Run Canada Podcast: Recent Episodes
Kirsten Parker
The Run Canada Podcast celebrates runners from all walks of life and the community we create within this fantastic sport. Hosted by Kirsten Parker, this show is the perfect partner to get you inspired and laughing and best of all, it gets you out running this beautiful country we call home.
If you know me, you know I love books — love looking at them on my shelf, love losing myself in them, love the people who write them. So I feel very lucky to have had the chance to talk with author Greta Lacroix.
Greta wrote Love on the Run, a romance novel focused around a Toronto run crew. But the real story here is one of perseverance. Greta is both a longtime runner and marathoner, and her path to becoming a published author followed the same rhythm as her running: ebbs and flows, stretches where she had to pull back and regroup, and moments where the only way forward was to put her head down and get it done. And in both areas of her life, community carried her — the writers and runners around her made her stronger and more confident, one page and one mile at a time.
Follow Greta @greta.lacroix.writes
Get your own copy of Love on the Run HERE
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
[This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign led by the Podpass agency for Altitude Sports]
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "RUNCANADA2026"
Click here to order 👉https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada2026
You need to create an account or sign in to access the discount. Valid on items at regular price only. Valid for a limited time only after sign up. Cannot be combined with any other discount code and/or promotion. Limited to one use per customer. Membership discount not applicable on this offer.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Trevor Hofbauer is a two-time Canadian Marathon Champion, a Canadian Half Marathon Champion, a Team Canada member at the World Cross Country Championships, and an Olympian. But that's not what he hopes you remember about him first.
Ask anyone he works with at Run Calgary, and they'll tell you the same thing: Trevor is a really good dude.
He's also the epitome of "rise and grind." That work ethic — that obsession with finding the 1% — shows up in his training, in his life, and in every athlete he coaches.
This one's going to make you want to train a little harder, be a little kinder, and go looking for your own 1%. If you only listen to one podcast this weekend, make it this one.
Follow Trevor @trevhofbauer
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
[This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign led by the Podpass agency for Altitude Sports]
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "RUNCANADA2026"
Click here to order 👉https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada2026
You need to create an account or sign in to access the discount. Valid on items at regular price only. Valid for a limited time only after sign up. Cannot be combined with any other discount code and/or promotion. Limited to one use per customer. Membership discount is not applicable on this offer.
Music by: Joseph McDade
Safety on the run can be a difficult subject to talk about. We want to believe that the places we run and the people we run with will always help us feel safe and happy. But for many runners, thoughts about safety are always top of mind—whether because of lived experience or uncertainty about the spaces we're in.
I was lucky to be joined by three generous humans who are constantly looking for ways to help keep people safe: on the roads, on the trails, and during a race: SarahRose Black, Erin Doucette and Steve Dowler.
While this episode is full of practical tips for running in all spaces, I hope you also come away from it with a sense of hope—that, as a community, we can work together to create safe spaces for everyone who wants to run.
Make sure you listen to the end and find out how you can get involved in Finish the Run, taking place this weekend, Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Toronto. And if you aren't in Toronto, you can check out @finishtherun_to to find out how you can support Metrac, an Ontario-based not-for-profit organization working to end gender-based violence.
Follow SarahRose @finishtherun_to and @chixrunthe6ix
Follow Erin @a_girl_called_ernie @torontotrailrunners @the.trail.collective
Follow Run Calgary & the Calgary Marathon @calgarymarathon @runcalgary
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
[This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign led by the Podpass agency for Altitude Sports]
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "RUNCANADA2026"
Click here to order 👉https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada2026
You need to create an account or sign in to access the discount. Valid on items at regular price only. Valid for a limited time only after sign up. Cannot be combined with any other discount code and/or promotion. Limited to one use per customer. Membership discount is not applicable on this offer.
Music by: Joseph McDade
A record-breaking 14,000 participants trained for months for the 2026 Manitoba Marathon. At the office, we spent 11 months planning for them.
Ever wondered what it takes to get thousands of runners safely to the finish line? Who's thinking about medals, water stations, road closures, bananas, and porta-potties while you're focused on race day? The answer: a whole lot of incredible people.
In part two of this special behind-the-scenes episode, we're pulling back the curtain for a candid look at everything from race week through the days after the finish line comes down. It's a bit of a wild ride, but we're grateful to play a small part in helping thousands of runners achieve something extraordinary.
If you missed part one, you may want to go back and listen to that one first... or just dive right in for race weekend!
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
[This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign led by the Podpass agency for Altitude Sports]
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "RUNCANADA2026"
Click here to order 👉https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada2026
You need to create an account or sign in to access the discount. Valid on items at regular price only. Valid for a limited time only after sign up. Cannot be combined with any other discount code and/or promotion. Limited to one use per customer. Membership discount is not applicable on this offer.
Music by: Joseph McDade
A record-breaking 14,000 participants trained for months for the 2026 Manitoba Marathon. At the office, we spent 11 months planning for them.
Ever wondered what it takes to get thousands of runners safely to the finish line? Who's thinking about medals, water stations, road closures, bananas, and porta-potties while you're focused on race day? The answer: a whole lot of incredible people.
In this special behind-the-scenes episode, we're pulling back the curtain to introduce you to just a few of the nearly 2,000 people who make race weekend happen—from organizers and volunteers to race partners, contractors, and the many others working behind the scenes to bring the event to life.
Join me for a candid look at everything from race week through the days after the finish line comes down. It's a bit of a wild ride, but we're grateful to play a small part in helping thousands of runners achieve something extraordinary.
This is part one of two: hit subscribe to get part 2 automatically when it is released next week.
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
[This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign led by the Podpass agency for Altitude Sports]
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "RUNCANADA2026"
Click here to order 👉https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada2026
You need to create an account or sign in to access the discount. Valid on items at regular price only. Valid for a limited time only after sign up. Cannot be combined with any other discount code and/or promotion. Limited to one use per customer. Membership discount is not applicable on this offer.
Music by: Joseph McDade
After more than 250 episodes and one question asked over and over again—When did you first fall in love with running?—This special clip show brings together some of my favourite answers from the archives.
From Olympians and Team Canada athletes who seemed destined to run, to everyday runners whose journeys began with friendship, community, adventure, or self-discovery, these stories highlight the many ways people find their way into the sport. Along the way, you'll hear funny memories, unexpected moments, inspiring reflections, and reminders that running is about so much more than miles and finish lines.
Featuring Lanni Marchant, Sarah Wells, Natasha Wodak, Leslie Sexton, Malindi Elmore, Angela Whyte, Jess O'Connell, Shanda Hill, Melanie Murzeau, Nadya Stewart, Gen Lalonde, and many more, this episode is a celebration of the people, places, and experiences that make us fall in love with running—and keep us coming back.
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
[This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign led by the Podpass agency for Altitude Sports]
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "RUNCANADA2026"
Click here to order 👉https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada2026
You need to create an account or sign in to access the discount. Valid on items at regular price only. Valid for a limited time only after sign up. Cannot be combined with any other discount code and/or promotion. Limited to one use per customer. Membership discount not applicable on this offer.
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
Like so many great stories in the running community, So Far So Good Run Club started with an idea shared on a long trail run. Greg Hanycz had an idea, and somewhere out on the trails with Brock Fraser, that idea started to take shape. With the help of a few key people, So Far So Good Run Club was born.
Talk to anyone who's run with So Far So Good and they'll tell you the same thing: it's people and vibes first, performance second. Sure, there are goals, training blocks, and progression along the way, but what really drives this crew is the community they've built and the fun they have doing it.
From creative theme runs to unforgettable community events, SFSG has created something people genuinely want to be part of. This is a crew that loves where they live, loves running together, and makes you want to move to Kamloops just to join the Sunday morning run and post coffee at Logjam.
Follow So Far So Good Run Club @sfsg.rc
Follow Greg @ghanycz
Follow Brock @brockfraze
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
[This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign led by the Podpass agency for Altitude Sports]
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "RUNCANADA2026"
Click here to order 👉https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada2026
You need to create an account or sign in to access the discount. Valid on items at regular price only. Valid for a limited time only after sign up. Cannot be combined with any other discount code and/or promotion. Limited to one use per customer. Membership discount is not applicable on this offer.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Lauren Gale may now live and train in Ottawa, but this Newfoundland-born sprinter, raised by two Nova Scotians, still carries the warmth and spirit of the East Coast everywhere she goes. Friendly, thoughtful, and deeply connected to her family, friends, and community, Lauren's positivity stands out just as much as her speed on the track.
Over the years, she's experienced the highs and lows that come with life as both an individual and relay sprinter, but her resilience and dedication to the sport have never wavered. A track athlete for more than half her life, Lauren continues to raise the bar. In 2024, she set a Canadian record in the 300m with a time of 36.53, and this month she helped Canada earn bronze in the 4x400m at the World Relay Championships in Botswana while also running a season's best.
With two Olympic appearances already behind her and her sights set firmly on a third, Lauren's journey is far from over — and wherever the sport takes her next, you can count on her bringing that same positivity and East Coast charm along for the ride.
Follow Lauren @laurenngalee
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
[This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign led by the Podpass agency for Altitude Sports]
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "RUNCANADA2026"
Click here to order 👉https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada2026
You need to create an account or sign in to access the discount. Valid on items at regular price only. Valid for a limited time only after sign up. Cannot be combined with any other discount code and/or promotion. Limited to one use per customer. Membership discount is not applicable on this offer.
Music by: Joseph McDade
Ali McPherson was born with running in her blood. What started as childhood bike rides alongside her mother during long training runs has grown into a remarkable career on both the trails and the roads. In 2025, she claimed first female at both the Sinister 7 Ultra 50K and the UTMB Challenge 50K in Fin del Mundo. On the road racing side, she won the Manitoba Half Marathon and returned to the Boston Marathon start line with her mother for the second time, running a new personal best along the way.
When Ali isn't chasing her own goals, she's helping other athletes pursue theirs. She's the founder of Rhythm Run Coaching and Dig Deep — a customizable carbohydrate fuel company with impressive sustainability features. Warm, upbeat, and incredibly generous, Ali shares plenty of great advice for winter running in this conversation. You're also going to hear my hot take on trail mix…
Follow Ali @ali.mcpher
Rhythm Run Coaching @rhythmruncoaching
Dig Deep @digdeepef
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
[This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign led by the Podpass agency for Altitude Sports]
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "runcanada2026"
Click here to order 👉https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada2026
You need to create an account or sign in to access the discount. Valid on items at regular price only. Valid for a limited time only after sign up. Cannot be combined with any other discount code and/or promotion. Limited to one use per customer. Membership discount is not applicable on this offer.
Music by: Joseph McDade
Michael Betteridge is the kind of person who doesn't just show up for his community—he helps build it. In Regina, he's become a driving force in creating spaces where queer people and allies can be active, feel welcome, and show up exactly as they are. That vision comes to life through Queer Fit Club: a free, community-driven fitness pop-up built on collaboration and connection.
Spend a little time with Michael, and a few things quickly become clear. He loves his mom—who, by all accounts, sounds truly incredible. He also loves, as Amy Poehler likes to say, to talk well about his friends behind their backs. So it's only fair that I return the favour.
Michael is an intentionally caring person who uses his skills to take up space and give voice to the queer community: lifting people up and making spaces stronger and more inclusive. What started as a thoughtfully crafted idea has grown into a movement, with over 700 members and chapters in both Regina and Winnipeg.
And he's nowhere near done. Whatever comes next will almost certainly be just as thoughtful - and just as fabulous.
Follow Michael @mbetteridge
Follow Queer Fit Club @queerfitclub or www.queerfitclub.com
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE FITNESS
[This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign led by the Podpass agency for Altitude Sports]
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "runcanada2026"
Click here to order 👉https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada2026
Create an account or sign in to access the discount. Valid on items at regular price only. Valid for a limited time only after sign up. Cannot be combined with any other discount code and/or promotion. Limited to one use per customer. Membership discount not applicable on this offer.
Theme Music by Joseph McDade
In this episode, we're exploring the connection between grief and running.
When Marcella Sangregorio was just two years old, her mother, Lisa, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour behind her left eye and given two to five years to live. Remarkably, Lisa lived for another twenty years. Marcella and her father acted as Lisa's primary caregivers until her passing. Moving forward and finding her footing without that part of her life was a challenge. She began by focusing on her own well-being—and in the process, discovered running.
She quickly moved from running her first 10 km to running an impressive 70 km at The Dark 24. Last weekend, Marcella carried her mother's ashes on her back from her home in Calgary to Ghost Lake and back – a 100 km trip that both opened doors to personal discovery and closed chapters of negative self-care. With the support of her family and friends, Marcella is learning who she is in this new chapter, discovering that grief is anything but black and white.
Follow Marcella @ultramarcella
If you are in a position to help support with Marcella's fundraising for Janis Care Services, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/nbfpv8-100km-ultra-carrying-my-mothers-urn
EPISODE SPONSOR: CALGARY MARATHON
Be part of the 2026 energy at Canada's longest running marathon. RUN WALK CHEER VOLUNTEER at the Servus Calgary Marathon Race Weekend – happening May 23 and 24 at Stampede Park. Lace up for any distance from 5k to the full marathon.
