Winter Destination Training 2023

Miami Marathon, Half Marathon, and Tropical 5K  | Jan 28-29, 2023

We’re excited to announce the return of our annual winter Destination Training! The program’s 2023 goal race is in Miami, Florida! Run a 5K, Half Marathon, or Full Marathon. Enjoy Miami’s energy and sunshine and share the camaraderie of racing with your Fleet Feet teammates!

**New this year will be the opportunity to join the Fleet Feet x Miami Experience VIP Package!**

LOCAL CELEBRATION OPTION

While it’s an absolute blast celebrating in a warm destination with your running friends at the end of 10 weeks, there is no obligation to travel in order to participate in the training program, but it is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED and an absolute blast (just ask the 50+ people that made the trip in previous years). Many participants utilize this program to help maintain fitness over the challenging winter months.

For those participants who choose not to travel, we will be holding a supported, Miami themed half marathon at the Race Day Events offices on the same weekend so everyone can strive for and achieve their goals this winter! More details on this event coming soon.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING

An informational meeting will be held at Fleet Feet Madison for those that would like more information on the program. You will receive additional information on registration, group events, hotel information and reservation, and any other questions you have regarding the trip or training program.

Date of Meeting: Wed November 9 @ 7:00 p.m. (Fleet Feet Madison – 8440 Old Sauk Rd.)

GOAL RACE INFORMATION

Goal Race: Lifetime Half and Full Marathon on January 29, 2023

Team Race Discount Code: Available with VIP Experience. When registering, make sure you register under the “Fleet Feet” Team!

The Miami Marathon events are currently sold out to the general public, but as part of the VIP Experience you have access to a group of reserved registrations

Packet Pick-Up: Miami Beach Conv. Center: 1901 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

• Friday, January 27 (12:00pm – 7:00pm)
• Saturday, January 28 (10:00am – 6:00pm)

Race Start:

• Saturday, January 28
  • 5K: 7:30 a.m.
• Sunday, January 29
  • Marathon and Half Marathon: 6:00 a.m.

Course time limits:

• 5K: 1 hour (20:00 minute-per-mile pace)
• Half Marathon: 4 hours (18:19 minute-per-mile pace)
• Full Marathon: 7 hours (16:00 minute-per-mile pace)

TRAINING PROGRAM: ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSED 

Program Cost: 

• Early Bird Discount: $75 (until November 1, 2022)
• Regular: $85 (November 2, 2022 – November 16, 2022)
• Late Registration: $95 (November 17, 2022 and after)

*Entry into the race and VIP Experience is NOT included in program registration cost

Program Generals:

• Program Duration: Saturday, November 26 – Sunday, January 29
• Kick-Off: Sunday November 20, 2022 – Fleet Feet Madison @ 10:00 a.m.
• First Group Run: Saturday, November 26, 2022 @ 8:00 a.m.

Refund/Cancellation Policy:
After November 27, 2022, no refunds or credits will be provided for any reason, including injury, illness or race cancellation/changes. No prorated fees are provided for late enrollments. Race entry fees are NOT included in training fees.

Training Program Registration Deadline: Wed, November 16, 2022 

All paid participants will receive their first group email by November 16.  Subsequent weekly emails will be sent on Mondays and supply all the information needed for each week of training.

Training Plans:
You will have the option of 2 training plans.

• Half Marathon
• Full Marathon

Races: We encourage runners to participate in the following local fall/winter races for some extra fun and motivation!

• Berbee Derby – 5K or 10K on Thursday, November 28, 2022 (Join the Fleet Feet Team!)
• Run Santa Run – Sunday, December 4, 2022
• New Year’s Day Dash – January 1, 2023

Group Runs:

Coached and supported group runs will take place on Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m. at varied locations around the Madison area, including both Fleet Feet stores. We encourage all participants to also take part in weekly fun runs for mid-week mileage. This will give you multiple options to get your runs in with a group throughout the week (the key to success in winter running!).

