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We’re supporting you!
We have all been affected by the highly contagious COVID-19 virus. Our races have been cancelled and we are feeling disappointed, lost and rather numb by the unknown situation.
Without a doubt, exercise is the one key factor that will get us through this crazy time. It will help with stress, anxiety, mental health, physical health… including boosting our immune system.
To support our BEXI community, we have created a few 8-week training programs which gives you the opportunity to train on your own; or with us in the great outdoors (applying social distancing, of course!). These programs include 3 x ‘non-event’ events during the course of the training – with the grand finale at the end.
We’ve planned some super-fun ‘non-event’ events that include road running and trail running. They will be challenging, but more importantly – these events will give us a sense of purpose, a goal 8-weeks to have fun training with your buddies (or on your own).
| If you’re looking for a FREE training program to keep you focused over the next 8-weeks, choose from the following: |
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Our aim is to keep you training – so that you have a purpose, are happy and stay healthy (physically and mentally). Stay safe. Look out for each other. Community is everything.
SMH Half-Marathon – Sun 17 May 2020
Join us for a beautiful Sunday morning run as we take part in one of Australia’s largest running events – the SMH Half Marathon on Sun 17 May 2020. Bring a friend and take in the sights of Sydney – incl. Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens and much more.
The event is inclusive for everyone! Bring your buddy and enter the relay distance – 11km for 1st runner and 10km for 2nd runner. By inviting a friend to train with you, not only will you have someone to motivate you – you’ll also have someone to push you harder, hold you accountable and… importantly, have a laugh throughout your 12-week journey.
About our Program
Our 12-week training program starts on Sat 29 Feb 2020 and focuses on supporting those who are training for the relay or the half-marathon events. We train together as a team – as this offers greater team camaraderie and higher levels of motivation. Our comprehensive training program is structured around face-to-face coached sessions – ensuring you are supported every step of the way and progress injury free.
Run training consists of 3 x weekly group training sessions, which take place on the Northern Beaches. Our long runs rotate among various locations – which keeps things fresh and interesting.
| * BONUS! When you sign up for our SMH Half-Marathon program, you are invited to join our Strength-FIT training for the duration of the training program. |
Who is this program for?
- You want to experience the atmosphere and take part in the relay
- You want to try a half-marathon for the first time
- You want to improve your previous half-marathon
- You want to train with friends and have fun getting fit
What is included?
- 12-week online training program (with Training Peaks)
- 35-plus x coached sessions
- Access to weekly Strength-FIT training*
- Mental skills and strategies
- Race nutrition and recovery
- Motivational support
- Access to private online forum
- Membership of a supportive, like-minded Community
- Glass of bubbles at the finish!
What is excluded?
Program Prerequisites
We are committed to supporting and encouraging all who participate in our programs, whilst keeping the health and safety of our members a priority. Please view our program prerequisites for a guideline of our baseline requirements, or speak to Debbie Solms about your journey.
About our Coaches
Our qualified coaches bring a vast level of experience in the sport of endurance running and strength & conditioning. Between them, they have completed ultra-marathons, marathons, half-marathons, trail marathons and much more.
Your Investment Options
- Gold Membership – $55/week across 12-weeks (29 Feb to 17 May 2020)
- Access to all the above coached sessions
- Program based on 12 x participants (subject to numbers)
SMH Half-Marathon 2019
Orange Running Festival: 3 March 2019
Join us for a wonderful weekend away in the renowned food and wine region of Orange. Enjoy the stunning autumnal colours and cool climate as we take part in the Orange Running Festival – a scenic, fast, undulating run course.
The 2019 Orange Running Festival offers a fabulous event catering for all ages and abilities – from the 2km dash for kids, to the marathon distance for the more experienced runner. The country atmosphere from the friendly local community, makes this event very inviting and super-friendly. We love it!
