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Better Together: Richmond 8K, Half Marathon, and Marathon

BEST FOR: Anybody who wants to run the 8K, Half Marathon or Marathon in Richmond, Virginia on November 16, 2024, as part of a team.

“Better Together is the only way I want to do races now,” proclaimed participant Sarah J. after her 2023 Better Together marathon finish line, and we couldn’t agree more.

Better Together combines everything that makes Another Mother Runner great: the power of community, a place to show up exactly how—and who—you are, proven training programs, and a collective finish line to celebrate.

Whether you want to bring a friend and run the 8K side-by-side, aim for a PR in the half marathon, or take on your very first 26.2, Better Together turns your training cycle and race day into a team effort.

As you train for the distance of your choice, you’ll have training buddies (either virtual or IRL), regular team meetings to check-in with your coaches and teammates, and the feeling that you’re part of something bigger than the splits on your GPS.

Then, we’ll gather for a celebratory race experience in Richmond, which proclaims itself America’s Friendliest Marathon (and half marathon and 8K) for Better Together. Coincidence? We think not.

TRAINING DETAILS
8K: 12-week program; training begins August 26, 2024
Half Marathon: 15-week programs; training begins August 5, 2024
Marathon: 18-week programs; training begins July 15, 2024

RACE DETAILS: Richmond Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K, November 16, 2024

Register for your race distance, and you’ll receive an email with more details and next steps.

$250.00

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The Details

This special program turns your training cycle and race weekend into an extraordinary + memorable team effort.

We’ll train together, either virtually or IRL, depending on location, as you use the 8K, 13.1, or 26.2 program of your choice. Then in real life on November 16 in Richmond, the Better Together team will cross their respective finish lines—and toast to a team effort.

As part of Better Together, you’ll receive:

⭐ A comprehensive training program that lays out exactly what you need to do. (Strength, prehab exercises, and cross-training sessions included too!)

⭐  The Nutrition for Running: Half-Marathon and Marathon program, a thorough guide with accompanying video + podcast.

⭐ An hour-long group session with a sports nutritionist to help you dial in your optimal nutrition.

⭐  Frequent connection, via Q + A sessions, Facebook, and team meetings with Coaches Jess + Amy.

⭐  An exclusive discount for race registration.

⭐  The momentum and support of teammates during training—and lifelong memories you’ll create on race weekend.

⭐ A shake-out run, plus breakfast and a team meeting on Friday, November 15 with your team and coaches.

⭐ A stocked swag bag (worth $50+!), including your choice of a Better Together tech short sleeve or tank top for training and race day!

You can train for an 8K, a Half Marathon, or a Marathon.
You’ll receive your choice of training program in the second stage of your registration.

Whether you’re bringing a group of pals for the 8K, taking on your first half marathon, or looking for a PR in the marathon, our comprehensive training programs get you ready to cross the finish line with a smile on your face!

All training programs include:
• a variety of runs, including easy run, tempo, intervals, and hill repeats;
• cross-training sessions for low-impact, cardio base-building;
• at-home strength-training circuits to increase running-specific strength;
• a warm-up, prehab circuit for injury prevention; and
• a heart rate zone conversion chart, so if you currently train by heart rate, you can easily execute the workouts.

If you’re running the 8K, you’ll be using a versatile twelve-week program that starts with a long distance run of three miles and offers the opportunity to either run or run/walk your miles.

If you’re running the half marathon or marathon, you’ll have four programs from which to choose; whether you want to have a low-key race day with lots of laughs or push yourself to your edge, we have a program right for you.

HALF MARATHON PROGRAMS: FOUR TRAINING OPTIONS
(more details here)

MARATHON PROGRAMS: FOUR TRAINING OPTIONS
(more details here)

You will receive the training program of your choice during the second stage of your registration;
please register for the Better Together program first, and then you’ll receive a code for your training program.

All your workouts are accessible via a Training Peaks Account. This free training tool will help you chart the nearly daily growth of your endurance base. It also sends you a daily email with your workouts for today and tomorrow so you can plan accordingly.

Teammates are a VITAL part of Better Together; even if you run every mile solo until Richmond,
you’ll feel the support and momentum of Team Better Together with every step.

Before training begins, we’ll gather details about you and your running perspective (optional, of course). If you opt in, we’ll divide you into smaller training groups so you can connect regularly and give each other high-fives for great runs or an assist when motivation wanes. We’ll connect people who live close to each other, as well as athletes who have similar running perspectives and race goals.

Training groups might include:

⭐ Athletes who are doing a race distance for the first time (8K, half marathon, marathon)
⭐ Athletes who use a run/walk training method;
⭐ Athletes who are aiming to PR in their distance (including qualifying for Boston);
⭐ Athletes who are looking for a low-key race day (party in the back!); and
⭐ Athletes who are recently post-partum or coming off of injury.

You’ll also be invited to join a private Better Together club on Strava, where you can track your miles, and a private Better Together Facebook page, where you’ll  find your Better Together army of (funny, empathetic, inspiring) teammates.* You’ll share training tips, stories of good runs and bad, cheer each other on, and push each other out the door.

As you train for your Richmond race, Coaches Jess + Amy will help you
over speed bumps and answer your individual questions.

Not only have they designed every facet of your program from your first step through your finish line, Coaches Jess + Amy, who combined have run over 40 marathons, have also written a weekly newsletter filled with advice and tips that corresponds to your training program.

