Frequently Asked Questions...

• Am I too slow for the group?
  
• Will there be any competitive runners in the group?
  
• Do I have to come every Saturday?
  
• Will we run together at the race?
  
• What if I'm training for a later Fall Marathon?
  
• If I'm a total beginner should I join this group?
  
• If I've already started following a different program online or from a magazine can I still join your group?
  
• What will your longest training run be?
  
• Will I have someone to run with every week?
  
• What if I don't have a time goal for the race and my only goal is to finish?
  
• How will I find out what pace I should be running?
  
  

Am I too slow for the group?

No! This training group is for anyone and everyone and will be especially helpful for runners who run at a slower pace. Our coaches are here to make sure that everyone in the group receives personal attention.

Will there be any competitive runners in the group?

There will be runners of all ability levels in our group. If you are looking to qualify for Boston or run even faster than that there will be runners who are able to run with you and help you achieve your goals. Ben Rosario is a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the Marathon and would love to help you reach your PR.

Do I have to come every Saturday?

Of course there is no strict requirement to come every week but to get the most out of the group you would certainly be best served to come every week.

Will we run together at the race?

This question of course only applies to those of you running the same race and the ansser is not necessarily. However, after 13 weeks of training together you will likely form good training partners that will then make for good “teammates” to run with during the race.

What if I'm training for a later Fall Marathon ?

We chose our target date as October 12th and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon because many St. Louisans make the trek to Chicago but also because it falls at a good time very near most of the midwest's major fall marathons. However, if you are training for New York City or Memphis this program will still prepare you for those events and your individualized training schedules will be written all the way through your race. However, the group training sessions will end on the 5th. Email Ben at ben@bigriverrunning.com if you have further questions.

If I'm a total beginner should I join this group?

Yes. Beginners are welcome and we promise to bring you along slowly and safely to help you reach your goal.

If I've already started following a different program online or from a magazine can I still join your group?

Yes. Our weekly run fits in with just about every training plan out there. We can talk with each person individually to make sure that what they are doing is a good fit for them.

What will your longest training run be?

That will vary depending on whether you are running the marathon or the half marathon and also on your prior training and experience level. Some runners may go as far as 20 miles while others may go 10 miles.

Will I have someone to run with every week?

Yes. Over the course of a long run runners may not stay together every step of the way but you will always have people to begin and end your run with.

What if I don't have a time goal for the race and my only goal is to finish?

Finishing a marathon or a half marathon is a great goal! We recommend trying to learn your own race pace and basing a time goal off of that pace because it will make running the race a more comfortable experience and thus make accomplishing your goal of finishing that much more realistic.

How will I find out what pace I should be running?

Every other week we will be running “pace” runs at Forest Park . We will have mile markers at each mile so group members can take splits and begin learning how to run an even pace. Running even splits in practice will make doing it in the race that much easier. Running even during the race will help runners avoid “hitting the wall” and running out of energy.