Physiotherapist Guided Running Programs
Start Running
Begin with confidence.
Want to start running?
You can do it!
We'd love to help you.
Lean on our knowledge! We can help you get started on the right foot. Running programs are month-to-month with no obligation to continue.
It has lots of rewards.
Running keeps on giving. It feels good to accomplish your runs, to achieve your goals, to feel more fit and to see your improvements.
Feeling good.
Running comes with a long list of health benefits; simply put, running can make you feel good!
The Journey is a Bit Different For Everyone
Making any change in your life can be difficult and running is no different. To make the change successful, we need to consider many variables and harmonize running with the rest of your life.
Current Activity
Your current activity level can influence how you start. Many people benefit from a combination of walking and running in the beginning.
Health History
Your past injuries, medical history, medications and social and psychological health & wellbeing can all influence how you begin.
Scheduling
Running should enrich other areas of your life. Proper scheduling can make getting out the door easier and improve your outcomes.
No problem. You don't need to (and probably shouldn't, at least yet) train like a professional athlete. When your schedule is packed with things, running is actually an amazing form of exercise. As long as you have your shoes and appropriate clothing, you can go for a run almost anywhere when the timing is right. This takes some self-discipline... but you got it!
You are in luck. Mike is a Registered Physiotherapist and will take all of your injuries (past and present) into consideration. Every person is unique and Mike can cater the program to meet the needs of every individual.
Mike can not only provide you with an individualized running program, he can also prescribe therapeutic exercise and perform manual techniques to help with pain and mobility issues.
Dedication and discipline are certainly required to make running part of your routine. It gets easier to do, but the struggle never completely goes away. Having someone provide a running schedule and monitor your progress can help keep you accountable and motivated. Mike also has many great strategies to help you get out the door!
Depending on your current and past medical history, medical consultation may be required before you begin training. This is one great benefit of working with a physiotherapist. Mike can send notes directly to your medical team to gather the information required so you can safely start running.
Health Benefits
Running can have positive impacts on all systems of the body.
Physical Health
The list is too long! Aerobic exercise can improve the function and overall health of all bodily systems, not just your heart, lungs and muscles!
Psychological Health
Physical activity in general can be an effective tool to cope with stress, reduce anxiety and feel good!
Social Health
While running is often done in solitude, it can also be a great way to meet an connect with people. The running community is amazing!
We Have You Covered
Start smarter and have the support you need along the way.
Professional Guidance
With the help of a physiotherapist, you can have a physical assessment and an individualized treatment plan alongside your running program.
Monthly Schedules
Follow-up either in-person or online for your monthly running schedule developed to help you achieve your goals.
Goal Planning
Planning starts from day #1 as your program needs to be developed according to your goals. We can help you set realistic goals, discuss risks and build a plan.
It isn't always easy, but it is worth it.
New to running? Here are some points from Mike.
If you are starting from scratch, I can safely say that running gets easier. It takes time to make it a habit and for your body to adapt. I have started running 2 times now, the second was after a 4 year break with hardly enough running to call it training. Both times were rough. Maybe you will feel great from the beginning, but if you are anything like me and many other runners, you have to know that it gets better.
Sometimes the hardest part is getting out the door to do it. I have never regretted getting out that door and have lots of tricks to do it.
The running community is like no other. Come join it! While running can be a very lonely activity, it can also be very social. Runners love to talk about running and when they are brought together in a group, watch out! For me. one of the most amazing things about going to races is the social aspect.
At least 80% of runners get injured every single year and new runners are more likely to get injured. This is extremely unfortunate because many new runners are seeking to make a positive change in their lifestyle and health and many of these runners may never try to run again. I believe that this statistic can be changed quite easily.
The injuries that new runners sustain are very similar to experienced runners and can be prevented with a good training schedule. Training parameters are the easiest variable to modify can keep people running stronger than ever.
It is all about training smarter and making it sustainable over the long run (no pun intended). Training smarter means making the most of your time (getting the biggest bang for your buck). Running is also just as much a lifestyle as it is a form of physical activity.
About Mike
Here is a little bit about Mike and his qualifications.
Background
Mike returned to school in 2009 to become a physiotherapist after falling in-love with ultramarathons and trail running. He has competed in many of Alberta's ultramarathons. He hasn't actually kept a tally, but he believes he has finished at least 18 ultramarathons including Sinister 7 (4 time finisher), Lost Soul Ultra 100 miles (3 time finisher) and Blackfoot Ultra 100km (2 time finisher). Mike and his wife Christine have 2 amazing young children that keep them very busy. After a 6-year hiatus from the ultrarunning scene, Mike is proud to say he is back after finishing 176km at Ultra Trail Stokely Creek! His training regime has changed quite substantially since having kids and he calls it "the parenting program."
Registered Physiotherapist (PT)
Master of Science in Physical Therapy from University of Alberta (2016/17)Bachelor of Kinesiology (BKin) (with Distinction)
Graduated from University of Calgary in 2014.Relevant Training:
The Running Clinic - Certified Professional
UESCA Ultrarunning Coach
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Level 1
Mike taken many other courses to enhance his physiotherapy practice. In some cases the course is not in the context of running, but all of these courses ultimately help him to assist runners.