Fitness Swellness: More from Nike Toronto run clubs

Hello, Toronto runners — you’re in luck (whether you’re a newbie or seasoned runner) as Nike Toronto has expanded their run club offerings. Having talked to runners in the city and learning that they wanted both longer runs, and more of them, and some folks wanting to get into running, here’s what Nike is serving up:

Out of the Eaton Centre Nike store (you’ll find it on the lower level of the EC) is their Gridlock Runners run club. The sched:

Mondays at 6:30PM: track work or tempo runs to help you improve your pace

Tuesdays at 6:30PM: rookie runs for those looking to learn to run

Thursdays at 6:30PM: club runs (more of a fun run, some sort of social element — think yoga stretches post-run, or yes, drinks!)

Saturdays at 8:30AM: long runs (distance will vary but you can expect a run of about 15 to 20k)

Out of Black Toe Running on Wednesdays is the  Queen West run club:

Wednesdays at 6:30PM: two distances offered (about 5k for the shorter run and 7-10k for the longer run), but you can also expect a mix of tempo, intervals or hill training, too

Besides more run club training options, Toronto runners who join in can also anticipate more services — so a nutritionist might come and speak about fueling for your runs, for example.

The clubs are drop-in and free, so it’s easy to find people to run with if you’re downtown and you need the extra boost running with a group can provide (I know I find it helpful to mix up running on my own with a running buddy or group, especially for longer runs!). Check it out (and say hi if you do — I’m sometimes at the Queen West run club on Wednesdays!)!

1 Comment August 22, 2014

Fitness Swellness: The Color Run

Newbies and seasoned runners alike are sure to have a blast participating in the Color Run, which has launched this summer in Canada!

The 5k race’s focus is most definitely on fun and happiness (it’s not a race where participants will be aiming for personal best times): as the runners make their way through the course, a coloured powder is sprayed into the air at each kilometre, landing on the all-white clothing of the runners. Hello, rainbow-bright fun!

Each event benefits two local charities, and this year an estimated 100 Color Runs will be held with about one million participants. Two have already taken place (in Windsor and London), but if you’re in Ottawa or Vancouver? You’re in luck as each city has an upcoming Color Run (August 25 and September 14 respectively).

I’ve never run it, but it sure looks way more fun than the marathons I’ve got planned for fall. Toronto, you’ll have to wait til 2014 to run it, though–that’s when the first one is slated for the T-Dot.

Have you run The Color Run? Share your colourful race report!

Want to register for a race? Check out The Color Run for more details.

(Photos courtesy of rockitpromo)

Leave a Comment August 20, 2013

Fitness Swellness: Get to the finish line with Canadian Living’s September issue

Want to start running or reach a 10k or half-marathon goal? Be sure to pick up the September 2013 issue of Canadian Living magazine! It’s got a running guide (written by yours truly) including tips from the Running Room’s John Stanton, stretching strategies from The Running Clinic’s Blaise Dubois, advice from personal trainer (and Boston Marathoner) Hayley McGowan, and more!

(and while you’ve got running on your mind, don’t forget to vote for me once a day to help me activate my inner champion and attempt to reach a major running goal!)

5 Comments August 13, 2013