Sacfit 2024 Summer/Fall Marathon Training Program

Welcome to the SacFit Marathon Training Program!

Let's get moving!

Thank you for your considering Sacfit as your marathon training program. We're glad you dropped in. Whether you're looking for first or fastest marathon finish, or any marathon goal in between, we have a program just for you.

One-stop Training

We are a full-service program that covers all facets of your training journey. We start with tailoring a training program specifically to your individual needs and goals. Next, to help you stay on course, we provide you with a knowledgeable coaching staff who actually train with you and your teammates.

Added to that, we provide educational seminars to give you the broadest understanding of available information related to running form and technique, hydration, nutrition, electrolyte balance, cross-training, pre-and post workout regiments, shoes and apparel, just to name a few.

And finally, we round out your program with a positive environment that is fun, supportive, and inspirational, which lends to our motto of fun, fitness, and friendship.

No Training Alone

Since our start in 2006, Sacfit has committed to a training philosophy that incorporates community and social interaction as part of its approach toward marathon training. The Sacfit "family," as many refer to the team, provides a supportive and socially vibrant environment that serves to strengthen personal accountability and motivate consistent workout attendance, the sum of which ultimately contributes to successful athletic achievement.

We animate this aspect of our training philosophy throughout your entire workout experience by providing coaches and pace groups that train with you for every mile - each and every week. In this way, the bonding through shared experience builds life-long friends and keeps the fun going from workout start to finish.

Results You Can Count On

Looking to qualify for Boston? Run a sub-4 hour marathon? Or is a marathon finish on your bucket list. Whatever goals you have, Sacfit has a training program to provide you all the challenge you want to get you to the goals you've set.

Our training program incorporates science-based and best-practices training and techniques that have been time-tested and proven effective for thousands of our members over the past 19 years. Sacfit's training program has afforded its team members a success rate of over 99% in achieving their respective goals on their first try.

So no matter what your marathon goal, we have a program and supportive team just for you! See below for additional program features and information.

Our 26-week Marathon training program is broken up into weekly segments, each segment consisting of five workout days (Three to four mid-week workouts (Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs) and a Saturday morning long workout.)

• Monday is a timed active recovery workout of shorter duration.
• Tuesday is a track, hill repeat, or stair-lunge workout.
• Wednesday is another recovery workout of moderate distance.
• Thursday is a tempo, race-pace, or longer mileage workout.
• Saturday morning workouts are the longest of the week where the entire team and coaching staff meet at the same location. This workout includes coach-led pace groups consisting of about 10-15 teammates, post-workout strength and stretching stations, and an occasional raffle!

Our 2024 Summer/Fall Marathon Training not only trains you for the CIM or other Fall Marathons, but also provides an opportunity for beginning, intermediate, and advanced runners to participate in shorter-distance local running and walking events leading up to the CIM, including the 10-Mile Buffalo Stampede and Migration and Urban Cow Half Marathon!

Finally, all Sacfit training programs offer flexibility because you never know what the future holds! Should you decide you need to adjust your goal later in the season, you can switch to any other Sacfit training program at no additional cost!

To help you further attain your goal and enhance your workout experience, our staff of over 40 experienced and knowledgeable coaches actually train with you - something no other training group offers. By training with you every mile, your coach is better able to assess and advise you of your running form and technique, breathing, hydration and nutrition intake, etc.

Marathon training includes weekend workouts that can extend several hours. At Sacfit, we believe that keeping an athlete sharp, focused, and committed to completing those long workouts includes training as a group - not just meeting together prior to the workout, but training as a group for the entire workout.

Workout companions help each other push through the long workouts and keep accountability in showing up for the workouts each and every week. Sacfit is the only marathon training group that ensures you have training partners each and every week throughout the entire training program - not just the first few weeks.

To complete the triad of fitness, we add Strength and Stretching to your Aerobics. This includes providing strength and stretching stations and equipment after you complete your long workout. We also have supervised yoga and other stretching discipline and strength sessions.

Sacfit provides an incredible indoor facility across the street from the CIM pre-race start line. The facility is spacious, quiet, and warm with indoor restrooms so you can focus on your final pre-race preparations, rather than standing in a cold tent or dealing with cumbersome portables.

Part of any safe and sensible training program includes aid stations for the longer workouts. Sacfit aid stations are famous along the Parkway! No other training group offers such a wide variety of replenishment nutrition. As such, the Sacfit aid stations are a welcome respite to our longer workouts and offer a plethora of choices to satiate any palate of special food-diet requirement. We ALWAYS have ice-chilled water and Gatorade to keep you cool, and ice to fill your water bottles. We also have first-aid kits at every station to keep you safe and moving forward.

Sacfit provides a comprehensive training experience that extends beyond a workout schedule and marathon training information. In keeping with our community and social-based atmosphere, Sacfit incorporates additional amenities as part of you marathon training experience, including:

• Tech-fiber team jersey
• Sacfit App which gives you access to your training schedule
• Private social media group to connect with teammates that is NOT tied to Facebook or any other platform, etc.
• Voice-navigation running routes you can download onto your phone or apple watch
• 20-mile point-to-point workout with free bus trip
• VIP race-day lounges for Urban Cow and CIM
• Discounts entry fee for select races
• Periodic raffles at the Saturday workouts
• Free picnic breakfast for you and your family or significant other
• Discounts at select Fleet Feet stores
• End-of-season catered banquet and recognition awards

When does the season start?
We start this on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Online registration is open continuously until the middle of August.

Where is the training location and what time does it meet?
We meet the William Pond Park in Carmichael. We start our training June 22 at 7:30 A.M. Not too early and not too late. You'll be done before your family or friends are even awake. Click here for map.

Can I sign up in person?
Yes. All you do is show up at 7:30 A.M. at William Pond Park on June 22. But you can sign up online right now.

Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes. We take cash, check, or credit card.

What if I can't make it June 15?
No problem. Just come on out on June 22, 29, or July 6 and we'll get you going.

How much does the program cost?
Sacfit's 26-week program costs only $125 for new members and $105 for returning members. And for all you get, it's the best bargain in town!

What is included in the sign-up fee?
1. Team jersey
2. Individualized Coaching
3. Ability-based group workouts
4. Running and Walking Form Clinics
5. Fitness and Nutrition Seminars
6. Track workout Clinics
7. Discounts at Sports Apparel stores
8. Family Picnic Day
9. Discount to the End of Season Formal Dinner and Awards Banquet
10. Other stuff, too, but this list is getting too long!

If I'm a walker, will there be other walkers, too?
You bet. Our walking group is one of our largest groups. In past years, we have averaged between 70-90.