Home | Coaches | Info Meetings | Register | Runner Questionnaire | FAQs | Advisory Board
  FaceBook | Twitter | Blog | Videos | Press | Articles & Tips
  Races We Train For | Race of the Month | Where We Train | Houston Weather





In Flight Sponsors










2011-12 Group
Training Programs
Securely sign up on-line for any of our group training programs or run coaching services.
On-line registration

Marathon - 1/2 Marathon
Weekend Program
Sat Long Run Support
Registration Now Open
Season Starts Sat May 28th
Cost: $175.00

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 an 8 month marathon or half marathon training program with weekly Saturday long run support. Our Weekend Warrior Program provides more than adequate coaching to get you to the finish line. For a detailed list of what is included or to register on-line check out the link below.

More Info - Register On-line

Marathon - 1/2 Marathon
"Essentials" Program
Sat Long Run Support
Wed Track & Hills
Registration Now Open
Season Starts Sat May 28th
Cost: $255.00

For runners that want more coaching support than just the Saturday long run. Our "Essentials" program includes 8 months of our marathon or half marathon training program with weekly Saturday long runs, a 12 week season of Wednesday hill workouts and a 12 week season of Wednesday speed/track workouts. All of the "Essential" running tools to take you to the next level. For a detailed list of what is included or to register on-line check out the link below.

More Info - Register On-line

Marathon - 1/2 Marathon
"Excel" Program
Sat Long Run Support
Mon Track & Hills
Wed Track & Hills
Registration Now Open
Season Starts Sat May 28th
Cost: $325.00

Our best value for those that can commit to a comprehensive running program. This includes 8 months of our marathon or half marathon training program with 24 weeks of both Monday and Wednesday hills and track/speed workouts. Everything you need to "excel" and maximize your training and racing performance. For a detailed list of what is included or to register on-line check out the link below.

More Info - Register On-line

"Essentials"
Interval Training
Wed Hills & Speed
Training Starts July 10th
Ends December 21st
Registration Opens June 1st
Cost: $125.00

This program offers 24 weeks of Wednesday am or pm interval training workouts. The first 12 weeks are hill training workouts on Buffalo Bayou. The second 12 weeks are speed training workouts alternating between Lamar High School track workouts and speed play workouts on the outer northwest trail of Memorial Park. Great for pure short distance road racers, triathletes or marathoners or half marathoners preparing for the Houston Marathon. This program can be purchased separately or is also included in our "Essentials" marathon & half marathon program. 12 weeks of hills or track can also be purchased separately (scroll down for those options). For a detailed list of what is included or to register on-line check out the link below.

More Info - Register On-line

Hill Interval Training
 12 Week Season
Summer or Fall Season
Training Starts July 10th
Registration Opens June 1st
Cost: $75.00

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. This program can be purchased separately or is included in our "Essentials" or "Excel" marathon & half marathon program. For a detailed list of what is included or to register on-line check out the link below.

More Info - Register On-line

Speed Interval Training
 12 Week Season
Summer or Fall Season
Training Starts July 10th
Registration Opens June 1st
Cost: $75.00

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. This program can be purchased separately or is included in our "Essentials" or "Excel" marathon & half marathon program. For a detailed list of what is included or to register on-line check out the 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
Call 713-523-2577
To Book Your Testing
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 or to book your test on-line. 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 Run Coaching, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon & Marathon Training Programs
2011-12 Recommended Houston Area Races

Registration For Our Marathon/Half Marathon Season Has Been Extended Through September 30th!
For Runners Training For A Half Marathon or Runners With A Solid Base Training For A Marathon.

In Flight's Recommended Houston "Race Of The Month" Series

We highly encourage the long distance runners we train to consistently race during the marathon and half marathon training season to gauge their running improvement. Racing shorter distance races from the 5K to Half Marathon level builds confidence and gives runners a great read on how they can expect to perform and pace out at the their next goal marathon and half marathon.

Below is a list of In Flight Running's recommended Houston area warm up races for marathoners and half marathoners that fall during our training season from June through February. 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 training schedles for the Houston and other "close to home" races like the San Antonio Rock n Roll, Dallas White Rock, Austin Livestrong, Galveston Mardi Gras, New Orleans Rock n Roll and the Woodlands marathons and half marathons. Some are great holiday races that do not conflict with the all important Saturday or Sunday group long run. Race 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 warmed up for your next long distance race goal.