For more information and to register, visit www.calgarymarathon.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
Need a little spring sunshine in your day? This is the episode for you.
Nat Severino is a Toronto-based runner who grew up loving sport, but like so many, drifted away from it in adulthood. It wasn't until the stillness of the COVID era—through virtual run challenges and a search for calm in the chaos—that Nat found their way back.
Now, Nat shows up as their full, authentic self: a proud nonbinary athlete running with the Queer Run Crew and embracing the power of community. Hearing them speak about the belonging they've found—through QRC and the broader Toronto run scene—gives me all the feels.
This is why we run together, the moments that create community and inspire us to bring more people along for the ride.
Follow Nat @sevstrides
EPISODE SPONSOR: BENEVA SPRING RUN OFF
The Beneva Spring Run-Off is almost here, taking over beautiful High Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026. Steeped in history and tradition, this race is all about community and kicking off the Canada Running Series season in style.
With a focus on family-friendly fitness, participants can choose from 8K, 5K, and Kids Race distances, offered both in-person and virtually. All in-person runners will receive a Columbia souvenir apparel item and a finisher medal, featuring designs inspired by the beauty of High Park.
It might not be a walk in the park—but it's the perfect way to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring.
Register now and learn more at www.canadarunningseries.com
Music by: Joseph McDade
Tanya Desrivières arrived at the start line of her first ultra trail race in a pretty unconventional way. She had always been active outdoors in a variety of sports and is a self-proclaimed Gym Rat. But when the Spartan Ultra she had trained for was first cancelled mid-race due to weather and then shut down the following year by COVID, she decided to channel all that hard work and training into an ultra trail race instead. It was love at first sight.
Her drive, competitive nature, and refusal to quit quickly became the foundation for tackling long distances with heart and grit. Last September, she ran her second 100-miler, Ultra-Trail Forillon 100, and shaved an incredible six hours off her previous time, earning her a second-place female finish. Tanya is fantastic, and it feels like she's only just getting started discovering how far she can push herself and where this journey will take her.
Follow Tanya @tanya_the_rivers
EPISODE SPONSOR: ULTRA TRAIL GASPESIA 100
Welcome to the wild edge of adventure — where mountains meet the sea, and trails stretch for miles through breathtaking wilderness. This is Ultra Trail Gaspesia 100 — an iconic trail running event set in the heart of Gaspésie, Eastern Québec, Canada.
Imagine yourself running rugged single-track trails carved through the Percé UNESCO Global Geopark, past towering sea cliffs, deep forests, and panoramic views of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
Whether you're tackling the legendary 100-mile ultra challenge, the stunning 110 km route, or celebrating your pace on shorter distances, the spirit of community, grit, and unforgettable scenery is what makes this race truly special. Step into the adventure in Percé, June 19–21!
For more information and to register, visit:
https://gaspesia.org/en/events/ultra-trail-gaspesia-100/
@gaspesiaraceseries
Music by: Joseph McDade
Ceili McCabe has always known she wanted to be a professional athlete. From a young age, her goal was simple: compete at the highest level, no matter the sport. She began in soccer, but after an injury in her teens made it clear that reaching the top of that sport might not be possible, she recalibrated and shifted her focus.
That competitive drive—and her love of being part of a team—eventually led her to distance running, where she's built an incredible career in cross country and on the track. Along the way, she's also found the right partners, coaches and teammates to help her reach for amazing goals, including setting a new Canadian women's record in the Steeplechase.
Ceili often credits her success to making the right connections and meeting the right people along the way. But it's clear that her relentless drive and commitment to being the best are what have drawn those opportunities to her. By seeking out the right teams, coaches, and partnerships, Ceili has earned several Team Canada spots both at Worlds and the Paris Olympics.
Now running professionally with On, Ceili is living out the dream she set for herself in her youth—and if what we've seen so far is any indication, she's just getting started.
Follow Ceili @ceilimccabe
EPISODE SPONSOR: ULTRA TRAIL GASPESIA 100
Welcome to the wild edge of adventure — where mountains meet the sea, and trails stretch for miles through breathtaking wilderness. This is Ultra Trail Gaspesia 100 — an iconic trail running event set in the heart of Gaspésie, Eastern Québec, Canada.
Imagine yourself running rugged single-track trails carved through the Percé UNESCO Global Geopark, past towering sea cliffs, deep forests, and panoramic views of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
Whether you're tackling the legendary 100-mile ultra challenge, the stunning 110 km route, or celebrating your pace on shorter distances — the spirit of community, grit, and unforgettable scenery is what makes this race truly special. Step into the adventure in Percé, June 19–21!
For more information and to register, visit:
https://gaspesia.org/en/events/ultra-trail-gaspesia-100/
@gaspesiaraceseries
Music by: Joseph McDade
When athlete Leanne Taylor was involved in a mountain biking accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down, her world changed. While she was navigating the emotions that come with a life-altering injury, Leanne decided she would focus on finding a new way to continue to bring back confidence and goal-setting through sport. Just eight months after her injury, she was on a start line competing in her very first paratriathlon.
Leanne lives by the motto: Why not just try and see how far you can go? That mindset, along with a relentless work ethic and belief, brought her to the Paralympic Games in Paris, where she made history as the first Canadian woman to medal in paratriathlon.
Now, life looks a little different again. Leanne and her husband have welcomed a baby into the family — working through new challenges of motherhood while continuing to chase excellence in sport. But if you think she's slowing down, think again. Her sights are firmly set on the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Leanne is the epitome of resilience, reinvention, and relentless optimism, and she's got a smile and happiness that make you want to come along for the ride.
follow Leanne @leataylor8
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
Find the best gear for all of your winter fun with next-day delivery everywhere in Canada and same-day delivery available in Montreal.
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "runcanada"
Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada
Conditions apply: Valid for a limited time on regular-priced items. Cannot be combined with other offers or the member discount. One use per customer.
@altitudesports
Theme Music by Joseph McDade
This week, I'm bringing back 42 Questions—a segment I haven't done in a while—and there was only one person who came to mind to relaunch it: the sunshine-filled Joyce Law.
Joyce is a run and strength coach dedicated to empowering women, and she's a vibrant force in run communities across the GTA. No matter where she shows up, though, her heart belongs to her home crew, We Run North York.
I loved this conversation. I love Joyce. And I think you're going to love this too. Get ready for some great coaching tips, some great stories, and more than a few laughs along the way.
Follow Joyce @joysofrunning
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
Find the best gear for all of your winter fun with next-day delivery everywhere in Canada and same-day delivery available in Montreal.
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "runcanada"
Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada
Conditions apply: Valid for a limited time on regular-priced items. Cannot be combined with other offers or the member discount. One use per customer.
@altitudesports
Theme Music by Joseph McDade
TRIGGER WARNING: Today's conversation includes a discussion of substance abuse and a suicide attempt. I feel that it is important to share this story, but I also recognize that these topics can be heavy. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you, and don't hesitate to step away or join me for the next episode if you need to.
If this episode brings up difficult feelings, support is available. In Canada, you can reach Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 by phone or text, or contact 911 if you're in immediate danger. If you're a young person looking for support, Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting CONNECT to 686868. Help is there, and you don't have to go through this alone.
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Today, Tarrant Cross Child is an ultrarunner and the inspiring founder of Prairie Run Crew—an organization that brings start lines, running clinics, pep rallies, shoes, and hope to children in underserved communities.
But the path to who Tarrant is today was shaped by powerful life experiences. Growing up, his grandfather nurtured his love of running—first by encouraging him to run on the land, and eventually by lining up for his very first race. When Tarrant ran his first marathon, he won. And trust me, the story of how that happened is wild.
What followed were incredibly difficult years. Tarrant struggled with alcohol addiction and survived a suicide attempt. Through connection—with the right people and programs—along with the love of his family and his relationship with running, he found his way through a year-long rehab program and, ultimately, back to the start line of that same marathon.
Today, Tarrant and his entire family are helping bring Prairie Run Crew to kids who need the same encouragement, support, and belief—to learn how to set goals, dream big, and see what's possible.
Follow Tarrant's journey @tarrantcrosschild
Follow Prairie Run Crew @prairieruncrew
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Kelsey Hogan started running outside as a kid in her hometown of Steady Brook, NL. That early love for being outside and exploring has grown into a passion for elite ultra trail racing.
After talking with Kelsey, it became clear that connection sits at the heart of everything she does: connection to the natural world and the way it feels to move through it on the trails, connection rooted in gratitude for the people and experiences that have shaped her journey, and connection to community through her work as a mental performance coach.
Kelsey pours herself into pursuing big goals in the sport, but she's equally committed to giving back, whether as a youth ambassador or a role model for the next generation of female runners. Her energy and positivity are always top of mind, but we also dig into the harder moments - DNFs, goal dissapointments, and the importance of allowing space for grief in both sport and life.
Follow Kelsey @kelseypamela or find her on her website www.kelseyhogan.com
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
Find the best gear for all of your winter fun with next-day delivery everywhere in Canada and same-day delivery available in Montreal.
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "runcanada"
Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada
Conditions apply: Valid for a limited time on regular-priced items. Cannot be combined with other offers or the member discount. One use per customer.
@altitudesports
Theme Music by Joseph McDade
At the Banff Film Festival in November 2025, a short film titled Becky Bates, Not a Running Story, premiered. The documentary followed Becky Bates, a 62-year-old BC ultrarunner, as she prepared for her third startline at the legendary Hardrock 100. This title perfectly captures Becky's humble take on her place in the sport: she doesn't see what she is doing as remarkable, even though many (read: me) would disagree.
Becky started ultrarunning later in life, lining up for her first race at 50 after decades of biking, climbing and mountaineering. Twelve years on, she's racing in the front of her field, thriving on vert-heavy courses and proving that success in ultrarunning is built on resilience, smart training, and a deep love for the land she runs on. Her passion for the trail community and commitment to giving back to the sport that has shaped this chapter of her life make her a true role model.
Follow Becky @beckybbates
Find out how you can see Becky Bates, Not a Running Story @lukasnemethfilms @scotproudfoot
EPISODE SPONSOR: ALTITUDE SPORTS
Find the best gear for all of your winter fun with next-day delivery everywhere in Canada and same-day delivery available in Montreal.
Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code "runcanada"
Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-runcanada
Conditions apply: Valid for a limited time on regular-priced items. Cannot be combined with other offers or the member discount. One use per customer.
@altitudesports
Theme Music by Joseph McDade
Becky Bates photo: Cary Johnson Images @caryjohnsonimages
Today we're hanging out with Quebec trail phenom Maïka Lamoureaux. Maïka somehow makes balancing life as a PhD candidate at HEC Montréal and a fiercely competitive trail running career look easy.
In 2022, she was selected to represent Canada at the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships in Thailand—and at just 24, she was the youngest athlete in the 80K. That experience lit a fire, building confidence and a hunger to explore just how far her limits can go (spoiler alert: she's still finding them).
These days, Maïka's sweet spot is a vert-heavy 50K, though she still carves out time for her third passion: gravel biking. She also talks about how recovering from a broken ankle brought unexpected clarity, showing her that chasing both academic and athletic goals at the same time makes her more balanced and happy.
Follow Maïka @maikalamoureaux
EPISODE SPONSOR: CANADA RUNNING SERIES
Registration is open for all Canada Running Series 2026 events, and here are a few highlights that you don't want to miss!
Beneva Spring Run-Off — April 4, 2026 Kick off your racing season with a Toronto classic. Run the 5K, 8K, or Kids Race and enjoy High Park in full spring bloom.
UA Toronto 10K — April 18, 2026 Now on a new date for 2026! Experience Toronto's waterfront like never before with this fast, scenic 10K, plus a fun Kids Race for future runners.
Beneva Vancouver Half — June 28, 2026 Soak in ocean views and mountain backdrops at the Beneva Vancouver Half Marathon or 5K — one of Canada's most beautiful races.
Visit www.canadarunningseries.com for more details and to register
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Giddy up—because today, Michelle and Kim Krezonoski are back! Kim and Michelle have been crushing their own running goals—most notably finishing as the top two Canadian women at the 2024 Boston Marathon—yet they stay grounded and remind us that life is full of different pursuits that fuel us.
Beyond their own training, they've spent the past few years inspiring athletes through their coaching company, Startline Strength. And now, they've added a brand-new venture to their roster: Pairr Socks. Pairr is the result of nearly two years of passion, testing, research, and fine-tuning—and the result is pretty incredible. So gear up for a spicy workout and pair it with this a chat with Kim and Michelle Krezonoski.
Follow Kim @kimkrezonoski
Follow Michelle @michellekrezonoski
Follow Pairr @Pairrsocks
Find Startline Strength at www.startlinestrength.com
EPISODE SPONSOR: CANADA RUNNING SERIES
As we wrap another incredible race season, it's time to look ahead: registration is open for all Canada Running Series 2026 events, including:
Beneva Spring Run-Off — April 4, 2026: Kick off your racing season with a Toronto classic. Run the 5K, 8K, or Kids Race and enjoy High Park in full spring bloom.
UA Toronto 10K — April 18, 2026: Now on a new date for 2026! Experience Toronto's waterfront like never before with this fast, scenic 10K, plus a fun Kids Race for future runners.
Beneva Vancouver Half — June 28, 2026: Soak in ocean views and mountain backdrops at the Beneva Vancouver Half Marathon or 5K — one of Canada's most beautiful races.
