2020 Fox River Trail Runners Fall Endurance Training Program

We built our 2020 training plans to provide a balance of miles, intensity and recovery.

We offer three plans for both the half and full marathon runners. Whether this is your first, fifth or fifteenth event we have a plan for you. Our flexible plans are based upon your race!

Our RRCA (Road Runners Club of America) certified coaches will help guide you to meet and exceed your goals.

Training plans are online using Final Surge, where you can view your plan on any Internet connected device. You can easily upload and update training runs and compare them to planned runs to track your progress.

We have group runs three days per week (but see Note below regarding the impact of COVID-19 on group runs):

• Wednesday night, 6 PM at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve,
• Saturday morning, 6:30 AM, starting at the Fabyan Windmill at the Fabyan East Forest Preserve, Shelter #3
  • Saturday group run includes multiple pace groups and hydration stops. (See NOTE)
• Sunday morning, 7 AM, starting at the Fabyan Windmill at the Fabyan East Forest Preserve, Shelter #3

NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 situation, our training program will be a virtual program. Group runs and hydration stations will not be offered at this time. We will continue to evaluate guidance from federal, state, and local officials in determining when and how our group runs can be safely restarted. Please consult the FRTR main page and calendar on the website frtr.org, as well as the FRTR Facebook page, for up-to-date information on the status of group runs.

With our training program, you get free access to our private club tent for the Fox Valley Half/Marathon and access to our hospitality suite for the Chicago Marathon. This includes gear check, bathrooms, food, water, and Gatorade.

In addition, you'll also get a cool FRTR singlet to wear all summer!

Our flexible training plans can be adjusted for any fall full or half marathon. The "official" start dates for training are listed for each of the primary races:

• Advocate Health Care Fox Valley Marathon: Training starts Monday, May 18, first Long Run Saturday, May 23
• Bank of America Chicago Marathon: Training starts Monday, June 8, first Long Run Saturday, June 13
• Advocate Health Care Fox Valley Half-Marathon: Training starts Monday, June 29, first Long Run Saturday, July 4
• Healthy Driven Naperville Half-Marathon: Training starts Monday, August 3, first Long Run Saturday, August 8
• Don't see your race listed, let us know and we will customize your plan!

We offer three different plans for both the marathon and half marathon. Select the plan that fits your experience during registration.

• "Blue" Beginner Plan: For a marathon, you will run 18-20 miles per week with a long run of at least 6 miles. For the half marathon, you will have a long run of at least 4 miles and be running 3-4 days per week. In general, select the Blue Plan if you are new to distance running. However, if you have other racing experience and the mileage base, consider an Orange or Purple Plan.
• "Orange" Intermediate Plan: For a marathon you will run 20-30 miles per week with a long run of at least 8 miles. For the half marathon, you will run 20-25 miles per week with a long run of at least 6 miles. This plan will mostly involve running 4 days per week, but may have some instances of an additional run in some peak weeks.
• "Purple" Advanced Plan: With this plan, for either the half or marathon, you will run 30 or more miles per week with a long run of at least 10 miles. The weekly mileage may be slightly lower for the half marathon. This plan calls for running five days a week. You are an experienced distance runner or have endurance racing experience.

Experience is not necessary, but in order to enhance your opportunity for success, we strongly encourage you to have an adequate training base in place before entering the program. We recommend the following:

Marathoners

• Running consistently for at least one year
• Running at least 18 miles per week on a regular basis
• Completed one run of 6 miles or more within the previous month

Half Marathoners

• Running at any pace two to three days a week (see starting mileage above)
• Completed one run of 4 miles or more within the previous month