Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about USA Fit BCS...

Questions about the program...

Questions about signing up...

Questions about the training...

Other questions...

  1. It is past the registration date, can I still join USA Fit BCS?

    We will take registrations through July 9, 2011. Once we are past the registration date we cannot take any new members.

  2. I'm not a member. Do you allow drop-ins?

    USA Fit BCS 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.

  3. What is USA Fit BCS?

    USA Fit BCS is an award-winning 26-week running and walking program. This same program, currently being held in over 60 cities throughout the country with expansions targeted internationally as well, winning rave reviews and growing every year. USA Fit BCS will begin its next season on Saturday, June 25, 2011 and Saturday, July 2, 2011, with a final registration on July 9, 2011.

  4. Who should join?

    USA Fit BCS 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 USA Fit BCS season?

    The official USA Fit BCS season is the six months prior to the Dallas White Rock Marathon. This usually runs from late June until the end of December, we follow a 23 week training schedule. This is when we hold our seminars and provide training schedules for our members.

  6. Where is the training?

    Tiffany Park Pavilion, located at 3890 Copperfield Drive, Bryan, Texas. If the location changes, members will be updated through the weekly newsletter.

    11. What color group will I be in?
    For the 10k program, beginner runners (runners capable of running 1-3 miles at a time) will be in the green group. Advanced runners (runners capable of already running 6 miles comfortably) will be in the yellow group.

    For the marathon program, our first two weekend runs are 3-mile Time Trials, walking or running. Your Time Trial for the 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 3 miles. If you couldn't keep walking or running after completing our initial 3-mile Time Trial, then you are going too fast. All walkers are in our Purple Group regardless of pace.

  7. Can walkers participate?

    Walkers are welcome! We have a wonderful walking program that will enable you to complete the Austin Marathon. Please be aware, however, that the Dallas White Rock Marathon requires all participants to complete the course within 6.5 hours (which requires a 14:50 minutes per mile or better pace). Many USA Fit BCS walkers may choose to train for the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon instead. The Dallas White Rock Half Marathon requires all participants to complete the course within 4 hours (which requires a 18 minutes per mile or better pace) which is much more walker friendly.

  8. Are you affiliated with a charity?

    USA Fit BCS 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.

  9. How did all this come about?

    It all began in Houston about 15 years ago with about 50 runners, 2 guys and an idea that runners needed some guidance and training to achieve their marathon goals.

  10. What is an ability-based color group?

    USA Fit BCS 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.

  11. What color group will I be in?

    Our first two weekend runs are 2 and 4-mile Time Trials for the half and full groups respectively, walking or running. Your Time Trial 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 2 or 4 miles. If you couldn't keep walking or running after completing our initial Time Trial, then you are going too fast. All walkers are in our Purple Group regardless of pace.

  12. 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 2 or 4 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.

  13. What are the weekly seminars?

    Each Saturday, prior to our group run, we'll do announcements then hold a 10-15 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.

  14. What happens on any given Saturday?

    Each Saturday, our seminar will begin at 7:00am (although starting time may adjust during the season due to day light savings and the changing of seasons).  After the seminar, we will meet briefly with our color groups for a few minutes to talk with the coaches and ask questions.  We then all go out for our group run.  Finish time is dependent upon pace times and distance for that weekend.  All runs will start/end from the same place.

    Each week, you will have access to the running schedule for that entire week as well as a map of the route we will be running on Saturday mornings.

  15. Who created our schedule?

    Our schedule comes from the great folks at Houston Fit. For over 15 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.

  16. Do we get discounts on shoes?
    Yes, you do! As a USA Fit BCS member you will receive discounts on running gear at such places like Luke’s Locker (The Woodlands, Houston, Dallas), RunTex (Austin), and Run Gear Run (San Antonio).  Other retail discounts are being planned and will be announced at the seminars on Saturday morning and in our weekly newsletters.