Visit www.canadarunningseries.com for more details and to register
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Sarah Deeb, along with her sister Maysoun, launched Womensfitsauga in 2020 to get more women moving together in a social, supportive space - and to become the role models they wished they had had growing up in sport. The journey hasn't been without bumps (looking at you, COVID), but every pivot they had to make and new activity they had to try helped shape the dynamic, welcoming run space they have today. Sarah's outlook on showing up as you are and moving together reminds me of my favourite run quote from the amazing Alexi Pappas: "Running is a team sport masked as an individual sport". When we chase our own goals side by side, the work feels lighter, the joy gets bigger, and you just never know who might join you along the way.
Follow WFS @womensfitsauga
EPISODE SPONSOR: Under Armour Toronto 10K
On April 18, 2026, it will be the same race. Same community. New streets. All gas.
Start and finish at Nathan Phillips Square and feel the city move with you. Registration includes your race bib, UA tech shirt, medal, and a 40% Under Armour discount. Choose an Impact Bib to donate $10 to KidSport instead of receiving a shirt.
Registration is open — sign up now at www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme music: Joseph McDade
Regular listeners of the show might already know, but I have had something on my running bucket list for a very long time: crewing at a trail ultramarathon. My amazing friend Jenn Walton granted my wish like a fairy when she ran the 48-hour race at the Beaudry Fall Classic. And of course, I brought my microphones so you could come along for the ride.
I can now proudly attest that I know firsthand that trail races and the trail race community are MAGIC. The volunteers, the vibes, the snacks, the setting. It's all so wonderful. I hope you lock into it when listening to these interviews and clips from Jenn's unbelievable 100 mile achievement. Grab some of that second-hand runner high with this special on location episode.
Follow Jenn @jennrunsontheprairie
Find out more about the Beaudry Fall Classic & a few other awesome Manitoba trail races @ontheedgerunning
EPISODE SPONSOR: Under Armour Toronto 10K
On April 18, 2026, it will be the same race. Same community. New streets. All gas.
Start and finish at Nathan Phillips Square and feel the city move with you. Registration includes your race bib, UA tech shirt, medal, and a 40% Under Armour discount. Choose an Impact Bib to donate $10 to KidSport instead of receiving a shirt.
Registration is open — sign up now at www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme music: Joseph McDade
This episode makes a three-peat for one of my all-time favourite guests, Gabriela DeBues Stafford. Gabriela has had an extremely challenging few years, focused on injuries that were so consistently unresolved that she actually contemplated retirement. However, the resilience that defines this remarkably unstoppable athlete, paired with the support of healthcare professionals and the boundless love of her partner and coach Rowan, has helped her rediscover her fire, and she is back chasing big goals on the track all over again.
Follow Gabriela on instagram @gabrielastafford
EPISODE SPONSOR: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Before you join 30,000 of your closest friends at the start line or get ready to cheer on your lungs out, join us at the 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Expo Speaker Series!
On October 17th and 18th at the Enercare Centre, we’re bringing together the voices that keep our running community moving: from elite athletes and beloved run-crew leaders to experts in training, recovery, and nutrition. Come and share stories, ask questions, and feel that sense of community that makes running in Toronto so special. Check out the full lineup at torontowaterfrontmarathon.com — and join us at the Speaker Stage. Your best race weekend starts there.
Theme music: Joseph McDade
Alex and Vince Huynh have a bit of a competitive streak. They are constantly seeing how far and how fast they can go. But their drive goes beyond personal goals: they’re passionate about welcoming new runners and helping people challenge themselves. They also saw a need for more Asian role models in the sport, which led them to create the Asian Toronto Running Club just over a year ago. Vince, Alex and their dedicated team of volunteers embody leadership and inclusion: everyone is welcome at ATRC, Asian or not. The club hosts a social run on Saturdays and a more focused workout on Wednesdays, offering something for every type of runner. And in just a short time, their impact is already being recognized: ATRC recently received the Community Leaders Award for the Spadina–Fort York region. It’s inspiring to see how quickly this community has grown, bringing people together and celebrating Asian culture at the start line.
Follow ATRC @asiantorontorunclub
Follow Vince @vincehuynh_
Follow Alex @alex.huynh_
EPISODE SPONSOR: UNDER ARMOUR EASTSIDE 10K
Chase your PB, and tour Vancouver at the same time! Run the Under Armour Eastside 10K on Sunday, September 21 and fly through Gastown, Chinatown, and East Van on a fast, scenic course. Enjoy big race-day energy, a premium UA technical shirt, and a standout medal. Don’t miss this unforgettable run!
Register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
I’m excited to bring it to you today's chat from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon’s Women’s Training Group. After the pandemic, Canada Running Series and ASICS Canada set out to address, and work to find solutions to, the considerable gap between the number of women and the number of men running marathons. In 2024, they launched the Women’s Training Group to support and empower more women to chase big goals on race day.
Last year, Heather Garner and I followed Mandy and Joan on their inspiring journey to the finish line. This year, we’re back with two new runners—our “Positive Patties”— Candice Combdon and Bianca Magdangal, who are pushing toward their own start lines.
Whether you’re training for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, another fall race, or just love the grit and grind of big mileage, this conversation is packed with honesty, smart strategies, and all the feels of marathon training.
Follow the journey to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon start line @towaterfront42k
Follow our Positive Patties, Candice @candice_combdon and Bianca @bianca.runs
Follow our marathon guru Heather @catchingheather and @kardiaathletica
EPISODE SPONSOR: UNDER ARMOUR EASTSIDE 10K
Chase your PB, and tour Vancouver at the same time! Run the Under Armour Eastside 10K on Sunday, September 21 and fly through Gastown, Chinatown, and East Van on a fast, scenic course. Enjoy big race-day energy, a premium UA technical shirt, and a standout medal. Don’t miss this unforgettable run!
Register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Today we’re getting optimized with Nicole Sifuentes. We might keep things casual in our chat, but don’t let that fool you—Nicole was an absolute force on the track. She’s a twelve-time NCAA All-American, a five-time Canadian Championship medalist in the 1500 and 5000, and she repped Team Canada at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics. She also still holds the women's record for the BAA Invitational Mile, just for fun. These days, Nicole pours her energy into Sifuentes Coaching, where she helps athletes dream big and go bigger.
Follow Nicole on insta @sifuentescoaching
Find out more about Sifuentes Coaching at www.sifuentescoaching.com
EPISODE SPONSOR: UNDER ARMOUR EASTSIDE 10K
Chase your PB, and tour Vancouver at the same time! Run the Under Armour Eastside 10K on Sunday, September 21 and fly through Gastown, Chinatown, and East Van on a fast, scenic course. Enjoy big race-day energy, a premium UA technical shirt, and a standout medal. Don’t miss this unforgettable run!
Register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
Crossing Lines founders Kortnee Borden and Matt Geofroy had spent many years running with Parkdale Roadrunners: they had always been able to find ways to push for their own goals while helping others feel the magic of getting out in equal measure. But when they entered the ultra endurance trail space, they noticed something missing: people of colour. So they decided to take action and create change.
Crossing Lines is a movement that is making the ultra endurance space more welcoming for BIPOC runners: they teach people the skills they need to be set up for success and do everything they can to support their journey to the start line. Now deep in their second season, they are getting ready for another huge race and making amazing memories along the way.
To broaden the conversation even further, they also host the Crossing Lines Podcast, with their friends Meddy, James and Adam. They talk trails, gear, culture, current events (Harry Styles and MothTech, anyone?) and hang out with interesting guests.
Follow them on Instagram @xcrossinglinesx or visit their website
https://xcrossinglinesx.weebly.com/
EPISODE SPONSOR: CANADA RUNNING SERIES
Whether you're racing for a personal best or just soaking up the run vibes, you have the chance to make every step count by supporting an incredible cause through the TCS Charity Challenge and Oasis ZooRun fundraising program. At the Oasis Zoo Run, Your donation helps bring the Toronto Zoo’s new Community Conservation Centre to life; a state-of-the-art, hands-on education hub that will inspire the next generation to take action for wildlife. The TCS Charity Challenge supports a wide range of local organizations tackling food insecurity, supporting children with disabilities, and creating stronger, healthier communities. Whether you're running or cheering, your donation can help these organizations keep up the pace. For more information on how you can help raise funds through either of these amazing events, visit www.canadarunningseries.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
After graduating from the University of Tulsa, Ben Preisner took his years of track and cross-country training and started testing them out on the roads. Following a couple of progressively faster half marathons, he set his sights on the full.
When COVID derailed his original plan to debut at the London Marathon, Ben applied for and ran The Marathon Project in 2020, where he ran a remarkable 2:10:17.
In this episode, we discuss qualifying for and racing at the Tokyo Olympics, his rise from being the fifth fastest Canadian marathoner to now being the second fastest, and his gutsy run at scoring a spot on the Paris Olympic team.
Ben is ridiculously smart and I think you will really enjoy hearing how his logical mindset and calm, steady approach to life shows up in both his training and racing.
Follow Ben @ben.preisner
EPISODE SPONSOR: UNDER ARMOUR EASTSIDE 10K
The Under Armour Eastside 10K is quickly approaching on September 21 in Vancouver. The CRS West team has just revealed the race shirt, and it's amazing: with sizes ranging from women's XS to men's XXL and a fantastic technical fabric, this will be your new go-to training shirt. You also have the option to choose the Impact Bib program, where $10 from your race registration will be donated to charity instead of receiving a shirt!
To find out more about the Under Armour Eastside 10K or to register now, visit www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme music: Joseph McDade
Creating a Culture of Safety for Runners was put together by three passionate leaders in the running community—people who not only love the sport but are deeply committed to building connections within their groups. Their passion for people naturally extends to a shared commitment to safety. After all, you can’t create an inclusive and joyful space if people are showing up in fear.
Our speakers are:
- Sarah Rose Black from Chix Run the 6ix
- Alejandro De La Cruz from Running Waters
- Erin Doucette from Toronto Trail Runners and The Trail Collective
Whether you’re looking for ways to feel safer on roads or trails—or want to help others feel included and protected—this episode is for you.
Mark October 17 & 18, 2025 on your calendar and plan to join this year's speaker stage for more lively discussion, important information, and fun friends from the run community!
EPISODE SPONSOR: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 18 & 19, 2025
While the Marathon and Half Marathon are already sold out, the fun’s not over yet! You can still be part of the action by signing up for the 5K on Saturday. This high-energy race takes you on a scenic tour through some of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks and vibrant neighbourhoods.
Trust us—this is a weekend you won’t want to miss! Since 2017, this event has been home to the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships and even served as the Olympic Trials.
So lace up for the 5K on Saturday, and then stick around to cheer on thousands of runners taking on the marathon course Sunday. The energy is electric, the crowds are buzzing, and the memories? Totally worth it.
Head to canadarunningseries.com to register now. Let’s make it a weekend to remember!
Intro Music: Joseph McDade
I use the word resilient often on this show, but today's guest Samantha Powderhorn truly redefines it. Raised in the remote Sayisi Dene First Nation in Northern Manitoba, Samantha faced an incredibly tough childhood marked by addiction, neglect, and becoming a mother at just 15 years old. Later, after a cancer diagnosis and the devastating loss of her brother, she found herself battling addiction, trapped in an unhappy marriage, and trying to find a way forward.
But Samantha's story doesn't end there. She has transformed her life by learning to love and care for herself and discovering strength through running. She became the first Sayisi Dene woman to complete the Churchill Marathon and is setting her sights on even more incredible goals.
Samantha is brave, compassionate, and deeply inspiring. She shares her story hoping it will help others find their own path through hardship.
Follow Samantha @sayisitaurus
EPISODE SPONSOR: Under Armour Toronto 10K
The Under Armour Toronto 10K is all about community: join us for a day of active excitement. Whether you're a seasoned runner or a first-timer, this event is about more than just a run: it's an opportunity to rally your crew and create lasting memories in your community. At over 90% sold out, this is your final call to join the fun. visit https://canadarunningseries.com/toronto-10k/ for more info and to get registered.
Intro Music: Joseph McDade
To say that getting to interview Alexi Pappas in person at the Servus Calgary Marathon this last weekend was a dream come true is an understatement. I have been a massive fan of this Greek-American Olympian for a long time: she is also an artist, an actor/filmmaker, a podcaster and a truly generous soul. Alexi and I talked about her two books, Bravey and the adaptation she wrote for younger readers, and the new book and film projects she is currently working on. We also dive into the ways she has found joy in the sport in every form: from dancing through the streets during the New York Marathon, to working with her vision-impaired running partner Lisa as she targets the Paralympics, to being an example of what a beautiful continued run life can be after a professional career.
