We are back again for another attempt at trying to beat the train on May 1st 2011 in the Puffing Billy Great Train Race.
We have run a training camp the last 7 years and all have been very successful provided PB's for almost every runner!
- 2013 we had 5 runners with 3 running a PB
- 2012 we had 7 runners with 3 running the first time and 3 running a PB
- 2011 we had 12 runners with 7 running a PB
- 2010 we had 9 runners with 4 running for the first time and 3 running a PB!
- 2009 was a huge success with 6 of our 7 runners running a PB!
- 2008 we had 7 runners with all running a PB!
- 2007 we had 4 runners with 3 running a PB!
Each year our group is getting bigger and bigger.
And each year we hope to have even more people being able to beat the train.
As usual Mel (No Regrets Team Director) organizes an anuual dinner for all Puffing Billy participants on the night of the event so we can all share our stories from the day and over the past few weeks. This is a highlight for some of the runners.
The race is well known for it's tradition with racing the train but also amongst runners for the tough nature of the course with some lung busting climbs making for a much more difficult run than your ordinary fun run.
So in order to be fully prepared for the race whether your goal is to just make it, or to beat last year’s time, we will be conducting several training sessions in March and April over various courses and locations
Even if you are not running the Puffing Billy race this year but would like to participate in the training sessions that is fine as these are guaranteed to build strength and fitness.
Some sessions will be on scenic off road trails that included some treacherous hills, some will feature parts of the actual course to give runners a good mental picture for the race and some will be track sessions in order for us to still develop speed and pace.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ANYONE CAN COME TO THESE SESSIONS! No matter what speed you think you run, we cater for all speeds so please don't think you are not good enough.
Example our fastest runner last year ran 54 mins and our slowest runner ran the race in 78 mins but we all completed the training sessions together. Both runners got great value out of the sessions as both ran a PB!
In these sessions we will cover
- Best technique for running uphill and downhill as there are some steep downhill sections that can cause just as much damage as the uphill.
- Pacing strategies
- Leg strength workouts in the hills
- VO2 max sessions to improve oxygen intake and lactate threshold. We will use some track sessions as well as hill sessions to ensure we improve speed as much as hill climbing
All abilities will be catered for whether you are fast or slow.
These sessions will run for approximately 90mins so you will need to bring water, & some food (protein to aid recovery) to eat afterwards. Lastly bring a tough attitude to succeed as these sessions are fun but are designed to prepare you both mentally and physically for the day.
This year we are starting a month earlier to ensure we can have everyone in PEAK CONDITION!
These are some of the runs we will do
Grants Picnic Ground in the Dandenongs. This is an 8km loop that will involve some challenging hills to develop leg strength for the upcoming weeks. This will be a time trial to be used as a measurement of your fitness.This session each runner will be given a training plan for the next few weeks to get you fully prepared for the race.
Track Session - Will cover technique and interval training
Sherbrooke. A 10km to 12km loop of rolling hills.
Grants Picnic Ground again!!!! This time we include hill repeats. About as tough as it gets so if you can get through this session Puffing Billy will be easy.
Lysterfield Lake - This year we are going to use Lysterfield to get some long distance runs in. This run we plan to cover 12km of hills and fast flat running.
All sessions start at 9am.
You will receive an email during the week before each session to confirm location details and time training starts.
Cost of the camp
$25/ person per session PAID before first session
Here is what one of our Runners Johnny K had to say about last years training
"Last year we did a majority of our training at Lysterfield and the Dandenongs which involved running over various types of hills and terrain mixed in with some track work for speed.
I really enjoyed the training (maybe not so much at the time) as it was tough and I knew that I was going to be fully prepared for the race."
The Puffing Billy Great Train Race is one of the running highlights of the year. All abilities can participate however if you are thinking of doing this make sure you enter NOW as the field always sells out.
I look forward to seeing as many old and new faces joining us for a exciting running experience.
Oh and don't forget we always have a coffee stop after each training session which it makes it very sociable.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
EMAIL TO REGISTER NOW AND GET YOUR FREE RUNNING REPORT ON HOW TO IMPROVE RUNNING TECHNIQUE AND PREVENT INJURY