Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Round Rock Fit...

Questions about the program...

Questions about signing up...

Questions about the training...

Other questions...

  1. I just found out about Round Rock Fit, can I still join?
    Registration for the 2010 - 2011 season is open. You can register online during that time or in person at our orientation sessions on August 21st, 2010. Visit the Join Us page for all of the details.
  2. I'm not a member. Do you allow drop-ins?
    Round Rock 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!
  3. What is Round Rock Fit?
    Round Rock Fit is an award-winning 26 week running and walking program. This same program, now being held in San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, San Jose, Houston, Toronto, and Dallas among others, is winning rave reviews and growing every year. We will begin our next season on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010 7:45 a.m., Old Settlers Park, Hwy 79.
  4. Who should join?
    Round Rock 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 Round Rock Fit season?
    The official Round Rock Fit season is the six months prior to the Austin Marathon. This usually runs from August until February. This is when we hold our seminars and provide training schedules for our members.
  6. Where is the training?
    Old Settlers Park, Virgil Rabb Pavilion, Hwy 79, Round Rock, TX. Feel free to contact us at www. roundrockfit.com or 512-341-7252..
  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 Austin Marathon requires all participants to complete the course within 8 hours (which requires a 18:00 min mile or better pace). Many Round Rock 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
  8. Are you affiliated with a charity?
    Round Rock 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.
  9. What's the catch? When do I have to sit through the sales pitch for a new condo in Lakeway?
    No catch -- really! Round Rock 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 Galveston. Round Rock 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.
  10. How did all this come about?
    Well that's a question that's best answered at one of our social events. The short answer is that several of us had so much fun in prior years with USA FIT we decided to bring the program to Round Rock.
  11. What is an ability-based color group?
    Round Rock Fit consists of 7 groups: Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, Orange (Walkers), Purple (Half-Marathon), and a group that trains for marathons other than the Austin Marathon. 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.
    • Blue-less than 7:30 min mile
    • Green-between 7:45 & 9:00 min mile
    • Yellow-between 9:00 & 10:00 min mile
    • Red-between 10:00 min mile & up runners
    • Orange-Walkers
    • Purple-Half marathoners
  12. What color group will I be in?
    Our first two weekend runs are 1 or 2 mile pace finder walks or runs. Your time for the 1 or 2 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 2 miles. If you couldn't keep walking or running after completing our initial 1 or 2 mile pace finder then you are going too fast (unless it takes a runner longer than 30 minutes to run 2 miles -- 30 minutes or longer for 2 miles places runners in the Red Group). All walkers are in our Orange Group regardless of pace.
  13. 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 2 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.
  14. What are the weekly seminars?
    Each weekend, Saturday there will be a 15-20 min seminar presented AFTER the runs.
    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.
  15. What happens on any given Saturday?
    We run or walk with our groups before each seminar. The seminar will start at 8:15 am every Saturday, so our goal is to have all the color groups finished before 8:15 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).
  16. Who created our schedule?
    Our schedule comes from the great folks at USA FIT. For over 20 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.
  17. Do we get discounts on shoes?
    Yes, you do! As a Round Rock Fit member you will receive a coupon for a discount at Run-Tex.
  18. 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 Round Rock Fit?
  19. How can I sign up?
    Signups are open for the 2010 - 2011 season. Visit the Join Us page for all of the details and to signup online.
  20. How much does it cost?
    Round Rock Fit's 26 week training program costs only $90 for new members and $60 for returning members.
  21. What is included for the sign-up fee?
    • Ability-based group work-outs and coaching
    • Training log
    • Weekly seminars
    • Weekly training schedules
    • Round Rock Fit technical T-shirt
    • Free medical advice
    • Discounts at sports apparel stores
    • Social activities and more!
  22. When are the in-person sign-up sessions?
    In person sign ups for the Round Rock Fit 2010 - 2011 season will be:
    • Saturday, August 21, 2010, Old Settlers Park, Virgil Rabb Pavilion, 7:45 a.m

    Remember, you can also sign-up online. Visit the Join Us page for all of the details.
  23. Where are the in-person sign-up sessions?
    Our first sign-up session will be at Old Settlers Park on August 21st. Our second sign up is on September 1st at Old Settlers Park, Virgil Rabb Pavilion.
  24. What happens at the sign-up session?
    The preferred sign-up is Saturday, August 21, 7:45 a.m.
    • A 2 mile time trial to put you into your pace group
    • USA Fit's founder, Denis Calabrese will be speaking. A seminar NOT to miss!
    • Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Old Settlers Park, Virgil Rabb Pavilion, 7:45 am

  25. Can I pay with a credit card?
    We accept credit cards for online registrations only. Sorry, but we cannot accept credit cards at our in person sign ups. Please visit the Join Us page for all of the details and to register online.
  26. 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, our first week we will have a special outstanding speaker. It really is worth the trip. Lastly, the content of the first two seminars is different. The first week is information about Round Rock 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."
  27. 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). They have all been through the program and can recite every seminar verbatim. Go ahead, challenge them. They're amazing.
  28. Does entry into Round Rock Fit include entry into the Austin Marathon?
    No, your payment to Round Rock Fit only covers the cost of your participation in the training program. We are not affiliated with the Austin Marathon in any way, we just train for it! We will provide information about how to sign up for the Austin Marathon.
  29. 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, with the exception of the three Austin Marathon warm-up series events, which are scheduled on Sundays. 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.
  30. 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. On the weekends, we do miles, so the schedule will say 4 miles. This we do at a very easy pace. Go slow!
  31. 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 (512-341-7252) or this website for the next week's schedule.
  32. Can we participate in races during training?
    Sure! In fact, the entire group will be participating in four "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.
  33. 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.
  34. Could I win the Austin Marathon?
    No. Unfortunately we shouldn't set our sites that high this season. No breaking the tape at the end, winning the car and getting your picture in the paper. You will get a nice technical t-shirt, a finishers medal, bragging rites and a lot of cheers from spectators and coaches.
  35. What if I want to find out more?
    Send us an e-mail at info@roundrockfit.com or call the Round Rock Fit hotline at 512-341-7252 and leave us a message. Thanks!
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