Alexi constantly centres other people's experiences by listening and learning from everyone she encounters (as proved by her podcast Mentor Buffet) and gives incredible advice from a place of experience. I hope you find this magical episode as glittery and bubble-gun filled as we all did. IYKYK
Follow Alexi @alexipappas
EPISODE SPONSOR: Did you have an awesome time at the Servus Calgary Marathon? Or experiencing FOMO for a fantastic race weekend? Join the Run Calgary team to celebrate the 45th running of the Calgary Police Classic (formerly the Calgary Police Half Marathon) on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Cowboys Park. The Calgary Police Classic is a fall road race that boasts a fast and flat half-marathon course, a new 8 km event (not the traditional 5 km and 10 km races), as well as a brand new kids race. Register now at https://raceroster.com/events/2025/100913/2025-calgary-police-classic
J Solle is an active member and former board member of Front Runners New York and now the Race Director of the iconic Front Runners New York City LGBT Pride Run: the largest pride run in the world, which welcomed over 10,000 runners to its start line last year. J’s spirit and actions mirror the aims of Front Runners and the Pride Run. They celebrate showing up authentically, creating inclusivity for everyone, and amplifying the powerful intersection of sport and community. In addition to bringing the joy of an inclusive start line to others, J is a highly talented runner, having made two appearances at the Boston Marathon.
From speaking at a United Nations event to being recognized as a 2025 Emerging Leader by Running USA to working as a coach helping others reach big goals, J is a light in our running community.
Follow J @jcsolle
Follow Front Runners New York @frontrunnersny
Follow the Front Runners New York City LGBT Pride Run @frnypriderun
Episode Sponsor: Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K
Vancouver's premier half marathon experience, taking place June 22, 2025. This year, featuring a finisher medal made from recycled chopsticks created just for Canada Running Series by their partner Chop Value. Register with their Impact Bib program, and a portion of your registration fee will be donated in lieu of a race shirt! Join Western Canada's ONLY zero-waste designated race: choose from the half marathon, 5K or kids' race.
For more info and to register, visit www.canadarunningseries.com
After her first appearance on the show five years ago, Daryl Lang is back! Daryl is a vision-impaired runner who races with a guide and completes her training miles with her guide dog. Daryl and I love furry friends, so this episode ended up almost an ode to her two guide dogs, Jenny and Yasha.
Daryl takes us through Jenny's retirement, what it was like to change their relationship from working to companionship, and learning the ins and outs of her new coworker, Yasha (whom she trained with at Guiding Eyes for the Blind in New York).
Daryl also became published as a contributing author to the book Run for Your Life: Lessons Learned from Going the Distance, and she shares a bit about that process as well.
Yasha and Daryl may still be fine-tuning running together, but in the meantime, Daryl has entered a new space in her running era: nothing to prove to anyone (maybe the best journey yet). She may not be worried about how much she races or what her splits are anymore, but she still has some big goals on the horizon. I have my fingers crossed that I might get to greet her at the finish line sometime soon.
Find Daryl's blog at www.blindbeader.ca
Buy a copy of Run For Your Life: Lessons Learned from Going the Distance https://bit.ly/buyrunforyourlife
Donate to Guiding Eyes for the Blind: https://donate.guidingeyes.org/
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Episode Sponsor: Canada Running Series
The Beneva Spring Run Off may have already sprung, but Canada Running Series still has a ton of exciting races to help you find your next start line. Next up: The Under Armour Toronto 10K. With a medal inspired by the city itself, this year’s finish line prize features the iconic Toronto skyline—CN Tower and all—hung on waves of blue, a nod to the scenic waterfront route. Register to earn yours on June 15th: visit www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme music: Joseph McDade
Today, we are celebrating five years together at the Run Canada Podcast! And what better way to do it than telling our funniest, cringiest, most embarrassing running stories??
My friend Sarah Carroll (founder of Underdogs Coaching) and I read a selection of the submitted stories. We can all relate because this sport may be magical, but things get messy sometimes. Knowing we have all been there and can either say, "That happened to me too!" or at least empathize with the situation brings us closer together.
HEADS UP: Unlike every other episode I have EVER posted, this one contains swear words. So don't listen in your car with your four-year-old. Also, not sure your four-year-old wants to hear some of these stories anyway!
Thank you to everyone who hopped on the overshare train with us by sending in your stories: you make this community great. I look forward to drawing a name and sending out a fantastic prize pack from our friends at Canada Running Series and ASICS Canada.
Cheers to five years of fun and many more to come!
Find Sarah Carroll @underdogs_coaching
Discover what movement will do for your mind @asicscanada
Find your next best race @runcrs and @runcrswest
Theme music (since day one!): Joseph McDade
As we are nearing our fifth anniversary episode, I love looking back to some of the past episodes we have had that longtime listeners may have forgotten about or that new listeners haven't heard. This episode is a real gem: I got to spend time with my best bud Melanie Murzeau AND meet the legendary Valerie Jerome.
Recorded in 2021, Valerie shares stories from her life in running. From the incredible things that she and her brother Harry achieved on the track to all of the adversity and racism they encountered off it, her candid answers and willingness to share the good and the bad was truly moving.
Valerie talks a lot in the episode about how she had been working since the 90s to get her manuscript published, and as you know, that book FINALLY became a reality in 2023. You can buy a copy for yourself through this Canadian retailer: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/races-the-trials-and-triumphs-of-canadas-fastest-family/9781773102900.html
I am also giving away a copy with the prize package for our fifth anniversary episode: check out @runcanadapodcast for more information.
EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series
Canada may be locked in the deep freeze right now, but you can keep your running on target by registering for the Beneva Spring Run-Off, either in person at Toronto's stunning High Park on April 5, 2025, or virtually wherever you are.
Participants can choose from the 8K, 5K, or Kids Race distances. All in-person runners will receive a souvenir apparel item and a finisher medal featuring designs inspired by High Park's beauty.
Don’t wait to register – this season's kickoff always goes fast. Go to www.canadarunningseries.com for more info and to register.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
If you are an active community runner in the GTA, there's a good change you have met or at least crossed paths with Sabrina Young. A long-time runner, Sabrina began her journey with the Longboat Roadrunners Club, focusing on improving her times to earn a spot on the Boston Marathon start line. As life evolved and her two children entered the picture, Sabrina's relationship with running, along with her goals and values, has shifted. In this conversation, we explore these changes in her journey, as well as her insights from working in the industry in her marketing and writing role at iRun Magazine. We dive into how the running boom has transformed what runners seek from their connection to the sport and how it has helped to make the running community more inclusive.
Follow some of Sabrina's adventures @irunnation
We talk for a WHILE about the Canada Fitness Test/Awards. For those who are too young or for those who want a dip down memory lane, check out https://nevermindgenx.substack.com/p/the-last-great-thing-this-country
EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series
Canada may be locked in the deep freeze right now, but you can keep your running on target by registering for the Beneva Spring Run-Off, either in person at Toronto's stunning High Park on April 5, 2025, or virtually wherever you are.
Participants can choose from the 8K, 5K, or Kids Race distances. All in-person runners will receive a souvenir apparel item and a finisher medal featuring designs inspired by High Park's beauty.
Don’t wait to register – this season's kickoff always goes fast. Go to www.canadarunningseries.com for more info and to register.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
If you are looking to fall in love with running all over again, this is the episode for you. Live from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Speaker Stage; it's the wrap party that was as filled with laughter and tears as a good rom com.
After identifying the need to find ways to support and encourage more women to run the marathon, Canada Running Series created the 2024 Women's Training Group. Hundreds of registrants used online resources and chat forums to work together toward the start line. The day before the big race, some of the participants got together for a shakeout run supported by ASICS and then shared some of their thoughts and discoveries around the speaker stage.
I was again joined by Heather Garner, founder of Kardia, and two program participants (and now MARATHONERS!) Joan Broto and Mandy Mundell. In re-listening, I remembered how meaningful the experience was and how easily we could connect with total strangers because of our mutual love of running. I dare you not to laugh, cry, and totally relate to this conversation (you must supply your own Kleenex).
Watch @towaterfront42K to see what they will be up to for the 2025 race!
Again, thank you to @asicscanada for supporting the program and the wrap party. You made it extra special.
EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series
Canada may be locked in the deep freeze right now, but you can keep your running on target by registering for the Beneva Spring Run-Off, either in person at Toronto's stunning High Park on April 5, 2025, or virtually wherever you are.
Participants can choose from the 8K, 5K, or Kids Race distances. All in-person runners will receive a souvenir apparel item and a finisher medal featuring designs inspired by the beauty of High Park.
Don’t wait to register – this season's kickoff always goes fast. Go to www.canadarunningseries.com for more info and to register.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
What do you get when you pair a dedicated fitness professional and run coach with the challenge of leading a group of runners in a 640 KM, three-day relay race? You get drive, dedication and the satisfaction of reaching a truly impressive goal as a team. Ania Z. approaches training for herself and her clients holistically, putting together over a decade of learning, certification and experience to help others reach their goals. Ania tells us about participating twice in Run to Montreal, an ultra relay race that starts in Nathan Philips Square in Toronto and finishes on Mount Royal in Montreal. It supports some incredible charities and creates a unique experience for participants. There were highs and lows, but both finish lines came with great accomplishment and camaraderie with teammates.
Follow Ania @fierce_flames or at www.fiercefeminineathletics.com
Find Run to Montreal @runtomtl or at www.runtomtl.com
EPISODE SPONSOR: Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause, February 22, 2025
ONLY A FEW SPOTS REMAIN: DON'T WAIT TO REGISTER
On Saturday, February 22, join the cause at the Toronto Zoo and move your paws to help one of the world’s most vulnerable species – polar bears! 2025 marks the 11th edition of Move Your Paws. There will be 5K and 1K distance options open to runners, walkers and wheelers of all ages and abilities. Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of outdoor fun, fitness and fundraising!
Visit www.canadarunningseries.com to register now!
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Live from the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon speaker stage and moderated by Kardia founder and run club veteran Heather Gardner, this session addressed the current hot topic: Is running the new dating app? As one of the event's most talked-about and highly anticipated panels, Heather led a fantastic panel of speakers, each offering unique perspectives.
Keri Wong, a long-time runner and run club member, shared her experience navigating the world of run clubs as a single woman. Sam Montgomery, a member of the executive committee for Frontrunners Toronto and their social media manager, provided valuable insights on communication and expectations. Elan Bibas and Rory Duffy, co-founders of the Get Lost Run Club in Toronto, discussed how they’ve created a fun, inclusive atmosphere for all kinds of social running events, including run-dating experiences. They also highlighted their efforts to ensure safety and positive vibes at every event.
Follow Heather @catchingheather and @kardiaathletica
Follow Keri @bitesandstrides
Follow Sam @samcmontgomery and @frontrunnerstoronto
Follow Elan @elan.bibas
Follow Rory @rory_duffy and @getlost.runners
EPISODE SPONSOR: Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause, February 22, 2025
On Saturday, February 22, join the cause at the Toronto Zoo and move your paws to help one of the world’s most vulnerable species – polar bears! 2025 marks the 11th edition of Move Your Paws. There will be 5K and 1K distance options open to runners, walkers and wheelers of all ages and abilities. Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of outdoor fun, fitness and fundraising!
Visit www.canadarunningseries.com to register now!
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Let's draw some January inspiration from a local runner who is well-known in the Winnipeg running community - Tim Coombs. Tim took a challenging personal experience and turned it into a positive movement for himself and for the entire Manitoba running community.
At the end of 2023, Tim faced a heavy personal struggle. He could have chosen to remain in that difficult space, but instead, he set two resolutions that have had a profound impact on his life. First, Tim took on a January run streak challenge, which turned into a streak that’s still going strong today. Second, he committed to running with as many different run clubs across the province as possible. Along the way, he made new friends, reconnected with old ones, and inspired others to join him. Tim is kind and generous with a smile for everyone he meets. I hope his New Year's resolutions might spark a positive change in you too.
Follow Tim on Instagram @running_tim8oes
EPISODE SPONSOR: Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause, February 22, 2025
On Saturday, February 22, join the cause at the Toronto Zoo and move your paws to help one of the world’s most vulnerable species – polar bears! 2025 marks the 11th edition of Move Your Paws. There will be 5K and 1K distance options open to runners, walkers and wheelers of all ages and abilities. Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of outdoor fun, fitness and fundraising!
Visit www.canadarunningseries.com to register now!
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Molly Hurford has been writing basically since she could hold a pen. As an adult, she has paired her passion for sports and the outdoors with being a professional author who has written for various publications and published several books. She also supports cycle athletes as a mentor and podcaster at The Consummate Athlete with her partner, Peter Glassford. If that wasn't all enough, she has her own publishing company, Strong Girl Publishing, which shares the work of outstanding female athletes (recently Micha Powell!). Molly also writes the series Shred Girls, which helps encourage young girls to find their place in sport. Her whole work ethos is centred on women supporting women and creating role models for girls. We need more Molly Hurfords in our world.
Follow The Consummate Athlete @consummateathlete
Follow Molly @mollyjhurford
Follow Strong Girl Publishing @stronggirlpublishing
Find all of Strong Girl Publishing's books wherever you buy books or at https://stronggirlpublishing.com/
EPISODE SPONSOR: Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause, February 22, 2025
On Saturday, February 22, join the cause at the Toronto Zoo, and move your paws to help one of the world’s most vulnerable species – polar bears! 2025 marks the 11th edition of Move Your Paws. There will be 5K and 1K distance options open to runners, walkers and wheelers of all ages and abilities. Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of outdoor fun, fitness and fundraising!
Visit www.canadarunningseries.com to register now!
