No pain, plenty of gain with Tsawwassen running clinics

‘The biggest mistake people make is they do too much too fast.”

Excessive training is one of the reasons why Run Inn owner Kevin Ridley holds running clinics for everyone from the beginner who wants to get fit to those tackling their first marathon.

Running shouldn’t be a “no pain, no gain” exercise, he says.

“The clinics force people to train at the proper rate for their fitness level.”

And because the groups are led by experienced staff, you’ll know you’re training properly while you become healthier and lose weight.

Those who sign up also enjoy the social side of running in a group, which is made up of people at the same finess level and with similar goals, says Ridley. The clinics are not just about slipping on a pair of runners and going for a jog, although it’s as easy as that. The Run Inn offers four, eight-week Tuesday evening clinics with specific focuses.

Nordic Walking, for instance, is a pole walking exercise which utilizes upper body muscles and burns more calories than regular running.

The Run/Walk program alternates walking with running and gradually steps up the intensity, with the goal of completing five km without stopping. Once you’ve achieved that, you may be ready for the 10 km clinic.

Another option is a Pace Group, which focuses on both speed and strength. Ridley describes the clinic as a combination of interval training with boot camp exercises. For instance, one evening your pace group may head to Fred Gingell Park, run the stairs down to Tsawwassen Beach and tackle strengthening stations at the top and base of the flight.

At $4 to drop-in or $30 for eight weeks, the four programs are great for those who want an inexpensive exercise routine with little equipment required.

“It’s pretty low key,” says Ridley.

Besides learning how to train and building a social network, on certain nights Ridley brings in guest speakers to discuss issues like nutrition, sports medicine and injury prevention.

Starting Saturday morning, The Run Inn also offers 14-week Half Marathon and Marathon programs where more experienced runners can train with their peers in specific pace groups. Ridley recommends being able to run for 45 minutes non-stop before joining the half marathon clinic and one hour non-stop for the full marathon program.

The shop is also involved as a sponsor for community events like the Delta Half Marathon and 5 km on Aug. 10, the Weekend to End Breast Cancer in September, and the B.C. Cancer Foundation’s upcoming Underwear Affair on July 12.

All clinics meet at the The Run Inn shop in Tsawwassen at 1212B 56 St. at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, from July 8 to Aug. 26. Saturday half and full marathon training starts tomorrow, July 5, at 8 a.m., and costs $100 to register (and includes the Tuesday clinics). For more information visit www.runinn.com.

n kthiessen@southdeltaleader.com