On the Run with Sam: Try a Training Program

On the Run with Sam

Samantha Simmons

Malta’s 5K, 10K, Half, and Marathon group before their first long run of the program.

As the summer is winding down and fall training and racing season is ramping up, think about how your training is going.

Did you log all those summer miles or were you like me and lost the summer to countless other activities?

As an employee of Fleet Feet Albany and Malta, I frequent the training programs. This allows me to meet those who I will be interacting with in the store and make new connections with other local runners. 

I’ve been employed at Fleet Feet for just over three years now and have met some of my best friends and running partners through the group (shoutout to Jess).

Having others to train with makes you more accountable. Yes, that is cliche. But, by having someone to meet or talk with about your running, you will be more likely to follow through with plans because you are not alone.

Another reason why joining a training group or having a group you run or walk with is for safety. For men and women alike, it is not entirely safe to always be logging your miles alone, especially in rural areas or in secluded spots like bike paths or trails. By going out with a group, you are creating a network of people along a route or in an area. Specifically, our Malta groups tend to run on various parts of the Zim Smith bike path and at Saratoga State Park. While these are not inherently unsafe places to run, they can turn into an unsafe area in seconds. 

Some don’t like others' company on their runs, and that’s okay too. There are many ways to let loved ones know where you are going and when you should return. Garmin and Strava both have options to share your location with contacts of your choosing when you start an activity which will share time, current location, and map as long as the run is not paused or ended. 

The camaraderie that the group provides is also worth those early morning long runs or weekday workouts. You all are together for one purpose: to get it done. You might even see fellow runners out on their usual path or on the Zim and you can be confident you know someone is rooting you on and looking out for you. 

All this aside, do not put too much pressure on yourself. You are out there to have fun and are doing something for yourself. At the end of the day, it truly does not matter how fast you ran a certain amount of miles, but that you are keeping yourself active and having fun doing so.

Currently, our training programs are still open (with the exception of Dale Broomhead’s  5K Advanced and 10K group in Albany). Click here to sign up.