Halloween 13.1 FAQs

-Do you have any pace groups?

No. BUT, our groups always attract 100+ runners and 'organic' pace groups just naturally form during the course of the season. Something to keep in mind is that your pace will naturally increase over the course of the season. So, you may start out running 10:00/mile and towards the latter stages of training, a more comfortable pace for you might be 9:30/mile.

-What are we doing for the first workout on Saturday, 8/16?

We are doing an EASY 2 MILE RUN (unless you are a 'Race' level runner). You can walk at certain points if you need to, but ideally we'd LOVE for you to cover the entire distance.

-YIKES! 2 Miles sounds like a LOT of running!

We don't expect you to set any landspeed records. Run the 2 miles as slow as you need to. You can take walk breaks if you like.

-Where do we meet for runs?

On Tuesdays you have '3' options in the evening(Marina, Golden Gate Park, or Downtown):

-Tuesday nights @ 6:30PM launching from the Marina Green Monkey Bars near the intersection of Marina/Fillmore. This is our PRIMARY location on Tuesday nights and will be led by me.

-Tuesday nights @ 6:30PM launching from outside PSOAS+Massage/Bodywork. These runs will be led by Coach Leslie. This option is designed to accommodate those working downtown and/or in the Financial District.

-Tuesday nights @ 6:30PM launching from Golden Gate Park. These runs will be led by USATF/RRCA certified coach Toby Silver. If Golden Gate Park is more convenient for you, this option will serve you well.

Thursday workouts are ALWAYS at the Marina Green Monkey Bars @ 6:30PM. We alternate between bootcamp and speedwork each week-

Bootcamp is geared towards core strengthening/stability. Expect lunges, squats, and a plethora of other great exercises designed to strengthen, stabilize, and stave off running related aggravations/injuries. Bootcamp is led by Coach Gaby.

Speedwork includes a variety of workouts throughout the season designed to increase speed. Expect hills,  fartlek, tempo, target pacing, and more! Yours truly leads the speed workouts.

The first Thursday night workout of the season is bootcamp.

Saturday long runs are at various locations in SF @ 9:30AM.

We will mix up our long runs locations and venture out to Golden Gate Park, Lake Merced, and/or Ocean Beach.

ANY CHANGE OF LOCATION ON SATURDAY IS COMMUNICATED VIA THE TWICE WEEKLY TEAM EMAIL NEWSLETTER!

-Do I need to sign up for the half marathon(s)?

If you plan on participating in any of the races, the answer is YES! You have ONLY signed up for TRAINING.

The actual half marathons are SEPARATE/DISTINCT events. Here are links to registration for the various races we are training for-

-The Nike Womens Half on 10/19
-The Healdsburg Wine Country Half on 10/25
-The Honey Badger Half Marathon (& 5K/10K) on 10/25 (*HINT-pass the code 'HALLOWEEN' for $5 off.)
-The US Half on 11/2

-What should I do between now and program launch?

You could head over to A Runner's Mind (3575 Sacramento St), get fitted for a new pair of shoes and some new running gear.

You could also get into a regular running routine and log a few easy miles on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday prior to joining the program.

-What if it's raining!? Will we still run?

YES. We may encounter inclement weather on race day and I can pretty much promise you the race will NOT be canceled! So, it's actually a good thing to train during inclement weather as you will be prepared should you encounter it on race day and your friends will think you are REALLY tough! :)

Obviously, if there are 'monsoon' like conditions where this a torrential downpour and 50MPH winds, we will likely err on the side of caution and cancel a run. But, this almost never happens.

-Additional Questions/Concerns?

EMAIL COACH MATT-MARATHONMATT@MARATHONMATT.COM!

Sunday's Long Run Description (7/22/12)

You will be logging between 5-8 miles depending upon your training level. Here's a link to the course map for your reference-

Sunday's Long Run

Everyone will launch from the paved path at the top of the stairs leading down to the ballfields.