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Ryan Chilibeck loves the run community, from elite athletes to first-timers. He is passionate about bringing everyone together and showing them what an amazing team sport running can be. Ryan founded East Van Run Crew, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2024. Coming from a long history of loving both team sports and being outside in the ocean and the mountains, Ryan doesn't just participate on the roads and trails; he has built his career around it. Many of you west coasters have probably seen him hard at work at one of CRS West's events, still others know him as the person who brought together the Women's Marathon Group at this year's TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. We discuss that experience and how raising two girls challenged his views of raising active kids. Make sure you have a beverage because at the end of the episode we play a game of Never Have I Ever, and you can play too.
Follow East Van Run Crew @eastvanruncrew
Follow Ryan @ryanmeatysauce
EPISODE SPONSOR: CANADA RUNNING SERIES
Time is running out to lock in the best price for the 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Whether you're gearing up for the 5K, Half Marathon, or Marathon, this is your moment to lock in your commitment before prices go up on Tuesday, December 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Visit www.canadarunningseries.com for details and to register now.
Theme Song: Joseph McDade
Aristotle Domingo started life as an active kid, but his life took a dramatic turn in his twenties when he fell into a three-month-long coma and spent a year in the hospital battling sepsis and its life-altering aftermath. After a series of severe bone infections, he ultimately became a double below-knee amputee.
His adaptability, positivity and relentless drive to embrace new challenges turned that chapter of his life into an opportunity for growth and new experiences. Today, he is a multi-sport athlete, focusing on blade road running and competes in the para wheelchair division of men's shot put in Track and Field. Recognizing the need for support in the amputee community, Aristotle founded the Amputee Coalition of Toronto, where he continues to educate and empower both people experiencing limb loss and the broader sports community on how to better support adaptive athletes.
Follow Aristotle @ampu_TO
Amputee Coalition of Toronto https://www.facebook.com/amputeecoalitionTO/
The AmpuTO Show Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-amputo-show/id1522957731
EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series
The 2024 race season may have officially closed for Canada Running Series, but now is the perfect time to set your sights on new goals for 2025. The best part? Registration is already open for most of these events! Secure your early bird pricing and get motivated towards your next goal.
For more information and to register visit https://canadarunningseries.com/
Theme music: Joseph McDade
Today we are celebrating two Canadian charities that are working diligently to support Canadian youth in becoming and staying active in sport.
The Kickback Foundation's Kickback Run Club brings together community families for 20 weeks over the summer in both Scarborough and downtown Toronto. The program provides relatable role models for youth and meaningful connections for mentors. In addition to the community runs, Kickback brings program participants to the next level by bringing them to the start line of races that they likely never would have seen without it.
Fast and Female’s goal is to empower girls through sport, physical activity and education. Through programming and step up opportunities, participants are provided with R.E.A.L. role models. As they progress through the program, they are encouraged to become role models for the participants that come after them. Leadership is built into every step to build a strong, active future for all of them.
If you are in a position to support these organizations, you can find them here:
Kickback Foundation @kickbackfoundation
https://linktr.ee/kickbackfoundation
Fast & Female @fastandfemale
https://fastandfemale.com/support/
EPISODE SPONSOR: The party that was the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon this year was incredible - 30,000 runners over three events with Canada's official largest marathon all in the books. You can make sure you don't miss your chance to join in on the fun for 2025: registration is now open for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and many other of CRS's iconic events. Visit www.canadarunningseries.com and plan YOUR next big start line.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Mirna Valerio is both an ultra trail runner and an ultra human. This former teacher is the author of A Beautiful Work in Progress, and is now able to devote herself full-time to being a speaker and advocate for health awareness, promoting diversity on the roads and trails, and inspiring others to find their joy on the run. Mirna is busy with a myriad of things, but you may have most recently heard her name when she participated in lululemon's initiative FURTHER which was a six-day challenge for ten athletes to find their new limits while being supported by resources and innovations that have often been reserved for male athletes. So dive in and let the Mirnavator inspire you to reach for your next adventure.
Follow Mirna @themirnavator
Order a copy of her book https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/a-beautiful-work-in-progress/9781503943391.html
EPISODE SPONSOR: The party that was the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon this year was incredible - 30,000 runners over three events with Canada's official largest marathon all in the books. You can make sure you don't miss your chance to join in on the fun for 2025: registration is now open for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and many other of CRS's iconic events. Visit www.canadarunningseries.com and plan YOUR next big start line.
Theme music: Joseph McDade
Anyone who knows me knows I love shiny, happy people who bring a bit more sunshine to the world just by being in it. Lauren Roberts is one of those people, but she's also so much more than that. She is a kick-butt entrepreneur who created The Running Physio: a place where runners in the GTA can go to help them enjoy their sport longer, more comfortably and more safely. Lauren's story starts with a speedy young girl feeling the good vibes from early successes that led her to some really cool experiences as an adult, both in triathlon and marathon racing.
Lauren is bringing her sunny self and MANY years of wisdom to the speaker stage at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Expo on Saturday, October 19, from 5-5:45 PM. She will both answer questions live from the crowd and advance submissions.
YOU can submit your questions by DM to any of the following:
@runcanadapodcast
@the_running_physio
@towaterfront42K
If you can't attend the expo in person, follow the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon to learn how to participate.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
How does an entrepreneur take a passion for supporting women and girls in sports and pair it with a love for research and technology? By starting a women's specific shoe company! Join me for a conversation with Lindsay Housman, founder and CEO of Hettas, as she shares her journey to creating a line of shoes researched and designed to support women runners and create longevity in the sport. Lindsay is not just designing footwear; she's cultivating an environment where women can run longer and stronger, fostering deeper connections within their communities. This, in turn, paves the way for more women to become role models for the next generation of girls in sports. Don't miss this inspiring conversation, which will have you thinking about your experiences as a runner... and your own feet.
Find a full nerd out conversation on all of the studies and technology that have gone into creating Hettas by listening to this episode of The Nitty Gritty Podcast with Jess O'Connell: https://tinyurl.com/yckbby6x
Follow Hettas on Instagram @wear_hettas or find them at www.hettas.ca
EPISODE SPONSOR: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon
The countdown is on to the biggest, brightest party on the streets of Toronto! There is no better way to start your race weekend off on the right foot than to join me at the Expo Speaker Stage at the Enercare Centre on October 18 & 19, 2024. With an incredible line up of speakers and panels, there is something for everyone. For a full stage schedule, watch www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com and follow on Instagram @towaterfront42K. I can't wait to see you there!
Title Music: Joseph McDade
This week, we travel back to the 2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Speaker Stage to hear from Frontrunners Toronto. An institution of Toronto's Gay Village, this run crew's goal is to welcome every runner regardless of who they are or how fast they run. Trevor McGrath moderates this panel of members who share their experiences with this beautiful community of runners and what it means to them to have this family they choose. You can join Frontrunners Toronto and experience the community for yourself: visit their Instagram @frontrunnerstoronto for their run schedule and special events.
EPISODE SPONSOR: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon
The TCS Toronto Waterfront full and half marathons may be sold out, but you can still register for the 5K on Saturday, October 19. Join the FREE expo on Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19, for all the excitement and to watch some amazing speakers at the Speaker Stage. Watch @towaterfront42K for speaker details (coming soon) and visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com to register for the 5K.
Theme Music by Joseph McDade
Briana Scott started her athletic career playing volleyball at McGill University. After that, she continued her schooling, stayed fit and flirted a bit with running half marathons and other fun races. However, her true love was found when she joined Mile2Marathon in her home province of British Columbia. She found out she was fast. And then she found out that the track was a really good time. A lot of passion and a dedicated postpartum comeback saw Briana making two national teams in 2023 and landing herself a spot on the start line of the 5000 metres in Paris. But it takes a village to make an Olympic dream possible, and Briana shares some of what it took to make hers happen.
Follow Briana @_briana_scott
Connect with Coach Briana at Mile2Marathon @mile2marathon
EPISODE SPONSOR: Under Armour Eastside 10K
The Under Armour Eastside 10K is almost upon us, taking place September 22, 2024 in Vancouver, BC. BUT there are still a small number of bibs available! Don't miss this iconic west coast event: participate in person or virtually from wherever you are. Visit www.canadarunningseries.com for information and to register.
Theme Song: Joseph McDade
The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon wants more women to run the marathon. Last year, they spent some time identifying challenges women face and having honest conversations with female runners about what can hold us back. This year, they launched the Women's Training Program: a free group for women planning to take on the full or half marathon on race day, October 20th. This group has been sharing their journey together online, in person on supported runs, and accessing resources, including a training program.
This training group is half way to their goal, so I caught up with a couple of them for a chat. Mandy Mundell is tackling training for the full for the third time after being sidelined in the past by injury and illness. Joan Broto, a mother of two teenagers, is working to prioritize her training time, and show her kids how amazing it can be to work towards a big goal. Kardia founder Heather Gardner joins us to bring her veteran perspective and provide some insight. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll definitely relate. Thanks to the participants and to TWM for letting me share this piece of the journey with everyone.
The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon AND Half Marathon are officially sold out, but you can still catch the vibes by registering for the 5K on Saturday, October 19
www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com
Follow TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon @torontowaterfront42k
Follow Mandy @tri_ingfitnesslife
Follow Heather @catchingheather @kardiaathletica
Theme by Joseph McDade
It's time to wrap up our training journey with the wonderful Emelyn Jade. Emelyn has put in all the work and survived the taper crazies to arrive at the big day. She completed the Half Ironman in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia at the end of May. Emelyn takes us through the good, the challenging and the amazing moments of her big day. We also talk a bit about her next adventure and what her future athletic experiences might look like from what she learned.
Follow Emelyn on Instagram @emelynjade
EPISODE SPONSOR: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon
The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is 95% sold out! If you were waiting for your sign to register for this epic race, this is it. Secure your spot now before it's too late. Whether you're aiming for a personal best or just looking to enjoy a run through the beautiful streets of Toronto, this is your moment. Green bibs are still available as well. Register now and join thousands of other runners at the start line. Let's make this race unforgettable together. Go to www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com to register now!
If you are deep in Olympic fever like I am, this episode is for you. I have had the incredible privilege of interviewing a variety of Olympians, and the one I've been thinking a lot about over the past week is Michelle Harrison. As she is about to step onto the Olympic stage for the first time, I know you will love hearing about the journey that brought her there. Michelle is the epitome of getting back up and trying again: she has made a lot of moves over her running career, from locations to coaches and more, and it has all built her into the powerhouse she is today. All the best, Michelle, we are so proud of you.
You can catch Michelle running in round one of the women's 100-metre hurdles on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 2:15 AM CST.
Follow Michelle on Instagram @michellerharrison
In this episode, we talk about Michelle's cake company - this has now pivoted to custom cookie company in Saskatoon @prairiewhisk
EPISODE SPONSOR: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon's Women's Training Program
If you are looking for a support system to get you from now to the start line of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 20, consider this your sign. The Women's Training Program is FREE to join. It will provide you with both a training program created by The Running Physio Lauren Roberts and a different guest speaker each week that will provide insight on topics specifically relevant to women who are in the throws of marathon training. From nutrition to injury prevention to mental resilience and race day strategies, this is the ultimate hack to help you achieve your goals. Visit @towaterfront42K on Instagram and use the link in bio to register.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
There are a lot of people in the world who see the change that is needed, but not a lot who become the change they need to see. Anita Cardinal is that change. Anita is a Nêhiyaw (Cree) runner who became a young mother, worked hard to support her family as a paralegal, and then attended school as a mature student to obtain her law degree. She is the founder of both the run group Indigenous Runner in Edmonton and the Orange Shirt Day Run, now on its fourth year and run in both Edmonton and Saskatoon. She is also an incredibly brave and dedicated ultra trail runner with a story or two to tell on the long winding roads that both take us to the finish line and change us as people.
Follow Anita on Instagram @runswiththewind
Follow Indigenous Runner and Orange Shirt Day Run @indigenousrunner
Follow Native Women Running @native_women_running
Register for the 2024 Orange Shirt Day Run: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/88301/orange-shirt-day-runwalk
Can't attend? Support the event charity The Orange Shirt Society: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/88301/orange-shirt-day-runwalk/fundraising-organization/56178#event-description
EPISODE SPONSOR: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon's Women's Training Program
If you are looking for a support system to get you from now to the start line of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 20, consider this your sign. The Women's Training Program is FREE to join, and will provide you with both a training program created by The Running Physio Lauren Roberts, but also a different guest speaker each week that will provide insight on topics specifically relevant to women who are in the throws of marathon training. From nutrition to injury prevention to mental resilience and race day strategies, this is the ultimate hack to help you achieve your race day goals. Visit @towaterfront42K on Instagram and use the link in bio to register.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
This panel discussion on Adaptive Racing was recorded live on the 2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Speaker Stage. The session was moderated by Fannie Smith, Manager of Para Development for Athletics Canada. The panel included three para-athletes from a variety of backgrounds. Mike Greer has been participating in road races as an adaptive athlete for more than a decade and works with races to help make them more accessible to all participants. Josh Cassidy is a three-time Paralympian, Boston Marathon Champion and former world record holder. Cindi Davis is an American recreational hand cycler who has competed in a variety of events in North America. This panel of speakers will make you think about how you can help make the events you attend more inclusive for all participants, and give you some new athletes to cheer for on race day.
