Destination Training 2025

Destination Training 2025

We’re excited to announce the return of our annual winter Destination Training! The program’s 2025 goal race is in Key West, Florida! Event options include a 5K, 8K, 10K, or Half Marathon. Pair your Sunday race (8K or Half) with Saturday’s races (5K and 10K) and you’ll qualify for the Lil’ Pecker Challenge or Big Pecker Challenge and earn a hat or fourth medal! Enjoy Florida’s energy and sunshine and share the camaraderie of racing with your Fleet Feet teammates! 

While it’s an amazing time celebrating in a warm destination with your running friends at the end of 10 weeks, there is no obligation to travel 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 for accountability and to help maintain fitness over the challenging winter months. Weekend routes are typically out-and-back to allow for running time/mileage customization for those who may not be targeting a specific event.  

INFORMATIONAL MEETING 

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

Date of Meeting: 

Monday, November 4 @ 7:00 p.m. (Fleet Feet Madison – 8440 Old Sauk Rd.) 

GOAL RACE INFORMATION
Goal Race: Key West Half Marathon, 10K, 8K, or 5K January 18-19, 2025

Team Race Discount Code:

When registering, make sure you register under the “Fleet Feet Madison” Team!

Packet Pick-Up: Outside of the Half Shell Raw Bar located at 231 Margaret Street 

• Friday, January 17 (2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) 

• Saturday, January 18 (12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) 

 Race Start:  

• Saturday, January 18 

• 5K: 6:30 a.m. 

• 10K: 7:30 a.m. 

• Sunday, January 19 

• Half Marathon and 8K: 6:30 a.m. 

 Course time limits:  

• 5K: Strict one hour limit (until 7:30 a.m. 19:18 minute-per-mile) 

• 8K: 2 hours (24:08 minute-per-mile) 

• 10K: 2 hours (19:18 minute-per-mile) 

• Half Marathon: 4 hours (18:19 minute-per-mile pace) 

TRAINING PROGRAM : ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSED

Program Generals: 

• Program Duration: Wednesday, November 13 – Sunday, January 18 

• Kick-Off: Wednesday, Nov. 13 @ 7:15 p.m. | Fleet Feet Madison 

• First Group Run: Saturday, November 16, 2024 @ 8:00 a.m.  

 Program Cost:  

• Regular: $95 (until Nov. 13) 

• Late Registration: $105 (Nov. 14 and after) 

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

Training Program Registration Deadline:  
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 

All paid participants will receive their first group email by November 13, 2024 (or shortly after registration if sign-up is after November 13). Weekly emails will be sent on Mondays and supply all the information needed for each week of training (routes, meeting locations, events, etc.). 

Training Program Kick-Off/Winter Running Seminar:  
Wednesday, November 13 @ 7:15 p.m. - Fleet Feet Madison (8440 Old Sauk Rd.) 
This meeting will be informational. We will cover safety concerns and requirements, training plans and program details, and discuss how we can help meet your needs this season. We will also outline how to successfully dress and prepare to train outdoors throughout the winter months.  
 
Training Plans*:  
You will have the option of 2 training plans:  

• Half Marathon 

• Challenge Plan (Lil’ or Big’ Pecker) 

 *You are not required to follow a particular distance training plan. Weekend routes are typically out-and-back to allow for running time/mileage customization for those who may not be targeting a specific event, who wish to use the program for accountability purposes, and/or those who simply want to maintain fitness over the winter. 

Races: We encourage runners to participate in the following local fall/winter races for some extra fun and motivation! Paid participants are provided with a discount code upon registration. 

• Birdie Derby – 5K or 10K on Thursday, November 28 (Join the Fleet Feet team!) 

• New Year’s Day Dash – January 1, 2025 
   

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 additional 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!). See website for dates and meeting location specifics. 

• Monday Fun Runs @ 6:00 p.m. – meet at Fleet Feet Madison and Fleet Feet Sun Prairie 

• Thursday Pub Runs @ 6:15 p.m. – rotating pubs around Madison.  

