Houston Fit :: Marathon and Half Marathon Training Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Houston Fit...

Questions about the program...

Questions about signing up...

Questions about the training...

Other questions...

It is past the registration date, can I still join Houston Fit?

Although we are still taking registrations for the Winter Program through July 31, 2012, 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?

Houston Fit does not have a drop-in program. Our all-inclusive membership covers our seminars, medical advice, coaching, and training runs/walks. Visiting members from other USA FIT programs are always welcome!
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What is Houston Fit?

Houston Fit is an award-winning running and walking program. This same program is currently being held in over 50 cities throughout the country, with expansions targeted internationally, winning rave reviews and growing every year. Houston Fit currently offers three programs year round, so there is always a way to join us!

Our Spring Fit program consists of 5k and 10k programs for runners/walkers of all levels as well as spring marathon and half marathon Training for experienced runners/walkers.
Our Fall Program begins in May of each year and offers training for fall marathons and half marathons occurring between September and November.

Houston Fit will begin its 2012/2013 Winter Program on Saturday, July 7, with a final on-line registration on July 31, 2012. This is a 28 week program geared toward those training for the Houston Marathon/Half Marathon and the USA Fit Marathon/Half Marathon in January.
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Who should join?

Houston 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 or walking. Whether you have only dreamed of completing a marathon or a half marathon or have done several, this program has something to offer you!
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When is the Houston Fit season?

The main Houston Fit season is the six months prior to the Houston Marathon/Half Marathon. This is when we hold our seminars and provide training schedules for our members. The season runs from July until March of the next year to allow runners to also train for the USA Fit, Austin, The Woodlands and other marathons around that time. We also offer a program to train for Fall marathons, which begins in May and runs through November of each year, to train for New York, Chicago, Marine Corps and San Antonio marathons/half marathons.
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Where is the training?

Our Spring and Fall programs typically meet for training runs at Luke’s Locker on West Gray.
The Winter Program meets at Memorial Park on South Picnic Lane. Click here to view of map of the location. Or, feel free to contact us for directions.
You will need to sign up for the newsletter on the Houston Fit main page to get detailed information on times and locations that the various groups meet.
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Can walkers participate?

Walkers are welcome! We have a wonderful walking/running program for those with a 13:45+ pace that will help get you ready to complete your race. We have walkers of all speeds who have competed in the USA Fit Marathon & Half Marathon Marathon. Some of our participants had never walked more than a mile or two. We welcome everyone from the couch potatoes to racewalkers and powerwalkers. Our walkers last year included people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and even 70s.

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Are you affiliated with a charity?

Houston Fit 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 over 22 years ago 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 an ability-based color group?

Houston Fit consists of 10 groups: ATP (advanced training program), PRx (Pace Based Training), Green, Yellow, Red, and Purple (walkers/runners of 13:45+ pace), 5/1 Group (run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute) a Half Marathon Group and a Fall Marathon and a Fall Half Marathon Group. 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.
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What color group will I be in?

Our first two weekend runs we will have pace placement runs/walks of approximately one miles. Your time for the 1 mile will place you in a color group. You should walk or run at a pace where you feel you could maintain beyond the one mile. If you couldn't keep walking or running after completing our initial 1 or 3 mile pace finder then you are going too fast.
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Why should I walk or run my 1 or 2 mile pace finder slower when I can go faster?

You are training for a distance race, not a one mile race. Walking or running too fast will seriously compromise your training season. If you find your correct training pace from the beginning you will complete your race 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?

For the first few weeks, we hold a 15-20 minute seminar following the long run/walk. Topics will all be health and fitness related (hydration, nutrition, proper running shoes and clothing, injury prevention), and will be led by knowledgeable professionals.
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What happens on any given Saturday?

We run or walk with our groups and then do a core workout before each seminar. The seminar will start at 8:00 am every Saturday, so our goal is to have all the color groups finished before 8:00 am every Saturday.
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Who created our schedule?

