When I'm hired to direct a race, the client will often ask, “Do you think we should put on a clinic for the runners, too?” I am always torn as to the best way to respond to this. I’ve been to many clinics that were well organized and well attended but I’ve also been to as many or more that bombed, especially in terms of attendance of participants running in the race. It can be incredibly embarrassing to both the organizer and the presenter to be talking to an empty room with only six pigeons and three squirrels present. Like anything else, I always say if you aren’t going to do it right and truly get behind it, then just don’t do it. You can do more harm than good. You shouldn’t hastily commit to it. Most of the time, you don’t really owe it to anyone to offer a clinic. ...