Welcome Back, Safely

Safety is our number one priority. And if one thing rings true more in 2021 than in any other year prior, it's that the health and safety of all participants will be our number one concern throughout the entire training season. Beyond that, get ready for the most exciting season of Official Heart Mini and Official Flying Pig Training ever. Welcome to 2021.

Safe & Responsible Group Training: A Community Effort

To ensure the safety of all participants, coaches, Fleet Feet Team members and everyone in our larger community we've worked along side local medical professionals, The Flying Pig Marathon, Heart Mini and other local running groups to put in place a set of group running safety standards that we will all enforce throughout the 2021 season.  These measures are specifically designed to keep runners safe before, during and after group runs. We will enforce these standards consistently and no execeptions will be made throughout training because your safety is number one.

• Social Distance:

• The bedrock to COVID-19 safety, through social distancing, we encourage all participants to separate themselves into very small groups or wait in vehicles before every run and head directly back to vehicle after. We know post-run socializing is often the fun part of our workouts, we accept that this must be limited at this time in order to host group running at any level. Frankly we think it’s a fair trade off for the time being. 

• Rolling Start Times:

• Every Tuesday & Wednesday evening we will host a complete rolling start with announcements and send offs every 15 - 20 minutes between 4:30 and 6:30PM. We will limited each group send-off to no more than 25 people.

• Every Saturday morning we will host a complete rolling start with announcements and send offs every 15 - 20 minutes between 7:00 and 9:00AM. We will limited each group send-off to no more than 25 people.

• Masks On:

• While not required while actually running or walking masks are required before and after every group run, especially when congregating in small groups or in a store. All participants are required to carry a mask with them while running and encouraged to put on when stopped for water or other mid-run breaks

• Contactless Check-In:

• Moving away from the scannable keycard, all participants will register and check in and out through our new app-based contactless platform, Captyn. 

• Runner Etiquette - Control the Spread and Spread Out:

• Participants are asked to limit running or walking in tightly packed single file lines except when necessary due to traffic or sidewalk limitations.

• Please give other runners and pedestrians a wide clearance and announce yourself and group when passing from behind or crossing head on

• No spitting, coughing or sneezing near the group - if you feel the urge, quickly remove yourself from the group (a good technique to practice at any time)

• In cold weather consider running with a Buff or other face covering for warmth and to prevent the spread of your breath

• Water Coolers and Aid:

• Self Serve water coolers will be available during runs over 6 miles however no single use cups will be provided. Please bring your own water bottle or vest. Hand sanitizer, tissues and trash bags will also be at every water cooler.

• No food will be available at watercolors and we encourage social distancing while stopped at coolers

• Healthy Athletes Only:

• If you feel sick in anyway, stay home or get your workout done solo. Do not risk the health and safety of an entire group because you have a seasonal cold or flu or worse

New Partnership Adds Additional Training Location & So Much More

2021 is looking up for our beer loving runners! We are partnering with Fifty West Brewing Company to provide a premium training experience for runners that could only be offered through this awesome partnership. Plus, we have even more exciting news coming soon so stay tuned.

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Training Menu

• Fleet Feet Racing Team - APPLY
• Flying Pig Marathon  - REGISTER
• Flying Pig & Heart Mini Half Marathon  - REGISTER
• Heart Mini 15K  - REGISTER
• No Boundaries,Heart Mini 5K - REGISTER
• No Boundaries, Flying Pig 5K or 10K  - REGISTER

Philosophy

With a proven approach, our programs deliver atheltic success along with fun, education and fitness. Read More

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 The Official Heart Mini Training Program

The Heart Mini Half, 15K, and 5K events are races events in our Flying Pig Training Program.  These races serve as ideal mid-season checks on your progress towards the Flying Pig. Most importantly we are proud to be the largest local running store fund raising team and supporter of the American Heart Association and the Heart Mini. 

If you are training with us for the Flying Pig Marathon we will include the Heart Mini Half Marathon into your training schedule, and if you you are training for the Flying Pig Half Marathon we will include the Heart Mini 15K into your schedule.  Note: this does not mean we enter you into the race or pay your race entry fee, we simply incorporate the race into your schedule and suggest you participate, we also provide the best Heart Mini race entry discount in town.

• If your goal race is the Heart Mini Half Marathon -  join the Flying Pig Full Marathon Program.  
• If your goal race is the Heart Mini 15K - join the Flying Pig Half Marathon Program. 
• If your goal race is the Heart Mini 5K - join No Boundaries Beginner Specific Program

Be sure to let us know after you register so we can make the appropriate adjustments to your schedule and encourage you to keep running with us after the Heart Mini until the Flying Pig!

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The Official Flying Pig Training Program

Our professionally designed 17-week training schedule, delivered in three phases, each with very specific goals & focuses has resulted in thousands of successful participant finishes over the last twenty years. Progressive by nature, each week of training will build on the previous, slowly, consistently and safely.

