NOVA offers weekly running events as well as occasional non-running events.
NOVA Track Workouts
The track workout is our main event and occurs every Tuesday evening.
The goal of track workouts is to increase strength, endurance, and speed. The sessions last for about an hour. NOVA provides the coach, who provides and oversees the workouts, advises on running forms, etc. We get, on average, about 20 to 50 people per workout.
Beginning Tuesday, October 18, track will move to Wakefield High School for the winter. Map is here . Please check the weekly newsletter for any last minute changes such as track practice being moved to an alternate location due to an event at the school.
6:15-6:30pm--warm-up
6:30pm--briefing, striders, workout starts
Join us for appetizers, pizza and beer at Pizzaiolo Café on Fern immediately after the conclusion of track.
Track Etiquette:
- Stay in Lane 1 while running and move to Lane 3 & 4 when jogging between intervals or waiting for the next interval to start.
- Pass on the outside and move immediately to the inside once safely past the runner ahead of you.
- Depending on the size of the group, runners may split into up to 3 groups with group 1: fastest runners, group 2: medium-fast to slow runners and a rare, but possible group 3: slowest runners. This allows for proper rest time between intervals, but requires paying better attention to your lane and fellow runners on the track.
- Be encouraging and supportive to your fellow runners, which only requires common courtesy!
- No foul language as it is public school property.
Tempo Runs at Bluemont Park
Every Thursday at Bluemont Park, Arlington (click for map)
Typically, this is a 6-mile run, but distances vary depending on who shows up and where runners are in their training.
The current group of runners averages about a 7:30 to 8:00 minute warm up for the first three miles before dropping to the 6:00 to 6:30 minute pace for the second three miles. NOVA hopes to add a second slower group as soon as we get enough runners participating regularly. Let us know if you want to join the gang at Bluemont Park!
The current start time is 6:00 PM in the Bluemont Park parking lot off of Wilson Blvd and Manchester St.
Long Weekend Runs
Potomac Runners (PR) organizes the Saturday morning long runs. It attracts about 30 to 100 people, generally including all skill levels.
Whereas this is not an official NOVA activity the workouts do provide our members with the opportunity to run with an energetic bunch of folks. Philip Davis organizes this and a series of other runs in the DC area.
Where: Belle Haven Park (South of Alexandria, on the George Washington Parkway), parking lot #3
7:00 meet for group stretch and safety brief - Spring to Summer schedule
7:10am Run Start
8:00am meet for group stretch and safety brief - Fall to Winter schedule
8:10AM Run Start
For More info: http://www.potomacrunners.org
Club Happy Hours
An announcement as to where and when is made through the club emails, ordinarily on Wednesday.
Happy Hour usually starts around 6:00pm and the location varies.
Directions are included with email announcement.
Certain weeks may be skipped if club parties are scheduled or for lack of interest.
Express your interest and pick a site while at Pizzaiolo Cafe on Fern to assure scheduling that week.
Fun Long bike rides with Brunch
This activity is not a set scheduled activity but will be announced ahead of time via email.
The NOVA 5K Races at Bluemont/Road Race Management
NOVA puts on 5Ks in the summer. We have a small cadre of personnel who are trained in organizing and putting on small 5Ks. By putting on races we hope to expand club membership, give back to the community, promote running and fitness, and raise visibility of our club in the area.
NOVA