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Labor Day Weekend: 2 Unofficial runs on Saturday Posted on 08/25/08 Since this Saturday, August 30 is part of the holiday weekend there is no official run this Saturday.
I hope those of you without vacation plans can make... Read More August 23: 7AM Oaks Posted on 08/20/08 We'll meet at the regular spot at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park in Oaks.
Meeting time: 7AM
Seminar topic: core workouts Read More Aug 16: Forbidden Drive 7 AM start Posted on 08/12/08 This week we will be running at Forbidden Drive near Chestnut Hill College.
Meeting time: 7 AM
This is a week where we're all... Read More Aug 9: meeting 7AM Posted on 08/05/08 Location: Lower Perkiomen Valley Park at Oaks
Start Time: 7 AM
Same time, same place guys! This is a big day for a lot of people: half-marathon... Read More
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For more information,
e-mail us at info@phillyfit.net.
© 2007 Philly Fit
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Questions
about Philly Fit...
Questions
about the program...
Questions
about signing up...
Questions
about the training...
Other
questions...
- I just found
out about Philly Fit, can I still join?
Although we are still taking registrations through
June 15, 2008, once we are past the registration date we
cannot take any new members.
[top]
- I'm not a member.
Do you allow drop-ins?
Philly 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!
[top]
- What
is Philly Fit?
Philly Fit is an award-winning 27 week running
and walking program. This same program, currently being
held in close to 40 cities throughout the country with
expansions targeted internationally as well, winning rave
reviews and growing every year. Philly Fit will begin
its next season with registration on Saturday, May 17,
2008, and a final registration day on Saturday, May 31,
2008.
[top]
- Who should join?
Philly 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 have done several, this program has something to offer
you!
[top]
- When is the Philly
Fit season?
The official Philly Fit season is the six months
prior to the Philadelphia
Marathon. This usually runs from May until Thanksgiving.
This is when we hold our seminars and provide training
schedules for our members.
[top]
- Where is the
training?
We meet meet in the Lower Perkiomen Valley Park. Exit off of 422 at Oaks, about 4 miles past Valley Forge. Make a right onto Egypt Road. Turn right at the first lights and that will be New Mill Road. Continue along past the first parking lot on your left to the end of the road and turn left into the parking lot. You will see the Ranger Station and bathrooms. Feel free to contact us for directions.
[top]
- Can walkers participate?
Walkers are welcome! We have
a wonderful walking program that will enable you to complete
the Philadelphia
Marathon. Please be aware, however, that the Philadelphia
Marathon requires all participants to complete the
course within seven hours . Many Philly Fit walkers may choose to
train for a half marathon instead, or choose a different,
more walker-friendly marathon. Your coaches can provide
more details.
[top]
- Are you affiliated
with a charity?
Philly 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.
[top]
- What's the catch?
When do I have to sit through the sales pitch for a new
condo in Galveston?
No catch -- really! Philly
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. Philly 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
walk 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.
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- What is an ability-based
color group?
Philly Fit consists of 5 groups: Blue, Green,
Yellow, Red and Orange (walkers). 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. The Philly Fit color groups
are:
|
Blue |
8 min/mile or faster |
|
Green |
8
to 9 min/mile |
|
Yellow |
9
to 10 min/mile |
|
Red |
10
min/mile or slower |
|
Purple |
5/1 Run Walk Group |
|
Orange |
Walkers
of all paces |
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- What color
group will I be in?
Our first two weekend runs are pace finder walks
or runs. Your time for the run will place you in a color
group. You should walk or run at a pace where you feel
you could keep going for a little bit beyond that distance.
If you couldn't keep walking or running after completing
our initial pace finder, then you are going too fast.
All walkers are in our Orange Group regardless of pace.
[top]
- Why should
I walk or run my pace finder slower when I can go faster?
Simply because you are training for a marathon,
not a 1 or 2 mile race. It may sound like an odd statement
to make, but it is true. Walking or running too fast will
seriously compromise your ability to complete the training.
If you find your correct training pace from the beginning
you will complete the marathon in less time, you will
be far less likely to suffer an injury, and you will have
a lot more fun.
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- What are the
weekly seminars?
Most weekends, after the group run, we'll make
some announcements, then hold a 15-20 minute seminar.
Seminar topics will 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.
[top]
- What happens
on any given Saturday?
We run or walk with our groups
before each seminar. The seminar will start after our
run / walk every Saturday, so our goal is to have all
the color groups finished before 10:30 am every Saturday.
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.
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- Do we get
discounts on shoes?
Yes, you do! As a Philly Fit
member you will receive a discount at some local running stores. You must show your current shoe tag
to receive the discount. Ask your coach for details.
[top]
- How can I join?
Registration is open for the 2008 season, which
begins on May 17. Visit our Join Us
page for information on registering.
[top]
- How much does
it cost?
Philly Fit's 27 week training
program costs only $110 for new members and $100 for returning
USA Fit members.
[top]
- What is included
for the registration fee?
- Ability-based group work-outs
and coaching
- Training log
- Regular seminars
- Weekly training schedules
- Philly Fit T-shirt
- Discounts at sports apparel stores
- Social activities and more!
[top]
- You must be
kidding. All this for $110?
No, we're not kidding. Isn't
it great? Now why don't you do your good deed for the
day and tell a friend about Philly Fit?
[top]
- When are the
in-person registration sessions?
In person sign ups for the Philly Fit 2008 season
will be:
May 17 and May 31, 8:30 am to 9:30 a.m. in the the Lower Perkiomen Valley Park.
Remember, you can also register online by following the instructions on our Join Us page.
[top]
- Where are
the in-person registration sessions?
Our registration sessions will
be meet in the Lower Perkiomen Valley Park. Exit off of 422 at Oaks, about 4 miles past Valley Forge. Make a right onto Egypt Road. Turn right at the first lights and that will be New Mill Road. Continue along past the first parking lot on your left to the end of the road and turn left into the parking lot. You will see the Ranger Station and bathrooms.
[top]
- What happens
at the registration session?
The registration sessions include
registrations, an orientation seminar, and a 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/registration sessions (Weeks 1
and 2) as the seminars will cover different information.
The registration session takes approximately 1.5 - 2 hours.
Sign ups for the Philly Fit 2008 season will be:
May 17, 2008 - 8:30 am to 9:30 a.m.
May 31, 2008 - 8:30 am to 9:30 a.m.
[top]
- Can I pay
with a credit card?
Yes, we do allow payment via
credit card if you register
online. Unfortunately we can not accept credit cards
for the in-person registrations. Only cash or check may
be accepted for the in-person registrations.
[top]
- Should
I 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 27
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 Philly Fit ; the second seminar is a quick overview
of Week 1 and then a mandatory session on "Hydration
and Warm Weather Running."
[top]
- I can't make
it to the first weekend -- should I still register?
Yes, you should still register!
We'd like you to attend the first week, but we know not
everyone can make it to Week 1. That's why we have another
registration 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).
[top]
- Does entry
into Philly Fit include entry into the Philadelphia Marathon?
No, your payment to Philly Fit only covers the
cost of your participation in the training program. We
are not affiliated with the Philadelphia
Marathon in any way, we just train for it! We will
provide information about how to register for the Philadelphia
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 or walking
only 4 days a week. Your long run or walk will usually
take place on Saturday with your group.
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.
[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 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. Your coaches
will advise you on how to pace yourself for each workout.
[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 training partners 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. 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 or walk 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 40 cities around the country,
and you are welcome to attend any USA
Fit meeting.
[top]
- Could I win the
Philadelphia 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@phillyfit.net
. Thanks!
[top]
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