Heights Run 5K
Houston Heights Blvd
Saturday June 4, 2011 - 7:30 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
Guaranteed to be a steamy race every year the Houston Heights Run is one of our favorites and used as our first time trail test of the marathon training season. Run one week following our first long run of the season on May 28th we encourage all of our runners to run this first race of the season. This initial race time can help runners determine their training pace per mile for training runs included on their marathon or half marathon training schedule.

 

Run Wild 5K
Houston Uptown Park Plaza
Monday July 4, 2011 - 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 (610 @ Post Oak north of the Galleria). 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.

Houston Dynamo Go For Goal 5K
Downtown Houston - Hermann Square
Saturday July 16, 2011 - 7:30 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
Orange fever has taken over Houston over the past couple of years so it is great to see the Houston Dynamos get in on the running scene. Last year's inaugural race was awesome and continues to offer a competitive and chip timed 5K. The fun run is non-competitive and all kids who participate in the children's race will receive medals. Participants will receive an official race t-shirt and one ticket to a 2011 season Dynamo game.. There will be a post-race festival and awards ceremony immediately after the race with food, drink, and live entertainment. Proceeds will go to Dynamo Charities and its beneficiaries.

Lazy Crazy Days of Summer 5K
Houston Downtown Aquarium
Saturday August 13, 2011 - 7:15 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
An out and back course ran from the Houston Downtown Aquarium on Memorial Drive. This is always a hot race run during the dog days of summer but another great test for our runner's to guage their 5K improvement after about 10 weeks of training.

Sand Crab Beach 5K/10K
Sponsored By In Flight Running
Galveston Texas - Porretto Beach (Far East Beach)
Saturday August 13, 2011 - 8:30 PM
Race Website & Sign Up
With In Flight's continued partnership with RunInTexas.com we are thrilled about spnsoring this great summer race on Galveston Island. Last year's inaugural race did not go too smoothly as race day registration lines really slowed things down. That problems has been remedied with a Houston area packet pickup date on Friday, August 12th at the Fleet Feet Rice Village store.

This is a night time beach run that will be run on the sand of far east beach. The course will be lit with tiki torches and offers both beer and BBQ to runners and guests (non runners pay a nominal fee for food and drink). This weekend we will offer our usual long run in Houston in the morning or runners are welcome to join us in Galveston and race that evening. We encourage all Houston area runners and In Flight team members to support this race as a great way to give back to the City of Galveston who is still struggling from the lingering affects of Hurricane Ike.

Toughest 10K
Kemah Texas - Boardwalk
Saturday September 17, 2011 - 8:00 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
We love Kemah so much that we run our annual Kemah Seabrook long run road trip here every summer and have now added this featured 10K race that falls perfect on most winter race training schedules. A great tune up for the Houston Marathon or Half Marathon or other winter races like Dallas, New Orleans or Austin. Plenty of parking at the Kemah boardwalk and plenty of yummy food to endulge in after the race. A nice challenging race with an out and back over the Kemah bridge twice. This race started three years ago to aid Hurricane Ike victims and lives on by raising money for other worthy Gulf Coast charities. This year's race benefits The Bridge Over Troubled Waters charity which offers support, provides safety and helps prevent domestic and sexual violence." Come on out and join us for a trip over the Kemah bridge.


United Space Alliance 10 Miler & 2 Person Relay
Clear Lake City - University of Houston Clear Lake Campus
Sunday October 9, 2011 - 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 23, 2011 - 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.


San Antonio Rock n Roll Half Marathon & Half Marathon
San Antonio, Texas
Sunday November 13, 2011 - 7:30 AM
Race Website & Sign Up
This weekend we offer a Houston long run on Saturday, November 13th or for those who are running the San Antonio Marathon or half marathon we head west down I45 for the 3rd annual San Antonio Rock n Roll Marathon & Half Marathon. This is our flagship fall race and also a great warm up race for those training for the Houston Marathon in January 2011. Last year this race was cursed with very hot temperatures so we are hoping for a much cooler race in 2010. In it's first year San Antonio Rock n Roll became the largest Texas road race ever and the biggest inagural Marathon ever. Managed by Competitor racing this race like any of the Rock n Roll or Country Music series are the best run in the country with bands at every mile marker on the course to keep you rockin to the finish line.

TXU Energy Turkey Trot 5K/10K
Houston, Texas - Galleria
Thursday November 24, 2011 - Thanksgiving Day - 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
Sunday December 4, 2011 - 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 11, 2011 - 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 with over 3,000 runners and growing each year. 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. Bring the kids as this race also had one of the best children's races in the Greater Houston area.