San Jose Fit

San Jose Jose FIT just started it’s 2015 season. I’m running with a group, 20 strong, targeting a ⁶⁄₁ half marathon. That means 6 minutes of running, one minute of walking Galloway running method, safe, fun, and goal attainable.
We’ve got 80% brand new runners, several seasoned runners nursing their way back from injuries, and a few «old salts» that show us the ropes.
We’re very conscious about trail etiquette (contrary to a previous poster) and go out of our way to say hello to all folks on the LG trail.
This is an amazing group, and were going to train together, sweat together, and become friends. Then we’re going to run 13.1 miles together at the San Jose Rock/​Roll and the Morgan Hill Half Marathon.
This is a fun way to lose a few LB’s, lower your heart and pulse rate, get up off the couch, and hit the trail on Saturday mornings when 95% of San Jose is still in bed!
Cheers, see ya on the LG trail!

I first heard of San Jose FIT at the San Jose Rock and Roll half marathon. There were several ladies wearing FIT tees, in the same corral as me. I asked them about it and they told me it was a training program. I decided to check it out because the women seemed nice and people with whom I could run. I had already run a dozen half marathons so I was specifically interested in the marathon training. The first meetings, where you complete your registration and collect your tees and name tags were very organized. It happens on a Saturday in the spring at the Los Gatos High School track, and there is usually plenty of parking. At each weekly Saturday meeting, they start off with a talk on the bleachers — by a shoe expert or doctor — on a topic relevant to running. Most seasoned runners have probably heard a lot of what was being said so it was not that helpful to me. What I wanted was strategies for race day and people to run with. Also I liked how they started their training in the spring and culminated seven months later with the Morgan Hill marathon. I was looking for a program that ramped up slowly, as I was recovering from an injury. At the time I also signed up my son, 14, who was interested in running his first marathon. I was told by their national offices in TX that kids 12 and older may join. What they did not tell me was that he had to run with me. That was my first surprise. And over the course of the season, this rule became more of an issue because we run at different paces — he faster, as you might expect. Eventually we stopped going because it became too difficult to stay together and no longer enjoyable. The head coach was not helpful throughout this and never responded to any of my e-​mails. The other coaches, who did the actually running with the different pace groups, however, are the real heart of the organization. They are the ones with passion and where you will derive all the benefit and experience from. For us, if they did not have that rule, I would try this program again. My other issue is that because they are such a large group, you must usually run single-​file on the trails. This was also a hassle. I think there are definite drawbacks to being that large so if you like to run alone and just want to meet other runners informally without the rules, stick to a local running club where you can meet others with similar goals, and there is more flexibility with rules of the road and with whom you can run.

Good people who volunteer their Saturdays for something like 7 months to get us beginners trained and ready to accomplish something we never thought we could– crossing the finish line at our first half or full marathon. The camaraderie and friendships forged thru this group goal is worth well more than the $ 150 or whatever sign up cost is.

This group has no trail etiqutte whatsoever. They are rude when then are running on trails with other people, especially other training teams. They do not announce that they are overtaking (On your left) as they run by someone, and they run four or five people accross. They are just plain rude.
A proper run team should only run Two accross, announce their coming up behind someone, and only pass on the left. This is common trail etiquette that is taught in every other trail running group.
They do not train their participants to prevent injury and do not train them to run a formal stride.

Join, Train, Run A Marathon, and potentially change your life forever!
The best Marathon Training Group out there — hands down!
Make sure to check out the website.

San Jose Fit is a GREAT Program! For some odd reason, I thought it would be fun to sign up for a half marathon in October. After registering online, I realized that I was going to need A LOT of help. You see, I don’t run — never have, except towards some great bakery or to get in line as soon awesome restaurant (and perhaps when being chased by a mob). Under the recommendation of my very fabulous chiropractor, Dr. Gina Bianchi, I sought the assistance of San Jose Fit. I was a little overwhelmed at first because there were so many great runners on the first day but after a while you start to meet some awesome people. I’ve missed a few sessions here and there but it’s easy to get back in the game. Highly recommended as a way to combat the other activity that I enjoy — eating…

Such a great program!
They have full marathon and half marathon training. I’m signed up for the half marathon. Then it’s divided into pace groups. Each pace group has a coach. In our group (12 min. mile — yes, I’m slow) we do a run/​walk combo, so run 9 minutes, walk 1 minute. If that doesn’t work for you though you can easily join another pace group. I’ve switched a couple times between groups and think I finally found the one for me.
You meet every Saturday at LG High at 7:30am for an informational talk (I usually skip these… too early! When I do go though they’re very informative.) Then at 8am you gather up with your group and begin your run.
On Mondays they have hill runs at El Rancho something Park. These are a lot of fun! And for me it’s a chance to meet other people outside of my Saturday group (this one is only broken up into pace groups, not full or half marathons).
They have track workouts and I think some conditioning workouts too during the week that I haven’t gone to.
Best $ 100 I’ve spent! Really great training and it helps to keep you accountable and keep on running.

I have been running with San Jose Fit since 2008. I trained and completed the Nike Women’s marathon in San Francisco that year. Tiffany’s necklace Woohoo!
Excellent and dedicated coaches make this marathon training experience perfect. I am now part of the club with a «running problem».

I think this group has great potential but unfortunately I didn’t not have a good experience. I joined this group, and just a few days after I registered I had a running injury (not just a pulled muscle, I was on crutches for several weeks). However since it was early (April) the doctor felt there would be no reason why I couldn’t partcipate in the marathon I signed up for in October. I let the coach know that I would be out for awhile. I came back for 1 day in June after slowly working myself up to a few miles and unfortunately had another injury which landed me on crutches again! After further testing, it was determined that the issue was not as superficial as it initially appeared; hence I won’t be able to run again. I contacted SJ fit to see about the possibility of a refund since I had not participated in the season, except for that 1 day in June. After getting the ‘run arround’ I was told this was not feasible but they would be able to transfer my registration to next season. However, I can NEVER run again… so that doesn’t do me ANY good. I understand not being able to refund money after the season has begun, however I kept the coach in the loop and he was fully aware of the situation. One would think an athletic group like this would be more sensitive to a running injury…

This was my second year with SJFit walking. I completed the San Jose Rock’n’Roll.
The (walking) coaches are awesome ! Paul. Curt, Andrew, Carrie. they are as good as it gets !
I like this program since it is a no-​pressure program in terms of fund raising. They have an initiation fee ($ 100) — this includes training on every Saturday morning at Los Gatos High School. As long as you stick to the training schedule, you will get to your goal.
Go Fitters !

Winter Session 2009 – 2010 is starting up this November.
Sign up if you want to train for half marathon/​marathon in March/​April.
This Sunday I’m about to race my 2^nd marathon in Chicago and I’m so grateful for joining this group!