Need motivation for running through Winter? Join Foot Traffic’s Fall Training!!

This last Spring, I fell in love with a new running group. I’ve run with LOTS of people over the years, and with lots of groups too. I’ve actually made it a personal mission to bring runners together with other runners because it pretty much saved my life in a dark time when I found my running community. But finding the Foot Traffic Women’s Academy was another ray of sunshine in my life and something I knew I had to be a part of as soon as the opportunity came to me.

If you are a runner looking for a group to motivate you through the darker, colder weather (coming before we know it!) look no further than Foot Traffic. The Holiday Half/10 Mile/10k/5k, really the only large organized race in the Portland area in December, is a MUST to keep folks training, and Foot Traffic offers the community two different group training opportunities to tackle this amazing race. First, there’s Foot Traffic University, a co-ed group of runners that meet every Saturday to put in the miles. Membership also includes a training plan, weekly emails, store and race discounts, and running swag. And the second option is the Women’s Academy, which is an all female group that has the same perks listed above. This is the group that’s most near and dear to me personally, because I happen to be the coach for the Women’s Academy. Therefore, this is the best group. Ha.

Both training programs begin on September 9^th and both offer training up until December 10^th, which is the date of the Holiday Half. If you aren’t ready to consider doing the half, there’s also an option to sign up for a 5k or 10k, and that training runs through October.

I joined the Women’s Academy as the coach for the first time this last Spring and we all trained for the Foot Traffic Flat. It was an amazing experience and I have some of the best pace mentors a coach could ask for. What’s a pace mentor, you might ask? With this program, you’ll not only receive my coaching, but there are pace mentors at every training run on Saturdays to help you get through your miles. We have various speeds of running mentors, walking mentors, and interval mentors, so we’ll cover whatever speed you need. Every Saturday, we meet at a different Foot Traffic store at 8:00AM (there are five store locations, and Foot Traffic University and Women’s Academy meet at different stores except for a couple cross-over weekends) and the route will already be planned and ready for you when you arrive. The rest of the week, you can follow a written plan from me and I’m always available for questions throughout the program. I’ll also be sending you a weekly email so you don’t miss out on anything. Additionally, we’ll have guest speakers on many Saturdays talking about everything from nutrition to hydration.

In my opinion, the most valuable part of this program is the community. You will make friends for life at the Women’s Academy. You’ll find new BRF (“Best Running Friends,”) have fun, and maybe even learn a few things too.

If you’re not quite ready for all that, there’s also a virtual option. Those who choose the virtual option will also receive a weekly email and a training plan to follow for the season.

The cost for the program is $89 for the half marathon training and $59 for the 5k/10k option (which ends in October) or the virtual option. There’s also a 10% discount to return members, and if you’ve never done it, you can use this link to join me at the Women’s Academy for $5 off. I hope to see you there in September!!