I spent $150 in March and joined a
marathon training group as a way to motivate myself. The training group -- affiliated with
Brooks shoes -- promised coaching, support, lectures, group runs and a cool singlet.I
feel that I got ripped off.
At the first meeting, the coach -- a stick with giant, vein-popping calves -- sold
me and about 20 others on the benefits of the group. He explained the difficulty of
training solo as we huddled on the steps outside the Georgetown gym where the program was
based.
"Running with a group would take your mind of the miles," he said,
"and it's a great way to meet friends."
Great.
"Our program caters to runners of every speed. In fact, we want you to run
slowly on your long runs and take walking breaks."
I'm sold - I'm not the fastest runner.
"On your long runs, I will skate or bicycle alongside you to coach you on
your running form."
Wow, I'm sold. You can stop now.
"And after each long run, we'll have seminars on how to avoid injuries,"
he said.
I'm sold. Oh, please, cut it out. Here's my money -- take it.
So, I eagerly wrote my check and never saw the man again. Sure, we had our group
runs, but they were led by a personal trainer at the Georgetown gym who was also training
for the race. They went something like this:
* She dared everyone to run as fast as they can and not take walking breaks.
* Everybody starts running.
* I'm left behind and run by myself.
* When I finish, nobody is left around -- including the personal trainer who is
supposed to watch after me.
After several weeks of this, I realized three things:
A) the personal trainer is no coach;
B) I can run by myself for free; and
C) I can run by myself on my own schedule.
I left the Brooks Marathon Training Group, and as you can tell, five months later
I am still bitter about my wasted $150.
