By: Chris Spyke
Runners bring life to city streets by seeking new personal records, achieving their goal of completing the race, and/or raising money and awareness for a local charity close to their heart.
Despite the various reasons a runner may find themselves at the starting line, the key to success on race day is more than just showing up. It’s the sum of getting out of bed early on consecutive summer Saturday mornings, fueling up and heading out for a long run. It’s grinding out a post-work tempo run when mother nature still has the heat on high, striving each day toward a new goal you’ve set for yourself. It’s a journey of many miles ran, building up to a single morning run that means a little more than all the others, yet is entirely dependant on all preceding runs.
This year in West Michigan, that fall morning is Oct. 23, the day of the Metro Health Grand Rapids Half and Full Marathon.
As two companies that share a passion for active living, Gazelle Sports and Priority Health collaborate as running buddies for the summer training season to provide runners in the community an opportunity to train better, and together.
Summer training is a journey of many miles. It is taking your training to the next level alongside fellow runners in the community that share a passion for movement and the desire to reach their goals.
Starting June 25, the Priority Health Summer Run Camp kicks off an 18 week training program targeting the Metro Health Grand Rapids Half/Full Marathon participants and any others setting their sights on fall races this year.
The group meets Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. in East Grand Rapids for speed workouts and Saturday mornings at 7:30 a.m. for long runs at varying locations around Grand Rapids.The training schedule outlines a gameplan for the week. It incorporates monthly clinics which educate runners on tactics to improve their training methods, such as proper nutrition, hydration, strength and cross training, and anything else you need to know for race day.
Gazelle Sports provides the tools necessary to start training, shares advice and encouragement, and is there to give you a high five at the finish.
Summer training is a journey of many miles. It is taking your training to the next level alongside fellow runners in the community that share a passion for movement and the desire to reach their goals.
Additional Information–
For Half/Full Marathon Training:
- Program Kicks off June 25 at Gazelle Sports in Grand Rapids
For 5K/10K Training:
- Information Night is July 6 at 6 p.m. at Gazelle Sports Grand Rapids
- Targets the Bridge Run 5K and Run Thru the Rapids 10K
- Program Kicks off July 9
For more information contact: randro@gazellesports.com
About the Author: Chris Spyke is the Training Program Coordinator at Gazelle Sports in Grand Rapids, who runs not only for health, but also to satisfy his curiosity and desire for exploration in daily living. He enjoys his role at Gazelle Sports because he thrives on the opportunity to passionately help others reach their goals by sharing his knowledge and experience in running 5+ marathons, including qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