Follow Athletics Canada @athleticscanada
Follow Mike Greer @bloddsweatandwheels
Follow Josh Cassidy @joshcassidy84
EPISODE SPONSOR: We may be nearing the end of our recordings from the 2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, but now is the time to get yourself registered for the 2024 event! As you may remember, the full and half marathon sold out quickly and this year is on pace to do the same. Learn more about how you can register and get involved in race weekend at www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.
Theme music: Joseph McDade
It's time to hang out with three-time Olympian, coach, and all around cool human Malindi Elmore! Malindi is our female representative in the marathon for the upcoming Paris Olympics and she is ready to fly. We catch up on the races and the training over the past two years that have not only let her best the Paris standard, but gave her two shiny new PBs in both the half and full marathon. Malindi is working extremely hard, but she is also still loving the process and is so incredibly passionate about our sport. She also talks about her fundraising campaign for KidSport BC - find out how you can support the goal and help give all kids in Canada a chance to play.
Follow Malindi on Instagram @malindielmore
Find out how you can support Malindi's fundraising goal for KidSport at www.malindielmore.com
EPISODE SPONSOR: The in-person Oasis Zoo Run may be sold out, but there's still time to join as a virtual participant. And you aren't going to want to miss out on this super cute medal: it features two of the Toronto Zoo's southern white rhinos, mama Sabi and her little one, Kifaru. Don't wait and chance missing out - register now at www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Today on the show I welcome back Olympian Jess O'Connell. Our last chat was what feels like a lifetime ago, so we talked about her post-COVID run at a spot in Tokyo and how healing from a longstanding injury made her discover how much running is a part of her soul. Jess coaches both independently, as the co-owner of Grit Coaching, and also as an Assistant Coach at the University of Calgary, working with the Dino's Distance Track and Cross Country program. Jess has a lifetime's worth of experience as an athlete, which she is excited to use to fuel her passion for coaching. As for setting some big goals for herself again on the track or road? Never say never.
For our next installment of recordings from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Speaker stage, welcome to Sustainability in Sport. This topic is huge: with more and more runners finding their first start line, ensuring that race events can be around for years to come is more vital than ever. Canada Running Series's guru of green, Jen Cerullo, introduces Tina Muir, author of Becoming a Sustainable Runner: A Guide to Running for Life, Community and Planet. Tina speaks with Mike Hurley (Trees for Life), Jeff Packer (Carbon Neutral Club) and Ainsley Munro (Trans Canada Trail). This session is full of real talk and a focus on how the accumulation of the actions we take when we have the opportunities to make choices are what make the biggest impact. So snuggle up with your signed copy of Tina's book and join me back at the speaker stage to find out what we can do to keep our earth ready for all generations.
Follow our guests on Instagram:
Tina Muir @tinamuir88
Carbon Neutral Club @carbonneutralclub
Trans Canada Trail @transcanadatrail
Trees For Life @cdntreesforlife
EPISODE SPONSOR: The Vancouver Half Marathon may be sold out, but spaces still remain in the 5k, taking place on June 23, 2024. All the fun packed into a shorter distance.
The Under Armour East Side 10 on September 22, 2024, is also filling fast: this iconic race runs through the historic east side of Vancouver. Double up and run the Vancouver Special Challenge: complete a virtual and an in-person 10K for bonus swag.
Go to www.canadarunningseries.com to register
Theme music: Joseph McDade
For our 200th episode together, we are going to love all over our run community. I was joined for my birthday party by Mofope Oyekunle from TeamUltra Black and Kayla Hunt and Emma Ferguson from OCRC (Ottawa City Run Club). What an amazing group of community leaders: these three humans care deeply about our sport and encourage all the people to join them. We talked about what it takes to make a truly welcoming environment, where runners can show up, know what to expect, and find their place for the long haul. And that is precisely how we build community in this sport. That and spilling our guts to each other over long runs.
Eric Chéné has loved sports, both playing them and watching them, basically forever. He has spent his adult years working his way through various sports logistics jobs, which grew his skill set to land him in the job he's had for the last decade: Race Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society, host of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. Eric is at the epicentre of Canada's largest running boom in decades. This was evidenced on May 7th: the BMO Vancouver Marathon hosted over 20,000 runners, a great many of which were running their first ever half and full marathons. Eric and I dig into the awesome things about welcoming all of these new, enthusiastic runners, but also what challenges they bring to a race of this size. I hope our digging into some of the details that make a race like this happen highlights for you how much care and attention go into all of the details that work together to keep every runner safe and happy on race day. It's an awesome time to be a member of the run community!
Follow the BMO Vancouver Marathon on Instagram @bmovanmarathon
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
EPISODE SPONSOR: Vancouver Half Marathon
The swag has dropped, and excitement is high for this year's Vancouver Half Marathon, taking place in person on June 23, 2024, or virtually from June 1-30, 2024. THIS RACE IS 90% SOLD OUT! Secure your spot and run a gorgeous 21 km or 5 km. Your prize? A beautiful medal, souvenir ASICS participant shirt, access to the Runkeeper Go premium experience and more! Register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
Many things make our local run communities amazing, but one of those things that has the power to take it up a notch is a fantastic local run shop. Caroline Fisher, co-owner of Big Sky Running Company in Winnipeg, was hooked on running as a teenager when she first logged miles with her mother and her run group at Running Room. It inspired her to reach for big goals early on, running her first marathon as a teenager and then joining the Bisons track team at the University of Manitoba. She continued to develop as a runner, became a mom twice over, and has now shown her skills as an ultra trail runner. She even placed third at the Manitoba Marathon last year, with her home crowd cheering her on. As Big Sky recently celebrated its first birthday, Caroline talked about her huge love for the run community and some of the trials and triumphs of being a small business owner.
Follow Big Sky Running Company on Instagram @bigskyrunco
Photo credit: @therunningkat
EPISODE SPONSOR: Vancouver Half Marathon
The swag has dropped, and excitement is high for this year's Vancouver Half Marathon, taking place in person on June 23, 2024, or virtually from June 1-30, 2024. THIS RACE IS 90% SOLD OUT! Secure your spot and run a gorgeous 21 km or 5 km. Your prize? A beautiful medal, souvenir ASICS participant shirt, access to the Runkeeper Go premium experience and more! Register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
Sawyer Nicholson is a pretty special human being. This twelve-year-old runs fast. Crazy fast. Like world-record-in-her-age-category fast. But her real superpower is the amazingly balanced perspective and joy she brings to her sports (she is also an amazing soccer player). Sawyer has big goals and wants to continue improving her skills as she grows, but she also recognizes that if it isn't fun, it's not worth doing. Friendships within her teams and on the start line are a big part of the equation, and the run community keeps her coming back for more. But after you listen to this episode, if you want her to sign your copy of Canadian Running Magazine, you will have to get in line behind me.
Samantha Jory is ridiculously humble for a runner who started running during COVID, started racing in 2022, and is now one of Athletics Canada's top-ranking women in the half marathon for 2024. Sam has always loved team sports and had active parents who were role models for her growing up in British Columbia; now she delights in trail running with friends and road racing in this beautiful province. Sam's running is deeply rooted in gratitude for the healthy body that keeps letting her test and find new limits and for the running community that has encouraged and supported her the whole way. I hope you take some of her joy and gratitude from this episode and find your own on your next run.
- The book Samantha mentions during the show is called The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday
- The run clubs she mentions are @eastvanruncrew and @fraserstreetrunclub
- Follow Sam on Instagram @swjory
EPISODE SPONSOR: Vancouver Half Marathon
The swag has dropped, and excitement is high for this year's Vancouver Half Marathon, taking place in person on June 23, 2024, or virtually from June 1-30, 2024. Secure your spot and run a gorgeous 21 km or 5 km, or bring your favourite little one to the kids' race. Your prize? A beautiful medal, souvenir ASICS participant shirt, access to the Runkeeper Go premium experience and more! Register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
Chix Run the 6ix may have been born when the world was telling us to stay apart, but the heart of what they do is all about community. From the speaker stage at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, moderator and co-founder Amanda Richardson and her panel talk about how (as genuinely busy people) they find time and space to prioritize their own goals and how being part of the Chix helps to make it all happen. Chix are a super special crew: they focus on spreading the message that running is for everybody (say it again for the folks in the back!). They also highlight how you can have your own goals and make them important while at the same time supporting and cheerleading your fellow crew. Watch for them in the hot pink gear at a race near you and say hello!
Follow Chix Run @chixrunthe6ix
EPISODE SPONSOR: Oasis ZooRun
Get ready to run on the wild side: registration for the Oasis ZooRun is now open! Taking place at the Toronto Zoo on September 14, this unique race brings together runners of all ages and abilities in support of wildlife conservation. Make this your next great adventure: register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
Cheryl Zealand is smart, funny, kind, and one of the biggest boss ladies I know. If you live in Manitoba and are active, you probably already know her as the owner of Cranked Energy, producers of freshly made high protein energy bars that she spent years perfecting the recipe of. Since Cranked is celebrating its tenth anniversary this week, we talk all about business, fitness, and running and how they are so deeply connected in her life that you can't separate them. We also talk about how her running has evolved over the years. She may still run marathons on the reg, but her goals for what constitutes success for the training and execution have changed over the years. Cheryl is all about community: she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal for all her generosity and caring. Manitoba is a better place because this warm-hearted lady is part of it.
Follow Cheryl on Instagram @cherylzealand
Follow Cranked Energy @crankedenergy
EPISODE SPONSOR: Oasis ZooRun
Get ready to run on the wild side: registration for the Oasis ZooRun is now open! Taking place at the Toronto Zoo on September 14, this unique race brings together runners of all ages and abilities in support of wildlife conservation. Make this your next great adventure: register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
We have reached the third installment of our chat with Emelyn Jade and we find her ten weeks out from her race. Things are heating up: she's swimming three days a week, getting in some brick sessions and long runs, and learning how to fuel herself properly through all of it to have successful outcomes. We also discuss what she's eating. Are eggs a good pairing with honey and/or peanut butter? What exactly makes the perfect banana? The journey continues...
EPISODE SPONSOR: Spring Run-Off, April 6, 2024 in person, April 1-30, 2024 virtually
Do you want to see your name cheering you on from your race bib? The deadline for personalized bibs for the Spring Run-Off is rapidly approaching: register by Tuesday, March 26 at 11:59 PM to lock it in. Don't miss out on this special touch to make your race day even more memorable. Register now at www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme song: Joseph McDade
If you don't already know Gaby Estrada, get ready to meet your new favourite boss. Gaby and I last spoke a year and a half ago when she had just officially taken on her new role as Executive Director of one of my favourite not-for-profit organizations, Fast & Female. Gaby and I caught up on what it's been like taking on this challenging role and all of the work she and her team have been busy doing to ensure that the charity is moving in the best direction possible. We also discussed Fast & Female's March initiative: Play Today, Lead Tomorrow. This campaign aims to raise $15,000 to support their REAL Role Models and grow their National Youth Advisory program. These programs help build girls up to become tomorrow's leaders, in sports and life. In-person and virtual events are happening all through the month.
Follow Fast & Female @fastandfemale
Read more about Play Today, Lead Tomorrow: https://fastandfemale.com/playtodayleadtomorrow2024/
Register for the March 22 International Women's Day event at Sweat Society TO:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-womens-day-workout-fast-and-female-x-sweat-society-tickets-840717898867?aff=oddtdtcreator
Get your tickets for Fast & Female Women in Sports Night with Toronto FC:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fast-and-female-x-tfc-women-and-girls-in-sports-night-tickets-852308516717?aff=oddtdtcreator
Get your Hillberg & Berk Always On Sparkle Hoops (20% of proceeds go to Fast & Female) https://hillbergandberk.com/products/always-on-sparkle-hoops
EPISODE SPONSOR: Oasis ZooRun
Get ready to run on the wild side: registration for the Oasis ZooRun is now open! Taking place at the Toronto Zoo on September 14, this unique race brings together runners of all ages and abilities in support of wildlife conservation. Make this your next great adventure: register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
In the third installment of recordings from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon stage: Women in the Marathon. This event was the second live discussion held by Canada Running Series to examine women's challenges in getting to the start line, this time focusing on the marathon. Moderated by Michelle Kay with Sasha Gollish and Melanie Murzeau, the panel was a beautiful cross-section of female runners: Gaby Alcala, Cory Freedman, Allison Hill, Nattalyee Randall and Lauren Roberts. These amazing humans have both experienced their own challenges in getting to the start line AND helped others overcome their obstacles, so the discussion was honest and open. There is always more to talk about, but this was a great way to continue the conversation.
Follow our panelists on Instagram:
Gaby Alcala @aztitlan
Cory Freedman @towomens_runs
Allison Hill @byallisonhill
Michelle Kay @yo_mk
Melanie Murzeau @blackrunnersofthegta
Nattalyee Randall @nattalyee
Lauren Roberts @the_running_physio
Canada Running Series @runcrs @runcrswest
EPISODE SPONSOR: Oasis ZooRun
Get ready to run on the wild side: registration for the Oasis ZooRun is now open! Taking place at the Toronto Zoo on September 14, this unique race brings together runners of all ages and abilities in support of wildlife conservation. Make this your next great adventure: register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
Lauren Mantha is deep in the midst of figuring out her path in life and trying a bunch of new things along the way. This is how running came to her: she likes to be active and fit and is open to new experiences. You will notice we talk a lot more about her career than usual on the show: she is shifting gears from working as a Registered Nurse to completing a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations. This seemed to be the common thread in her story: whatever Lauren does, she wants to feel passionately inspired by it. So when running became part of her lifestyle, she was motivated to try attending run clubs. This sparked a new passion and she created A Running List: a website that breaks down barriers to participation in run clubs and crews and is working to bring the running community closer together. Her website currently lists as many run clubs and crews as she could find in the GTA, but thanks to a feature in Canadian Running, she has connected with all kinds of new friends and has expanded to include cities all across Canada. Her interest in getting active feedback from the run community drives her to always look to do more and make the resource even more inclusive. Lauren is incredibly driven and giving: she does all of this work in her spare time and the site is free to anyone who wants the information. And that's pretty awesome if you ask me.
