Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. I just found out about San Jose Fit, can I still join?
    Although the official 2010 registration dates are April 17th and April 24th, we close registration on May 30th, 2010. It is highly recommended that, if you are unable to sign up prior to April 24th, you sign up as soon as possible so as not to miss the essential seminars and mileage.
  2. I'm not a member. Do you allow drop-ins?
    San Jose Fit does not have a drop-in program. Our all-inclusive membership covers our seminars, coaching, and training runs/walks. Visiting members from other USA Fit programs are always welcome! Visitors must sign a waiver form prior to running with the group. Contact a coach for the form.
  3. What is San Jose Fit?
    San Jose Fit is an award-winning 28 week Marathon and Half-Marathon Training program. Other Fit programs in California include the East Bay Fit (Danville), San Diego Fit and Tahoe Fit. Other Fit cities include Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Houston, Toronto, and Seattle among others. The USA Fit programs are winning rave reviews and growing every year. San Jose Fit has been going strong since 1998.
  4. Who should join?
    San Jose 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!
  5. When is the San Jose Fit season?
    The official San Jose Fit season is the six months prior to the Dean Karnazes Silicon Valley Marathon and usually runs from April through October. This is when we hold our seminars and provide training schedules for our members.
  6. Where is the training?
    All seminars begin promptly at 7:30am on Saturday mornings at the Los Gatos High School baseball bleachers in Los Gatos, CA. This is followed by a training run on a footpath nearby.
  7. Can walkers participate?
    Walkers are welcome! Yes! For several years we have had an official walking group.
  8. Are you affiliated with a charity?
    San Jose 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 not be feasible to do year after year. Some of our members may choose to raise money for a charity, but it is not a requirement for San Jose Fit.
  9. 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. Visit the USAFit website at http://www.usafit.com
  10. Where is the training?
    All seminars begin promptly at 7:30am on Saturday mornings at the Los Gatos High School baseball bleachers in Los Gatos, CA. This is followed by a training run on a footpath nearby.
  11. How do I get to LGHS?
    Check the map on the Maps Page or follow these great directions:
    • From 17 West get off at Los Gatos Rd. East Exit. At the second light (Los Gatos Blvd) make a right.
    • At the second stop sign (Pleasant St) make a right.
    • Make a left at the end of the street (New York Ave).
    • Parking is on the right.
    • We are down below at the baseball bleachers.
    • Look for our San Jose Fit banner.

  12. Are there any other organized training runs during the week
    Yes, a couple of months into each season, we will start hill training at Rancho San Antonio County Park on Mondays at 6:30pm.  We will also hold track workouts (speed training) at the Campbell Community Center track on Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm.
  13. How do I get to Rancho San Antonio County Park?
    Check the map on the Maps Page or follow these great directions:
    • From I-280 North, take Foothill Boulevard / Grant Road exit, turn right, then turn right at the light (Cristo Rey Dr).
    • From I-280 South, take Foothill Boulevard / Grant Road exit, turn left, then turn right at the light (Cristo Rey Dr).
    • Go approximately 1 mile to the main entrance of Rancho San Antonio County Park.
    • Turn left into the park.
    • We meet in the main parking lot near the restrooms.

  14. How do I get to Campbell Community Center?
    Check the map on the Maps Page or follow these great directions:
    • Take 280 south
    • Get off at Winchester Blvd.
    • Go South on Wichester Blvd.
    • Turn Right on Campbell Ave.
    • Turn Right into the Community Center Parking Lot.
    • The track is on your left. We meet at the bathroom at the far end of the track.

