The Running Room apart from providing great products and services for runners, joggers and walkers has an absolutely incredible history of giving to the community – and their community is North America.

RULE ONE

When running with a Running Room group, no one runs alone! A group run is not a race; save the race pace for race day and work as a group to make sure no one gets left behind.

RULE TWO

Group running gives us an opportunity to connect with others, but hopefully not with cars, trucks or buses. When group running on the roads or trails, be alert of oncoming traffic including vehicles, cyclists and other runners or walkers. The person on the inside should lead the way and move to the right into single file.

RULE THREE

In larger groups the lead runners should holler, “runner up” or “walk ahead and stay right.” This will prevent a group from unintentionally taking over the full road path or trail. Share the roadways, pathways and trails for the enjoyment of everyone.

RULE FOUR

Do not litter! Watch the gel packs and energy bar wrappers-bring them home with you. The only things permitted to remain on the road are fun stories and intense discussions.

RULE FIVE

Smile and wave to fellow runners, cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. A friendly smile can make their day as enjoyable as yours.

RULE SIX

If you are passing a walker or runner-as you overtake their left shoulder, call out “runner on your left.” Wish them a good run or walk as you overtake them. Smile as you wend your way past.

RULE SEVEN

In large groups the leaders are the eyes for the group. They should call out “post ahead,” “watch the ice,”

RULE EIGHT

When taking a walk break, raise your hand, call “walk break” and move to the side.

RULE NINE

Be attentive to your surroundings and expect the unexpected-loose dogs, low branches, pot holes, lost kids or deep-in-thought adults. Be prepared to go around the distraction.

RULE TEN

If you must stop or tie a shoe, move to the side of the road and do it there.

RULE ELEVEN

Start as a group and finish as a group. Adjust the pace to the comfort level of the group. If everyone is together you can pick it up a notch; and if some have started to drop off the pace you can ease it up. The difference of a few minutes can really affect the enjoyment and recovery level of the run.

RULE TWELVE

Carry a few coins, a cell phone, water and a nutritional item. Keep it fun at all times.

RULE THIRTEEN

Everyone must bring a funny story, or a funny friend to tell stories or at least a funny excuse.

RULE FOURTEEN

Watch the other runners in your group for signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and frost bite-keep each other injury free and safe!

RULE FIFTEEN

If you are currently running alone, then it is time to join a free practice run every Wednesday evening and Sunday morning from your local Running Room.

RULE SIXTEEN

There is a pace group going your distance and your speed and no one gets left behind!

RULE SEVENTEEN

Encourage everyone to stay healthy, stay running, and continue to have fun.

Thanks to John Stanton, Founder of the The Running Roomfor providing me with these rules.

It is very disconcerting!

Manners are decreasing everywhere but many runners seem to think that they own the sidewalks…that their needs take a priority over everyone else.

These bozos often yell and demand that you get out of the way and let them pass.

I am not the only citizen to call about the proliferation of A-signs.

So something is apparently in the works to start to deal with this increasing problem. With any luck large fines will be levied against offenders.

Visit the Licensing and Standards Committee website to find out more about the areas that they regulate.

I imagine that Howard Moscoe will bring some interesting changes to how things are done.

Business must be slow if they figure that using A-signs blocking the sidewalk will divert shoppers into their shops.

The signs are allowed to be positioned next to the store but they are not supposed to be positioned in in the middle of the sidewalk. Of course in winter this is even more annoying because these two stores also do not clear the snow from their sidewalks.

This of course is making life very difficult for seniors and the disabled but the women that run these stores do not care.

You can see for yourself when you drive or walk past Accessorize at 2614 Yonge Street and Just Cuz at 2624 Yonge Street.

Do you want to be able to enjoy our city as you walk about perhaps with your kids or pet without fear of being runover or run into by some thoughtless individual or having to work your way around some obstruction?

City of Toronto bylaws mandate that businesses clear the snow within 24 hours of a snowfall.

As I walk along Yonge St. to the Yonge Eglinton Subway Station it never ceases to frustrate me that multinational companies such as Club Monaco do such a poor job of clearing their sidewalks. I had to drop in and talk to the so-called manager three times before they cleared some snow away – but not all.

Maybe they hope that leaving their doors open will help the snow to melt? Hmmmm, very energy conscious.

Sidewalks are for Pedestrians First!

Are you tired of being run into by bicyclists, skateboarders, and motorized scooters while you are walking along a sidewalk?

Are you tired of having no place to walk because the sidewalks are increasingly cluttered by patios, stores with displays extending into the sidewalk right beside a bus shelter and other impediments?

Are you tired of having bicyclists cutting through the crosswalks at traffic lights forcing you to jump out of the way?

It’s time to take action and reclaim the sidewalks for pedestrians.