About the Program
Our 11-week program focuses on the Half-Marathon distance, commencing Mon 10 Dec 2018. You will receive an online periodised training program via Training Peaks, which will be updated on a weekly basis. This will enable us to provide individual plans that best suits your needs and goals. We train together as a team, as this offers encouragement, motivation, accountability for showing up and a great sense of camaraderie between fellow running buddies. Starting with building a solid foundation, we then incorporate strength, speed and endurance training into the mix. Our goal is to ensure you are at the start line in peak form, ready to achieve your personal goal.
New this year! You choose the number of weekly coached sessions you would like to attend – based on your availability. From interval sessions, tempo training, long runs, strength & conditioning, pilates, yoga and much more. As a recommendation, we encourage you to attend a minimum of 3 x coached weekly runs sessions – as this will keep you focused, injury free and progress your cardio fitness. You can then choose any additional coached sessions to complement your run training.
Recommended Weekly Training Schedule
- Mon: Strength – to build muscle strength and to protect your joints from injury
- Tue: Run Intervals – to develop aerobic capacity, speed, strength & stamina on the run
- Wed: Foundation run (own training) – to develop aerobic capacity, enduring and running efficiency
- Thu: Run Tempo – to develop aerobic capacity, speed, strength & stamina on the run
- Sat: Long Run – to build running endurance, strength & stamina
Choose additional coached training sessions based on your availability.
What is included?
- 11-week online periodised training program
- Wide range of face-to-face coached sessions
- Mental skills and strategies
- Race nutrition and recovery
- Race tactics and guidance
- Monthly face-to-face program review meetings
- Analysis and feedback on training data
- Race weekend logistics
- Motivational support
- Access to private online forum
- Membership of a supportive, like-minded Community
What is excluded?
About our Coaches
Our qualified coaches bring a vast level of experience in the sport of endurance running. Between them, they have completed ultra-marathons, marathons, half-marathons, trail marathons and much more.
Your Investment Options
Our GOLD Membership of $50 per week will give you access to all the above, plus additional unlimited weekly group training.
Alternatively, our Race-FIT Membership of $42 per week total ($462) will give you access to 3-weekly run sessions (Tues, Thurs & Sat) across the 11-week program.
View our full list of membership package options.
Save the date – training starts Mon 10 Dec 2018
Sydney Running Festival 2018 – 16 Sept 2018
Run one of the world’s most scenic running event in the world! Taking in the iconic Harbour Bridge and finishing at the stunning Sydney Opera House.
The Blackmores Sydney Running Festival is our most popular training event on the race calendar. We love it because it offers a truly spectacular race course – from running across the Harbour Bridge, through the historical Royal Botanic Gardens, around the gorgeous Centennial Parklands, and finishing on the steps of the archetypal Sydney Opera House.
Regularly voted as one of the most beautiful cities in the world – this event is definitely one for your bucket-list!
We are delighted to be offering face-to-face training programs to prepare you for this amazing event. Distances vary across the Marathon 42.2km, Half-Marathon 21.1km and the Bridge Run 10km. Each program starts with building a solid foundation, we then incorporate strength, speed and endurance. Our end-goal is to ensure you are at the start line in peak form, ready to achieve your personal goal.
Race Distance |
Program |
Training Starts |
| Marathon 42.2km | 16 weeks | 26 May 2018 |
| Half-Marathon 21.1km | 12 weeks | 23 June 2018 |
| Bridge Run 10km | 8-weeks | 21 July 2018 |
Training Programs – Marathon & Half-Marathon
Our programs are built around 4 x weekly face-to-face coached training sessions. We start with building a solid foundation, we then incorporate strength, speed and endurance. Our end-goal is to ensure you are at the start line in peak form, ready to achieve your personal goal.
NEW! We are 100% committed to supporting your journey – as such, we are thrilled to be offering you a FREE strength & conditioning program included in this package. Weekly sessions will focus on functional conditioning movements designed to increase your muscle strength, power and endurance.
We train together as a team, as this offers encouragement, motivation, accountability for showing up and a great sense of camaraderie between fellow running buddies. Training programs are prepared in periodised blocks and provided via Training Peaks. This allows us to provide individual plans that best suits your needs and goals, as well as giving us the feedback and analysis tools we need.
