It is past the registration date,
can I still join Tampa Bay Fit?
Although we are still taking registrations through September
14th, 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?
Tampa Bay 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 Tampa Bay Fit?
Tampa Bay 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. Tampa Bay Fit will begin its next season
on Sunday, August 31st, 2008 and Sunday, September 7th,
2008 with a final registration online by September 14th, 2008.
[top]
Who should join?
Tampa Bay 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 Tampa Bay Fit season?
The official Tampa Bay Fit season is the six months prior
to the Gasparilla Marathon. This usually runs from
August until mid February of the next year. This is when
we hold our seminars and provide training schedules for
our members.
[top]
Where is the
training?
We are meeting at NorthShore Park in St. Petersburg.
Click here to view of map of the location. Or, 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 Gasparilla
Marathon. Please be aware, however, that the Gasparilla
Marathon requires all participants to complete the course
within seven & a half hours (which requires a 14:00
min per mile or better pace). For that reason, our Tampa
Bay Fit walkering program focuses on training for a half
marathon instead; some walkers do choose a different, more
walker-friendly marathon. Your coaches can provide more
details.
[top]
Are you affiliated with a charity?
Tampa Bay 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,
and we support their efforts, 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 Orlando?
No catch -- really! Tampa Bay 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 Orlando. Tampa Bay 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 about 17 years ago with
about 50 runners, 2 guys and an idea that runners needed
some guidance and training to achieve their marathon goals.
[top]
What is an
ability-based color group?
Tampa Bay Fit consists of 4 groups: Green, Yellow,
Red, and Orange (half marathon), and White, for experienced
runners, Fall Marathoners (training for October/November
races). 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.
[top]
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. All walkers are in our
Purple Group regardless of pace.
[top]
Why should I walk or run my 1
or 2 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 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.
[top]
What are the weekly seminars?
Each 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.
[top]
What happens
on any given Sunday?
We run or walk with our groups before each seminar.
The seminar will start between 8:00 am and 8:45 am every
Sunday, Our goal is to have all the color groups finished
before the seminar starts, with time to stretch and cool
down every Sunday. 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).
Remember, our start times vary depending on the training
distance for each week. For the well being
of our members, we also try to start before it gets too
hot... especially in August and September. We will
start as early as 6:00am for our longest runs (18 and 21
miles), to simulate race day conditions, but usually will
be around
[top]
Who created our schedule?
Our schedule comes from the great folks at USA
Fit. For over 17 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.
[top]
Do we get discounts on shoes?
Yes, you do! As a Tampa Bay Fit member you will
receive discounts through our sponsors such as
American Running Company and Feet First retailers. Other
member discounts are in the works - stay tuned for more
information.
[top]
You must be kidding. All this
for $90?
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 Tampa Bay Fit?
[top]
How can I sign up?
Signups are open for the 2008 season. You can
sign up online at Active.com.
If you prefer to pay with cash or check, please come to
our in-person signups and orientation on August 5th and
August 12th. 2007.
[top]
How much does it cost?
Tampa Bay Fit's 27 week training program costs
only $90 for new members and $65 for returning Tampa Bay
Fit members.
[top]
What is included
for the sign-up fee?
- Training log
- Ability based work-outs and coaching
- Weekly seminars
- Weekly training schedules
- Technical training shirt
- Discounts at sports apparel stores
- Online forums
- Social activities and more!
[top]
When are the in-person sign-up
sessions?
In person sign ups for the Tampa Bay Fit 20007
season will be:
- Sunday, August 31st, 2008 7:00am, Northshore Park, 901 N Shore Dr NE in St. Petersburg. Parking in the lot to the north of the pool.
- Sunday, September 7th, 2008, 7:00am, Northshore Park, 901 N Shore Dr NE in St. Petersburg. Parking in the lot to the north of the pool.
Remember, you can also sign-up online. Be sure to select
"Tampa Bay" as the city in which you want to join!
[top]
Where are
the in-person sign-up sessions?
Our sign-up sessions will be at the same location
as our weekly meetings. North Shore Park in St. Petersburg.
Click here to view a map.
What happens at the sign-up 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 Tampa Bay Fit 2007 season
will be:
- Sunday, August 31st, 2008 7:00am, Northshore Park, 901 N Shore Dr NE in St. Petersburg. Parking in the lot to the north of the pool.
- Sunday, September 7th, 2008, 7:00am, Northshore Park, 901 N Shore Dr NE in St. Petersburg. Parking in the lot to the north of the pool.
[top]
Can I pay with a credit card?
When registrations are open we allow payment via credit
card if you signed up online.
[top]
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 27 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 and Tampa Bay 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 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).
[top]
Does entry into Tampa
Bay Fit include entry into the Gasparilla or Disney Marathons?
No, your payment to Tampa Bay Fit only covers the
cost of your participation in the training program. We are
not affiliated with Gasparilla or Disney Marathons in any way,
we just train for it! We will provide information about
how to sign up for the these and other Marathons.
[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.Tampa
Bay Fit emphises quality over quantity. For the most part,
the program calls for running or walking only 4 days a week,
including tempo, hill, speed work (interval training), and
a long run.. Your long run or walk will usually take place
on Sunday with your group, with the exception of the occasional
Marathon warm-up events which may fall on Sunday. 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. Listen to your coaches
on how to run these miles each week.
[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 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 hotline (727-499-7995)
or this website for the next week's schedule.
[top]
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.
[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 anywhere.
[top]
Could I win the Gasparilla 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 and info@tampabayfit.com or call
the Tampa Bay Fit hotline at 727-499-7995 and leave us
a message. Thanks!
[top]
