Winter Training 2027
Like summer training, but colder.
NOTE: Registration will open once facility contracts are secured (hopefully by December 1). Space will be limited and new runners must complete the Contact form prior to registration to confirm availability. See the Blog to learn more about the winter program.
Winter Training prepares athletes for the 2027 spring track (or spring XC) season, begins Monday, January 18, 2027, and spans 6-weeks for high school athletes and 9-weeks for elementary & middle school athletes. New runners are welcome to join us at any point in the session (there are no free trials during the winter program). Visit the Calendar for training day details. The tentative Winter Training 2027 schedule includes:
Monday nights at Hudson’s Bay HS, 5:30-7pm, with sprint and distance training being offered.
Tuesday night weightlifting (scheduled time TBD).
Wednesday nights we are at Hudson’s Bay HS or McKenzie Stadium, 5:30-7pm, with sprint and distance training being offered.
Thursday nights we are at Clark for mobility training, Propstra Pool for aqua jogging, or in Foster Auditorium for a seminar (dates TBD). These are FREE seminars - please share this with your children’s school coaches and teams!). Because Thursday includes three options, please see the Calendar to remain updated.
Saturday mornings, 8:45-11am, we begin at Clark on OSC219. If the weather is good, we will finish at the track (Hudson’s Bay HS track). If the weather is intolerable, we will finish in OSC218. If we finish in OSC218, we will bring all of the kids (being picked up) to the Red 1 (and Red 2) parking lot in front of the OSC building. Also, our Sports Medicine seminar is scheduled for Saturday, TBD, and all runners are expected to attend (with at least one parent).
Highlights include:
Sprint, middle distance, and distance training.
Sport Psychology curriculum highlighting topics including: Visualization, Self-Talk, Performance Anxiety Management, Goal Setting, Self-Confidence Building, and more!
Two great education seminars centered around Sports Medicine topics.
Cross-Training in the forms of Yoga, Mobility Training, Resistance Training, Flexibility Training, Agility Training, and Aqua Jogging.
Make life-long friendships through meeting and running with runners from throughout the Vancouver-Portland area.
Winter Training is for athletes in grades 4-12. Runners younger than 5th grade should contact Coach Dave prior to registration to make sure the training is appropriate. All athletes are expected to be excellent listeners and self-managers.
registration OPtions (choose 1 of 3 options)
Join us for an unforgettable off-season training experience! Our comprehensive program includes two evening track workouts, a weekend conditioning day, resistance training, mobility training, a sport psychology curriculum, three seminars, and more! This registration package benefits athletes who plan on attending 2+ sessions per week. Check out the Calendar page to see if this format works for your families schedule. Training type will be predicated on attendance, ability levels, and training history.
Refund note: barring an injury at the fault of a Whisper employee or practice, there are no refunds. If your child cannot attend practice for any reason, there are no refunds. If a facility is closed and Whisper is unable to access the facility (i.e., school closure causing facility closure), there are no refunds.
Why a Runcard?
For the on-the-go families, the Runcard offers an alternate solution to those wishing to train when their schedule allows. Check out the Calendar page to see if this format works for your families schedule. Training type will be predicated on attendance, ability levels, and training history. One Runcard is good for eight practices. Runcard’s expire three months after the first date of use.
Once Winter Training concludes, any remaining sessions on a Winter Training Runcard will be transferred to a standard Runcard at a ratio of 1:1. Example: If your child has four sessions remaining on their Winter Training Runcard, at the conclusion of Winter Training, they will then have four standard sessions remaining.
Refund note: barring an injury at the fault of a Whisper employee or practice, there are no refunds. If your child cannot attend practice for any reason, there are no refunds. If a facility is closed and Whisper is unable to access the facility (i.e., school closure causing facility closure), there are no refunds.
This registration provides access to all training sessions for 365 days from date of purchase. Whisper training includes running training, mobility and Yoga training, aqua-jogging, nutrition seminars, and a sport psychology curriculum, all within a team atmosphere.
Whisper Running typically offers 4-5 training sessions per week during Winter Training and Summer Training sessions. During the spring and fall months, 3-4 training sessions per week will be offered, plus some weekend meets (separate registration fee).
Registration price reflects the runners current grade:
$1,599: Grades 7 and under at the start of a calendar year may train with Whisper year-round.
$1,599: Grade 8 through December 31.
$1,299: Grade 8 starting January 1, training with Whisper until the start of 9th grade XC season, at which time they will train solely with their HS team until their HS season concludes.
$999: All HS-age runners. 9th-11th grade runners may train with Whisper during their off-seasons, which is November-February, and June-August.
This fee only includes training and does not include:
Registration into track & field and cross-country meets, which will be sold separately
Registration into local road races sponsored by Whisper (Lake to Bay)
Travel expenses (food, hotel, airfare, etc.)
Shoes and running apparel
Uniforms & Warm-Ups
Again, this membership is for training only. Training typically spans 50-52 weeks per year.
Full Registration - includes 9-weeks of training for middle schoolers, and 6-weeks for high schoolers. Perfect option for those attending 2+ days per week. Note: HS participants may continue attending cross-training Thursday’s and Saturday’s if their HS team is not meeting, through the end of the MS 9-week session.
Runcard - a la carte style training for kids with outside obligations offering eight training sessions per card, which can be renewed as needed. Perfect for those attending 1-2 training sessions per week.
Annual Training Membership - unlimited year-round training, includes Winter and Summer Training sessions, no Runcard needed. Installments/Payments are accepted. Email Coach Dave to inquire.
Thank you to our AMAZING sponsors!
Training with runners from throughout the region is perfect for working through performance anxiety before the season officially begins.
the work we do
In order to better serve the needs of the vast abilities, interval groups are formed based on the runners current fitness level. This winter, we will have training for both sprinters (100m-400m) and distance runners (400 to 2-mile), with subgroups within the disciplines. Training sessions are for runners between grades 5-12.
cross-training
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned vet, every runner can benefit from cross-training. Cross-training is an essential part of a runners general fitness. We use a variety of modalities, from aqua-jogging and water-based exercises, to more traditional forms of exercise including body-weight exercises and exercises that use kettle bells, barbells, medicine balls, wall balls, ropes, and more!
Aqua-jogging is a therapeutic way to increase ones VO2, work range of motion in all the joints, get a good workout, and train among friends in this low-pressure setting.
Elle & Jamie, teammates at Washougal HS, team up at Whisper for club and Junior Olympic meets.
The social element of whisper
Two important elements in training should always include fun and social. Whisper aims to create an environment for growth beyond being a runner, by cultivating a supportive and safe place for runners to make friends, be themselves, work hard, engage with others, accomplish goals, and have fun! The Ferris Beuller mantra of “Life moves pretty fast…” is on full display at Whisper, where accomplishments and friendships are made on a regular basis.