The City 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, 5/17?

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. Everyone from our previous program has completed two miles with no problems!

-Where do we meet for runs?

For most workouts we meet at the Marina Green monkey bars (adjacent to the intersection of Marina/Webster).

Here's a more detailed breakdown of when/where we meet:

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

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

-Tuesday nights @ 6:30PM launching from the baseball fields in Golden Gate Park behind Lincoln/7th

If you walk on 7th past Lincoln and into Golden Gate Park, you will see a small set of stairs. Walk down these stairs into the grassy area behind the baseball field and you are there. Here is a link for your reference-

Golden Gate Park Rendezvous Point
 
-Tuesday nights @ 6:30PM launching from outside PSOAS+Massage/Bodywork. These runs will be led by USATF/RRCA certified coach Micah Dickerson. This option is designed to accommodate those working downtown and/or in the Financial District. This is a 'satellite' run, so there likely won't be as many runners as in the Marina in the evening on Tuesdays.

Thursday workouts are ALWAYS in the Marina @ 6:30PM. You have '2' workout options on Thursday nights-

Accelerate bootcamp. For Beginner/Intermediate runners, I would suggest 'Accelerate'. Led by Coach Gabrielle Miller, this program 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.

Thursday Night Speed. For Advanced/Race level runners, you'll be working with me. We will do a variety of workouts throughout the season designed to increase speed. Expect fartlek, tempo, target pacing, and more!

FYI, you can toggle back and forth between the two aforementioned options depending on how you're feeling.

Saturday long runs are 'sometimes' at the Marina Green Monkey Bars(adjacent to the intersection of Marina/Webster). @ 9:30AM.

For the first two weeks of the program, our long runs will take place at the Marina Green Monkey Bars. But, after the first two weeks, we will mix up our run location periodically 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?

If you plan on participating in the race, the answer is YES! You have signed up for TRAINING. The actual half marathons are SEPARATE/DISTINCT events. Here is the link to registration-

Online registration for the half marathons associated with the San Francisco Marathon(7/27)

-What should I do between now and program launch?

You could head into A Runner's Mind (3575 Sacramento St) and get fitted for a new pair of shoes, get a digital watch, a few pairs of good running socks, and/or some running shorts/shirts! Make sure to mention Marathon Matt and you'll get 10% off!

-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!