Our qualified coaches bring a vast level of experience in the sport of endurance running. Between them, they have completed ultra-marathons, marathons, half-marathons, trail marathons and much more.
Weekly Training Timetable (Mon to Sat) – Marathon & Half-Marathon Programs
(view landscape or on desktop/laptop)
Mon |
Tues
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Thur |
Sat
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Strength |
Run – Intervals |
Run – Strength |
Run – Endurance |
| 5:45-6:30am, Narrabeen |
5:45-7:00am, Collaroy |
5:45-7:00am, Collaroy |
5.45am-8:00am, Various |
| Coached conditioning program focuses on strengthening muscles and joints to help improve athletic performance. | Coached run session focusing on technique, speed and stamina. | Coached run session focusing on technique, strength and stamina. | Coached run session focusing on technique, stamina and endurance. |
What is included for Marathon & Half-Marathon Programs?
- Periodised training plan based on your race distance (12-16 weeks)
- 4 x weekly face-to-face coached group training sessions – conditioning, speed, strength & endurance
- NEW! Strength and conditioning program
- Analysis and feedback on training data
- Goal setting
- Mental skills and strategies
- Race nutrition and recovery
- Race tactics and guidance
- Monthly face-to-face program review meetings
- Race weekend logistics
- Motivational support
- Access to private online forum
- Membership of a supportive, like-minded Community
What is included for 10km Bridge Run Program?
- Periodised training plan based on your 10km distance (8-weeks)
- Weekly face-to-face coached group training sessions (Sat 8.30am) – conditioning, speed, strength & endurance
- Goal setting
- Race nutrition and recovery
- Race tactics and guidance
- Race weekend logistics
- Motivational support
- Access to private online forum
- Membership of a supportive, like-minded Community
What is excluded?
Your Investment |
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Race Distance |
Investment |
Instalments |
Register |
| Marathon 42.2km | $480 | 3 x $165/pm | Register now! |
| Half-Marathon 21.1km | $400 | 3 x $135/pm) | Register now! |
| 10km Race-FIT | $220 | 2 x $115/pm) | Register now! |
“When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible!”
Blackmores Sydney Running Festival 2017
The run that’s for everyone! Join your family for the 3.5km Family Fun Run, or join forces with your running buddy for the newly certified 10km Bridge Run. Take it to the next level and sign up for the Sydney Half Marathon, OR… if you’re looking for a pretty damn special goal, commit to the Sydney Marathon.
Whatever your goal, we’ve built face-to-face training programs to support you take on the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival on Sun 17 Sept 2017. The course is flatter, faster, takes in the iconic Harbour Bridge and finishes at the stunning Sydney Opera House.
Our community is built on supporting each other achieve our goals. We surround ourselves with like-minded friends who motivate and inspire us along the way. Our programs are tailored to start where we’re at, progressing gradually – with the key goal to get us to the start line in full fitness and injury-free.
Our Programs |
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| Race Distance | Training Program | Training Starts |
| Sydney Marathon 42.2km | 16 weeks | 27 May 2017 |
| Sydney Half-Marathon 21.1km | 12 weeks | 24 June 2017 |
| Sydney Bridge Run 10km | 10-weeks | 08 July 2017 |
Our Training
Our programs are built around 3 x weekly coached training sessions focusing on speed, strength and endurance. We train together as a team, as this offers encouragement, motivation, accountability for showing up and a great sense of camaraderie between fellow running buddies. Training programs are prepared in periodised blocks and provided via Training Peaks. This allows us to provide individual plans that best suits your needs and goals, as well as giving us the feedback and analysis tools we need. Our aim is to progresses you gradually, so that you train safely and without injury.
What is included?
- Periodised training plan based on your race distance
- 3 x weekly face-to-face coached group session – speed, strength & endurance training
- Analysis and feedback on training data
- Goal setting
- Mental skills and strategies
- Race nutrition and recovery
- Race tactics and guidance
- Motivational support
- Access to private online forum
- Membership of a supportive, like-minded community
What is excluded?