During your program, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact one-on-one with your expert, empathetic coaches, including:

  • Four live team meeting sessions with Coaches Jess + Amy.
  • A weekly Ask the Coach column on the private Facebook page, where you can comment with anything that’s on your mind. No question is too basic or TMI. (If you’re not a Facebooker, you can email us with your question.)
  • Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Coaches Jess + Amy will be on the ground in Richmond, ready to help you have the best race day ever. On Friday, November 15, the duo will host a shake-out run and team breakfast + meeting. On Saturday, November 16, they’ll be cheering for you from the starting line to the finish line!
Over $50 worth of swag!

Upon registration, you will receive a package stocked with our favorite training essentials including GU Roctane Drink Mix, GU Energy items (two Energy Gel and GU Chews); a pair of blister-banishing Wrightsock running socks; a 2-oz. bottle of Sweat X Odor Eliminator spray; and an AMR sticker for your water bottle or laptop.

You will also receive a code to redeem a Better Together tech tank or tech short sleeve; each item is available in 5-7 color choices and sizes XS-4XL. You’ll receive the top within a week of you making your choice, so you can train in it all summer, then wear it proudly on race day!

(Domestic shipping is FREE for all swag packages. International shipping is not currently available but we invite you to participate in any of our online programs! Just email us at tlamclub@anothermotherrunner.com and we will help you bypass the shipping at checkout.)

WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER

QUESTIONS + ANSWERS

Better Together is a special program that turns an 8K, half marathon, or marathon into a team effort. Running is essentially a solo sport, and if you’ve never been part of a team, you’re in for a big treat. The fulfillment and enjoyment that comes when you’re invested in each other brings a whole new perspective to your running.

Before training begins, we’ll gather details about you and your running perspective (optional, of course). If you opt in, we’ll divide you into smaller training groups so you can connect regularly and give each other high-fives for great runs or an assist when motivation wanes. We’ll connect people who live close to each other, as well as athletes who have similar running perspectives and race goals.

Training groups might include:

⭐ Athletes who are doing a race distance for the first time (8K, half marathon, marathon)
⭐ Athletes who use a run/walk training method;
⭐ Athletes who are aiming to PR in their distance (including qualifying for Boston);
⭐ Athletes who are looking for a low-key race day (party in the back!); and
⭐ Athletes who are recently post-partum or coming off of injury.

In addition, you’ll have plenty of contact with Coaches Jess + Amy, so if you hit a hurdle or need a little boost, they’ll be there to lift you up!

No, but you will receive a code for $15 off your race (8K, half marathon, or marathon).

If you want to use that training program again, no problem. Email us and we’ll get you set up with a code for a discounted price.

Each training program will include a Heart Rate Zone conversion chart, so if you’re familiar with your heart rate zones, you’ll be able to easily execute the workouts integrating your heart rate.

We picked Richmond because it’s a very user-friendly race in an easy-to-get-to spot, and gets rave reviews from previous participants, including Coach Jess.

From the runner side, the course is fairly flat, and the start and finish line are accessible from a variety of nearby hotels. The race has enough runners to feel the momentum, but it’s not overwhelming. From the spectator side, it’s easy to get around and see a variety of runners.

Plus, they call themselves America’s Friendliest Marathon: we can’t argue with that!

You will be able to make one switch of your training program if you pick a plan that’s too ambitious (or not enough), or if you want to switch distances. Please note that you will have to handle the race registration portion with the Richmond Marathon directly if you want to switch race distances.

No. We recommend booking through the race website, but if you need a room, you can coordinate one via the private Facebook page.

Friday, November 15
Morning: We’ll have a shake-out run (time TBD, but likely around 7:30 am) with Coaches Jess + Amy, followed by a light team breakfast and a Q + A session with the coaches and your teammates.

Afternoon: A live podcast with Sarah Bowen Shea at the Richmond expo.

Saturday, November 16
Athletes will meet at a predetermined spot to gather and warm-up, then head off to the races! We’ll have a Better Together tent for you to store your extra stuff and gather afterwards. Coaches Jess + Amy will be at the finish line all morning long, greeting every finisher with a high five and hug!

Two of the strength routines include resistance bands, so if you’d like to purchase those, that would be a good investment. (Hello, hip stability!)

Within a few weeks of registration, every participant in a Train Like a Mother program receives a stocked swag package with some of our favorite training essentials. Domestic shipping is now FREE for all merchandise and training swag packages.

We are no longer able to ship internationally, including to Canada. That said, we invite all international runners to participate in any of our online programs! Just email us at tlamclub@anothermotherrunner.com and we will help you adjust the price and bypass the shipping at checkout.

We definitely want this to work into your life and your running lifestyle. You can email us within two weeks of starting the program and we will set you up with another plan or a partial credit for an upcoming program. We will not be able to issue a straight-up refund.

With a smart training plan, doable strength training, and advice on foam rolling and other self-care, we’re going to do our best to keep you injury-free. That said, if you have an injury or illness that totally slays your training, let us know within two weeks. We’ll work with you to get you a partial credit for an upcoming program.

A BETTER TOGETHER RACE REPORT

Listen to the November 7 edition of Many Happy Miles, which features Better Together runners Sarah Jensen and Linda Bahnson, who completed the Indy Monumental Marathon together as a protege and mentor, respectively. The pair share how their race went, plus the perks of having a built-in training and racing buddy.

Additional information

Race Distance

8K, Half Marathon, Marathon

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