Weeks 1-5

Base & Pace - during the first five weeks you'll safely settle into the training routine, a pace group and comfortable weekly base milage 

• Week 1: Welcome & Settle In
• Week 2: Gear Matters
• • Week 3: Finding Your Why
  • Week 4: Avoiding Running Injuries with Oxford Physical Therapy
  • Week 5: Hydration 101

Weeks 6-10

Build & Strength - during this period you will begin to increase weekly mileage, add strength and flexibility training, and focus on consistency

• Week 6: What & When to Eat with GU Energy
• Week 7: How Much & How Often to Eat with GU Energy
• Week 8: Food to ReCharge with GU Energy
• Week 9: Strong Runners with Black Sheep Performance
• Week 10: Move to Recharge with Black Sheep Performance 

Weeks 11-14

Sharpen & Lengthen - we will use this time to carefully hit our highest weekly mileage, longest runs, most intentional speed work and recovery

• Week 11: Heart Mini Prep
• Week 12: Store to Store Adventure
• Week 13: Race Prep & Planning 
• Week 14: Annual 20:12 Celebration

Weeks 15-17

Recover & Race Prep - the last few weeks of training are dedicated to rest, race planning and staying loose

• Week 15: Dress for Success
• Week 16: It Takes a Community 
• Week 17: More Prep & Celebrate 

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Training Details

Locations. Days. Times

• Fifty West Brewing Co.
  • Tuesday Evenings rolling start 4:30 - 6:30PM (PGL led at 5:30 & 6:30 pm)
  • Saturday Mornings rolling start 7:00 - 9:00AM (PGL led at 7:00 & 8:00 am)

• Fleet Feet Blue Ash
  
  • Tuesday Evenings rolling start 4:30 - 6:30PM (PGL led at 5:30 & 6:30 pm)
  • Saturday Mornings rolling start 7:00 - 9:00AM (PGL led at 7:00 & 8:00 am)

• Fleet Feet Oakley
  • Wednesday Evenings rolling start 4:30 - 6:30PM (PGL led at 5:30 & 6:30 pm)
  • Saturday Mornings rolling start 7:00 - 9:00AM (PGL led at 7:00 & 8:00 am)

Optional Sunday Mornings with Fleet Feet Sunday Runners Group from various local coffee shops. Details

Kick Off Open House

Meet the Training Program Team, Coaches, sponsors, pick up SWAG and get all questions answered.

• Saturday, January 2nd at Fleet Feet Blue Ash 11AM - 3PM
• Sunday, January 3rd at Fifty West Brewing Co. 11AM - 3PM
• Optional 5K Time Trial & Magic Mile Test Runs Available BOTH Days at 8AM - for those seeking advice on Pace Group and Goal Race

Kick Off Workouts

• Tuesday, January 5th at Fifty West & Blue Ash
• Wednesday January 6th at West Chester & Oakley

Premium Training Support

• Full supported group workouts complete with refueling stations, turn-by-turn routes (with elevation profiles), and our WORLD FAMOUS volunteer Pace Group Leaders

• Optional Saturday post-run informational clinics, injury screenings, product demo's, taste testing and more - all in conjunction with our local community partners

• Active support from sponsors including exclusive group events, specials and of course Fifty West Beer and Rooted Grounds Coffee

• Comprehensive weekly newsletter. A must-read to keep up with the upcoming week's training details, logistical information, group exclusives

• Complete access to Training Program Coordinator, Head Coaches, Pace Group Leaders and Fleet Feet Owners and Team

• Contactless digital check in - check out program for participant safety

• Direct Access to Oxford Physical Therapy 

• Optional Pre-Training 5K Time Trial on Saturday, January 2nd at Fleet Feet Blue Ash and Sunday, January 3rd at Fifty West at, both 8AM. This event is specifically for those seeking advice on which training pace group to join. Already know your endurance run training pace? Just select that pace when you sign up (Pace Groups are every :30).)

Coaches & Pace Group Leaders

• Jen Loving - Training Program Coordinator
• Katie Parker - Head Coach
• Brian Lenahan - Head Coach
• Heather Fencik - Head Coach
• Justin Bifro - Head Coach
• Mike Dehring - Fleet Feet Racing Team Head Coach
• Jeremy Mosher - Fleet Feet Racing Team Assistant Coach

Learn More about our incredible coaches and Pace Group Leaders here.  Are you interested in becoming a Pace Group Leader?  See what it takes here. 

Participant Hook Ups

• Fleet Feet Running Club x ASICS short sleeve training tee ($35 value)

• Fleet Feet x BOCO Gear face mask ($20 value)

• Fleet Feet x ASICS travel coffee mug ($25 value)

• Pair of FEETURES Elite running socks ($15 value)

• Fleet Feet Running Club x ASICS Hoody ($65 value)

• $5 Race Registration Coupon for the Heart Mini event of your choice

• 20% off the Flying Pig event of your choice

• Rooted Grounds Coffee Mug Club Membership

• 10% off food at Fifty West Burger Bar - not valid at special events & catering 

• Fifty West Beer at select runs & events

• VIP Invitation to our Annual 20:12 Last Long Run

• $20 Fleet Feet Gift Certificate to be used during training (expires 5.31.21)

• Complete Fleet Feet Running Club Training Program

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COVID Related TBD Amenities

It's too early for us to determine if we'll be able to safely provide the follow amenties in 2021, but we certainly plan and hope to at this point

Race Day

• Fleet Feet Tents On-Site in Premium Location for Safe Gear Drop and Family Meeting - Large group meetings are not allowed at this point

• Professional and Exclusive Fleet Feet photographer on-site race morning to take team and candid pictures (images posted on group Facebook Page for FREE download)

• Premium and exclusive Post-Race food and drink spread 

Post Season Party

The Monday after the Flying Pig Marathon you are invited to our exclusive post race celebration party at Fifty West Brewing Co. Wear your medals, share your stories and enjoy food and drink with other accomoplished athletes.

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New for 2021

Black Sheep Performance Runner Strength Training

Click Here for Detail

 

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Sponsors

Helping us treat you right through exclusive experiences and awesome products

Pricing

• • December 1 - 31: $175
  • January 1 - February 29: $200

Other Helpful Resources

• Our Training Program Safety & Weather Policy
• Training Program Refund Instructions & Policy
• Training Program Minors, Stollers & Dog Policy
• Training Program FAQ's
• Send us an email question