"I Shaved 40 Minutes Off My First Marathon Time": NYRR Virtual Training Stories
Runners around the world are lacing up their shoes to prepare for the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon on November 3. Whether you are a first-time marathoner or a seasoned pro, training can always be a challenge. Each race is different and the circumstances surrounding them always change—one year, you could be healthy with lots of free time, the next you could be recovering from an injury and have a complicated schedule.
Some people leave their marathon training to chance or download a free cookie-cutter plan from the internet. But why leave something as challenging as marathon training to chance? With NYRR’s Virtual Training Program, you can receive a daily or weekly plan created specifically for you, with the purpose of getting you to the start line healthy and across the finish line in your goal time.
Thousands of runners every year take advantage of NYRR’s Virtual Training Program. We asked our runners to explain why they loved using the program.
“The feedback helped me stay positive when I had an injury. If I didn’t have access to expert coaching advice, I probably would have pushed myself and made my injury worse. Instead I switched to cross training and eased up.” —Christine Homer
“I had the best time [on race day]. I went slower than expected but I felt good the entire time. I was able to smile the whole way, give lots of hugs and high fives to my family and friends, and I felt great all the way through the finish. I didn't stop or hit the wall.” —Stephanie St. Thomas
“This was a great tool to use, especially since it was my first marathon. I had no idea where to start but NYRR’s Virtual Training made it easy to stick to my plan and fulfill my goal of finishing my first marathon.” —Elizabeth Billissimo
“After signing up, I was shocked by how deep the program was, and I really liked how accessible the coaches were in the Facebook group and on the on-site forum. I wish I had used NYRR Virtual Trainer in previous years.” —Billy Henehan
“My projected finish time was spot on. I am amazed at the accuracy. Overall, I felt the training plan was easy to follow, the descriptions of each workout were very helpful, and the tips provided great info, which enriched the training experience. The best part was that I stayed injury free during my training.” —Carol Deninger
“Fantastic program! I was able to run the race with no problems or difficulty and I shaved 40 minutes off my first marathon time.” —Sarah Cramer
“This was my fourth time using it, and I can say it was the best. The clincher was the VT group that was set up. It is an incredibly inspiring, supportive community. As for the program itself, the workouts, variety, paces, advice, and forum support get two thumbs up!” —Mike Castellano
The TCS New York City Marathon Virtual Training Program can guide you from wherever you are and is individually designed to suit your schedule and fitness level. This is not a one-size-fits-all training plan—instead, it’s tailored to be your perfect guide!