  15. Where is the Los Gatos Creek Trail that we use on Saturdays?
    Our training runs start out behind the tennis courts at the school. The Los Gatos Creek Trail runs north through Vasona Park and basically follows Hwy 17 up to Willow Glen. The trail has markers in orange every ½ mile up to mile 8.
  16. What's with these color groups? Will I have to color my hair or face?
    San Jose Fit consists of 6 groups: Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, Orange, 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.
  17. Do I have to stay in my color group?
    No, if you feel you are improving one way or the other, you may switch groups at anytime.
  18. Who are the coaches?
    Check out their bios and pictures on the web site. They are very accessible and are here to impart some of their wisdom and experience about marathon training and general fitness. Meet The Coaches
  19. Who are the assistant coaches?
    Your assistant coaches are volunteer runners and walkers who have been through the training program.  Most have several years of distance running or walking experience. They are here to help guide you through your training experience by sharing their expertise and coaching knowledge and to be there to run or walk the distances with you at your pace. Meet The Coaches
  20. Will there be any other people to help me?
    Knowledgeable professionals will provide the seminars each weekend; seminars last 15-30 minutes. Subjects covered include hydration, running form, health, injury prevention, equipment, nutrition, etc. There is a guest speaker almost every Saturday. Check the seminar schedule page.
  21. 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. While there may be many different marathon philosophies, the USA Fit program has been tested literally tens of thousands of times.
  22. When does the first seminar/trail run begin?
    Our first seminar will start promptly at 7:30AM, Saturday, May 1st, 2010. After the lecture, we'll head out onto the Los Gatos Creek Trail for our first official training run.  During our two orientation dates (April 17th and 24th), there will not be an official run, only a short pacing run/walk.  It is highly recommended that you attend these dates to get a jump start on your training by doing the minimum pacing run/walk on both of these dates.
  23. 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 take place on Saturdays with your group. The day after your long run/walk is always a rest day. During the week, you'll run or walk for time only (i.e. 30 minutes), not for distance.
  24. What are the weekly training schedules?
    You can find the weekly schedule on the website under Schedules. Each weeks schedule is also sent out in our FitNews newsletter.
  25. 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. The seminar notes are also posted on our web site. 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.
  26. 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. Just consult the USA FIT Website. It's better to call or email ahead to find out where they meet in their city.
  27. How can I sign up?
    You can sign up one of four ways:
    1. Online through this site:
      • Click here to register online. On-line registration will be open until midnight on May 30th, 2010.
      • Fill in the form and submit it (credit cards accepted).
      • Show up at one of the signup/orientation meetings with your confirmation.
    2. In Person with the forms filled out:
      • Show up at one of the signup/orientation meetings at 7:30am with checkbook or cash  (we can not accept credit cards at in-person signups).
      • Registration forms will be provided or you may download the PDF application file and bring it with you.   (The form is fillable. You can type in your info on your computer. Use the "tab" key to move through the form).
      • Fill out complete form and sign in two areas at the bottom of the form.
      • From May 1st to May 29th, in-person registration will be taken between 7:00-7:25am and then again after the seminar from 8:00-8:30am.  It is highly recommended that you register on-line or come at 7:00am as we will not be taking registration applications during the seminars.

  28. When are the in-person sign-up sessions?
    • 7:30 AM Saturday April 17th, 2010
    • 7:30 AM Saturday April 24th, 2010

  29. Where are the in-person sign-up sessions?
    Los Gatos High School baseball bleachers. See the map and directions.
  30. How much does it cost?
    San Jose Fit's 28 week training program costs only $105 for new members and $80 for returning members.
  31. What is included for the sign-up fee?
    • Weekly seminars
    • Weekly training schedules
    • San Jose Fit "No Whining" Shirt (not sold in any stores)
    • Discounts at local retailers
    • Lots of encouragement and advice
    • FitNews Newsletter
    • San Jose Fit shoe tag
    • Your own name tag
    • Social activities and more!

  32. Does entry into San Jose Fit include entry into a local marathon?
    No, your payment to San Jose Fit only covers the cost of your participation in the training program. Should you choose to enter the Dean Karnazes Silicon Valley Marathon, they will honor a San Jose Fit discount.
  33. Do we have to share the Los Gatos Creek Trail?
    Yes, we have to share the trail with other runners, bikers, walkers, and rollerbladers. Please stay to the right, be courteous and no shoving of anyone into the creek.
  34. How do I know who are the San Jose Fit runners on the trail?
    All runners will be asked to wear a San Jose Fit shoe tag. Or just look for the happy excited runners. The San Jose Fit t-shirt is made from a technical fabric, rather than cotton, and is perfect for running. If you wear your shirt, everyone will know you're with our group. This also means that we have to be especially courteous in sharing the trail with others.
  35. How do I find out more?
    If you don't find the answer to your question here, you can send us an e-mail at info@sanjosefit.com.
  36. Can we participate in other races during training?
    Sure, as long as they don't interfere with your primary goal of training for a marathon or half marathon. Consult our web site for other races. Also running another race can be substituted for Saturday training. It is also a good gauge of your improving fitness.
  37. Can I run another marathon instead of the Dean Karnazes Silicon Valley Marathon?
    We recommend that you make your first marathon a stay at home one. There is nothing like waking up in your own bed on that Sunday in October. It also helps to have friends and family there to cheer you on.  However, the San Jose Fit training schedule is laid out to accommodate almost any marathon or half marathon race in the October and November time frame. Those include Portland, Sacramento, Marine Corps, Lake Tahoe, Nike, and NY, and Chicago to name a few.
  38. Is anyone running an out of town marathon instead of a local marathon?
    Many of our alumni members like to travel to other marathons like Chicago, NY, Portland, and DC. Ask some of the coaches or your fellow runners what they are planning.
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