• Sunday Coffee Runs @ 8:00 a.m. - 1-2x / month throughout November, December, and January. 

Base Mileage Recommendations for Half Marathon Training Plans: 
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 Coaches Jacky and Stefany.  

• Half Marathon: 5-6 mile long run, 10-15 mile weekly average (we recommend you be able to comfortably run 3-4 miles 3-4x/week at the start of training). 

 Running Experience and Pace Recommendations: 

• We recommend that all participants have successfully completed a 10K or half marathon prior to this program within the last year. 

 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 Key West events 

•  Coached and supported group runs on Saturday mornings 

•  Fun run options to help you stay motivated throughout the week (fun runs + coffee runs) 

•  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 samplings 

•  Vendor partner wear tests and giveaways 

•  Exclusive Fleet Feet crew neck sweatshirt 

•  Educational events and workshops to supplement your training  

• Discounted registration into Birdie Derby on November 28, 2024 and Fleet Feet New Year’s Day Dash on January 1, 2025. 

• Discounted race entry into all Key West events 

• Motivation and camaraderie to get outside in the winter and run (IT CAN BE DONE – even in Wisconsin!) 

TRAVEL

Travel Days: 
January 16, 2025 – January 20, 2025  

3-4 nights, Fly In: Thursday, January 16 or Friday, January 17. Fly Out: Monday, January 20. We recommend booking an EARLY flight on Friday or flying in on Thursday if doing the challenge since you are more likely to have flight delays/issues in the winter. 

Flights:  
Each participant is responsible for booking their own flight. We recommend flying into Key West International Airport (EYW) and renting a car, carpooling with your fellow trainees to Key West, or taking a shuttle. We can help you make these connections throughout training. 

Lodging: 

A hotel block discount is available at the Perry Hotel and Marina (7001 Shrimp Rd, Key West, FL 33040). The cutoff date for our block is December 17, 2024. 

Hotel Booking Link 
 
Rates are outlined below: 

 Special Concessions: 

• Waived Parking Fee 

• Reduced Resort fee to $35 

 Resort/Facility Fee: 

• Hotel charges a Reduced Resort/Facility Fee of $35.00 per day/per room including applicable taxes/fees, currently 13.5%. 

 The Resort/Facility Fee provides the following exclusive benefits: 

• Scheduled shuttle services to Old Town and Higgs Beach 

• Welcome glass of champagne upon arrival 

• High Speed WIFI 

• Drip coffee station in the lobby from 6am – 8am 

• Infused water station in the lobby 

• Use of robes and pool towels during your stay 

• Fitness center, pools and hammock garden 

• Bottled water, coffee, and tea in your room 

• Concierge services 

 Parking: Hotel parking is available, plus applicable taxes 7.5% 

• Self-Overnight parking is WAIVED for guests 

• Visitor Day parking $15.00 plus tax 

• No boats, trailers and/or RV parking on property 

 Individual room cancelations can be done up to 2 weeks before without penalty. If you cancel within two weeks of the stay, you are subject to a one-night cancellation fee. 

Transportation: 

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 Key West.  

 Race Day Transportation: General recommendation is to reserve an Uber or Lyft to/from the hotel to the event start. We will meet in the lobby race morning and can make carpool arrangements. If there’s enough interest, we can explore a shuttle service for an additional fee. 

Dining: 

There will be two organized group dinners/socials while in Key West. One will take place early Saturday evening and another Sunday night. You are responsible for finding your own meals for the remainder of your stay. Meal cost is not included in the training program registration. More details will be provided soon. 

CONTACT
For more information about the 2025 Destination Training Program:
Fleet Feet Madison: 8440 Old Sauk Rd. Madison, WI 53562
P: 608.833.9999                                                                                     
Madison Retail Experience Manager: Jacky Hernandez 
Coach: Stefany