USA FIT Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration is open now through August 2023, once we are past this date we cannot take any new members training for the full marathon. We will allow registrations for the Half and 5K/10K programs.
After the program officially starts in July, Fort Bend Fit does not have a drop-in program. Our all-inclusive membership covers our seminars, coaching, and training runs. Visiting members from other USA Fit programs are always welcome!
Fort Bend Fit is an award-winning 6 month walking/running program. This same program, currently being held in over 50 cities throughout the country with expansions targeted internationally as well, wins rave reviews and grows every year. Fort Bend Fit will begin it’s Fall season on Saturday, April. Winter season started first week of July. Click the Registration link on the home page for more information.
Fort Bend 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 5K, 10K, half or full marathon or have done several, this program has something to offer you!
The official Fort Bend Fit season is from May through February. This is when we hold our seminars and provide training schedules for our members. Once the season ends, many of our member continue to get together for either a short run or long run depending upon what they have planned for off season
For our main Saturday morning run, we meet in the parking lot at 4811 Hwy 6 South, Missouri City, TX 77459 (at the corner of Dulles and Hwy 6), in front of Star Cinema Grill. There are a few occasions (registration and a few field trips) where an alternative meeting site may be announced.
During weekdays there are several locations we meet from week to week depending upon fast run, hill run, trail run or other type of trainings.
YES! You bet! We have a wonderful walking program that includes training for 5Ks/10Ks, and the Half and Full Marathon.
Fort Bend 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.
Questions about the Program:
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.
Fort Bend Fit consists of 8 groups set by pace and/or training goal. Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, Orange, Purple, Half Marathon, and 5K/10K. You will be placed in a group that best suits your training pace. This system works because it allows you to train alongside those who are of similar pace. One can jump from one group to another if their speed improves or reduces during the season
Our first two weekend walk/runs are pace finder runs. Your run/walk time will place you in a color group. You should run/walk at a pace where you feel you could keep going for a little bit beyond the mileage we have set and be able to talk. If you couldn’t keep running/walking after completing our initial 2 miles then you are going too fast.
Simply because you are training for distance, not a short pace run. It may sound like a funny statement to make, but it is so true. Running/walking too fast will seriously compromise your training season. If you find your correct training pace from the beginning you will complete your goal races in less time, you will experience fewer injuries, and you will have a lot more fun.
Most weekends, after the group run, we’ll do announcements then hold a 15-20 minute seminar. Topics will be health and fitness related, and will be led by knowledgeable speakers.
We meet at the specified time which will be available on-line. Please arrive ten minutes early to check in. We will run/walk the prescribed mileage for that week and return for light stretching. Next will be a 15-20 min seminar with a different topic/speaker each week. These too will be listed on our schedule. We then break into our color groups and get a few updates from our color group coach.
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.
Questions about Signing Up:
USA FIT Fort Bend training program typical cost is only $150 for new members and $120 for returning USA FIT members.
You can sign up by clicking the “Register Now” button at the top of the page. The 2016 program is filling up so ensure your spot.
- Ability-based group workouts and coaching
- Weekly seminars
- Weekly training schedules
- USA FIT Fort Bend T-shirt
- Discounts at sports apparel stores
- Social activities and more!
You can register in person on May 6th and July 15th.
We will meet at the corner of Hwy 6 and Dulles Ave., in the Star Cinema Parking lot. Look for our FBF tent. Check the website for Saturday morning start times.
If you wish to pay by credit card, please register online. Otherwise please bring a check or cash to the registration dates.
The sign-up sessions include registration, an orientation, the opportunity to purchase your tech training singlet/shirt, and the opportunity to meet the Coaches. Everyone is strongly encouraged to come to both of the orientation/sign-up sessions.
No, your payment to Fort Bend Fit only covers the cost of your participation in the training program.
Questions about the Training:
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 four 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.
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 four miles. Listen to your coaches for guidance on running these miles each week.
Sure! We encourage you to participate in races during training. In fact, every year we have races as part of our training schedule. These races are meant as intermediate goals along the way, they are a great way to practice the race-day strategies that we will teach you, and they are a lot of fun.
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 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 and seminars. When you do have to miss a week, check our website for the next week’s schedule. REMEMBER AS WITH ANY PROGRAM – YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN. Your participation is vital to your success.
Absolutely. USA FIT has programs in over 50 cities around the world, and you are welcome to attend any USA FIT meeting anywhere.
Other Questions:
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.