Follow Lauren on Instagram @laurenmantha
A Running List can be found at @arunninglist and www.arunninglist.com
Photo Credit: @johnwithlenses
Things we talk about in this episode:
Puppy yoga!!! https://doggos.ca/products/puppy-yoga-toronto
Run Clubs and sidewalk sharing in the GTA https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/running-club-toronto-sidewalks-1.7076506
EPISODE SPONSOR: Spring Run-Off
Wish winter a fond farewell by participating in the Spring Run-Off in person on April 6, 2024, at High Park or virtually wherever you are. With an 8K, 5K, and Kids Race, there's a distance for everyone. Participants receive a super cute participant shirt and medal or learn more about CRS' Green Bib program. Whether you are aiming for a personal best on this hilly course or just looking to enjoy the beauty of spring with fellow runners, this is your next start line. Register at www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Ailsa MacDonald has already had an incredible athletic career, but in so many ways, she's just getting started. As someone who has been sporty since birth, Ailsa has done it all: cycling, road running, triathlon, Ironman, and now she focuses her talents on ultra distances and trail running. She has had such a myriad of accomplishments it was impossible to talk about all of them. But what makes Ailsa such a truly exceptional athlete? Her resilience, her mental strength and her ability to thrive in the unknown stood out to me. She grabs ambitious goals by the ears and wrestles them to the ground. We talk about how she balances her training with a demanding career, going back to races and trying them again, and how her family's stubborn streak works in her favour.
Follow Ailsa on Instagram @ailsamacdonaldrunner
EPISODE SPONSOR: Spring Run-Off
Wish winter a fond farewell by participating in the Spring Run-Off in person on April 6, 2024, at High Park or virtually wherever you are. With an 8K, 5K, and Kids Race, there's a distance for everyone. Participants receive a super cute participant shirt and medal or learn more about CRS' Green Bib program. Whether you are aiming for a personal best on this hilly course or just looking to enjoy the beauty of spring with fellow runners, this is your next start line. Register at www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
This week was Valentine's Day, so to keep it on brand, I asked my SOLE mate, founder of Black Runners of the GTA & the Scarborough 5K Melanie Murzeau to spend some quality time with me.
Melanie and I both came up with a list of four runners that we love and came back together to discuss our picks and why and see if we had any of the same answers. This would also not be an episode of the pod without me veering dangerously off-topic, so we also talk a fair bit about books we love.
SPOILER ALERT: Skip the show notes if you want to be surprised by our picks as you listen.
SHOW NOTES
The Runners We Love that you can find on Instagram:
Lanni Marchant @lannimarchant
Perdita Felicien @perditafelicien
Kara Goucher @karagoucher
Sifan Hassan @sifanhassan
Karla Del Grande @karladelgrande
Carol Lafayette Boyd @carollafayetteboyd
Marge Jean-Louis @bymarge
Heather Colasuonno @variations.of.heather
Allison Hill @byallisonhill
Titles of some of the books we mentioned:
My Mother's Daughter: A Memoir of Struggle and Triumph by Perdita Felicien
The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team by Kara Goucher
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright
EPISODE SPONSOR: Move your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause
There's still time to register to run or walk the 5 or 1 K distances at the 10th Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause on February 24, 2024, at the Toronto Zoo. All participants will receive an exclusive Move Your Paws toque, personalized bib, official time, professional photo and finisher medal with this year's featured polar bear - a young Juno. Visit www.canadarunningseries.com for more information and to register.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
This episode is for all of my runner friends who love the science behind the sport as much as I do. Megan Kuikman is a Registered Dietician, sports nutrition specialist and is currently completing her PhD at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney. Megan is passionate about addressing the gender gaps in sports nutrition information, so she is diving deep into female-driven studies. Megan talks about some of her most recent research and what the next steps on what she's learned could be. She also shares her thoughts on what she thinks it's going to take to keep girls and women in sport long term.
The title of the book we mention in the episode is Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Female Athletes by Christine Yu
Follow Megan on Instagram @megankuikmanrd
EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series
Don't let the early bird slip by for the Move your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause! Register before midnight on February 16, 2024 to secure your spot. This fun and meaningful race is a great way to support polar bear conservation and enjoy the crisp winter air.
Register now at www.canadarunningseries.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
In the second in our series of recordings from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, we join Miguel Pink and Quinton Jacobs on the Emergence of New Run Crews.
Migz founded Me vs Me, a run crew he started during the pandemic to help himself and others improve their mental and physical health. Running helped him transform himself and at the same time, create a community space where people connect and do great things together. Q is a community organizer and connector who is passionate about the running community. He wants everyone to know that running is for them, and that they can find a space to support them: "Running teaches us that we can get through the tough parts of life, and keep going. We need to tell that story to as many people as we possibly can."
Follow Migz @migzpink @mevsmementality
Follow Q @quinton_jacobs @ubuntu.fam @escape_to___
EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series
Don't let the early bird slip by for the Move your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause! Register before midnight on February 16, 2024 to secure your spot. This fun and meaningful race is a great way to support polar bear conservation and enjoy the crisp winter air.
Register now at www.canadarunningseries.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
Katie Rylance is a teacher and a mother of four. During COVID, she felt deeply dissatisfied with her health and physical fitness, so she decided to take the first steps. She bought herself a treadmill and started walking and then running. She learned to run; and she learned to treat her body well with proper fueling. In time, she ran her first 5K, which led to more races, which led her to the start line of last year's Chicago Marathon. Katie and I talked about how she came to a place where she felt like a "real runner", what the experience of coming to the sport during a pandemic was like, and how races can make the experience more comfortable for first-time participants.
Check out Katie's article about her journey on iRun Magazine's website: https://www.irun.ca/index.php/the-non-diet-runners-diet-that-helped-a-marathoner-drop-50-pounds/
EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series
Don't let the early bird slip by for the Move your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause! Register before midnight on February 16, 2024 to secure your spot. This fun and meaningful race is a great way to support polar bear conservation and enjoy the crisp winter air.
Register now at www.canadarunningseries.com
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
At the end of November 2023, we lost a Canadian women's Masters icon, Helly Visser. At 89 years old, she left us still holding twelve Canadian Masters records and three world masters records. She was inducted into the Canadian Masters Hall of Fame in 2010 and twice honoured as Alberta's Masters Athlete of the Year.
Helly was a mainstay of the Calgary running community. She was always there encouraging people to find joy in sport and even helped with the campaign to build a field house in Calgary. Helly served as an inspiration as to what was possible at any age.
This episode was originally recorded in 2019 with the support of Helly's daughters and the Executive Director of Run Calgary, Kirsten Fleming. I am honoured to have the chance to reshare it in her memory.
EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series
Don't let the early bird price slip by for the Move Your PAWS for the Polar Bear Cause. Register before midnight on February 16, 2024, to secure your spot. This fun and meaningful race is a great way to support polar bear conservation and enjoy the crisp winter air.
www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme music by Joseph McDade
Running in January is hard. Finding inspiration in January is hard. So this one is for all of you on the struggle bus because this is going to light your fire. Recorded live at the 2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, this session was hosted by the incredible Allison Hill and the beautiful women of Hill Run Club. Allison shares the core of what HRC is all about; Class of 2023 Coach Nadia Clarke Cordick talks about her ongoing research into the experience of black women in fitness and sport. Then, get mentally prepared to be blown away by a panel of HRC women who talk about their inner voice as they prepared for their events at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I am. I can. I will. I did.
www.hillstudioto.com/hillrunclub
Follow Allison on Instagram @byallisonhill
EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series
Don't let the early bird price slip by for the Move Your PAWS for the Polar Bear Cause. Register before midnight on February 16, 2024, to secure your spot. This fun and meaningful race is a great way to support polar bear conservation and enjoy the crisp winter air.
www.canadarunningseries.com
Theme music by Joseph McDade
Do you want to talk about new goals for the new year? Me too! Founder and Head Coach of Skyline Run Coaching Lynsey Romano and I dig deep into setting ourselves up for success in 2024. We start with the basics of why goal setting is so important, then talk about what goals can do for us as runners and people. We also talk about the feelings that come with working hard towards a goal and dealing with the outcomes of achieving them or maybe missing the mark. So much good stuff in here!
Books we reference in today's episode:
Happiness Studies: An Introduction by Tal Ben-Shahar (and a few others worth checking out)
The Practice of Groundedness: A Transformative Path to Success that Feeds - Not Crushes - Your Soul by Brad Stulberg
Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness by Steve Magness
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Episode Sponsor: Canada Running Series
No matter what your 2024 run goals are, Canada Running Series has a race for you! Visit canadarunningseries.com to learn more and get registered.
Welcome back to installment two of this series! Emelyn Jade has been hard at work training, and we talk all about the challenges of getting motivated in the off season, working through the weather, and dragging ourselves out of bed on hard days. We also go off on a tangent about pineapple, and I look forward to hearing your feedback after you listen... the divide is real. Emelyn also shares what happens when you put your name in for race lotteries that you never expect to get into... Spoiler Alert: she got in.
Have you ever imagined yourself coming up to the finish chute of a race, seeing the tape held out in front of you, running up and breaking it? Ana Fray did. And then she went out and made it happen. Ana is a masters elite marathoner who ran their 24th marathon at the 2023 P’tit Train du Nord in Quebec and broke that beautiful tape as the first female. Ana and I talk about how the lack of ellipticals started her on the course to running, some of the races that helped her gain strength and confidence along the way, and how having a solid support system (including a good coach) is so crucial if you want to reach big goals. Her confidence and perseverance as a runner will have you visualizing being faster as a master too.
Follow Ana on Instagram @analau_77
SPONSOR: Set your sights on a new goal by planning your 2024 Canada Running Series finish lines. Canada Running Series has a race for everyone, from The Spring Run Off to the Under Armour Toronto 10K to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Check out all of their races and learn more about their Green Bib program @runcrs
Instagram @womenruncanada
SUPPORT the Women Run Canada podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a rating, and review it on Apple Podcasts. Spread the love: if you like this episode, please share it with a friend.
Theme song: Joseph McDade
Gaby Alcala was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and came to live in the United States when she was just 19 years old. And she had a six-month-old baby. And she didn’t speak English. If this all sounds ridiculously brave to you, buckle up.
Gaby is an ultra runner and a Running with Purpose Advocate for Rising Hearts: an indigenous-led grassroots organization that works to elevate indigenous voices and support intersectional collaborative efforts across all forms of movement. Gaby is passionate about using her running to elevate the voices and causes of indigenous people and connect to communities and the land through mindful movement and prayer runs. Gaby’s generous spirit and joy in life are truly remarkable, and I hope her story helps you think about ways to use your own running to give back to the land you are connected to.
Follow Gaby and her company Luminous Body on Instagram @luminous_body_therapy
Follow Rising Hearts on Instagram @rising_hearts
Photo Credit: @boyleheightsbridgerunners
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
We are keeping the fourth-anniversary party going a wee bit longer so that we can relisten to one of the most downloaded and one of my favourite episodes to date. This episode was originally recorded in 2020 during lockdown when Gabriela DeBues Stafford and her younger sister Lucia Stafford were quaratined with their family in Ontario. I was so lucky to catch them together at the same time and reflect on life and training in and out of lockdown.
These multi-record-holding sisters have been very busy getting things done since this interview, including attending the 2020 Tokyo Olympics together in the 1500m. I love how they share such a bond and a love for each other, both in the sport and out of it. I hope you enjoy this relisten as much as I did!
Follow Gabriela on Instagram @gabrielastafford
Follow Lucia on Instagram @luciastafford7
Theme music: Joseph McDade
I let the fourth anniversary of the show slip by unnoticed in October, but it's time to get up and celebrate! In this episode, I look back at just a handful of this year's amazing guests and think about what it has meant to make change in the running industry in 2023. Many things are happening, and it's a great time for us to take a beat and celebrate the fantastic people standing up and making this community a more inclusive, beautiful place for us to share.
Featuring clips from Jake Federoski, Alison Mariela Desir, Jon Bird, Jenny Tough, Rach McBride, and Sage Watson.
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
EPISODE ONE: "I'm so delulu"
When I saw that friend of the show, Emelyn Jade, was planning to take on her first Half Ironman in Victoria in May 2024, I couldn’t think of anything more fun than following her journey to the start line.
In the first episode of this series, Emelyn and I chat about her why, first emotions, and how the first couple of weeks of training are going.