  17. How can I sign up?

    Signups are open for the 2011 10k training program. You can sign up online by going to the “ONLINE REGISTRATION” page or in person at one of our sign up sessions. See the ONLINE REGISTRATION page for all of the details.

    Stay tuned for more detail on our 2011 marathon training program which will start this summer shortly after the conclusion of our 10k program.

  18. How much does it cost?

    USA Fit BCS's 23 week training program costs only $115 for new members and $100 for returning USA Fit BCS members.

  19. What is included for the sign-up fee?

    • Ability-based group work-outs and coaching
    • Weekly seminars
    • Weekly training schedules
    • Weekly e-mail newsletter
    • USA Fit BCS technical running shirt
    • Lots of door prizes from various sponsors
    • Retail discounts on running gear
    • Access to health and fitness professionals in the community (and discounts on their services), and
    • Lots of motivation from your coaches and running friends.

  20. When are the in-person sign-up sessions?

    In-person sign ups for the StayFit 2011 10k Program will be:

    • June 25, 2011 / Austin's Colony Park Pavilion, 2500 Austin's Colony Pkwy, Bryan TX
    • July 2, 2011 / Austin's Colony Park Pavilion, 2500 Austin's Colony Pkwy, Bryan TX

  21. Where are the in-person sign-up sessions?

    Our sign-up sessions will be at the same location as our weekly meetings.

  22. What happens at the sign-up session?

    The sign-up sessions include sign-ups, an orientation seminar, and a 2 mile Time Trial run or walk (for the 10k program) which helps place you in the correct ability-based group. The sign-up session takes approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. Sign ups for the StayFit BCS 2011 10k Program season will be:

    • June 25, 2011 / Austin's Colony Park Pavilion, 2500 Austin's Colony Pkwy, Bryan TX
    • July 2, 2011 / Austin's Colony Park Pavilion, 2500 Austin's Colony Pkwy, Bryan TX

  23. Can I pay with a credit card?

    Yes. Register online at USAFitBCS.com to pay with a credit card. We will only accept cash at our in-person sign-ups.  You can also bring cash or check to the in-person sign-ups. Visit our ONLINE REGISTRATION page for all of the details.

  24. Do I have to attend both orientation sessions?

    If possible, we would like you to attend both sessions (Weeks 1 and 2). First of all, you're paying for a 23-week program and want you to get your value out of the 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 will be different.

  25. 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 our coaches ready to answer any question you have from the previous week.

  26. Does entry into USA Fit BCS include entry into the marathon?

    No, your payment to USA Fit BCS only covers the cost of your participation in the training program. We are not affiliated with the Dallas White Rock Marathon or Half Marathon in any way, we just train for it. We will provide information about how to sign up for the Dallas White Rock Marathon or Half Marathon.

  27. 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 at least 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 generally run or walk for time only (i.e. 30 minutes), not for distance.  We also will have cross training recommendations for you so as to help minimize running injuries.

  28. What does 20 on the weekly schedule (during the week) mean? Are we running 20 miles?

    During the week, we generally 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.

  29. 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 are 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, see this website for the next week's schedule.

  30. Can we participate in races during training?

    Sure! In fact, during the course of training we will be encouraging members to sign up for local 5k’s, 10k’s, and half marathons. It is always good experience to enter a race BEFORE you run your first marathon, if anything, just to minimize the nervousness you might experience at the start line.

  31. What if I travel during my training? Can I attend other USA Fit city programs?

    Absolutely. USA Fit has programs in almost 60 cities around the country, and you are welcome to attend any USA Fit meeting anywhere.  Ask your coaches about other cities.

  32. Could I win the Marathon?

    Of course you could, but it is not likely.  But that’s okay.  Finishing is winning.  There is a whole lot of satisfaction that one gets from accomplishing a significant running goal such as a marathon or half marathon.  We hope you are able to experience that through this program.

  33. What if I want to find out more?

    Send us an e-mail at info@usafitbcs.com. Thanks!
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