2024 In-Training for Fall Marathons

In-Training Badge

Registration for 2024 In-Training for Fall Marathons is closed. See you in 2025.

The marathon. 26.2 miles. 42.195 kilometers. An endurance event like no other. A distance that commands respect, discipline, planning, preparation, and training. The 2024 fall marathon season will soon be upon us. Whether you're training for a Boston qualifying time in Berlin, a personal best in Chicago, aiming to finish your first marathon in New York, running Every Woman's Marathon in Savannah, or you want to build your endurance through the fall season, Atlanta Track Club's In-Training for Fall Marathons program will help you get there. The 14-week training program combines structured long runs with additional midweek workouts to help you reach your goal with the support of a running community or without leaving your neighborhood. You pick the marathon, we help you prepare!

In 2024, the In-Training for Fall Marathons program will feature:

  • In-person and virtual options
  • In-Training Certified Coaches to guide you while keeping you accountable
  • Online learning opportunities on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. led by Atlanta's running and walking subject matter experts followed by Q&A
  • Small group workouts throughout the city during the week and larger long runs on Saturdays
  • Customized training levels to meet your current fitness, experience, and goals
  • Individualized workouts to prepare you for the marathon of your choice
  • Daily text/email reminders of workouts powered by Final Surge
  • Online platforms to build community and camaraderie
  • Two Saturday field trips to run through different neighborhoods of Running City USA
  • In-Training shirt for both in-person and virtual athletes. Only virtual participant shirts will be mailed.

IMPORTANT: This program is not intended for beginner, novice runners. Training participants should be able to maintain a 14 min/mile pace for 10-13 miles at the start of training, especially athletes new to the marathon distance.

Additional things to know about In-Training for Fall Marathons:
1. There are no official in-person training sessions during the months of June and July. All in-person training sessions begin in August regardless of goal marathon.
2. In the absence of official in-person training sessions during the months of June and July, In-Training Certified Coaches and Run Leads will often organize one or two Saturday long runs during the month of July.
3. This training program does not include entry into the marathon for which you are training.

Training Program Policies

Date & Time

  • June 24, 2024

Location

  • Atlanta, GA

Distances

  • Marathon

Cost

  • $170.00

Program Schedule

May 15

Registration opens

June 23

Orientation, September marathons, e.g., Berlin - online at 1:00 p.m.

June 24

Training begins, September marathons, e.g., Berlin

July 7

Orientation, October marathons, e.g., Chicago, Marine Corps - online at 1:00 p.m.

July 8

Training begins, October marathons, e.g., Chicago, Marine Corps

July 28

Orientation, November marathons, e.g., New York City, Chickamauga - online at 1:00 p.m.

July 29

Training begins, November marathons, e.g., New York City, Chickamauga

August 3

In-person, Saturday, long runs begin

August 6

Tuesday night education sessions begin

August 7

In-person, midweek workouts begin

August 12

Registration closes

August 24

Field trip, Location TBD

August 31

Labor Day Weekend, no in-person practice

October 19

No in-person practice

October 20

Optional field trip, PNC Atlanta 10 Miler

October 26

Last official in-person practice (marathoners are invited to continue meeting with half marathon program)

Locations

Saturday Workout Location:

Wednesday Midweek Workout Locations: In-person participants select one location during registration.

EARLY MORNING
  • Azalea Park, 203 Azalea Drive, Roswell, GA 30075 - 6:15 a.m.
  • Cheney Stadium with Coach Bob, 741 Connally Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 - 6:15 a.m.

LATE AFTERNOON
  • Agnes Scott College Track, South McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • Peachtree Middle School Track, 4664 North Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30338 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • Piedmont Park with Coach Bob, Dockside (or Active Oval), Atlanta, GA 30309 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.


Locations subject to change based on demand and participation.

Cost

$170.00 - Both in-person and virtual/remote athletes

IN-TRAINING REFUND POLICY

In-Training registration is non-refundable unless you purchase Refundable Protection when you register for In-Training. If purchased and you're unable to start the training program for one of the covered reasons, Refundable Protection enables you to receive a 100% refund of your registration fee (minus processing fees and donations) within 10 business days of submitting a claim. Please read and learn what specific events are covered by Refundable Protection here.

Note: Refundable Protection is only applicable if the qualifying event (illness, injury, etc.) occurs before the first day of training. If the qualifying event happens on or after the first day of training, the athlete is not eligible for a refund. The first day of training is the Training begins date under Program Schedule above; not the first in-person practice.

  • This training program does not include entry into the marathon for which you are training.

Benefits

  • Science-based 14-week training program created and updated by Atlanta Track Club coaching staff
  • Online training log to provide daily workout reminders, record your workouts, and track your progress
  • Weekly In-Training newsletter
  • Weekly online education sessions created and presented by industry experts on a variety of topics including apparel, foot and ankle care, footwear, recovery, running form, sports hydration and electrolytes, sports nutrition, sports psychology, strength training and more
  • In-Training for Fall Marathons private Facebook group
  • Atlanta Track Club In-Training Certified Coaches and Run Leads to guide and check your progress
  • In-Training Office Hours. In-Training Office Hours give athletes the opportunity to schedule 15-20 minute 1:1 meetings with Coach Bob to review and discuss their training.

