Training

The Route 66 Marathon has events for runners and walkers of all abilities

Full Marathon  (26.2 Miles)
Half Marathon (13.1 Miles)
Quarter Marathon (6.55 Miles)
Mayor's 5K Fitness Run and Walk
5-Person Full Marathon Relay
Kids Marathon

Most beginning marathon training programs are 16-20 weeks long and assume that you regularly run about 20 miles per week at the beginning of the program. At the peak of your training you will build to approximately 40 miles per week with 20-22 mile long runs on the weekends.

Running 40+ miles per week puts a lot of stress on your body. You have to train smart. Training smart starts with a visit to your physician to make sure you are healthy and ready to start training. The second and equally important step you should take is to go to your local running specialty store and get fitted for proper running shoes for your stride. This is very important. Running 40+ miles per week in the wrong kind of shoe will lead to injury. Do not skimp on running shoes. They are your most important piece of equipment.  The Route 66 Marathon recommends Fleet Feet Tulsa or Tulsa Runner for our local participants. Either store can help you find the correct shoes for your running style and help you stay injury free during your training.

After you have built your base of 20 miles per week it is time to start your training program.  You should start your training program sometime in early June for The Route 66 Marathon. If you live in the Tulsa or Oklahoma City areas you should consider joining one of the training groups offered by the local running specialty stores listed below.


Tulsa and Oklahoma City Training Programs

Fleet Feet Tulsa
5968 S. Yale Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74135
918.492.3338

Tulsa Runner 
9708 S Riverside Pkwy, Suite 110
Tulsa, OK  74137
918.494.8800

Fleet Feet Edmond
1040 Waterwood Parkway
Edmond, OK 73034
405.715.3487

Oklahoma City Landrunners


Outside Tulsa and Oklahoma City

Hal Higdon, author of Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide and a contributing editor to Runner's World magazine, now offers online training programs designed specifically for The Route 66 Marathon. Sign up for Hal Higdon's interactive programs and he will send you daily emails telling you what do run that day, also offering tips and advice. His training programs for all distances are free on his Web site.
 
If you want to ask Hal a training question, you can do so by signing up for his Virtual Training Bulletin Board, also free.

Hal Higdon's Online Training Programs

Hal Higdon's Website




If you are from the Tulsa Area you should consider joining The Tulsa Running Club. The running club was established in 1970 and has been growing ever since. The club has more than 850 members. For the Tulsa community, TRC directs or assists in directing seven local races, a track program, aquarunning classes, and hosts seminars related to health and fitness. For members, the club also hosts an annual Winter Banquet, Summer Picnic and produces a monthly newsletter.

We specifically recommend the TRC Track Workouts and Aquarunning programs.


Track Workouts
Tuesdays, 6 p.m. at the TU Track (Sixth and Delaware) Sponsored by TRC, Fleet Feet Sports and University of Tulsa. For information, call 492-3338


Aquarunning
Mondays at 5:45 p.m. The class takes place at the ORU Pool in the ORU Aerobics Center. For information, contact 698-5307 or david-brennan@ouhsc.edu.