Training for 2004 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon
- By Doug Kurtis

The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon is 22 weeks away. It's time to start training and make the commitment. For first-timers especially, now is the time to sign up for one of the running store training programs. It will help put a focus on your training and set you up to believe you can do this.

Go to www.detroitfreepressmarathon.com for a list of locations, phone numbers and store Web sites, or call 313-222-6676.

Hansons Running Shops continue to offer marathon training programs created by accomplished marathoners and coaches Kevin and Keith Hanson. Their combined running experience of more than 50 years has given them an unusual perspective on marathon training.

Schedules differ for beginners and veteran marathoners. Each is based on consistency and balance. The training program fee at Hansons is $30, which includes three 1 1/2-hour clinics, group runs three times per week and three group 16-mile training runs. The clinics are offered at all four Hansons locations at 7 p.m. Wednesdays starting May 26 at the Royal Oak and Utica stores and the following week at the Grosse Pointe and Auburn Hills stores.

Running Fit sessions begin the week of June 6 for $80, which includes a dry-release training shirt, store discounts, six clinics, group runs every week and entry into the fall 20-mile training run. Classes are Tuesdays in Ann Arbor, Wednesdays in West Bloomfield and Thursdays in Northville.

Classes are set up for first-timers who want to learn what mistakes to avoid and for veteran marathoners who want to improve. There is an optional run at 6:30 p.m. every week. Class topics include shoes, injury prevention, setting realistic goals, nutrition and mental preparation.

Total Runner is offering a course aimed at first- and second-time marathoners and those looking to improve. Sessions will begin at the Southgate store on June 9 -- 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays with an optional six-mile run at 6:15. The format typically will involve 30-45 minutes of lecture, discussion and questions. At the Southfield store, sessions start June 12.

Join the Running Factory marathon/half-marathon clinic in Windsor for an 18-week program. Before the weekly group run, instructors and special guests offer insights and in-depth talks on training. The clinic begins at 6:15 p.m. June 15. The fee is $64 (Canadian).

Gazelle Sports at three locations in western Michigan has an 18-week program for $95 that includes Saturday long runs, Tuesday threshold training and Wednesday marathon mingles.

At Bauman's Running Center in Flint, almost 800 runners have signed up for the Crim 10 Mile classes at $120. Marathon runners can join and continue after the August race.

Other in-training stores include Runnin' Gear, Playmakers and Runner's Choice

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226