Striders training program usually is a spring/summer routine. For the 2025 season, we are starting on February 15th and wrapping up on June 1st with the Dream Mile Half Marathon run.

Striders program is a structured program that will be preparing you for the Half-Marathon from day one. The program prepares runners over a period of 16 Weeks, with 4 runs/walk workouts per week and 2 Strength training sessions/week that form the foundation of the training. The program trains you to use proper Run Posture, Gear and Nutrition with every run. All these aspects set you up to successfully complete the Half-Marathon Injury Free not only for this one, but for all your future ventures. Coaches also share these details in detailed email and documents made available on our App with step by step instructions (mental, physical, gear, nutrition etc).

Vibha Striders focuses on progressive, injury-free, family-knit style group training. In 2022, we also introduced Speed Coaching to increase your running pace and efficiency, A seasoned runner / walker can benefit from the Speed training and deep understanding of the physiology to improve your running efficiency and take your running / walking progressively to new levels.

Yes, the fundamental reason all our volunteers put in hours and hours into this program is to raise funds for the cause we all are passionate about. To that end, it is required to raise your target fundraise amount mentioned during the Registration. We have a dedicated fundraising team who schedule sessions and help setup your fundraising campaign for you that you can customize to your liking and audience and share it on various social media platforms of your choice. The team also offers individual 1:1 advise. Most of our new Striders are new to fundraising but by the end of the program successfully reach their fundraising targets, and often go beyond. Several of our Striders have raised up to to 5x their goal. Striders who choose to donate some of funds themselves, can also avail company-matching funds, from their own company or a friend's/fellow strider's company that offers the same, which counts towards the fundraise goal. In case you itemize deductions in your tax filing, your contribution is tax-deductible (Please consult your CPA to confirm)

We require trainees to be 18 years of age or older.

Typically, it is ok to miss a few days for unavoidable reasons. If you need to miss more than that, please discuss with the Coaches. Also, it is important to not just “make up” for missed sessions by doing additional mileage - if you will miss any session(s), we urge you to talk to our Coaches who can recommend the fastest and safest way to get back on track with the other trainees.

The Dream Mile Race is on June 1st 2025

Speed Coaching, is offered to select trainees who have been walking or running regularly already. Trainees can expect to improve their ease and efficiency of running, an increase in cardiovascular fitness and confidence, and a possible improvement in performance. Our typical Speed Coaching session includes: - Dynamic warmups - Warmup run of a mile around the track - Strideouts - Main workout - Cool down run around the track/on grass if available - Stretching

Strength training focuses on bodyweight exercises for core and overall muscular strength targeted towards walkers and runners. It also covers stretching and foam rolling.

Two, Mondays and Wednesdays over Zoom

Absolutely, you have the option to run with your mentor group or on your own on the same days if possible. If you runs are at different days and times, you may need to ensure you are giving the right gaps per our training schedule, that will give you enough time to recover for your next running/walking/strength training session.

Over Zoom

Yes, we provide recorded videos of the strength training, warm ups and cool downs to do these on your own if you are unable to attend the Zoom/live sessions. We, however, recommend attending these so Coaches can observe and correct your form, as needed.

Our Coaches are available over email and phone for advise on any pain or injuries. Coaches will assess the injury and recommend next steps which might includes some stretches, foam rolling, recovery time off or in more serious cases seeing a doctor. Our focus is on getting every trainee across the finish line injury free but if you do get injured mid-way we will be with you through that.

We conduct nutrition and gear advice sessions, as well as share guides on the topic during the program.

Yes, the final Dream Mile Half Marathon, has it's own registration fee - which in the past year was $99. That fee provides you the signature Dream Mile T-shirt, a Finishers Medal, photography for the event, aide stations support and covers the cost or organizing the event. We typically get a decent Vibha Striders discount on the Dream Mile registration (however this is not guaranteed)

Vibha Striders training is designed to prepare progressively for a Half Marathon. Many of our alumni have gone on to train for full and even ultra marathons. We strongly recommend discussing with the Coaches, towards the end of the program, about your readiness and fitness level to take on training for a full marathon after the program. We partner with other programs that train for a Full Marathon and they offer their program right after our program ends, so you can hop onto that program.