Read some of the Frequently Asked Questions we have received. Please contact us if you have further questions!
I'm just starting to run, will I be able to train with you?
 I'll show up to one of your workouts, what should I do when I get there?
Where does Community Running meet?
Do you have a mailing list?
Do you have (measured) maps of running routes around Boston (Cambridge, Somerville, Burlington)?
May I be part of any of your Reach the Beach teams even if I'm not a member?
Can I check out a Community Running workout before joining?
What is the cost for joining Community Running?
What benefits do I get in return for my membership dues?
How do I pay membership dues?
How do I pay the fee for the indoor track?
Do you have two types of memberships?
I'm visiting from out of town. Can I run with your club?
Where and when do you meet?
Where are the water stops?
How far do you run?
I am Speedy Gonzalez/ Slow-Poke Rodriguez (Speedy's cousin). Will I have someone to run with?
Do I need to wear my water belt?
How many people are in the Saturday running group?
> General Questions
 I'm just starting to run, will I be able to train with you?
Yes, definitively. We are a specially good match for beginners! Our members run at different speeds and we often divide into two groups accordingly. But even within each group the pace varies. Chances are that there will be more than one runner running at your level, so you won't feel left behind.
I'll show up to one of your workouts, what should I do when I get there?
Introduce yourself and let us know that this is your first workout! A funny thing happens when a person shows up for the first time: chances are that most of us will assume that you're NOT a new person. Since not everybody can make it to all the workouts, we tend to assume that a person we don't recognize has been with us before -- it's just that we haven't seen you before because we missed a couple of workouts. The consequence of this is that in turn you could assume that we're a bunch of unfriendly runners because we don't welcome you. Once you tell other runners that this is your first time the ice is broken and we will do our best to make you feel welcomed (since we're NOT a bunch of unfriendly runners). It happens in every workout! We're trying to find a good term for it.
Where does Community Running meet?
Our club meets three days per week at the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA, which is
very close to Boston and Somerville. We will meet at the MIT outdoor/indoor track, Johnson Athletic Center or the Student Union, depending on the day. (See our Workouts section for further clarification.)
Do you have a mailing list?
Yes! We use several mailing lists but the main one is called "Runners." Please subscribe to it so you can get the latest news from CR members and our coaches. Follow this link.
Do you have (measured) maps of running routes around Boston (Cambridge, Somerville, Burlington)?
Yes. Please check the Resources section for maps of some of our running routes, including routes in Somerville, around Davis Sq. and Tufts, Burlington and other areas. Please let us know which is your favorite route so we can measure it! Use this form.
May I be part of any of your Reach
the Beach teams even if I'm not a member?
Yes, but it depends on our space availability. Members have priority, but we may
have some spots that need to be filled. Last year we had three teams participating - that's
36 runners! - and some nonmembers were part of our teams. The race is on September, so keep
checking the web site for announcements. You may also subscribe to our main mailing list.
Can I check out a Community Running workout before joining?
Sure! We encourage everyone to come and give us a try. Like any other club or gym, after participating in 2 workouts we would ask that you join our club and continue training with us.
What is the cost for joining Community Running?
The cost of our yearly membership was reduced to $120 in March 2007. That's just $10 per month! The membership includes our coached workouts, water support for most of our long runs, and the use of the indoor track during the winter!
What benefits do I get in return for my membership fees?
That's a fair question. You get a lot! See a summary here.
How do I pay membership dues?
Please send checks (along with this form) to:
Community Running
c/o Keith Manning
16 Lake Street #2
Arlington, MA 02474
How do I pay the fee for the indoor track?
Starting in 2007, our yearly members don't have to pay an additional indoor track fee. "Outdoor season members" (see next question) can use the indoor track by paying a fee of $75. The fee will cover the use of the indoor track two days a week from December to March.
Do you have two types of membership?
Sort of. We now offer Indoor and Outdoor season memberships for those who can't join the club for the whole year. The Indoor season runs from December to March and the Outdoor season from April to November. A seasonal member pays $75 per season. The idea is to accommodate the large number of people who want to run with us indoors during the chilly months of the year.
> Questions About Saturday Long Runs
I'm visiting from out of town. Can I run with your club?
Absolutely. We like making new friends.
Where and when do you meet?
We meet at 8 a.m. in MIT's Student Center (in the lounge -- look for the couches inside the building and behind Anna's Taqueria). See the Workouts section for a nicely labeled map and additional details. (During the Boston marathon training season (January to April) we run parts of the marathon course some of the Saturdays. Please check the Calendar to learn if we are running the marathon course and the Workouts section for information on how to meet us.)
Where are the water stops?
You can use Google Earth to see a detailed 3D map with our water stops along the Charles River. You can zoom in and see almost the tree where we leave the water. Download this file and open it using Google Earth (left click the link and choose Save As). You can download Google Earth from here (it's free).
How far do you run?
We do loops and runners turn around at different points to hit their goal mileage. The shortest distance we typically see is 4 miles and the longest is 22. Here's a nice map with additional detail. Loop distances are with respect to the Science Museum.
I am Speedy Gonzalez/Slow-Poke Rodriguez (Speedy's cousin). Will I have someone to run with?
Probably. We don't have an official staff of pacers, but the group of folks who show up usually spans a wide range of paces. We all run together for the first few miles, so you'll have your bearings before pace groups begin to separate themselves out.
Do I need to wear my water belt?
Community Runners take turns leaving gatorade and water out along the course. We leave it in more spots during marathon training seasons to support the longer distances typically being logged. In the heat of summer, when public water fountains are running, your hydration will be more than provided for. In the winter, our water/gatorade stops are typically sufficient. If you use gels, you should pack those.
How many people are in the Saturday running group?
Historically it varies from 4 people to almost 20 according to the season. The more, the merrier!
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FAQs