You will follow Martin Luther King until it connects with Bowling Green Drive. Veer left on Bowling Green Drive. After roughly 200 meters, you will reach a stop sign. Turn right on this stop sign and head towards John F Kennedy Drive.

Cross over to the RIGHT side of JFK and turn LEFT and head towards Ocean Beach (WEST) on JFK. Continue running along JFK into Golden Gate Park. From here, the rest of the run is pretty straightforward. Follow JFK past the intersection of JFK/8th Ave. Just past this intersection, there is a pedestrian crossing on your LEFT that is adjacent to Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. This is 1 MILE.

Everyone will continue running along JFK into Golden Gate Park. Eventually you will pass the Stow Lake Pavilion which is on the LEFT off of Stow Lake Drive. Once you pass Stow Lake Drive you will see a YELLOW sign indicating '13'0 Clearance'. This is 1.5 miles.

Continue running along JFK underneath the overpass and through the intersection of JFK/Transverse. At this intersection there is a water fountain if you need it. Shortly after you run through this intersection, you will pass 'Lloyd Lake' on your RIGHT. Just past this lake you will see a sign/banner for 'SF Rec & Park'. This is 2 miles.

Continue running for another half mile until you see Lake Spreckles on the RIGHT. There will be a MM 5 in chalk on the ground. Beginners will turn around here and head back to the start for 5 MILES!

Everyone else will cross over to the LEFT side of JFK. This side of JFK is a dirt path that gets a bit rocky at times, so please watch your footing carefully! You will be running slightly downhill for the next half mile until you reach the intersection of JFK and Chain of Lakes Drive East. This is 3 miles. Intermediate runners will turn around here and head back to the start for 6 MILES!

Advanced and Race level runners will run through this intersection and continue on the left side of JFK until it intersects with South Fork Drive. You will turn RIGHT at this intersection to continue on JFK (but you will again be on the dirt path on the LEFT of JFK) until you reach the parking lot area for the BEACH CHALET SOCCER FIELDS ON YOUR LEFT.

There is a sign here for your visual cue. There will also be a MM7 in chalk adjacent to the sign. This is 3.5 miles. Advanced runners will turn around here and head back to the ballfield for 7 MILES!

Everyone else will continue running on JFK until you reach the Great Highway. At this point, turn LEFT on the Great Highway and continue running on the paved path in front of the Beach Chalet (feel free to grab some water or use the restroom at Beach Chalet if you like).

Continue running along the Great Highway until you reach the intersection of Great Highway and Lincoln. This is a four way controlled intersection with stoplights. There will also be a 'MM 4' in chalk on the ground. Race level runners will turn around here and head back to the ballfield for 8 MILES!

Saturday Recovery Run (7/19/14)

Saturday's recovery run launches from outside PSOAS Massage/Bodywork at 333 3rd Street between Folsom/Harrison.

If you need to use the restroom, change, and/or store some personal items, head up to PSOAS in Suite 205.

Here's a link to the course map-

Saturday's Recovery Run Course Map.

Here is a brief description of the course:

We will cross Folsom from 3rd Street onto the sidewalk and take a right. We will run along Folsom all the way to the Embarcadero. We will cross the street and take a left onto the Embarcadero.

Run along the Embarcadero past the Ferry Building. Be careful near the Ferry Building as it can get a bit crowded with the Farmer's Market taking place. Once you reach Embarcadero/Green, you will have logged 1.5 miles.

A half mile later, you will reach the intersection of Embarcadero/Bay. Look for the Hillstone Restaurant on the LEFT side of the Embarcadero. This is 2 miles. 

Continue running into Fisherman's Wharf as Embarcadero turns into ‘Jefferson’. Run along Jefferson to the intersection of Jefferson/Powell. Look for the art gallery on the left. This is 2.5 miles. 

Run through Fisherman’s Wharf right to the edge of Aquatic Park. Once you reach the cul-de-sac at the edge of Fisherman’s Wharf/Aquatic Park, you’ve logged 3 miles. Turn around here and head back to PSOAS for 6 MILES!