- Race entry fee
- Travel, accommodation and meals
- BEXI technical race singlet
OUR COMMITMENT! We are 100% committed to making sure you line up on the start line feeling fit, healthy and injury-free. Which is why we are offering participants of this program, the option of joining our Strength-FIT program for the reduced price of only $12 per session. Commit to a 10-week Strength-FIT program for only $120 (vs $200 as standalone program).
Your Investment |
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| Program | Investment | + Strength-FIT |
| 42km Race-FIT | $420 (3 x $145/pm) | $540 (3 x $182/pm) |
| 21km Race-FIT | $360 (3 x $125/pm) | $480 (3 x $162/pm) |
| 10km Race-FIT | $300 (2 x $155/pm) | $420 (3 x $142/pm) |
Sign up for Sydney’s iconic running festival – REGISTER TODAY! |
Australian Running Festival 2016
Our first coached program of the 2016 season is the Australian Running Festival in Canberra on 9th-10th April 2016. We love this race – Canberra offers cooler temps, autumnal colours, iconic buildings, great atmosphere and an awesome course.
We’ve planned three training programs for this event:
| Distance | Program Duration | # Coached Sessions | Starts |
| 42km | 50km | 16 weeks | 32 sessions | 19 December 2015 |
| 21km | 12 weeks | 24 sessions | 16 January 2016 |
| 10km | 10 weeks | 20 sessions | 30 January 2016 |
Training
Our programs are prepared in blocks and provided via Training Peaks. This allows us to provide individual plans that best suits your needs and goals, as well as giving us the feedback and analysis tools we need. You will be able to log your workouts, analyse your pace, heart rate, power and other useful performance data.
Each program will be based on 3 x quality runs per week and 2 x cross-training sessions. We will meet twice p/week to train as a team – endurance run (Sat) and interval training (Tue). The additional tempo run will be done at a time that is convenient to you. All our training is done in a friendly, supportive and encouraging environment.
What is included?
- Periodised training plan based on your distance (10-16 weeks)
- Face-to-face coached group session for two quality runs (endurance run and intervals)
- Analysis and feedback on training data
- Goal setting
- Mental skills and strategies
- Race nutrition and recovery
- Race tactics and guidance
- Race weekend logistics
- Motivational support
- Access to private Facebook page
- Membership of a like-minded Community
- Discounted BEXI race singlet
What is excluded?
- Race entry fee
- Travel, accommodation and meals
What is cost?
| Program | Cost |
| 10km Race-FIT | $300 |
| 21km Race-FIT | $340 |
| 42-50km Race-FIT | $370 |
| Race-FIT participants can upgrade to our Unlimited 2 Term package to benefit from additional discounts. Total cost can be split into 2-3 x monthly instalments. |
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This Girl is not for Quitting!
Felicity Douglas is one very gutsy and determine lady! A mother of 4 x very active teens, a wife, a business owner, an inspirational BEXI (Beauty of Exercise) runner… and also someone who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Her world was rocked 10yrs ago when she was diagnosed, but with the support of her family, friends and a fiercely ‘I-will-succeed’ attitude – Felicity has gone on to accomplish a huge number achievements in her life.
Below is Felicity’s recent account of her awesome PB at the SMH Half-Marathon:
Early Sunday morning I lined up for the SMH Half Marathon. The race had been a long time coming! I had commenced training with the Canberra Race-Fit crew in January but had not traveled to Canberra.
Training had been a mixed bag, full commitment is hard with 4 kids and work, but you need to accept that you can only do what you can. I love the Race-Fit training and was very inspired by the other BEXI Runners. I lined up in the Blue (fast) start – this was ambitious, but starting in the slower group the previous year proved frustratingly slow.
After a fast start… I was feeling fantastic and confident of a great time until I hit about the 12-14km mark. The quick start and the hills then caught up with me. I was hitting the wall – and literally had to repeat my mantra “one foot after another”. I didn’t give up… much as I wanted to. Other runners were very encouraging.
