Welcome to a Sneak Peek at the Virtual Training Program!
The Virtual Training Program is designed for runners of all types to complete the Blue Ridge Marathon or Half Marathon. The program is specifically designed to help you conquer the BLUE RIDGE course.
By signing up, you get:
By signing up, you get:
- access to a closed Facebook group where you can interact with other trainees and post questions for the coaches.
- Weekly Skype Sessions with other trainees and the coaches where you can ask questions and get answers. We'll also discuss relevant training topics each week. Sessions are recorded and posted to the private training page so you can catch up on your own time if you're not able to make the regularly scheduled time.
- Weekly Email that focuses on a relevant training topic such as Customizing your training plan, Injury Prevention, Hill Running, Cross Training, Race Day Strategy, and more
- Your choice of one of SIX training plans for your goal race- we have Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced plans, plus beginner Flatlander, Intermediate Flatlander, and Advanced Flatlander programs for each race.
- Training Videos! There are many different topics we cover-from foam rolling to hill running and everything in between. Most importantly, we have an in depth course overview video for both the full and half marathon courses.
- Bonus Content including links, tips, apps that we recommend, and more!
Training Plans
We'll give you a guide to help you select which training plan is right for you. For purposes of this sneak peek, folks running either course should be running at least 10-15 miles per week to use the beginner plans, 15-20 miles per week for the intermediate plans, and at least 25-30 miles per week to use the advanced plans.
Here are samples of the first TWO WEEKS of the intermediate training plans:
Here are samples of the first TWO WEEKS of the intermediate training plans:
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Half Marathon
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Full Marathon
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About the coaches
Matt Bullington
Matt has been an avid endurance athlete for over 20 years. He has completed everything from 5ks to ultramarathons (even a 100-miler!). He placed 6th overall in the inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon and understands the unique approach runners need to take in training for "America's Toughest Road Marathon." He also completed the 2008 Comrades marathon in South Africa, the world's oldest and largest ultramarathon, which is well known for its extremely hilly course, all on the road.
Matt is also an experienced mountain biker, adventure racer, and Ironman triathlete. His many years of experience allow him to understand what his athletes are going through when training and allows him to guide them so they can achieve their goals.
When not training, coaching, or working his day job, Matt and his wife Molly (who happens to be the Race Director for the Blue Ridge Marathon) stay busy keeping up with their 2 children.
Matt has been an avid endurance athlete for over 20 years. He has completed everything from 5ks to ultramarathons (even a 100-miler!). He placed 6th overall in the inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon and understands the unique approach runners need to take in training for "America's Toughest Road Marathon." He also completed the 2008 Comrades marathon in South Africa, the world's oldest and largest ultramarathon, which is well known for its extremely hilly course, all on the road.
Matt is also an experienced mountain biker, adventure racer, and Ironman triathlete. His many years of experience allow him to understand what his athletes are going through when training and allows him to guide them so they can achieve their goals.
When not training, coaching, or working his day job, Matt and his wife Molly (who happens to be the Race Director for the Blue Ridge Marathon) stay busy keeping up with their 2 children.
Matt Manico
Coach Manico is a former NCAA college athlete who has completed multiple marathons and ultramarathons including a 2nd place finish in the 2019 Blue Ridge Double Marathon (and Master's record holder) and a finish in the 2019 Rio Del Lago 100-miler! On several occasions he has placed in marathons and qualified for the Boston Marathon. He works as an oncology Physician's Assistant, also having experience in orthopedics, internal medicine and more.
Coach Manico has also excelled in wrestling (New York State Champion and member of Junior National Team), boxing, power lifting, and yoga. His lifelong involvement in sports and endurance training in conjunction with his 24 years of medical experience are an invaluable asset on our coaching team.
When not working or exercising, Coach Manico and his wife Julie are failing miserably at trying to keep his two beautiful teenage daughters away from boys!
