Running Room

18 months ago I had not run further than the distance between the couch and the fridge in 15 years.
After a fairly significant weight loss start, A friend (??) convinced me to do a triathlon, for which I needed to run, imagine that.
I decided to take a Learn to Run course at the Running Room and I was hooked.
The staff is great, the runners are friendly, and they have a water cooler. What more do you need.
Now, 18 months later I have taken a Learn to Run, a 5k Clinic, been a group leader countless times, and now am one of the 5k Clinic Instructors.
Rina (Manager) and Joanne (Assistant Manager) are great. If you ever have any questions they are always approachable and helpful.
Love it.
Plus I get to get out and away from my kids 3 times a week to go down running. Sweet. sweet break.

I used to get other people to get me stuff so I didn’t have to get off the couch. And I looked like a guy who would do such things. So I did a 5k clinic at the Running Room and discovered that I like running and that I’m not bad at it. My competitive nature was also rediscovered. I needed that.
As far as the retail part of things, they have great shoes and take the time to properly fit you. This isn’t Foot Locker. They also take time to explain what all the other stuff hanging up is (there’s more to running than sweat pants and an old pair of kicks).
I’m in the 10k course Kat F is talking about, and Kerry is great. 18 months ago there’s no way I would have thought I could run 10k. or 5k. Or hills. Or running in public, along the boardwalk.

If you need a solid asskicking, Running Room will deliver it, and swiftly. Highly recommended is the 10K clinic led by Kerry, who will lightheartedly (but in all seriousness) tell you that «you will love hills» and «hills are so good for you!» But seriously: do hills. You’ll hate every moment, but it’s worth it in the end.
If you sign up for a clinic you’ll run three times a week with the group (clinic night plus Wednesdays @ 6:30pm and Sundays @ 8:30am), and then more on your own, if you’re up for it. Personally I was never really «up for» running at the ungodly hour of 8:30am (yes, a time of day exists where there are people watering their lawns and smiling maniacally like those fucks in Soundgarden’s «Black Hole Sun» video; I’ve seen it), so I arranged group runs with other clinic participants later in the day. Whatever works.
Store manager Rina is an absolute peach. She’s easygoing, always smiling, and at the ready with a joke, pun or witticism to cut the whiny mood that’s often present when there’s inclement weather (which in Toronto is, um, always). She’ll even run with your group from time to time and make sure there’s no one lagging behind.
Watch out for gnat swarms along the boardwalk at Ashbridges.

The requirements for the reading of this review are a large pair of pompoms and a hefty dose of spirit fingers.
Tania Tania shes our man, if she can’t do it, Rina can.
Coach and push us make us run. This jogging room is so much fun.
Pick up your feet, get off the couch and please remember not to slouch.
You think you suck she thinks you’re great. Runs start on time so don’t be late.
Three times a week I’ll trot and dash. 5K will be here in a flash.
Tee-​shirt and shoes, discounts galore, you’ll love it at the Beaches store.
Gimme an «R»…“R”…you got your «R»…you got your «R» etc. etc. copious amounts of jumping cheering and several other letters.
What does that spell… RUNNING ROOM… what does that spell RUNNING ROOM!
YEAH RUNNING…
Bottom line… I may have to psych myself up a little to run, but this place does the trick and every week I learn something new and run a little better.

on a walkabout on queen street east, it naturally occurred to me, as my feet angled outwards towards the ground (their natural detrimental physiological inclination), wearing away the outer edges of the soles of my otherwise-​still-​in-​good-​condition shoes, that a look-​see inside the running room would be in order.
as per my interest i by passed all the (ample) sporting wear that curtained the shoes standing proudly on the back wall. i was sporting a pair of new balance shoes and was looking for the possibility of purchasing the same. they had a number of great brands there like brooks, saucony, mizuno and more.
what was most comforting was the staffs knowledge of their products. in fact one woman started helping me, and organically got caught up in helping another customer as one of her other colleagues piped in to add to the answer for the question i was posing. the seamlessness in help and knowledge was very beneficial.
though i didnt buy anything at the time, i learned about the shoes, felt comfortable about coming back to purchase specifically from them, feeling like i would be steered confidently in the direction that was right for me.

As much as I’m embarrassed to admit that I spent a year running through the streets of Toronto with a pack of middle-​aged women and men loaded up with gear that looked only as if it could only function in outerspace, I admit it. And it was amazing for me.
Despite the outsider’s belief that the running room is a cult, really all it is a room where people meet to go on runs. It is a place that never lets you bail because your partner couldn’t make it. It also sells top of the line shoes for running– I have purchased my shoes from them faithfully for the last five years.
They offer a number of clinics, including, learn to run, 5k, 10k and the half marathon. The best surprise the running room gave me was the surprise I gave to myself, finishing the half marathon without death.

The Running Room offers clinics which are great for meeting new people who care about health and preparing you for races. The sales staff offers you the best evaluation of your step and matching running shoes to your foot. Minus one star for all the merchandise that is a bit overpriced and not as cool as Lululemon.

Yeah, the running room, it’s awesome. I just started a clinic there and it’s amazing, especially since you do your runs on the beach. I also went to buy my running shoes there and was very impressed with the expertise of the staff. The only problem is that good shoes cost good money — if you are going to the states I might suggest trying to get shoes there instead, mine would have been $ 60 less down there.
But, this is a great place, and they even have a run club that anyone can attend for free. Clinics are also extremely reasonable — I end up spending $ 7 a week for a lecture and 3 supervised runs (if I chose to attend the running club).
Everyone is very friendly — if you are considering running I’d definitely recommend it.