Week of June 21

https://conta.cc/3148MUM

Hi, everyone,


Well, our Spring Triple Crown was a huge success, as so many of you laced up your shoes to participate. Several dozen of you completed the TC and many more of you went ahead and nailed the Triple Dare. This made me feel so happy, as your energy and enthusiasm throughout the TC, kept me engaged with each of you, because I’m really missing those special Wednesday morning group get-togethers and the Saturday races. I was in awe of the number of you that ran 5K and 10K p.r.’s too.


And I was also warmed by the number of you who donated to the causes I suggested with each leg. These worthy local organizations really need the funds right now, so your dollars made a difference!


And, as a reminder, PLEASE get your TC results to Jen Hochrein, who has kindly offered to compile them on a spread sheet. Thanks, Jen! 
jhochrein@gmail.com with the subject line “TC Results”


This is a BREAK WEEK, so drop your mileage and enjoy sticking as close to AHR as possible.


So, what’s next? Here are just a few of the things I’ve been working on to keep you on your toes and still enjoying your training during this very unique and unsettled time…


1.  The 1st Annual (and maybe last) Oktoberfest Half Marathon. We’re going to host a very socially safe Half in early October on four fast courses. I’ll be writing weekly workouts to prep you for this. Shirts too!
2.  The 1st Annual (and maybe last) Central Virginia Marathon (CVM). Very much like the socially safe half, we’re going to host a marathon on four separate courses. It will be held the same week as Richmond (unless the weather looks hot, then we’ll move it one week earlier or later), so, on the off chance that they end up having Richmond, you can pivot to that popular event instead. I’ll be writing weekly workouts for that too but you must contact me ahead of time, as those workouts will only be on the Boston Bound email. I’ll also continue to write weekly workouts for those of you training for the virtual Boston Marathon.  
3.  “Summer Single Age Group 5K Championships”. Every four weeks, starting with the Independence 5K on July 4th, we’ll be setting up four 5K courses for you to see how well you can do against the competition. The unique aspect of this fun competition is that it will be scored by SINGLE ages and GENDER. So, if you are a 39 year old female, you’ll be “competing” with other 39 year old females. Just a variation of the traditional age groups with a virtual twist to it! As you train for these 5K’s, I’ll also be prepping you for the fall virtual racing season, like the Pepsi 10K.
4.  The Women’s Four Miler! We’re still working on the details but, rest assured, there will be a Women’s Four Miler on Labor Day weekend. It won’t look exactly the same as the past but we’re hoping to have something special for you and my weekly 5K-10K workouts will be prepping you for this.  
5.  The 100K Challenge! Those of you who completed the Triple Dare will have an opportunity to earn a limited edition 100K race shirt by carrying on with a 20K, 25K and 30K this summer. I’ll be marking out four courses every four weeks starting with the 20K (12.4 miles) on the weekend of July 25th . Because it’s summer, unless it’s unseasonably cool, I’ll be suggesting that you run these as pace workouts and not all out races.
6.  Adrian’s Summer Mile Club continues for those of you who signed up a few weeks ago.
7.  Parent/Child Summer Track Challenge! Every week, throughout the month of July, we’ll be setting up a series of track challenges that you can do with your kids. Ribbons will be awarded to those who do 3, 4 or all of the 5 weekly challenges (Blue Ribbon to those who complete ALL 5)!  


As your coach, my number one goal has always been to help you stay injury free…in keeping with that mantra, I also want to continue to be as safe as possible. So, despite the Governor’s push into Phase 3 of “reopening”, tentatively set for this Friday, I’m still going to encourage you to stay responsibly distanced when it comes to group running and racing. I do not yet feel safe having us do our normal Wednesday morning workouts together, where, in the past, we usually would have anywhere from 60-100 folks running close to each other. I dearly miss those group workouts every single bit as much as you.


However, until this virus situation is behind us, I will continue to do my best to create, what I hope are fun scenarios, like the ones I laid out above, to help keep all of us as safe as possible. Some of you may not agree with me and that’s fine. I know you’re not high schoolers and are free to do whatever you like but, as your coach, I have the responsibility of creating the safest environment possible for you, my athletes. Thanks for understanding and respecting this.


I care deeply about each of you, more than you can imagine, and I look forward to the day that I can pat you all on the back, shake your hand, high five and even hug you. Until then, let’s make the best and keep having fun in our new world.


No video this week as this was an extra long email message. I want to personally thank Captain Harry and Leah for all their ongoing hard volunteer help with getting you my messages, plus maps and videos. Simply put: I could not do it without them!


And thank to Jen for compiling all the data from your TC races. Please keep sending them to her.
jhochrein@gmail.com with the subject line “TC Results”
 
***And please take 2 minutes to fill out the questionnaire below. Please return it by Friday. Thanks!


With much affection, 
Coach Mark
434-962-1694 (text) or stop by out front to see me. 
p.s. Happy Birthday to Zach S. this Wednesday!


Summer/Fall Training Questionnaire
DEADLINE: June 26
https://forms.gle/p2cHiLS25fs1URXJ8
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