Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Woodlands Fit...
Questions about the program...
- How can I join?
- How much does it cost?
- What is included for the registration fee?
- When are the in-person registration sessions?
- Where are the in-person registration sessions?
- What happens at the registration session?
- Can I pay with a credit card?
- Should I attend both orientations?
- I can't make it to the first weekend -- should I still register?
- Does entry into Woodlands Fit include entry into the Houston Marathon?
Questions about the training...
- I just found out about USA Fit Woodlands, can I still join?
We will take registrations through July 31st for the Winter Fit program, once we are past the registration date we cannot take any new members.
- I'm not a member.
Do you allow drop-ins?
USA Fit Woodlands 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!
- What
is Woodlands Fit?
USA Fit Woodlands is an award-winning 28 week running and walking program. This same program, currently being held in over 50 cities throughout the country with expansions targeted internationally as well, winning rave reviews and growing every year. USA Fit Woodlands will begin its next season on Saturday, July 9th and Saturday, July 16th with a final registration on July 31st.
- Who should join?
USA Fit Woodlands 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!
- When is the Woodlands
Fit season?
The official USA Fit Woodlands season is the six months prior to the Houston Marathon. This usually runs from July until January of the next year. This is when we hold our seminars and provide training schedules for our members.
- Where is the
training?
We are meeting at Luke’s Locker on Market Street. Every run will begin and end at Luke’s each week.
- Can walkers participate?
Walkers are welcome! We have a wonderful walking program that will enable you to complete the Houston Marathon. Please be aware, however, that the Houston Marathon requires all participants to complete the course within five and one half hours (which requires a 12:30 per mile or better pace). Many USA Fit Woodlands walkers may choose to train for a half marathon instead, or choose a different, more walker-friendly marathon. Your coaches can provide more details.
- Are you affiliated
with a charity?
USA Fit Woodlands 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.
- What's the catch?
When do I have to sit through the sales pitch for a new
condo in Galveston?
No catch -- really! Woodlands 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 Galveston. Woodlands 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.
- How did all this
come about?
It all began in Houston about 15 years ago with about 50 runners, 2 guys and an idea that runners needed some guidance and training to achieve their marathon goals.
- What is an ability-based
color group?
USA Fit Woodlands consists of 4 groups: Blue/Green, Yellow, Red, and Purple (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.
- What color
group will I be in?
Our first two weekend runs are 1 or 2 mile pace finder walks or runs. Your time for the 1 or 2 miles 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 those 1 or 2 miles. If you couldn't keep walking or running after completing our initial 1 or 2 mile pace finder then you are going too fast. All walkers are in our Purple Group regardless of pace.
- 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 3 mile race. It may sound like a funny statement to make, but it is so true. Walking or 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.
- What are the
weekly seminars?
Every other weekend, after 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.
- What happens
on any given Saturday?
We run or walk with our groups 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 8:30 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.)
- 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.
- Do we get
discounts on shoes?
Yes, you do! As a USA Fit Woodlands member you will receive a coupon for a discount at Luke's Locker. Other member discounts are in the works - stay tuned for more information.
- How can I join?
Signups are open for the 2011-2012 season. You can sign up online by going to the “Join Us” page, in person at one of our sign up sessions, or by stopping by Luke’s Locker on Market Street. See the Join Us page for all of the details.
- How much does
it cost?
USA Fit Woodlands's 28 week training program costs only $130 for new members and $90 for returning USA Fit Woodlands members. USA Fit Woodlands is now offering an Annual membership option as well. Annual membership for a new member is $170 and $150 for returning members.
- What is included
for the registration fee?
- Ability-based group work-outs and coaching
- Training log
- Weekly seminars
- Weekly training schedules
- USA Fit Woodlands T-shirt
- Free medical advice
- Discounts at sports apparel stores
- Social activities and more!
- When are the
in-person registration sessions?
In person sign ups for the USA Fit Woodlands 2011-2012 season will be:
- July 16th/Luke's Locker- Market Street
- Anytime between now & July 31st/Luke's Locker or On-line
- Where are
the in-person registration sessions?
Our registration sessions will be at the same location as our weekly meetings. - What happens
at the registration session?
The sign-up sessions include sign-ups, an orientation seminar, and a 1 or 3 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 USA Fit Woodlands 2011-2012 season will be:
- July 16th/Luke's Locker- Market Street
- Anytime between now & July 31st/Luke's Locker or On-line
- Can I pay
with a credit card?
Yes. Register online via the Join Us page to pay with a credit card. We cannot accept credit cards at our in person sign-ups, so please sign up online with your credit card or bring cash or check to the in person sign-ups. Visit our Join Us page for all of the details.
- 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 28 week program, not a 27 week program. Second, we will cover all the details of how the program works the first week and put you into your groups.
- I can't make
it to the first weekend -- should I still register?
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).
- Does entry
into Woodlands Fit include entry into the Houston Marathon?
No, your payment to USA Fit Woodlands only covers the cost of your participation in the training program. We are not affiliated with the Chevron Houston Marathon/Aramco Houston Half Marathon, or the USA Fit Full & Half Marathon in Sugar Land, TX in any way, we just train for them! We will provide information about how to sign up for the Chevron Houston Marathon/Aramco Houston Half Marathon, or the USA Fit Full & Half Marathon in Sugar Land, TX.
- 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 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.
- 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. Listen to your coaches on how to run these miles each week.
- 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. When you do have to miss a week check our website for the next week's schedule.
- Can we participate
in races during training?
Sure! In fact, the entire group will be participating in three "races" this season. 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.
- 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.
- Could I win the
Houston 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!
- What if I want
to find out more?
Send us an e-mail at info@woodlandsfit.com or e-mail Rachael Peters, The Woodlands Fit Organizer at rachaelpeters@lukeslocker.com. Thanks!
