North Texas

North Texas Marathon and Half Marathon Walk Training Programs

The Team In Training^® (TNT) walk program is open to participants with any and all levels of walking experience and fitness level - from absolute beginners to experienced racers. Within each program participants are divided into groups by preferred walking speed.

Walk Training Program

TNT walk coaches have designed three- to five-month training programs that prepare participants for the target marathons or half marathons. Participants will train and work directly with the coaches at weekly Saturday trainings. Coaches are also available throughout the week to answer training and fitness-related questions.  Additionally, there will be midweek "buddy walks"  led by assistant coaches and other volunteers.

The training program is designed and implemented by professional walking coaches. It consists of daily workout schedules, team workouts every Saturday, clinics on nutrition, proper shoe and clothing selection, speed work, injury prevention, fitness psychology and begins with a Walking Fundamentals Workshop. The program is designed to take walkers from a beginning base of three to four miles and build gradually to 22 miles (for a full marathon) or 14 miles (for a half marathon) over the course of the program, tapering two weeks prior to the event weekend.

Daily workout schedules are provided so participants know how much ground to cover each day. The training program is designed with the busy person in mind. Most weekday workouts are an hour or less, with longer workouts reserved for the weekend. A typical weekly schedule for our walk program includes:

• Six days of walking an hour to an hour-and-a-half on your own time or with a 'buddy' group(focus is on variable pacing and also includes flexibility exercises and stretching)
• Longer, coached team endurance trainings every weekend
• One day of coaches' workouts, focusing on speed work during the middle six weeks of the program
• One rest day

Walk Coaches

The TNT walk programs offers a qualified and dedicated group of walk trainers. Our coaches were selected for their experience, professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm, as well as their devotion to the cause. All have extensive coaching experience and have proven themselves in numerous athletic endeavors.

Mentors and Captains

TNT walk team members will be matched in an approximate 8-1 ratio with a mentor. Mentors are past TNT participants who have successfully completed the training and fundraising program. The mentor will serve as a resource and peer advisor, encouraging team members throughout the training and fundraising season.

In addition to the mentors, participants will also receive support from various team captains. These captains will act as spirit leaders, supply support for coached runs and bring the team Honorees closer to the team throughout the season.

Honorees

TNT members train and raise funds in honor of a local resident who has been affected by a blood cancer. Your honoree becomes your inspiration as you work toward goals that will better both of your lives. 

Location

Walk teams are divided into regional teams throughout the DFW Area. 

• Dallas Walk team trainings are held at White Rock Lake.
• DFW Metro Walk team trainings are held at Lake Grapevine.
• North Cities Walk team trainings are held in McKinney.
• Fort Worth Walk team trainings are held on the Trinity Trails.
• Abilene Walk team trainings are held at Redbud Park.  

Next Step

If you are interested in training with walk teams in the DFW area: 

• Fill out our online Tell Me More form
• Call (972) 996-5942 or
• Email teamintraining_txd@lls.org