If it is past the registration
date, can I still join Phoenix Fit?
Although we are still taking registrations through
July 28th, 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?
Phoenix 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 Phoenix Fit?
Phoenix Fit is an award-winning 26 week running
and walking program. This same program is currently being
held in over to 42 cities throughout the country with expansions
targeted internationally as well, is winning rave reviews
and growing every year. Phoenix Fit will begin its next
season with orientation on Saturday, July 14th, 2007 then signups on Saturday, July 21st,
with a final registration on July 28th, 2007.
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Who should join?
Phoenix 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 Phoenix Fit season?
The official Phoenix Fit season is the six months
prior to the Rock N Roll Arizona 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.
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Where
is the training?
We are meeting at
Arcadia Park, just south of 56th St. and Indian School.
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Can walkers participate?
Walkers are welcome! We have a wonderful walking
program that will enable you to complete the Rock N Roll
Marathon. Please be aware, however, that the Rock N Roll
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 Phoenix Fit walkers may choose
to train for a half marathon instead, or choose a different,
more walker-friendly marathon. Your coaches can provide
more details
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Are you affiliated with a charity?
Phoenix 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 Palm Springs?
No catch -- really! Phoenix 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 Palm Springs. Phoenix 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.
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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?
Phoenix 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 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 13 min.
and above will be placed in our Purple Group.
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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.
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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.
After each seminar, you will break off into your color groups
for a brief talk and question-and-answer with your coach.
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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 8:00
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 and on our hotline).
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Who created our schedule?
Our schedule comes from the great folks at USA
FIT. For over 13 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 Phoenix Fit member you will receive
a discount at Runner’s Den. Other member discounts
are in the works - 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 Phoenix Fit?
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How can I sign up?
Signups are open for the 2007 season. You can sign
up online at
Active.com. If you prefer to pay by cash or check, please sign up at our
orientation seminar on August 5th.
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How much does it cost?
Phoenix Fit's 26-week training program costs only
$100 for new members and $75 for returning Phoenix Fit members.
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What is included for the sign-up
fee?
- Ability-based group workouts and coaching
- Training log
- Weekly seminars
- Weekly training schedules
- Phoenix Fit T-shirt
- Free medical advice
- 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 Phoenix Fit 2007 season
will be:
- July 14, 2007 @ 6:00am
- July 21, 2007 @ 6:00am
- July 28, 2007 @ 6:00am
Remember, you can also sign-up online at .
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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, which are at Arcadia Park, just south of 56th St. and Indian School
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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 Phoenix Fit 2007 season will
be:
- July 14, 2007 @ 6:00am
- July 21, 2007 @ 6:00am
- July 28, 2007 @ 6:00am
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Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes, while registrations are open you can pay via
credit card if you sign up online.
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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 26 week
program, not a 25 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 Phoenix 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 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 Phoenix Fit include
entry into the Rock N Roll Arizona Marathon?
No, your payment to Phoenix Fit only covers the
cost of your participation in the training program. We are
not affiliated with the Rock N Roll Arizona Marathon, we
just train for it! We will provide information about how
to sign up for the Rock N Roll Arizona 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, 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: 602-690-7017
or this 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 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.
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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 Rock N Roll Arizona
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?
Send us an e-mail at info@phoenixfit.net,
call the Phoenix Fit hotline at 602-690-7017 and leave
us a message or visit our discussion
forums. Thanks!
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