Q: Do we only meeting on Sundays?
A: Yes.  But participants are encouraged to arrange groups to meet up with during the week on their own as training with a group is highly beneficial.
 
Q: Is there a training program for the non-group run days? 
A: Yes. A training plan will be distributed as part of the program and it includes suggested training for Monday through Saturday in addition to the Sunday Group Runs.
 
Q: Do I have to follow the training plan exactly? 
A: No.  If you can't run and/or walk every day that is suggested on the training plan, then you can certainly adapt the schedule to your life, however, the bare minimum safe training routine would be two weekday runs and the long-slow Sunday Group run for a total of 3 runs a week.  Ideally you will try to be active (running, walking, swimming, bike riding, etc) for at least 1/2 hour 5 or 6 days a week during this training program.
 
Q: I work shift and can only make it out to every second Sunday's long-slow group run.  Will I still be able to be successful at this program? 
A: Yes.  It may take more individual dedication on your part, and you may have to run some make-up runs on your own, but you can definitely be successful.  Route maps will be available online for each of the distances that you should run as the weeks go by, so this should assist you in making up for missed runs.
 
Q: I play soccer, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, swim, ride my bike, etc. on a regular basis.  Do I have to give up these activities in order to train for a Half Marathon? 
A: NO!  These activities are great "cross-training" and as long as you are running/walking at least 3 times a week (including the Sunday long-slow run), these other activites can actually enhance your ability to increase your fitness level while remaining injury free.
 
Q: Does the $50 Training Program fee include registration for the Half Marathon in September? 
A: No. That will be a separate race entry fee arranged by the Fort McMurray Running Club and is typically somewhere between $35 and $50 itself.
 

Q: What do I get for the $40 I'm paying for this training program? 
A: Lots...

• - First and foremost, you get a training program.  It's been years since a program like this has been held in Fort McMurray, despite high demand and significant interest in just such a program.  The last time such a program was held, the cost was $95 for experienced runners and $125 for first-time Half-Marathoners and Marathoners.  
•  - You also get a properly structured and "periodized" training schedule, including suggested workouts for the weekdays between the Sunday long-slow group runs.  "Periodization" is a very important element of a long term endurance training program - it is a cycle built into the training plan that gives your body time to rest and recover between periods of endurance and fitness building. 
•  - You also get organized and experienced Sunday Long-Slow Run Group Leaders, hand picked for their running pasts and for their ability to lead you through a fun and safe build up to the Half Marathon distance.
•  - You will be getting regular (weekly) motivational updates and communications - something that is critical to keeping everyone feeling like they are involved and are a valuable part of this program.
•  - You will be getting a whole library of measured running route maps that are currently being developed for the training program and will be posted on the program's website for your use during the training program and after.
•  - Your $40 is also covering some of the expenses incurred by a program like this: i.e. advertising, online registration costs, website maintenance and hosting costs, liability insurance costs, trail use and maintenance honorarium, equipment costs, etc.
•  - You get 20 weeks of planned, organized, motivated, coached and moderated run training for $2.00 a week.  $2.00 a week, and by the end of it all, you'll be able to run a Half Marathon!

 
Q: What other costs might I incur as part of this program?
A: There may be a few items...

• - Registration fees for the Half Marathon and for any other race events that you might participate in during the course of this training program.  Of course, all of these possible events are optional - you are more than welcome to participate in the training program without actually doing the "race" at the end of it!
• - Running shoes... good running shoes come from a store like the Running Room in Edmonton or Calgary.  They run anywhere from $95 to $150 on average and the staff at these stores know how to fit you with the proper shoes to minimize your potential for injury. 
• - Sport watch... any watch will do, but you may wish to purchase something with a count-down timer on it that will ring at a preset interval to let you know that it's time to take a walk break.  A basic, but capable, sport watch can be had for as little as $30 or $40.  As your running obsession grows, you may find yourself seeking out the $399 watches that tell you exactly how fast you're running, where you've been, how to get home from where you've ended up, and when you'll likely arrive there.
• - Water bottle and belt... these can be found at our local sports and recreation stores and are important as it is critical to stay hydrated during the runs