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- Yes, you can still join Miami Fit!
We are taking registrations through August 11, 2007. 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?
Miami 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 Miami Fit?
Miami Fit is an award-winning 25
week running and walking program. This same program, currently
being held in over 45 cities throughout the US, Canada, and Europe, wins
rave reviews and is growing every year. Miami Fit will
begin its next season on Saturday, July 28, 2007 with a second registration on
Saturday, August 4, 2007 with a final registration on August 11, 2007.
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- Who should join?
Miami 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 half marathon, or have done several, this program has something
to offer you!
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- When is the Miami Fit season?
The official Miami Fit season is
the six months prior to the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon. This
usually runs from August to January. This is when we hold
our seminars and provide training schedules for our members.
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- Where is the training?
We are meeting at Miami Lakes Park West at 15101 NW 82nd Avenue
in Miami Lakes.
Feel free to contact us for directions.
- Can walkers participate?
Walkers are welcome! We have a wonderful
walking program that
will enable you to complete the ING Miami Half Marathon.
Faster walkers may want to complete the full marathon, however please be aware that
the ING Miami Marathon
requires all participants to complete the course within
six hours (which requires approximagely a 14:00 per mile
or better pace). Your coaches can help you determine which goal will be best for you.
- Are you affiliated with a charity?
Miami 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 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?
Miami Fit consists of 5 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.
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- What color group will I be in?
Our first two Saturday runs are 2 to
3 mile 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 further. If you couldn't keep walking or running after completing
our initial pace finder then you are going too fast.
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- 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 2 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.
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- 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.
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- What happens on any given Saturday?
You will meet with your color group for your scheduled run or walk.
Groups will start at differen times (posted on the website or included in weekly newsletters)
so that all groups are back at approximately the same time. Once all groups are back,
the seminar will be presented. After the seminar, coaches
are available for questions and discussions.
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- 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 Miami Fit member you will receive coupons
for discounts at local businesses. Stay tuned for more information.
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- You must be kidding. All this for $100?
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 Miami Fit?
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- How can I sign up?
Signups for the 2007 season are July 28th and August 4, 2007.
You can sign up by in person or online then, or register online before that.
See our Join Us page for all of the details.
- How much does it cost?
Miami Fit's 25 week training program
costs only $100 for new members and $70 or returning USA
Fit members.
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- What is included for the sign-up fee?
- Ability-based group work-outs and coaching
- Weekly seminars
- Weekly training schedules
- Miami Fit technical T-shirt
- 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 Miami Fit 2007 season will be:
- July 28, 2007 at 7:30am
- August 4, 2007 at 7:30am
- August 11, 2007 at 7:30am
Remember, you can also sign-up online by visiting our Join Us page.
We meet at Miami Lakes Park West, at 15101 NW 82nd Avenue.
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- Where are the in-person sign-up sessions?
Our sign-up sessions will be at the same location as our weekly meetings.
We meet at Miami Lakes Park West, at 15101 NW 82nd Avenue.
- What happens at the sign-up session?
The sign-up sessions include sign-ups, an orientation seminar, and
a 2 to 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
Miami Fit 2007 season will
be:
- July 28, 2007 at 7:30am
- August 4, 2007 at 7:30am
- August 11, 2007 at 7:30am
We meet at Miami Lakes Park West, at 15101 NW 82nd Avenue.
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- Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes, when registration is open we
allow payment via credit card if you sign up online. We cannot accept credit cards
at our in person signups, only cash and check. Visit our Join Us page for details.
- 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 25 week program, not a 24 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 Miami 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 our Assistant
Coaches will be 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 Miami Fit include entry into the ING Miami Marathon or Half Marathon?
No, your payment to Miami Fit only
covers the cost of your participation in the training
program. We are not affiliated with the ING Marathon and Half Marathon in any way, we
just train for it! We will provide information about how to sign up for the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon.
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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 "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.
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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 hotline (786-513-0835) or this website for the
next week's schedule.
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- Can we participate in races during training?
Sure! Races are great experience to know what to expect when you
get to the marathon or half marathon race day.
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
over 40 cities around the country, and you are welcome
to attend any USA Fit meeting anywhere. Check the USA Fit Website
for a list of cities with USA Fit programs.
- Could I win the ING Miami Marathon or Half Marathon?
Of course you could. However, most
likely you'll get a nice t-shirt, a finisher's medal,
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?
Send us an e-mail at info@miamifit.net
or call the Miami Fit hotline at 786-513-0835 and leave
us a message. Thanks!
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