One of the more active events at the annual Summer Sizzler event in Humboldt is the Sunday morning race, formerly known as The Red, White and Run.
Now called the Sizzler Strut, the event includes a 5km walk or run, or a 10km run, along with a short kiddie run, and is open to everyone of all ages, from individual to team participants.
And although it usually has a high turnout, there's assuredly some people whose interest is peaked by the Strut but either lack motivation or feel their athletic ability may not be up to par.
For that reason, there will be running clinics in the weeks leading up to the Sizzler Strut, although people are welcome to participate even if they can't make the Strut.
"We obviously encourage people to do the Sizzler Strut because it's a goal to work toward, but anyone can participate in these clinics if they're just looking for something to help them improve their running abilities or get in better shape," said Al Guthro, one of the clinic's instructors.
For beginners who've never run so much as around the block, there's no need to feel deterred, because the clinics will be divided into groups based on ability.
"The first couple of sessions, we'll run as a group to see what everyone's ability is. Obviously there will be some who are great runners and others who are hoping to improve," Guthro said. "After that, everyone will be divided into groups, with a coach for each one, and the groups will be all-inclusive," he added, meaning no one will be left puttering behind in the sessions.
"Everyone will run together in their groups."
The sessions will closely follow the format of the Running Room clinics; Guthro himself, a marathon runner, is an instructor with the Running Room and has coached people of all running abilities.
"I've coached everyone from heavy smokers, people looking to lose weight or just get in better shape to advanced runners who compete in marathons," Guthro said.
The twice-weekly clinics, starting at the end of April, will involve interval training, a mix of walking and running.
For beginners, the sessions will start with four minutes of walking and two minutes of running.
As the sessions go on, the interval training will gradually advance, to the point where participants will be running more than walking.
"By the end of it, we're hoping people will be able to run 10 minutes, walk for one minute, and so forth."
Along with Guthro, other coaches will be Patti Durand of Prairie View Properties and Andy McAnally of Causeway Natural Health. Durand is the former chairperson for the Humboldt Community Trails Association and a devoted runner herself and McAnally, a fitness enthusiast, is also a marathon runner.
Durand is a member of the local running group and has seen the benefits, both physically and emotionally, that running has on people.
"This is a way to give everyone a big confidence boost. Expert runners, beginners, everyone," she said. "We want people to be able to enjoy the group atmosphere and have fun during these clinics."
The sessions are also more in-depth than running, because they include guest speakers who will give advice on choosing proper footwear depending on your specific foot shape and stance, to nutrition and other wellness tips related to running.
"We want everyone to get value out of these clinics," Durand said. "There's merit in just having running sessions but we also want participants to leave with things to think about."
"These clinics are open to everyone and we're encouraging people of all ages and abilities to come out to it," Guthro added. "We don't want people to feel intimidated because they haven't run before...you'll never feel like you can't keep up because you'll always run with people of your ability."
The eight-week program begins Monday, April 28 and will be held twice a week every Monday and Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. Participants will meet at the Causeway Natural Health store in Humboldt for the sessions.
Each night will start with a short talk, from either the coaches or local wellness experts, before the interval training begins.
Registration forms for the clinics can be picked up at the Humboldt Journal office at 535 Main Street or for those wanting to do the Sizzler Strut as well, when registering for the race on the Running Room website or at the Humboldt leisure services department, there will be an option to choose the local running clinics to help prepare you for the race.
The clinic is $40 per person; participants of the Strut will receive a discounted price of $65 to do both the clinic and the race.
The Sizzler Strut will be held Sunday, June 22, beginning at 9 a.m.
For more information on the running clinics, contact Patti Durand at [email protected] or Al Guthro at [email protected].
