Frequently Asked Questions
- I just found out about Boston Fit, can I still join?
- I'm not a member, do you allow drop-ins?
- What is Boston Fit?
- Who should join?
- When is the Boston Fit season?
- Where is the training?
- Can walkers participate?
- Are you affiliated with a charity?
- What's the catch? When's the sales pitch for the condo in Palm Springs?
- How did all this come about?
Questions about the program...
- What is an ability-based color group?
- What color group will I be in?
- Why should I run my 2 mile pace finder slower when I can go faster?
- What are the weekly seminars?
- What happens on any given Saturday?
- Who created our schedule?
- Do we get discounts on shoes?
- How can I sign up?
- How much does it cost?
- What is included for the sign-up fee?
- When are the in-person sign-up sessions?
- Where are the in-person sign-up sessions?
- What happens at the sign-up session?
- Can I pay with a credit card?
- Do I have to attend both orientations?
- I can't make it to the first weekend -- should I still sign up?
- Does entry into Boston Fit include entry into the Chicago Marathon?
Questions about the training...
- How much training does this program involve?
- What does 20 on the weekly schedule (during the week) mean? Are we running 20 miles?
- Do I have to be there every week?
- Can we participate in races during training?
- What if I travel during my training? Can I attend other Boston Fit city programs?
- Yes, you can still join Boston Fit?
We are taking registrations through the end of May. Once we are past the registration date we cannot take any new members.[top]
- I'm not a member. Do you allow drop-ins?
Boston Fit does not have a drop-in program. Our all-inclusive membership covers our seminars, medical advice, coaching, and training runs. Visiting members from other USA Fit programs are always welcome![top]
- What is Boston Fit?
Boston Fit is an award-winning 24 week running. This same program, currently being held in close to 42 cities throughout the country with expansions targeted internationally as well, winning rave reviews and growing every year.[top]
- Who should join?
Boston Fit is perfect for anyone who has a desire to challenge themselves, wants to exercise and make new friends, wants to increase their body strength and stamina, wants to look and feel better, or simply wants to get involved in a healthy lifestyle sport - running. Whether you have only dreamed of completing a marathon, half marathon or triathlon, or have done several, this program has something to offer you![top]
- When is the Boston Fit season?
The official Boston Fit season is the six months prior to the fall marathon we are training for. This usually runs from May to October. This is when we hold our seminars and provide training schedules for our members.[top]
- Where is the training?
We begin our season meeting at the American Legion Marsh Post. We will have alternate meeting locations on many of our Saturdays, so please pay attention to announcements, the discussion board, and the weekly email for Saturday locations.[top]Feel free to contact us for directions.
- Can walkers participate?
We regret that our program can not accomodate walkers.[top]
- Are you affiliated with a charity?
Boston Fit is not associated with a charity and you do not need to raise money to participate in this program. Some of our members choose to raise money for a charity, and many find it rewarding, but it certainly isn't a requirement.[top]
- What's the catch? When do I have to sit through the sales pitch for a new condo in Palm Springs?
No catch -- really! Boston Fit is basically a running club and training program. But maybe that's like saying a Mercedes is just a car . We don't sell Amway or real estate in Palm Springs. Boston Fit has members of all shapes and sizes (including folks that probably sell Amway or invest in real estate). But what makes us special is that we all come together to run and share our war stories and our victories. Check out our discussion page for a taste of the camaraderie and support. We hope you'll decide to join our club.[top]
- How did all this come about?
It all began in Houston in 1989 with about 50 runners, 2 guys and an idea that runners needed some guidance and training to achieve their marathon goals.[top]
- What is an ability-based color group?
Boston Fit consists of 5 groups: Blue, Green, Yellow and Red. You will be placed in the group that best suits your training pace. For example, if you train at a 9-10 minute per mile pace, you will be a member of the Yellow group. This system works because it allows you to train with those who are at your ability level.[top]
- What color group will I be in?
Our first weekend runs are 2.7 mile pace finder runs. Your time for the 2.7 miles will place you in a color group. You should run at a pace where you feel you could keep going for a little bit beyond those 2.7 miles. If you couldn't keep running after completing our initial 2.7 mile pace finder then you are going too fast.[top]
- Why should I run my 3 mile pace finder slower when I can go faster?
Simply because you are training for a marathon, not a 2.7 mile race. It may sound like a funny statement to make, but it is so true. Running too fast will seriously compromise your training season. If you find your correct training pace from the beginning you will complete the marathon in less time, you will experience fewer injuries, and you will have a lot more fun.[top]
- What are the weekly seminars?
Each weekend, before the group run, we'll do announcements then hold a 15-20 minute seminar. Topics will all be health and fitness related, and will be led by knowledgeable professionals. After each seminar, you will break off into your color groups for a brief talk and question-and-answer with your coach followed by your group run and will be led by knowledgeable professionals and/or your coaches.[top]
- What happens on any given Saturday?