• Monday Fun Runs @ 6:00 p.m. – Meet at Fleet Feet Madison OR Fleet Feet Sun Prairie
• Thursday Pub Runs @ 6:00 p.m. – Rotating pubs around Madison. See website for meeting locations.

Base Mileage Recommendations:
These recommendations are in place to help you stay safe, healthy, and injury free throughout the winter season. Due to the duration of this program (10 weeks), programming is designed to build on an existing fitness foundation. If you have any questions or concerns about these recommendations, please contact Coach Megan.

• Half Marathon: 6 mile long run, 10-15 mile weekly average (we recommend you be able to comfortably run 4 miles 3-4x/week at the start of training).
• Full Marathon: 12-14 mile long run, 20-25 mile weekly average

 Running Experience and Pace Recommendations:

• We recommend that all participants have successfully completed a half or full marathon prior to this program.
• For those interested in FULL MARATHON TRAINING – we highly recommend you be able to maintain an average 12 min/mile pace before registering for the full marathon program.

 Other aspects of the Training Program include:

•  Weekly emails providing motivation, coaching, and advice for your training
•  A complete 10-week training plan leading up to the Miami events
•  Coached and supported group runs on Saturday mornings
•  Fun run options at both Fleet Feet Madison and Fleet Feet Sun Prairie to help you stay motivated mid-week
•  Valuable Fleet Feet coupon book with discounts on such items as apparel, winter accessories, socks, shoe traction, and other winter running gear to help you train successfully
•  Electrolyte and nutrition samples
•  Vendor partner wear tests and giveaways
•  Exclusive Wisconsin sprints hat
•  Educational events and workshops to supplement your training
•  Discounted registration into winter events from Race Day Events LLC

• 50% Off Run Santa Run
• 50% Off New Year’s Day Dash

• Local celebration option for those not traveling to Miami
• Motivation and camaraderie to get outside in the winter and run (IT CAN BE DONE – even in Wisconsin!)

Exclusive Wisconsin Sprints Hat

TRAVEL
Fleet Feet x Miami VIP Experience:

New this year! We are teaming up with Fleet Feet Chicago to offer a VIP option for those planning to travel to Miami. Separate registration for the VIP Experience is required. This VIP package will include the following benefits:

• Discount on the races
• Special access to a hotel block discount
• Welcome reception/cocktail party
• Pre-race shakeout
• Pre-race pasta party
• Pre-race breakfast
• Bus to start
• Finish line hospitality
• Post-race celebration
• Special event gifts

VIP Experience Registration Link Coming Soon 

Travel Days:
January 27, 2022 – January 30, 2022 (3 nights, Fly In: Friday, Fly Out: Monday). 

Flights: Each participant is responsible for booking their own flight. We recommend flying into either Miami International Airport (MIA), or into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and renting a car, carpooling with your fellow trainees to Miami (30 miles), or taking a shuttle. We can help you make these connections throughout training.

Lodging:

• Hotel: A hotel block discount is available with VIP Experience. For those not planning on participating in the VIP Experience, you are responsible for booking your own hotel or Airbnb.

Transportation:

Transportation to the race is provided with the VIP Experience. You are responsible for your own transportation from the airport to the hotel and vice versa. The best option is to split this cost with other participants with a rental car or other mode of transportation. Once everyone has made their flight arrangements, we will combine all flight information to help you make carpool connections. We also have a private Facebook group that can be used to communicate with other participants while in Miami.

 Dining:

There will be two organized group dinners while in Miami included only in the VIP Experience. You are responsible for finding your own meals for the remainder of your stay. Meal cost is included in the VIP Experience training program registration.

CONTACT

For more information about the 2023 Destination Training Program:

Fleet Feet Madison: 8440 Old Sauk Rd. Madison
Phone: 608.833.9999                                                                                     

• Madison Retail Experience Manager: Jacky Hernandez 
• Director of Training Programs: Megan Sweet