Many Austin marathon training programs to choose from

With temperatures in triple digits, it's difficult to visualize running 26.2 miles, and yet it's time to start thinking about it if you want to run in any of the marathons scheduled this winter.

Full marathon preparation takes between four and six months. If you start now, you might shoot for the Texas Marathon in Kingwood, the Miracle Match Marathon in Waco or the Houston Marathon in January.

That might be pushing it. Proper training is important and time-consuming. You want to train effectively, without injury, and you want to do it in a way that is enjoyable and does not conflict with work and family life.

One option is to train with others in a structured format.

There are now about a dozen training programs in the Austin area. Most, if not all of the marathon training programs are based on a core weekly long-run that builds in distance over the weeks, until the trainees can cover 20-plus miles comfortably.

Here is a quick look at three of the programs that are training runners for the Livestrong Austin Marathon in February:

USA Fit Austin, now in its 16th season, starts on Aug. 21 with a 26-week program that caters to runners of all abilities, from "never-run-a-marathon-before" beginners to experienced marathoners looking for some support. The program starts with an orientation, followed by a two-mile run to determine what pace group you should be in.

"It's an easy to follow training program that allows people to have their work life, their social life and their family life and still train for a marathon," says Debra Saleny, who has run 36 marathons, and has coached with USA Fit Austin for all 16 years.

"This is my fourth year training with Austin Fit," says Michelle Lee, 33, a manager at Central Market. "It's a program that makes achieving a marathon very attainable. It's not daunting, and I especially like the camaraderie."

"We've probably gotten 11,000 people across the finish line of the Austin Marathon since the program began," says Saleny.

"If you're shooting for a fast marathon or just a fitness goal, there's a place for everybody," said Lee, who trains in the orange group and usually finishes marathons in about six hours. (See www.austinfit.com ).

Former Olympian Jeff Galloway has a popular 24-week marathon training program that employs a walk-run method, where runners take a walk break every mile. There are two Galloway coaches in Austin.

Will Carlson has a group that started preparing in July for the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon in November.

Mac Allen has started a group preparing for the Austin Marathon. "It's about getting someone from the couch to the marathon," says Allen, who is accepting runners through Aug. 29. "Jeff's method really saves your legs. And it will help runners during the actual race, preventing them from hitting the proverbial `wall.'"

"I think the walk-run method is awesome. When you apply this method you are able to run longer and recover quicker, and as you get older it is a must," says Jeri Cornelius, 46, who has used the Galloway program to qualify for Boston five times.

"I was worried at first, thinking the walk-run method would slow my time down but it hasn't. In fact, I have so much more energy near the end of a marathon, it is just amazing." (See jeffgalloway.com ).

Rogue Training Systems offers a 24-week program starting Sept. 4. Like the other marathon programs, the core workout is a weekend long run that builds in one or two-mile increments to 20-plus miles three or four weeks before a marathon. Rogue offers nutritional advice, injury prevention seminars and biomechanical gait analysis.

"The group dynamic makes it easier for the masses, especially for new folks," says Rogue coach John Schrup. "It's hard to go out and knock out a three-hour run on your own. And having coaches out in the field at the water stops checking on people is a nice boost for novices.

"My group, which is the Boston qualifying group, averages around 9 minute per mile pace, and includes sub-three hour runners and people who would be happy to break five hours." (See www.roguerunning.com ).

Upcoming races

Saturday

• XTERRA Austin Trail Run, 8 a.m. at Emma Long Metropolitan Park. See www.racerevolutions.com .

• Vern's No Frills 5k - Race 17, 8 a.m. at Berry Springs Park & Preserve, Georgetown. See www.runtex.com .

Sunday

• Sweet and Twisted Triathlon (women only), 7:30 a.m. at Pace Bend Park. See www.runtex.com .