Coach Manico is a former NCAA college athlete who has completed multiple marathons and ultramarathons including a 2nd place finish in the 2019 Blue Ridge Double Marathon (and Master's record holder) and a finish in the 2019 Rio Del Lago 100-miler! On several occasions he has placed in marathons and qualified for the Boston Marathon. He works as an oncology Physician's Assistant, also having experience in orthopedics, internal medicine and more.
Coach Manico has also excelled in wrestling (New York State Champion and member of Junior National Team), boxing, power lifting, and yoga. His lifelong involvement in sports and endurance training in conjunction with his 24 years of medical experience are an invaluable asset on our coaching team.
When not working or exercising, Coach Manico and his wife Julie are failing miserably at trying to keep his two beautiful teenage daughters away from boys!
Molly Bullington
Molly has been running since her mid-twenties and hasn't looked back since. She was turned on to the sport by her then-boyfriend (now husband) Matt. Molly has enjoyed being on the management end of events just as much as being a participant in them. She has both raced and managed adventure races, triathlons, mountain bikes, rogaines, trail and road running races.
Molly was part of the group that founded the Blue Ridge Marathon and has been involved since day one. She was the Assistant Race Director for seven years under the leadership of Ronny Angell and Odyssey Adventure Racing and then moved into the position of Race Director after forming her own race management company, Blue Ridge Racing.
When she's not running or working on races, she enjoys swimming, beekeeping, turkey & deer hunting, and spending time with her husband Matt and two children, Sam (12) and Caroline (11).
Molly has been running since her mid-twenties and hasn't looked back since. She was turned on to the sport by her then-boyfriend (now husband) Matt. Molly has enjoyed being on the management end of events just as much as being a participant in them. She has both raced and managed adventure races, triathlons, mountain bikes, rogaines, trail and road running races.
Molly was part of the group that founded the Blue Ridge Marathon and has been involved since day one. She was the Assistant Race Director for seven years under the leadership of Ronny Angell and Odyssey Adventure Racing and then moved into the position of Race Director after forming her own race management company, Blue Ridge Racing.
When she's not running or working on races, she enjoys swimming, beekeeping, turkey & deer hunting, and spending time with her husband Matt and two children, Sam (12) and Caroline (11).
Kait Pedigo
Kait is a true enthusiast who first came to running through training for the University of Vermont rowing team. Since graduating college, she’s enjoyed running on its own for the pure love of “just covering ground” and exploring new places. She has completed two Blue Ridge Half marathons and enjoyed running other races locally and while traveling to places like Texas and Vermont. She strives to embody the “complete not compete” mentality that encourages runners of all backgrounds to approach the Blue Ridge series and just enjoy the experience.
Kait is the Event Manager for the Roanoke Outside Foundation, a non-profit that serves the Roanoke Region by transforming the way its residents view the outdoors as an asset, putting Roanoke on the map world-wide as an outdoor destination. The Foundation owns and operates the Blue Ridge Marathon, Down by Downtown Music Festival, Go Cross Cyclocross Race, and the GO Outside Festival. Kait also likes to climb, hike, travel, watch baking shows, and is currently on a quest to make the perfect macaron.
Kait is a true enthusiast who first came to running through training for the University of Vermont rowing team. Since graduating college, she’s enjoyed running on its own for the pure love of “just covering ground” and exploring new places. She has completed two Blue Ridge Half marathons and enjoyed running other races locally and while traveling to places like Texas and Vermont. She strives to embody the “complete not compete” mentality that encourages runners of all backgrounds to approach the Blue Ridge series and just enjoy the experience.
Kait is the Event Manager for the Roanoke Outside Foundation, a non-profit that serves the Roanoke Region by transforming the way its residents view the outdoors as an asset, putting Roanoke on the map world-wide as an outdoor destination. The Foundation owns and operates the Blue Ridge Marathon, Down by Downtown Music Festival, Go Cross Cyclocross Race, and the GO Outside Festival. Kait also likes to climb, hike, travel, watch baking shows, and is currently on a quest to make the perfect macaron.
Sign Up Now!
You've read this far, so let us help YOU reach your training goals! Sign up for the Virtual Training Program here: