Finding the Best Training Plan for You

A passionate running enthusiast in Teaneck, Jennifer Heiner formerly served as a retail director for a New Jersey running company. She currently is an inside sales rep for a small company in North Jersey. Outside of the professional arena, Jennifer Heiner belongs to multiple running organizations including the New York Flyers, the New York Road Runners, and NYCRUNS. Welcoming runners of all skill levels and abilities, these organizations regularly sponsor programs and initiatives to help members in areas that range from marathon training to coached speed work.

Whether its training for a Half Marathon or a full 26.2, these groups often have in-person or virtual training programs to get you ready for your big race. Jennifer Heiner herself has run a half dozen marathons, and countless Half Marathons and shorter races. While you typically aim to run one of these distance races in favorable terrain (not too hilly) the best place to train for these events is with some degree of difficulty. Therefore, Jennifer Heiner’s favorite place to train for her distance races is none other than Central Park in Manhattan.

There are so many different on-line and in person running plans and coaches and programs to help you get ready for your next 26.2 or 13.1. Where does one even begin to determine what plan will work best for you? Doing your own research and comparing cost, length of training plans, and getting to talk to the coaches if possible ahead of time is key to determining which plan and program will work best for you.

The New York Flyers, a Central Park based running club, has several different options for in person and virtual training.

Training — New York Flyers (nyflyers.org)

Custom Training

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced runner looking to improve speed or fitness, we have the perfect training program to support your goals.

In partnership with Head Coach and fellow Flyer

Brian Rosetti and the RunSMART Project, we offer

the program Marathon Training Plan (MTP) and,

in partnership with Head Coach Amy Sitar, we

offer the SpeedPass Program (SP). Scroll down

for details.

All training programs are limited to New York

Flyers members … so JOIN US now!

SpeedPass

The NY Flyers’ SpeedPass training program caters to runners of all levels.

The 2023 Summer/Fall season of SpeedPass is on Tuesday evenings starting July 11th — October 31st. Workouts are uploaded to the V.O2 app and are customized based on the individual’s current fitness and training background.

Participants will receive coaching support by email.

2023 16-week Summer/Fall SpeedPass Program cost: $220.00

Sign Up HERE for the 2023 Summer/Fall SpeedPass Program.

Questions? Email Head Coach Amy Sitar at aksitar@gmail.com

• Coached practices one evening per week in Central Park.
• Two speed workouts added every week to your V.O2 training calendar.
• Coach led mobility & strength exercises to close each practice.
• Coaching support via email.

Sign Up HERE

The NY Flyers’ Spring & Summer/Fall SpeedPass programs are accessible to runners of all levels, whether you’re training for fitness, to stay connected to the club socially, or a half or full marathon goal this season.

Practices

Members gather between 6:30–6:40 pm at the Maine Monument in Columbus Circle. Runners will depart from there to the park at 6:40 pm but if you’re late we’ll always let you know where to meet us in the park. Bag check is available (free) across the street on the second floor of the Time Warner Center at the Fleet Feet running store.

All athletes train with their assigned group (broken down by fitness level) but at individualized paces prescribed on their training calendar. Practices typically finish (around 7:45 pm) with some strength and mobility exercises.

Workouts

All participants receive two Quality Sessions per week (e.g. one speed workout and one long run). The first Quality Session is a coached group workout and the second is a suggested workout.

All workouts are published to each participant’s V.O2 calendar, which includes the ability to manage your training on the mobile app, website and/or a PDF copy. V.O2 also syncs with GPS so you can easily manage your prescribed workouts and actual splits.

Coaching Support

Participants can email SpeedPass coaches at any time for questions or updates to their workouts.

Marathon Training
Program

The New York Flyers’ Marathon Training

Program (MTP), led by Head Coach Brian

Rosetti of The Run SMART Project, is

designed to help members prepare for

their goal half and full marathons.

There are two MTP seasons per year (our flagship program) and they typically sell out quickly!

The summer/fall session runs July

1st-November 5th, and is open to half and

full marathon goal race distances. First

practice is Wednesday, July 5th.

Registration opens June 5th (Don’t miss out!)

Cost: $315

Sign Up HERE

You must be logged into the website to register.

Questions? Email: brian@runsmartproject.com

18 Weeks

Cost: $315 | Registration opens on Monday, June 5th

Sign Up HERE

• Kickoff event at Finish Line PT on June 29th
• 18 coached practices.
• 18-week training plan based on your training history and goals.
• Assigned coach to guide/support you throughout the season.
• Coaching support via email and on V.O2.

The NY Flyers’ Winter/Spring Training Program is accessible to runners of all levels. This upcoming season is open to anyone who has a goal marathon or half marathon race this Fall (2023). Our coaching program prides itself on proper training methodology, great customer service and making practices fun and challenging at the same time!

Training Plan

All participants receive a personalized training plan geared towards their season goal(s). Most commonly, participants train for NYC, Chicago, Berlin, Wineglass, Philly, and more! The 18-week training plan starts July 1st/2nd and ends November 5th. Participants fill out an athlete survey so an MTP coach can review their recent training/racing history, goals, etc. before personalizing their plan.

Training plans are published to each participant’s V.O2 calendar, which includes the ability to manage your training on the mobile app, website and/or a PDF copy. V.O2 also syncs with GPS (Garmin, Coros, Strava and Apple Watch) so you can easily manage your prescribed workouts and actual splits. Your MTP group coach will help manage your training calendar, which will also include recommendations on cross training, strength, mobility exercises and nutrition, etc.

Coaching Support

Each participant is assigned a group coach (see coaching staff below) to guide them through the training program. Participants receive a coaching invite so their assigned coach can manage their training calendar on V.O2. Coaches leave comments, feedback and are available by email to help motivate and make adjustments to participants’ training along the way.

Practices

First practice is Wednesday, July 5th. Members gather between 6:30–6:40 pm at the Maine Monument in Columbus Circle. Runners will depart from there to the park promptly at 6:40 pm. Bag check is available on the second floor of the Time Warner Center at the Fleet Feet store.

All athletes train with their assigned coach and group (broken down by experience and fitness level) but at individualized paces prescribed in their training plan. Practices will finish (around 7:45pm) with mobility exercises (weather permitting).