We run with our groups after each seminar. The seminar will start before our run. After the seminar we usually meet with our color groups for a few minutes to talk with the coaches, ask questions, make plans for the next week, etc. Before the weekend, you will be given the starting time for your color group (available on the website and on our hotline).
[top]
- Who created our schedule?
Our schedule comes from the great folks at USA FIT. Since 1989, they have been training people all over the country just like us. Everybody has a different marathon philosophy, but ours has been tested literally tens of thousands of times.[top]
- Do we get discounts on shoes?
Yes, you do! As a Boston Fit member you will receive coupons for a discounts at Greater Boston Running Company in Lexington.[top]
- You must be kidding. All this for $90?
No, we're not kidding. Isn't it great? Now why don't you do your good deed for the day and tell somebody about Boston Fit?[top]
- How can I sign up?
Signups are open for the 2011 season. You can sign up by in person or online. See our Join Us page for information.[top]
- How much does it cost?
Boston Fit's training program costs only $90 for new members and $75 or returning USA Fit members.[top]
- What is included for the sign-up fee?
[top]
- Ability-based group work-outs and coaching
- Weekly seminars
- Weekly training schedules
- Boston Fit T-shirt
- Discounts at sports apparel stores
- Social activities and more!
- When are the in-person sign-up sessions?
In person sign ups for the Boston Fit 2011 season will be:
[top]- May 7th, 2011 @ 8:00am
- May 14, 2011 @ 8:00am
Remember, you can also sign-up online.
Initially we meet at the American Legion Marsh Post
- Where are the in-person sign-up sessions?
Our sign-up sessions will be at the same location as our weekly meetings.
We meet at the American Legion Marsh Post.
- What happens at the sign-up session?
The sign-up sessions include sign-ups, an orientation seminar, and a 2.7 mile pace finder run which helps place you in the correct ability-based group. Everyone is strongly encouraged to come to both of the orientation/sign-up sessions (Weeks 1 and 2) as the seminars will cover different information. The sign-up session takes approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. Sign ups for the Boston Fit 2011 season will be:
- May 7th, 2011 @ 8:00am
- May 14, 2011 @ 8:00am
Initially we meet at the American Legion Marsh Post.
[top] - Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes, when registration is open we allow payment via credit card if you sign up online. Registrations are open for the 2011 season.[top]
- Do I have to attend both orientation sessions?
If possible, we'd like you to attend both sessions (Weeks 1 and 2). First of all, you're paying for a 24 week program, not a 23 week program. Second, we will cover all the details of how the program works the first week and put you into your groups. Lastly, the content of the first two seminars is different. The first week is information about USA Fit and Boston Fit; the second seminar is a quick overview of Week 1 and then a mandatory session on "Hydration."[top]
- I can't make it to the first weekend -- should I still sign up?
Yes, you should still sign up! We'd like you to attend the first week for the reasons outlined in the previous Q&A, but we know not everyone can make it to Week 1. That's why we have another sign-up the following week. The Week 2 seminar will be a quick overview of Week 1, but we also Assistant Coaches ready to answer any question you have from the previous week (and any seminars that you miss during the season).[top]
- Does entry into Boston Fit include entry into the Marathon?
No, your payment to Boston Fit only covers the cost of your participation in the training program. We are not affiliated with any Marathon in any way, we just train for them! We will provide information about how to sign up for a Marathon.[top]
- How much training does this program involve?
Realizing that most people lead very busy lives, this program is one that can easily fit into your schedule. For the most part, the program calls for running only 4-5 days a week. Your long run will usually take place on Saturday with your group, with the possible exception of a few warm up race events, which are scheduled on Sundays. The day after your long run is always a rest day. During the week, you run for time only (i.e. 30 minutes), not for distance.
[top]
- What does 20 on the weekly schedule (during the week) mean? Are we running 20 miles?
During the week, we run for minutes. So if the schedule says "30" on a Tuesday, you should run 30 minutes. Do this at a comfortable pace unless instructed to do otherwise. On the weekends, we do miles, so the schedule will say 4 miles. Listen to your coaches on how to run these miles each week.[top]
- Do I have to be there every week?
No, many members are unable to make every weekend session. The weekend seminars are important, but you can always ask your coach or running buddies about what you missed. However, those long runs are a lot easier when you're doing them with the group! And in our experience, the success of our members is directly proportional to their ability to attend our weekend training runs and seminars. When you do have to miss a week, check this website for the next week's schedule.[top]
- Can we participate in races during training?
Sure! You certainly don't have to be competitive about it, but it's fun to run in a different place, get a race number, and cross the finish line.[top]
- What if I travel during my training? Can I attend other USA Fit city programs?
Absolutely. USA Fit has programs in almost 42 cities around the country, and you are welcome to attend any USA Fit meeting anywhere.[top]
- Could I win a Marathon?
Of course you could. However, most likely you'll get a nice t-shirt, a finisher's medal, a mug, bragging rites and a lot of cheers from spectators and coaches. And, that my friend IS winning![top]
- What if I want to find out more?
Send us an e-mail at info@bostonfit.net. Thanks![top]