Our schedule comes from the great folks at USA FIT. For over 23 years, 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! As a Houston Fit member you will receive a coupon for a discount at Luke's Locker and Koala Health & Wellness Center.
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You must be kidding. All this for $130?

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 Houston Fit?
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How can I sign up?

Signups are open for the 2012 season. You can sign up by visiting our Join Us page.
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How much does it cost?

Houston Fit's Winter Program, a 28 week training program, costs only $130 for new members and $100 for returning USA Fit members and $155 for ATP members.
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What is included for the sign-up fee?
- Easy to follow training schedules for all ability groups
- Weekend ability-grouped runs/walks
- Experienced, CPR certified Coaches for support and guidance
- Sports Medicine professionals on site
- Weekly informative newsletters
- An exclusive Houston Fit t-shirt
- Social events
- Frequent educational seminars
- Great discounts at Luke's Locker, one of our super sponsors
- Exciting and helpful on-line discussion forum to stay in touch with Coaches and fellow Fitters
- A non-competitive environment
- Camaraderie
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When are the in-person sign-up sessions?

In person sign ups for the Houston Fit 2012 season will be:
Fall Training Programs—trains for Chicago, New York, Marine Corps, San Antonio marathons
- May 1, 2012 at Luke's Locker @ 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
- May 9, 2012 at Luke's Locker @ 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Winter Training Programs—trains for Chevron Houston marathon, Aramco Half Marathon & USA Fit Marathon & Half Marathon Training Programs and others
- June 26, 2012 at Luke's Locker @ 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
- July 5, 2012 at Luke's Locker @ 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
- July 7, 2012 @ Memorial Park @ 7:00 a.m.
- July 14, 2012 @ Memorial Park @ 7:00 a.m.
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Where are the in-person sign-up sessions?

Our sign-up sessions (other than Orientations at Luke’s Locker) will be at the same location as our weekly meetings. Click here to view a map.
What happens at the sign-up session?

The sign-up sessions include sign-ups, meet our awesome coaches and sponsors, an orientation seminar, and a 1 mile pace finder run or walk 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 Houston Fit 2012 season will be:
- July 7, 2012 @ Memorial Park @ 7:00am
- July 14, 2012 @ Memorial Park@ 7:00am
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Can I pay with a credit card?

You can pay by credit card if you register online. In person registration is by check or cash.
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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 28 week program, not a 26 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 Houston Fit and USA FIT; the second seminar is a quick overview of Week 1 and then a mandatory session on "Hydration and Warm 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 an army of Assistant 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 Houston Fit include entry into the Chevron Houston Marathon or Aramco Houston Half Marathon?

No, your payment to Houston Fit only covers the cost of your participation in the training program. We are not affiliated with the Chevron Houston Marathon or Aramco Houston Half Marathon in any way, we just train for it! For information, go to www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com.
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If I am a member of Houston Fit one season and go to join another USA Fit program in another city the next season, or vice versa, am I considered a returning member?

Yes, absolutely.
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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 or walking only 4 days a week. Your long run or walk will usually take place on Saturday with your group, with the exception of the three Houston Marathon warm-up series events, which are scheduled on Sundays. The day after your long run/walk is always a rest day. During the week, you run or walk 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 a time segment. So if the schedule says "30" on a Tuesday, you should run or walk 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.
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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/walks 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/walks and seminars. Check this website for the next week's schedule.
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Can we participate in races during training?

Sure! In fact, we encourage you to participate in at least one “warm up” race before your marathon or half marathon. This will prepare you for your big race day at the end of the program.
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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 over 50 cities around the country, and you are welcome to attend any USA FIT meeting anywhere.
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Could I win the Houston Marathon?

Of course you could. However, most likely you'll get a nice t-shirt, a finisher's medal, bragging rights and a lot of cheers from spectators and coaches. That IS winning!
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What if I want to find out more?

Send us an e-mail at info@houstonfit.com. Thanks!
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