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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about USA Fit NYC...
Questions about the program...
Questions about signing up...
Questions about the training...
Other questions...
- It is past the registration date,
can I still join USA Fit NYC?
Although we are still taking registrations until January 24, 2009, once we are past the registration date we cannot take any new members.
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- I'm not a member. Do you allow
drop-ins?
USA Fit NYC does not have a drop-in program. Our all-inclusive
membership covers our seminars, coaching,
and training runs. Visiting members from other USA
Fit programs are always welcome!
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- What is USA Fit NYC?
USA Fit NYC is an award-winning running program consisting of 27 weeks for a full marathon and 13 weeks for a 10K Winter Conditioning Program with other training races in between. These same programs, currently being held in close to 40 cities throughout the country with expansions targeted internationally as well, winning rave reviews and growing every year. USA Fit NYC will begin its 2nd season on Saturday, January 10th, 2009 and Saturday, January 17, 2009 with a final registration on January 24, 2009.
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- Who should join?
USA Fit NYC 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 or have done
several, this program has something to offer you!
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- When is the USA Fit NYC season?
The official USA Fit NYC season is the six months prior to our target marathons such as the ING Georgia Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, and Rock N' Roll San Antonio Marathon. This usually runs from April until November. This is when we hold our seminars and provide training schedules for our members. However, we now have a 10K Winter Conditioning Program to keep you fit during the off season starting in January.
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- Where is the training?
We meet at E 15th Street and Stuyvesant Square just a few blocks East of Union Square. Training locations may vary throughout the season. Any changes will be noted on the schedule.
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- Can walkers participate?
USA Fit NYC does not currently have a walking program. Please contact us if you are interested in a walking program next year.
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- Are you affiliated with a charity?
USA Fit NYC is not associated with a charity and you
do not need to raise money to participate in this program.
There are several good marathon training programs where
raising money for a charity is part of the program. While
these can be effective and rewarding, we realize that it's
not for everyone and may be impossible to do year-after-year.
Some of our members choose to raise money for a charity,
but it certainly isn't a requirement.
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- 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.
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- What is a pace or color
group?
USA Fit NYC consists of 3 groups set by pace: Blue, Yellow, and Red. You will be placed in a group that best suits your training pace. This system works because it allows you to train along side those who are of similar pace.
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- What color group will I be in?
Our first two weekend runs are pace finder runs. Your time run 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
pace run. If you couldn't keep running after
completing our initial pace finder then you
are going too fast.
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- Why should I run my pace finder slower when I can go faster?
Simply because you are training for a marathon, not a short pace run.
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.
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- What are the weekly seminars?
Some of the weekends, 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.
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- What happens on any given Saturday?
We meet at the specified time which will be available on-line
and on our printed season schedules. Please arrive a few
minutes early to sign-in. we will hold a 15-20 min seminar
with a different topic/speaker each week. These too will
be listed on our schedule. After the seminar, we break into our color
groups, get a few updates from our color group coach and
do some light stretches. We then run the prescribed
mileage for that week.
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- 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.
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- Do we get discounts on shoes?
Yes, you do! More information will be available once the season starts.
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- You must be kidding. All this
for $100?
No, we're not kidding. $100 for our 10k Winter Conditioning Program! Isn't it great? Now why don't you do your good deed for the day and tell somebody about USA Fit NYC?
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- How can I sign up?
You can sign up by going to the join us page.
The 2009 program is filling up so ensure your spot.
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- How much does it cost?
USA Fit NYC's 10k Winter Conditioning Training program costs only $100 for new members or $98 for returning members from other USA Fit programs.
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- What is included for the sign-up
fee?
- Ability-based group work-outs and coaching
- Training log
- Information seminars
- Group run with course support.
- On line Weekly training schedules
- USA Fit NYC Tech Shirt
- Discounts at local retailers
- Social gatherings and more!
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- When are the in-person sign-up
sessions?
You can register in person on the orientation days, January 10, 2009 and January 17, 2009 at 10:00 am.
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- Where are the in-person sign-up
sessions?
Our sign-up sessions will be at the same location as our weekly meetings at E 15th Street and Stuyvesant Square just a few blocks East of Union Square.
We will be taking online members til the 26th of May. Online registration remains open for a month from kick-off date.
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- What happens at the sign-up
session?
The sign-up sessions include sign-ups, an orientation seminar,
and a 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. Come
dressed to run!
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- Can I pay with a credit card?
If you wish to pay by credit card, please register online. Otherwise please
bring a check to the registration dates. Full information on registration is available on our Join Us page.
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- 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 13 week program, not a 12 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 NYC; the second seminar is a quick overview of Week 1 and then a mandatory session on "Hydration and Cold Weather Running."
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- 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 have Coaches
ready to answer any question you have from the previous
week (and any seminars that you miss during the season).
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- Does entry into USA Fit NYC
include entry into the marathon?
No, your payment to USA Fit NYC only covers the cost of your participation
in the training program.
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- What's this "Lottery" that I've heard about for the ING New York Marathon?
The ING New York marathon selects participants based on a lottery system. Participation in USA Fit NYC does not gaurantee you entry into the marathon. If you want to run the ING New York Marathon,
you will need to sign up for the lottery by June 1, 2008. Please visit the ING New York Marathon website for more details and to register for the lottery.
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- 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 days
a week. Your long run will usually take place on
Saturday with your group. 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.
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- 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.
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- 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 our website for the
next week's schedule.
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- Can we participate in races during
training?
Sure! We encourage you to participate in races during training. In fact,
we have some local races on our training schedule. These
races are meant as intermediate goals along the way, they are a great way
to practice the race-day strategies that we will teach you, and they are a
lot of fun. You don't have to participate in these races (and race entry fees are not included in your USA Fit NYC membership), but they are good practice.
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- What if I travel during my training?
Can I attend other USA Fit city programs?
Absolutely. USA Fit has programs in almost 40 cities
around the country, and you are welcome to attend any USA
Fit meeting anywhere.
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- Could I win the 10K and/or the Marathon?
Of course you could. Most importantly, you'll get a nice t-shirt, a finisher's medal, bragging rites and a lot of cheers from spectators and coaches. And, that my friend IS winning!
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- What if I want to find out more?
Send us an e-mail at info@usafitnyc.com
or call the USA Fit NYC hotline at 212-214-0476 and leave
us a message. Thanks!
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