Northeast Ohio FIT Training Programs
When someone completes their first marathon or half marathon, the experience is so powerful that they carry it with them for the rest of their lives.
The physical and psychological benefits gained from this intensive training are truly remarkable. Here at USA FIT, our goal is to safely bring these benefits to as many people as possible, including couch potatoes, Boston-qualifying athletes, and everybody in between.
USA FIT started in 1989 in Houston, TX. Beginners, walkers and even non-runners have been with us from the early days, and since that time, USA FIT has enjoyed solid growth with programs in over 50 cities across the nation and in Europe. Our training has expanded from marathon-only distances to a variety of programs including Triathlon, half marathon, Stay FIT, Couch to 5K, Advanced Training (ATP), and more.
The program is simple, but powerful. Over 26 weeks, through safe and steady coaching, members progress from little or no running base to race condition. Members follow our carefully developed training schedule during the week, then on the weekends, the entire group meets for ability-based long runs. These group meetings are great for lots of reasons. First, they’re a good chance to share the challenges and joys of training with others who are going through the same thing. Second, the weekly group meetings are important because members receive educational seminars on running-specific topics that round out their training with essential practical and strategic information. Our emphasis is on safety and achievement, and we find that often, these meetings represent the beginning of many lifelong friendships. We hope you’ll join us.
We offer Winter and Spring Training Programs
If our current season is fully underway, please don’t hesitate to contact us to see if now would be a good time for you to join. Also, sign up for our newsletter to ensure you learn more about NEO FIT including the start of upcoming seasons.
Our Running Training Program
Full Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k
Northeast Ohio FIT’s runners and interval runners can train for a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5k. The running groups prepare for their choice of distance with the help of coaching support, the comprehensive training schedule and group training meetings. Their program is specifically designed for their ability level and includes group training, educational seminars, online support forum, and more.
At the start of each season, trainees will participate in a pace run or run/walk to determine the pace group that best matches their ability. All long runs (and occasional hill work and speed work) will begin with your pace group, so no one trains completely alone.
All members train in the following ability-based pace groups:
- Before each Saturday group run/walk, members will come together for the week’s announcements and to check in with their coaches and pace leaders regarding the day’s workout and instructions for the coming week.
- Members participate in an organized training run/walk each Saturday morning with runners or walkers of similar training paces.
- Some weekend runs/walks will be followed by an educational seminar on key training topics designed to prepare runners and walkers for the rigors of this sport.
- Members adhere to a schedule of mid-week training runs and walks be it with the group or on their own. The training schedules are built with busy lifestyles in mind, so they keep members moving toward their goals while requiring only a moderate amount of time on their weekly training.
- Weekly hill, speed, and tempo training sessions begin once the group has built a sufficient training base to handle it safely and comfortably.
Northeast Ohio FIT works because it follows the successful format of the USA FIT program, which has been refined and improved since it began in 1989. The USA FIT programs have improved the health, fitness, and wellness of thousands of people each year throughout the USA, Canada and around the world. Our NEO FIT Coaches are certified by USA FIT, and are CPR trained. Each coach has successfully completed marathons and half marathons themselves. Come out and join us and see for yourself.
Our Walking Training Program
Northeast Ohio FIT walkers can train for a Half Marathon or 5k. The walking group prepares for their choice of distance with the help of coaching support, the comprehensive training schedule and group training meetings. Their program is specifically designed for their ability level and includes group training, educational seminars, online support forum, and more.
The walking division of Northeast Ohio FIT is known as the White Group. At the start of each season, trainees will participate in a pace walk to determine their pace. All long walks (and occasional hill work and speed work) will be done with their group and will include hill work, speed work, and tempo training once a sufficient training base is built. Our walking program’s goal is to help members train safely while over time improving speed and performance.
Advanced Training Program
The Advanced Training Program (ATP) was designed by Dr. Owen Anderson, one of the foremost coaches and researchers in the field of running, in conjunction with USA FIT. This program was designed specifically for those runners who want to enhance their performance, qualify for Boston, or simply want a more intense training schedule. The core training philosophy embodied in this schedule emphasizes quality over quantity, because research has shown this to be the most effective way to train. It is not recommended that runners add significantly more total miles than are on the schedule.
However, runners must carry out the intensive parts of the schedule in order to compensate for a larger mileage base. The schedule is flexible, but it contains a strong backbone – a progression through general, special, specific, and explosive strength training and an intense focus on the demands of marathon running. It attempts to create the largest-possible improvements in vVO2max, lactate-threshold running speed, and running economy, as well as running-specific strength and power. These improvements are sought because they are the factors that best conform to success in marathon running.
It is assumed that the “ATP” runner has been training regularly before they start the training and can run about 30 miles per week without much trouble. There are also specific exercises including a special warm up which will be preformed each week. This is a strenuous schedule if done correctly and because of that, each participant must be aware of his/her body and how he/she is feeling. This schedule will be used in conjunction with qualified coaching, and additional supplemental training materials. It is not recommended for the beginner runner.