Participant Athletes

The program is open to runners and run-walk-run athletes.

Level II: runners and walkers 7:00-14:00 minutes per mile including run-walk-run currently completing 15 or fewer miles per week
Level III: experienced runners and walkers 7:00-14:00 minutes per mile including run-walk-run currently completing 16-30 miles per week
Level IV: advanced runners 5:00-10:00 minutes per mile pace currently completing 31+ miles per week and at least one speed work session or tempo run per week

This program is not intended for beginner, novice runners or dedicated walkers. Training participants should be able to maintain a 14 min/mile pace for 10-13 miles at the start of training, especially athletes new to the marathon distance.

Orientation

We will kickoff the program with a 60-minute online orientation in which Coach Bob will provide an overview of the program, explain Final Surge and its benefits, and answer your training questions.

  • Orientation for September marathons is Sunday, June 23 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Orientation for October marathons is Sunday, July 7 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Orientation for November marathons is Sunday, July 28 at 1:00 p.m.

All orientation sessions will be presented via Zoom. All orientation sessions are recorded for later viewing.

Coaches

Bob Wells, Manager & Coach - In-Training, Atlanta Track Club
In-Training Certified Coaches and Run Leads
Eric Heintz, Director - Performance Programming, Atlanta Track Club

Tuesday Night Education Session Topics*

  • adidas performance running shoe overview and guidance
  • Anatomy for runners
  • Foot & ankle care
  • Fueling for endurance events
  • Heart health for endurance athletes
  • In-Training workouts explained
  • Mindset and self-talk
  • Planning and preparing for destination races
  • Pro tips for Abbott World Marathon Majors fall marathons
  • Recovery
  • Running form and strength training
  • Sports hydration and electrolytes

* Partial list of past topics, subject to change.

Guests and Speakers*

* Partial list of past guests and speakers, subject to change.

Become a Member

Did you know as a member of Atlanta Track Club you receive a discount on events and programs. Join today to begin receiving discounts and the many other benefits of membership!

Join Today

Frequently Asked Questions

Technology

I am not technologically savvy. Will I be trained on how to use all of the digital tools in the program?

Yes! Orientation, online videos, downloadable documents, and more will take you through the process step-by-step to maximize your experience.

Do I have to type my workouts into Final Surge?

No, the platform will sync with your watch to allow for a seamless experience.

Customization and Coaching

What do you mean by customized or individualized coaching?

The program offers a variety of training levels based on mileage, experience, and goals. The program also provides the tools to customize your paces for easy runs and walks in addition to harder workouts such as tempo runs and speedwork. Participants have the ability to move training days based on their work and life schedules. While a certified coach will look after your training and keep you accountable, it is not a one-on-one coaching program with unlimited access to the coach.

Are there opportunities for interactions with coaches?

Yes! Athletes have multiple opportunities to interact with Coach Bob, In-Training Certified Coaches, and Run Leads. Opportunities include in-person workouts on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and In-Training Office Hours provide athletes with the opportunity to schedule 15-20 minute 1:1 meetings with Coach Bob to review and discuss their training.

Will I be able to schedule weekly one-on-one calls with my coach?

Yes! In-Training Office Hours provides both in-person and remote/virtual athletes with the opportunity to schedule 15-20 minute 1:1 meetings with Coach Bob to review and discuss their training.

Group Training

Are group interval/speedwork sessions included with this program?

Yes! The in-person program features group workouts at various locations throughout the city.

Are supported, group long runs sponsored by Atlanta Track Club included with this program?

Yes! The in-person program features supported long runs and workouts.

General
Once I sign up for In-Training how long does it take before I receive my plan?

Your training plan is added to your Final Surge workout calendar a few days before your first day of training. This process is initiated with a Coaching Invitation. The Coaching Invitation email is sent the week before your training begins and will come from Notifications@FinalSurge.com. Once an athlete accepts the Coaching Invitation, their training plan is added to their workout calendar within 24-48 hours.

How do I determine my paces for workouts, training runs or walks?
There is a two step process. First, In-Training utilizes an Indicator Run or recent race result to determine your current fitness. An Indicator Run is a race effort that acts as a starting point for the program. In-Training then uses a proprietary pace calculator to derive your training paces in order to maximize your benefits from the program.

Where should I run?

Runner and walkers have individual likes and dislikes for training locations. While Atlanta Track Club can recommend popular locations throughout the metro Atlanta area, it is important to find safe routes near your neighborhood to maintain consistent training. Shaded streets with sidewalks and few intersections are best or dedicated paths devoted to pedestrian traffic. Using tools such as RunGo, MapMyRun, and gmap-pedometer can be useful in determining good routes. We also encourage talking with Run Leads and other participants for local recommendations.

I did not reach the prescribed mileage for a day or week. Should I adjust my paces or workouts?

You do not. Most of your workouts are for a specific amount of time and the mileage is an estimate. If you are over or under by a small amount it is okay. Consistency of effort and training are more important. Some days, specifically your longer workouts, the total mileage is the priority. These are typically your Saturday workouts.

Program Sponsors

adidas Performance Running

Meteor Nutrition

Precision Performance & Physical Therapy

BODYARMOR

Dasani Water

POWERADE

THORNE