The 2009 Reebok SunTrust National Half-Marathon Training Program

The 2009 Reebok SunTrust National Half-Marathon Training Program, powered by the DC Road Runners Club (DCRRC), was a great success as shown by the fact that at least 37 Program participants finished the SunTrust National Half Marathon race. The Reebok SunTrust National Marathon Training Program, also powered by DCRRC, had a similar successful showing of Program participants who finished the full marathon and did well.

Including the ten volunteer coaches, at least 63 Program participants came to a Saturday morning half marathon Program training run at Gotta Run during the 20-week Program. After rigorous training that stretched back to before Thanksgiving, with Saturday runs ranging from the first 6-mile run to about 14 miles near the end of the Program, these dedicated athletes ran the SunTrust National Half Marathon on Saturday, March 21, 2009, in times that ranged from 1:22:58 to about two and a half hours. (Right: Gathering outside of Gotta Run before taking off on a 12-mile training run on January 24th. That's coach Lauren on the left. Kathleen, next to him in the yellow windbreaker, went from Program trainee to coach in the subsequent DCRRC 10K Group Training Program, and took 2nd in her age group in that program's target 10K race.)

Furthermore, one Program participant ran the full marathon, and two participants served as race staff at the event. At least two more participants, nursing ailments, spent the morning cheering on their friends in the race. One participant ran the Virginia Beach Half Marathon, and another participant ran a half marathon in California. Several participants formed 3-runner teams for the relay event in the club’s Greenbelt Marathon or ran in some other club race. One Program participant from last year became a coach in the Program this year and bested her half marathon PR in this year's race by 11:48.

(Left: Ice on the Tidal Basin. There's a stark beauty to running through the District in January.) During the Program, the coaches offered a regular Monday night run on the Mall of 6.5 miles, a regular Tuesday night run along the Georgetown waterfront of 4 miles, and track workouts twice a week, either on Wednesday evening in Arlington or on Thursday morning in the District. Speakers came to lecture the runners before Saturday runs three times, and there were two social events in addition to pre-race dinners in both Arlington and the District. A post race bash at Settee Bello in Clarendon, celebrating the athletes' accomplishments, featured cake and discounted drinks ("let them eat cake").

The Reebok SunTrust National Half-Marathon Training Program thanks its outstanding staff of DCRRC volunteer coaches–Rachel Bonistalli, John Braden, Lauren Bullis, Emily Grossman, Peter Lamberton, Matt Pyle, Bob Selin-Williams, Jeannie Salo, Sasha Sibert and Ellen Wilson. At least seven of these coaches have RRCA coaching certificates, while another is a certified Runner’s Bootcamp Trainer. (Right: It was nice to have a warm place to relax in before and after the training runs. That's Gotta Run owner Andre Williams, center, behind the cash register in the background. Jon, on the far right, broke 1:40 in the half mary. Coach Matt, in the gray shirt, center, threw down a sub-1:23. To the right of him, Rick, is going to coach in DCRRC's exclusive training program for the Army Ten-Miler Race starting on July 11th.)

Invaluable assistance was given to the half marathon Program by full marathon coaches Kenny Ames, Ed Grant, Andrew Kent, Katie Madison, Eric Phillips and Ben Richter. Especial thanks go to Max Lockwood at the Georgetown Running Company, Shawn Fenty at Fleet Feet in Adams Morgan, and Andre Williams at Gotta Run in South Arlington for hosting the workouts. (Left: Marathon coaches Katie (center) and Andrew at milepost 15 in the 2009 SunTrust National Marathon.)

Next up will be the club’s ten-miler training program. This year DCRRC is the exclusive training partner for the Army Ten-Miler Race, which will be held on October 4, 2009. Registration for DCRRC's exclusive Army Ten-Miler Training Progrgram is open now, and watch the club website for more details about the start this summer of this training program.