Managed by the Houston Striders running club this race is the best run local race in Houston and a staple on the training schedule for anyone training for the Houston Marathon or Half Marathon. This official HARRA warm up series race originates from Downtown Houston like most but portions of it are run on asphalt which make it a little less harsh than the other HARRA warm up races. We require our runners to run this race as it is truly the first official gut check for anyone who wants to get to the start line of the Houston Marathon or Half Marathon. This race offers a 2 person relay so those training for the marathon can run the full race (13.1 miles) while those training for the half marathon distance can tackle half of this race distance (6.55 miles) for a perfect training distance in race conditions.


Niagara Falls International Marathon & Half Marathon
Buffalo, New York - Niagara Falls, Canada
In Flight Running - Race Road Trip!
Sunday October 26, 2008 - 10:00 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
Coach Michael is traveling on a trip down memory lane this year to his home town of Buffalo New York and wants to take few runners with him this year. Imagine tackling one of the natural wonders of the world on this point to point course from Buffalo, New York to Niagara Falls, Canada. The only race in the world that starts in one country and ends in another. The host hotel is in Niagara Falls, Canada and runners are bussed to Buffalo and run point-to-point from Buffalo to the finish line on the Canadian side of the Falls. If thinking about that doesn't give you a kick in the pants nothing will!

San Antonio Rock n Roll Half Marathon & Half Marathon
San Antonio, Texas
In Flight Running - Race Road Trip!
Sunday November 16, 2008 - 7:30 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
Coach Duval takes the show on the road with another chance for our marathoners to tackle half the distance in this inaguaral race and the latest in the family of Rock n Roll theme races by Elite Racing. It doesn't worry us that this is the first running of this race. If you have run any of the Rock n Roll races nation-wide you already know that Elite racing knows how to run a race. In Flight is organizing a group to travel with us to this race so we can take a break from the Allen Parkway trails and have another chance to see how each runner has progressed with their training.

TXU Energy Turkey Trot 5K/10K
Houston, Texas - Uptown Park
Thursday November 27, 2008 - Thanksgiving - 8:00 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
This holiday tradition is a perfect opportunity for all of our runners to conquer a mid week training run in race conditions. We have all runners (marathoners nad half marathoners) run the 10K distance as another tune up for the Houston Marathon & Half Marathon. This race has become huge and after working through some growing pains has become a great holiday race. Get your cardio in early and avoid that Turkey day guilt. Fair warning on parking which can be total chaos. Arrive very early to avoid the mess and the stress.

Dallas White Rock Half Marathon & 5 Man Marathon Relay
Dallas, Texas
Sunday December 7, 2008 - 9:00 AM Half - 8:00 AM Relay
Race Website & Sign Up
The last in what we call the Texas 3 Step (Houston Koala Half, San Antonio Rock n Roll Half Marathon & This Race). In fact most Houston Marathoners could run all three of these Texas Half Marathons and be in great shape to run the Chevron Marathon in January. This is our marathoner's last chance to see what they are made of before tapering down mileage for the Houston Marathon about 6 weeks later. Runners training for the Houston Half Marathon can race in a 5 man relay of 5.24 miles per leg.

Houston Downtown YMCA Jingle Bell 5 Miler
Downtown Houston - Allen Parkway
Sunday December 14, 2008 - 2:00 PM
Race Website & Sign Up
Your last chance to race before the Houston Marathon & Half Marathon, this race has regained it's old luster as a holiday family tradition. In Flight Running sponsors this race and consults the Downtown YMCA on race management. Please note the unusual start time, mid afternoon on a Sunday and plan accordingly. Put your jingle bells on and run this one hard as it is all down hill from here to the start line of the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon about a month later.