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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Portland Fit...
Questions about the program...
Questions about signing up...
Questions about the training...
Other questions...
- I just heard about
Portland Fit, how can I join?
There are many easy ways to
sign up for Portland Fit. Visit our sign up page for more information.
- I'm not
a member. Do you allow drop-ins?
Portland Fit does not have a drop-in
program. Our all-inclusive membership fee covers our seminars,
medical advice, massages, coaching, and training runs/walks. Visiting
members from other USA FIT programs are always welcome!
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- What is
Portland Fit?
Portland 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, is winning
rave reviews and growing every year.
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- What is
Vancouver Fit?
Vancouver Fit is what we call our Vancouver division. It is exactly the same format as Portland, except we meet on Sundays in Vancouver. Members join Portland Fit but may attend either on Saturdays in Portland or on Sundays in Vancouver.
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- Who should
join?
Portland 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!
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- When is
the Portland Fit season?
The official Portland Fit season is
the six months prior to the Portland Marathon. This usually
runs from late March until October. This is
when we hold our seminars and provide training schedules
for our members.
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- Where
is the training?
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- Can walkers
participate?
Walkers are welcome! We have a wonderful walking program that
will enable you to complete the Portland Marathon.
Please be aware, however, that the Portland Marathon
requires all participants to complete the course within
eight hours (which requires a 18 min per mile
or better pace). If this is faster than your typical pace, don't let it
keep you from joining us! There are plenty of other events to train
for - such as half marathons - that might be more suitable to your pace.
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- Are
you affiliated with a charity?
Portland 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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- What's
the catch? When do I have to sit through the sales pitch
for a new condo in Sun River?
No catch -- really! Portland Fit is
basically a running and walking 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 Sun River. Portland 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 14 years
ago with about 50 runners, 2 guys and an idea that runners
needed some guidance and training to achieve their marathon
goals. Today, USA Fit is in almost 40 cities nationwide.
- What is
an ability-based color group?
Portland Fit consists of 5 groups:
Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, and Purple.
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 are 1 or
3 mile pace finder walks or runs. Your time for the 1
or 3 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 3 miles. 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 3 mile 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 absolutely 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.
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- What are
the weekly seminars?
Each weekend, after the group run and walk,
we'll have a brief group stretching session. We will then do announcements
and 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,
your group coach will be available to answer any questions.
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- What
happens on any given Saturday?
Each group first meets with their color group
coaches for a coaching session. We then head out for our long run or walk
of the week. After the run and walk, the seminar will start
at the same time every Saturday, so our goal is to have all the color groups
finished before that time. We try to have everything wrapped up by 10:00am so
you still have some of your Saturday to go grocery shopping, catch your son's soccer game, or mow the lawn. ;)
Before the weekend, you will be given the starting
time for your color group (available on the website
and on our hotline).
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- Who
created our schedule?
Our schedule comes from the great
folks at USA FIT. For over 14 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 Portland Fit member
you will receive a 10% discount at Portland Running and Walking Company. You may also get a discount at any of the other local running and walking specialty stores... just ask!
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- What is the Helvetia
Half Marathon, and do I need to take part?
For our first major benchmark, the half marathon, we
participate in the Helvetia Half Marathon.
We do this so that everyone gets
"race day" experience before marathon day, which makes marathon day less
stressful to the new runner or walker. Portland Fit will not be meeting at our regular location on this weekend. If you'd rather skip the Helvetia experience, you are welcome to use our
discussion board to plan an alternative run or walk with fellow PFit members.
- You must
be kidding. All this for $125?
No, we're not kidding. Isn't it great?
Remember, if you sign up before the early deadline you'll also get $10 off
the regular membership price! Now why don't you do your good deed
for the day and tell somebody about Portland Fit?
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- How can
I sign up?
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- How much
does it cost?
Portland Fit's 27 week marathon training program costs
only $125 for new members and $100 for returning members. Everyone receives a $10 discount if they sign up before the early registration deadline.
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- What
is included for the sign-up fee?
- Ability-based group work-outs and coaching
- Weekly seminars
- Weekly training schedules
- Portland Fit T-shirt
- Free medical advice and massage
- Discounts at sports apparel stores
- Social activities and more!
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- When
are the in-person sign-up sessions?
In person sign ups for the Portland Fit 2008 season will be held
at 8:00am on Saturday March 29th and April 5th at Con-way at NW 21st & NW Raleigh. Vancouver Fit will be holding its registration days on Sunday, March 30th and Sunday, April 6th at Beaches Restaurant in Vancouver. Remember, you can also sign up online to get a discount, but everyone should try to attend the first registration/orientation sessions.
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- Where
are the in-person sign-up sessions?
Portland Fit will meet on Saturday mornings at the Con-way at NW 21st & NW Raleigh in Portland. Vancouver Fit will meet at Beaches Restaurant in Vancouver on Sunday mornings.
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- What
happens at the sign-up session?
The sign-up
sessions include sign-ups, an orientation seminar, and
a 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.
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- Can
I pay with a credit card?
Yes, you can pay with a credit card, but ONLY
if you sign up on-line.
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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 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 Portland Fit and USA FIT; the
second seminar is a quick overview of Week 1 and then
a mandatory session on "Running & Walking Safety. "
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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 Portland Fit include entry into the Portland Marathon?
No, your payment to Portland Fit only
covers the cost of your participation in the training
program. We are not affiliated with the Portland Marathon
in any way, we just train for it! We will provide information
about how to sign up for the Portland Marathon near the end of the training program.
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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. 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 for minutes.
So if the schedule says "20" on a Tuesday, you
should run or walk 20 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/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.
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- Can we
participate in races during training?
Sure! In fact, the entire group will
be participating in at least one race this season (The Helvetia Half-Marathon).
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.
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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 Portland 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!
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- What if
I want to find out more?
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