Boston Fit Training Programs

Training Programs

When someone completes their first marathon or half marathon, the experience is so powerful that they carry it with them for the rest of their lives. The physical and psychological benefits gained from this intensive training are truly remarkable. Here at BostonFit, our goal is to safely bring these benefits to as many people as possible, of all paces and experience levels, as they work toward their fall race goals.

Members follow our carefully developed training schedule during the week, then on the weekends, the entire group meets for ability-based long runs.* These group meetings are great for lots of reasons. First, they’re a good chance to share the challenges and joys of training with others who are going through the same thing. Second, the weekly group meetings are important because members receive educational seminars on running-specific topics that round out their training with essential practical and strategic information. Our emphasis is on safety and achievement, and we find that often, these meetings represent the beginning of many lifelong friendships. We hope you’ll join us.

BostonFit members are just like you. They know the value of a running community that they can rely on, because without some accountability and guidance, their efforts might fall flat. Some of our participants are new to running, while others have been doing this for quite some time. But no matter what the individual stories, all share one goal: to get fit and have fun doing it.

*Note for 2020 season: due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group will meet virtually until it is safe to meet in person.

Full and Half Marathon Training Program

Whether preparing for the full or the half marathon distance, BostonFit runners all receive weekly educational seminars, a schedule specifically designed for their ability level, an online support forum, and more.

The program’s general format is as follows:

  • Before each Saturday run, members will come together for the week’s announcements and to hear an educational seminar on key training topics designed to prepare runners for the rigors of this endurance sport.*
  • Members participate in an organized training run each Saturday morning with runners of similar training paces.*
  • Members adhere to a schedule of mid-week training runs. Those runs are built with busy lifestyles in mind, so they keep members moving toward their goals while requiring only a moderate amount of time on the road.
  • Weekly speed training sessions are available once the group has built a sufficient training base.

*Note for 2020 season: due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group will meet virtually until it is safe to meet in person.

Advanced Training Program

The Advanced Training Program was designed by Dr. Owen Anderson, one of the foremost coaches and researchers in the field of running, in conjunction with USAFit.

This program was designed specifically for those runners who want a more intense training schedule, whether their goal is to improve their pace, or (in some cases) to qualify for Boston. The core training philosophy embodied in this schedule emphasizes quality over quantity, because research has shown this to be the most effective way to train. It is not recommended that runners add significantly more total miles than are on the schedule. However, runners must carry out the intensive parts of the schedule in order to compensate for a larger mileage base.

The schedule is flexible, but it contains a strong backbone – a progression through general, special, specific, and explosive strength training and an intense focus on the demands of marathon running. It attempts to create the largest-possible improvements in vVO2max, lactate-threshold running speed, and running economy, as well as running-specific strength and power. These improvements are sought because they are the factors that best conform to success in marathon running.

It is assumed that the ATP runner has completed at least one marathon previously, has been training regularly before they start the season and can run about 30 miles per week without trouble. There are also specific exercises including a special warm up which will be performed each week. This is a strenuous schedule if done correctly and because of that, each participant must be aware of his/her body and how he/she is feeling.

This schedule will be used in conjunction with qualified coaching, and additional supplemental training materials.  Though it is not recommended for the beginner runner, runners of all paces are welcome!

Need more information about Boston Fit? Contact us today!

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