Learning, Refreshing & Growing: My Experience at The Real Running Course
This past month, I had the opportunity to take The Real Running Course led by Ryan Shea and Lauren Roberts, and I have to say, it was an outstanding experience from start to finish.
What stood out to me right away was the layout of the course. It was incredibly well-organized, balancing foundational knowledge with practical, applicable strategies. One of the first sections focused on gait analysis, which was not only a helpful refresher for me but also expanded the way I view running mechanics. Ryan and Lauren pointed out nuances that I hadn’t been paying enough attention to previously; adding some valuable new layers to my clinical eye.
The course also included a detailed section on functional assessments. This was one of the highlights for me, because as they broke it down, I found myself making natural connections to the way I already assess and coach other athletes, like lifters. It was reassuring to see that a lot of the principles aligned with my current practice but it also challenged me to refine and enhance my approach for runners specifically.
One of the most exciting parts of the course, however, was the coaching section. Ryan and Lauren shared clear, practical guidelines for getting people running, whether they were starting fresh or coming back from an injury. They provided examples of different training plans tailored to a variety of runners, from beginners to seasoned marathoners. I especially appreciated how similar their coaching approach was to strength and conditioning principles that I already use, such as block periodization, deload weeks, and structured progressions. It made it easy to see how I could adapt these systems into running rehabilitation and performance programming.
They also touched on an important topic that doesn’t always get enough attention in rehab courses: footwear. As someone who’s become increasingly interested in footwear, both professionally and personally since becoming a parent, this section was fascinating. We discussed how different shoes can impact running performance and injury risk, and how footwear choices can influence strength and development over time. It really tied together nicely with conversations I’ve been having in my own practice, both for my patients and even for my own family.
Another thing that made The Real Running Course a memorable experience was the course environment itself. The group size was ideal: big enough to spark great discussions, but small enough that everyone’s questions were heard and explored in depth. The interaction and shared knowledge among attendees added so much to the learning experience.
Overall, I walked away feeling excited, grateful, and even more equipped to help runners recover from injuries and reach their goals. I’m truly thankful to have connected with Ryan a few months ago at a networking event hosted by a colleague of mine Raj from Foundation Physio, and even more thankful that Ryan and Lauren put together such a thoughtful, practical, and engaging course.
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A Huge Thank You to the Instructors
I want to take a moment to shout out Ryan Shea and Lauren Roberts for their outstanding teaching and leadership.
• Ryan Shea is the owner of South Simcoe Physiotherapy in Tottenham and Alliston, Ontario. You can find more about his work at https://southsimcoephysio.ca/ and follow him on Instagram @runningryansheaphysio
• Lauren Roberts is the founder of The Running Physio, a clinic and educational platform dedicated to helping runners perform at their best. She is currently the Run Program Director at Athlete’s Care Sports Medicine Centres and a certified Pilates Instructor. You can learn more at www.therunningphysio.ca and follow her on Instagram @the_running_physio and @athletescare.
If you’re a physio, chiropractor, athletic therapist, or coach looking to sharpen your skills with runners, I highly recommend checking out The Real Running Course. It’s filled with practical insights you can apply right away.