About 2km to the finish I was almost at a crawl. I stopped to ‘reset’ – stretching my arms in the air. A fellow runner called out “go on you can do it”… I took off to finish my race on my terms. Stumbling across the line into the arms of 2 first-aiders… but not before stopping my watch at the credible 1:52 time (7:30min PB!). The poor fellows were dumbstruck that I was more interested in my PB than being able to stand up!
I want to remind you all that so much of your race is in your head. I was aiming for a pleasant sub-2hr half-marathon but went all-out when I felt great on the day. Thank you Debbie and my fellow BEXI Runners for all the support and training. Love the BEXI support network!
Now bring on Gold Coast Half-Marathon! They tell me it’s flat and I now have a sub 1:45 to chase.
Felicity Douglas
1:52 Half-Marathoner
Inspirational BEXI RunnerSMH Half-Marathon
My first Half-Marathon
From nursing a broken fibula in 2014, to standing on the start-line for her first ever half-marathon on Sun 12 April. Amanda Green, our most humble and modest Beauty of Exercise (BEXI) runner, took to the start line of the half-marathon at the recent Australian Running Festival in Canberra. Forever shying away from races, Amanda was encouraged by her BEXI buddies to join them for the Canberra Half-Marathon. From the very start, Amanda committed 100% to her training program and soon started to shine as a star-runner. We proudly followed her every progress and could not wait to cheer her on come race day.
Below is Amanda’s account of her journey to the start-line of her first half-marathon:
As I awaited the sound of the horn to start this year’s Australian Running Festival, I could not help but wonder…. how did I end up here? This was my first ever half marathon, something I had never even considered doing this time last year, so how was it that I was standing at the start line and I actually felt good? The answer came easily, pure and simple, the support.
I recall the first training session Debbie organised for us. As always, she had brought together a lovely group of kind, funny, caring, supportive, interesting and entertaining people with whom it was a pleasure to spend time with. From the moment I rocked up I felt welcome and at ease and knew the 12 week preparation would be comprehensive, professional and nurturing. Needless to say, as the weeks passed I was not disappointed with the level of commitment and support from the BEXI community.
Surprisingly, as the distances for the training increased so did the smiles, although they were more grimaces when it came to the interval training. Yes, how could we forget the gruelling interval sessions which challenged us each week yet somehow we all managed to dig deep and surpass what we thought were unachievable times. Despite having different goals the camaraderie grew stronger to the point we had to tone down our enthusiasm and vocal support for one another to avoid noise complaints.
Of course, injury did not escape us but was handled sensibly. Massage became a common word and the online discussions about nutrition, injury prevention and running accessories were both helpful and entertaining. Those in the group with previous experience in half marathons and marathons graciously gave their time to share their experiences, encourage others and manage anxiety.
So, by the time I found myself in Canberra enjoying dinner together as all of our families got to know one another more, I think we were all feeling good. Our families clapped and cheered as much as we did as Debbie showed the beautiful clip that she and Liza had so thoughtfully organised. The footage reinforced the important role our running buddies play, especially on the tougher days when we are challenged with injury, extreme weather conditions, illness, exhaustion and the myriad of daily life experiences that running lets us process.
So, as I awaited the start along with my BEXI buddies, I felt so grateful to be exactly where I was and thought of my BEXI buddies who were not able to race that day, but were with us in spirit and spurring us on from near and afar. Oh and who at that moment popped up in the crowded sideline, none other than the incredibly talented, supportive and stoical Liza. The woman is the epitome of BEXI!!! I smile, wave and breathe as Debbie joins Liza to cheer us on and I think of all the BEXI community lining the streets today to cheer us Canberra BEXIs on, our families and of the marathoners already running. With a hoot of the horn the crowd surged forward and I smiled as I knew I could and I would.
Amanda Green
1:44 Half-Marathoner
(25th in age-group – top 8%)