Word on the street it for faster cat's that don't want 1/2 marathon or marathon workouts that full steam ahead are doing.  Should be interesting to see if there is anyone going to buy into this track and field club distance wise besides  the same 5 or 7 running central guys/girls distance wise. Plus kids and sprinters and field event people and jumpers.   Alot of people are die heart team steam and ivs marathon training junkies so this program won't hurt the current programs at all!  The IVS programs are a place where fast or slow runners are equally as important and wanted!  I'm just glad it's marathon season!

I didn't go to the meeting because it was held at the same time as Full Steam Ahead.  Is Josh correct with his answer?  It's not for everyone?

I will use an e-mail that Brad Henz provided to someone asking the same questions.
 
To help clarify...
 
The Peoria Area Track and Field Club is a separate entity than IVS.  Our  
program FAST is for any distance.  It is individualized training for  
whatever the participant is doing or wants to do.  As the coach, I am  
putting together weekly training programs for each person depending on  
ability, miles, goals, etc.  T-TH we are not with the IVS.  While we  
will utilize the cemetery, the track, and much of the same running  
areas, as a public place, the two clubs are co-existing on those days.  
Sunday long runs are at the same location because the mentors of FAST  
are also volunteers of IVS, and the PATFC has offered to alternate/help  
with water and gatorade stops.  FAST will have different agendas on all  
days but will be at the same locations.  Initially, Sundays were all  
going to be from Running Central for FAST, but it is to the  
participant's advantage for both the IVS and PATFC programs and their  
participants to share the roads and give everyone even more training  
partners, thus we are doing the same locations.
 
It is vital for our community to grow and it is just as important for  
our running community to grow.  Both organizations will work together to  
promote exercise/fitness/and well being.  I cannot speak for the IVS,  
but the PATFC is based around the USATF.  PATFC's goal to build  
developmental programs to help promote track and field (and ALL its  
avenues), and more importantly the values instilled within track and  
field, to the adults and the youth of Peoria and its surrounding  
communities by specifically joining with Carl Cannon's C.H.O.I.C.E.S  
Youth Outreach.
 
To be a member of the PATFC, there are levels of membership from  
individuals to couples to families.  A couple is $50.  Individual is  
$30.  All members receive a PATFC Mizuno Singlet as well as free  
programs listed on the website.  You can find more info at www.patfc.org
 
FAST is a PATFC program and you must be a PATFC member to do FAST.  Cost  
for FAST is $100 and is 16 weeks of coaching.
 
The Springdale Series is an IVS program.  PATFC is having All Comer  
Track and Field Meets starting at the end of July and alternating  
Wednesday/Tuesday for 6 weeks.  Members of FAST on those Tuesdays will  
be at the Peoria Stadium for the track meets and will use the meet as  
the work out.  I have already scheduled specific distances on the  
Tuesday nights for the FAST group to have longer races...5k/10k.
 
Hope this helps!
 
Brad Henz
Head Coach - F.A.S.T.
PATFC Board Member
309-360-7780

F.A.S.T. stands for Fun And Smart Training.  It doesn't mean you have to be FAST in order to do this.  Again, it is for everyone and tailored toward your individual goals, abilities, mileage, etc.
 
The concept and philosophy are not my own.  I am a graduate of North Central College and ran under Al Carius for four years.  His philosophy of "Run for Fun and Personal Bests" is where the F.A.S.T. methodology and philosophy comes from.  
 
The training schedules will be individualized for 7 days a week for 16 weeks.  Whether your goal is the Chicago Marathon, to PR in your 5k, or get better as an overall runner, the concepts and ideas are to provide coaching based on who you are.  Most coaches understand that what works for one person, may not work for someone else, thus individualized, tailored programs are necessary to help people work on reaching their goals/potential.
 
The contact days are on Tuesday and Thursdays.  Sundays are a long run.  IVS and PATFC will both be having volunteers provide the water/gatorade on Sundays.  T-TH, the groups are separate.
 
If anyone has any questions, feel free to email me at bhenz76@gmail.com or call me at 309-360-7780
 
 

    First, the youth do need mentors no doubt, not argueing with that point. Which me and my wife do by coaching together at st. thomas.  But kids k thru 8 don't need year round running, with a busy life already.  My kids do soccer, swimming and school track starting next year. Variety, not go to pound one sport down their throat. So why slam youth with one sport all year and such a young age.  The high school kids have cross country in fall.  So if I'm coaching xc I dont need my kid running repeats on the track so he's tired come October besides isn't there a Sunday run club for them?  I believe that group seems to have done just fine. If your going after the youth then I would think this track program would run from middle of may thru July.  
  If it's 10k thru marathon training it's  stepping on the current ivs programs toes!  Why have 10k thru marathon if the ivs is already doing this training?  Don't like the workouts or think you can coach them better?  The few fast guys that were at team steam/fall steam won't be there to lead the show. Plus it's 100 coaching fee plus members fee of 30.  Is that a little pricey like those thirty dollar road races?  Race directors get real, what's wrong with 12 to 15 for preregistered and 2 dollars more late fee?  If it's for the inner city kids are they paying that much?  I hope not! But I will say that I hope this program works for the youth end of things.  I take it that the  peoria track club will travel AAU events like state, regionals, and nationals?

My two cents:  back when I was running (instead of attempting to racewalk), I had some ideas about trying to see what I could do in the mile.  This track club idea would be perfect for that.
 
If I didn't already have a goal for 2010, I'd probably start working with this program; however if it is still going next year I'll probably join just to see if I can get some life into these creaky legs.  
 
Just a note:  you've heard of Haile Gebrselassie.  He is currently the only sub 2:04 marathon runner.  He also has run indoor track during off season including 1500 meter races; that sure hasn't hurt his long distance speed.  

I'll take a wait and see approach on this.  My understanding of the initial concept for patfc was for development of youth track and field and more focused training for high school/collegiate runners.  It appears now to be advertising a variety of programs beyond track and field.  Which is fine. But even a casual observer could draw a logical conclusion that there is some direct competition with IVS, whether intended or not.