Follow Emelyn's training vlog on Instagram @emelynjade
Theme song: Joseph McDade
Sponsored by Canada Running Series www.canadarunningseries.com
Nadia Clarke Cordick is a powerhouse: she is a fitness, nutritional and wellness coach through her company Repetitions Fitness, but also an educator who is committed to continuing her own studies as well. I met Nadia at the Speaker Series of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where she talked about her work with Hill Run Club's Class of 2023. Nadia is constantly learning more about the things she is passionate about and then finds ways to take the knowledge and turn it outward to serve her community. She is a full-hearted giver who is leaving the education system and the people she works with the tools to better connect to themselves and the world they live in.
Follow Nadia on Instagram @repetitions_fitness
Learn more about Hill Run Club at https://www.hillstudioto.com/hillrunclub
Theme Music by Joseph McDade
Nattalyee Randall started running (as many of us do) in an effort to lose weight. She did just that, but what she gained was a love for the sport. And more than that, she found a way to use running as activism: her movements became protests. Nattalyee who is a talented singer, actor, director and writer, created the 50 Mile Protest Run for Justice. The run, and the documentary she made to share it, highlights 50 black and brown lives that have been lost to police brutality. Nattalyee and I talk about her journey to the award-winning project and what it has been like having so many people connect to it.
Follow Nattalyee on Instagram @nattalyee
Watch the documentary @50milerunforjusticeprotest
Theme music: Joseph McDade
What do running partnerships look like, and how can they make us better runners? We dug deep into these questions live from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Expo. Olympian Dayna Pidhoresky and her coach and husband Josh Seifarth discussed mixing business with home life and how they make it work. Twin sisters April and Melanie Boultbee talk about living and running together and how that choice has allowed them to support each other in so many ways. Single mom Melanie Murzeau talks about the village it takes to allow her to run and support her community while raising her three kids. We all need support to make our dreams come true and I hope this conversation helps you think about how others help you and how you can better ask for what you need.
In this week's episode, we are talking about mental health and running with journalist Stacey Munro. Trigger warning: this episode deals with the pandemic and the feelings and emotions of the lockdown, and the coping mechanisms it took all of us to get through it. As a journalist with no choice but to confront the news of every day but to meet it head-on, Stacey used running as her main outlet and escape. We discuss the difference between being alone and making the choice to carve out solitary time for yourself and how important of a lesson that continues to be today. Stacey recalls what it was like to navigate races as things began to reopen and how it taught us not to take being able to run together for granted ever again. But this is only part of her running story: join us at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Expo on Saturday, October 14th, 2023 from 4:00-4:45 PM (expo details and full schedule can be found here).
Follow Stacey on Instagram @stacemunro
Theme music: Joseph McDade
Flagstaff, AZ, resident Emily Durgin is heading to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon to join the elite field on Sunday, October 15, 2023! Emily has had her ups and downs with running: from a thrilling school debut to some challenges and then successes in college, to amazing races that put her in the spotlight as a professional athlete, to injuries and more. But here's the lesson: throughout all of it, Emily maintains a root belief in herself and her ability. She says it herself – the person who thinks they are going to win is the person who will win. We could all use a little bit more of Emily’s belief and confidence, and I hope you will take some of it away from this conversation.
Follow Emily on Instagram: @em_durgin
Photo Credit: @felipe_guajardo
It’s another chat with my favourite coconut bun loving steeplechaser, Regan Yee! Since we last talked, she’s earned two National titles in the 3000m Steeplechase, taken two trips to Worlds, a trip to NACAC, and even run a Diamond League in Eugene. Oh, did I forget to mention she went to the Olympics? Silly me. Now based in Flagstaff, Arizona and running with Under Armour’s elite training team Mission Run Dark Sky Distance, Regan is getting more comfortable declaring big goals out loud and having the guts and the talent to go for it.
Follow Regan on Instagram @reganyee
Photo credit: @mr.nono500
Music by Joseph McDade
I have been thinking a lot lately about the message I shared with all of you last year as I was in peak of training for the Chicago Marathon. This year, I have no fall races in the books, and I am kinda full of FOMO. I thought I would share with you how things feel for me right now and how the feelings I had this time last year are strangely still true. So enjoy the Ghost of Races Past and the Ghost of Races Future in this mini-episode. Happy running!
Julie-Anne Staehli has had a heck of a year: World Cross Country Championships in Australia, top three at Nationals in the 5000, and just recently returned from World Championships in Budapest. Now she’s also been named to her eighth national team and will run the 5K at the World Road Racing Championships in Latvia. While I invited Julie-Anne to the show to talk about Budapest, our conversation veered more retrospectively. Julie-Anne spoke about how she is being thoughtful and deliberate in looking at her decade-long commitment to high-level running and what she wants in the future. We may not all run with Team New Balance like she does, but these universal questions are very relatable and made for a great conversation.
Find Julie-Anne on Instagram @jastaehli
Theme song: Joseph McDade
When I saw that the fantastic Robyn Mildren had won the Squamish 50K, I immediately wanted to have her back on the show. But I also know how swamped she is with work and training. So I asked her if she would do a half-hour, rapid-fire episode and she graciously offered to squish it into her day. But I should have known better: Robyn is extremely smart and thoughtful, and our rapid fire was not so rapid. We couldn’t stop ourselves from digging into all of the good stuff. Robyn's continuing journey as a runner and as a person really illustrates that big things are possible when you surround yourself with the proper support and show up for yourself in the right way.
Follow Robyn on Instagram @robyn.mildren
Photo Credit: Scott Robarts Photography @srobarts
Theme Credit: Joseph McDade
Join me for the most fun you are going to have all day: it’s Kim and Michelle Krezonoski! These Thunder Bay, Ontario-born twins have been running together since they attended Midwestern State University in Texas. In 2022, they took on their first marathon (the California International Marathon) and became the year’s 11th and 12th fastest Canadian women. These two are full of wisdom (how good is "a bad day is just a lesson to grow from"?!?), fun and confidence, all of which will definitely rub off on you. This episode pairs equally well with an excellent cup of coffee or a slow long run. You'll need your breath for laughing.
Lauren Andrews is the kind of runner who has always felt a passion for the sport deep in her soul. She’s pushed and driven and explored to find where her limits might be as a runner and just kept going. When she and her husband decided that they wanted to try to start a family, she had no idea how much she was going to need the mental and physical strength that she had learned in her years so far. Lauren shared her story of returning from severe pelvic trauma due to childbirth and what it has been like to reconcile the extreme emotions of love in becoming a mother and the frustrations and often anger in her recovery process. I’m so grateful to Lauren for sharing her very personal experience, and I hope you do too.
Keri Wong is a dedicated member of her run community in Toronto, particularly with her home crew Kardia. While this girl always looks like she’s having a good time (that’s because she is), she also has a lot of big goals in mind for her running. Amongst her accomplishments, she can list completing five marathons and two triathlons with more for both on the horizon. As part of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon panel discussion about barriers for women in the marathon, Keri shared some thoughts and she shared a few more great nuggets here. If you have goals for yourself in running but are also here for the party, this one’s for you.
Follow Keri on Instagram @bitesandstrides
Theme music: Joseph McDade
Last week, the Toronto Waterfront Marathon held a run and panel discussion to talk about the fact that last year only 28% of their marathon registrants were women. These conversations, along with some survey data they had collected ahead of the event were the beginning of a fire lit in panellist Sasha Gollish: elite runner and community superhero. I chatted with Sasha about the panel discussion, the research she is continuing to do to look at races around the world, and how we collect more data to move to action.
Denoja Uthayakumar has had her share of challenges in life, but she made the choice never to let them keep her down. After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age five, she has continued to deal with the physical and mental health concerns related to it as an adult. But Denoja has taken those challenges and made sunshine with them. She has an indelible presence in the running community: in person in Toronto and Scarborough, on Instagram and as an ambassador for Brooks Running. Despite things not always being perfect, Denoja is committed to using her personal story to inspire others and show that everyone can be active and healthy within their abilities and find a way to live a positive life.
Follow Denoja on Instagram @denoja224
Theme Music: Joseph Dade
Maggie Dunlop came to the marathon a bit later in life, but she is making up for lost time with a major drive to succeed. Maggie has worked as an Athletic Therapist with various sports disciplines and then added Doctor of Chiropractic to her tool belt. She now works with athletes and patients in Burlington, ON. Maggie has had a quick succession of great races, thanks in part to her training with coach and longtime friend Leanne Klassen, including BQing in her first marathon and making the podium at the Toronto Half Marathon this year. Her most recent marathon didn’t go as well as she had hoped, and we talked about why it’s just as valuable to have a bad day as it is to have an amazing one.
Theme music: Joseph McDade
If you are a listener who lives in Toronto and love running and beer, you may already know my guest. Chef Tara Lee and her brewmaster husband, Dave, own Eastbound Brewing Company: a brewer and farm-to-table kitchen in Leslieville. She is also a half, full and ultra-marathon runner, which I'm still unsure how she finds time for! Tara and I chat about run crews: the Eastbound Brewery Run Crew and The Food Runners, which Tara has run with since 2015. We discuss peer pressure in running and how it gets most of us to our first start lines, runners’ varying relationships with food, and pickled watermelon. Tara recorded with me onsite at her restaurant, so grab a seat and a beverage and settle in for a chat around the wood.
Last week, I was working to help put on the Manitoba Marathon. As the week went, I put a few videos on social to give you a bit of a peek behind the curtain. I wanted to extend that with a bit of a week's recap with our staff team: Executive Director Rachel Munday and Programs Manager Sarah Carroll. I hope you get a little bit of an understanding of what goes into race week, and I hope that what you take away is how passionate people who put on races are. We genuinely love the sport, and we genuinely love seeing your joy and happiness on race day as you reach a goal you maybe weren't sure was possible. I hope you enjoy hearing about what makes an event like this happen.
I want you to imagine a race so steeped in history in time it is the oldest road race in North America. A race so epic it runs at the tail end of the winter and challenges runners to 30 kilometres of roads, hills and water. A race so supported by its community that nothing stops them from celebrating the runners and the traditions of its beautiful city every year. Who could possibly manage all of that time, tradition and epicness? It’s the incredible Anna Lewis, race director for Hamilton’s Around the Bay! Anna talks about balancing the classic elements of the race while bringing in new things to keep it fresh. She also talks a bit about the new finish line that awaits runners in 2024.
Jenny Tough is the ultimate adventurer. Originally from Calgary, but now living in the UK, Jenny is a writer, filmmaker, and ultra bike racer. Oh, did I forget to mention that in 2021 she became the first person to run unsupported across mountain ranges on six continents? No biggie. Jenny is the author of the amazing book SOLO: What running across mountains taught me about lifeas well as the editor of Tough Women Adventure Stories: Stories of grit, courage and determination. She is humble, brave, and one of the most badass women I have ever had the pleasure of getting to speak to on this show. She will have you thinking about making big dreams happen too – because anything is possible when you take it in small goals and have loads of coffee and duct tape.
Follow Jenny on Instagram @jennytough
Youtube: @jennytough_
The movie I reference for the Silk Mountain Road Race is How to Bikepack the Silk Mountain Road Race (available on Youtube)
Theme Music for the show: Joseph McDade
Shake and Bake! It's 76 questions with my sole mate, Melanie Murzeau. Founder of Black Runners of the GTA and creator of the Scarborough 5K, Melanie and I get to what's important: how early does one human need to get up before a race to feel prepared? How much can she love water? Why is it that the grosser comfort food looks, the more delicious it becomes? All this and more on this week's show... enjoy.
Follow Melanie on Instagram @blackrunnersofthegta and @thescarborough5K
photo credit: @dre.run
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
It's always a fantastic day when I get to catch up with the incredible Natasha Wodak. It’s been a hot minute since we last spoke, so we had a lot to talk about: her Olympic experience running with Malindi Elmore, the Boston Marathon, and oh just a couple more Canadian national championships under her belt. No big deal. Natasha also now trains with Trent Stellingwerff, and she talks about what it’s been like to make that transition. We also chatted about what her race season might look like after she missed the London Marathon due to injury and illness. Don't miss our rapid-fire questions at the end of the interview. I'm kind of getting addicted to them...
Find Natasha on Instagram @tashawodak
THEME MUSIC CREDIT: Joseph McDade
Kate Ayers originally had a different sport in mind when she started at the University of Guelph, but the running community brought her in, and she has never looked back. Kate has dabbled in many distances on the track, but her heart belongs to cross country. After a tough string of injuries, she’s now training on the west coast with the awesome Hillary Stellingwerff and has had a fiery start to 2023. She recently travelled to Australia to run at the World Cross Country Championship and is now looking to an exciting season on the track. This farm-raised female sets her eyes and heart on her goals and has some great advice on staying grounded.
Follow Kate on Instagram @kateayers09
Theme song: Joseph McDade
Emelyn Jade is a runner living in British Columbia who I instantly knew I wanted to get to know better. After her fiancé encouraged her to jump on the running train in 2019, she ran her first half marathon and hasn’t looked back. Emelyn agreed to be my test subject to see if I could stay on track to get through 76 rapid-fire questions... But is it 76 questions if I accidentally asked a few twice differently? You be the judge. It was 76 questions about running, life, PRPs, chips, and many reasons to be proud.
Find Emelyn on Instagram @emelynjade
Theme Music: Joseph McDade
Natalia Allen may have just officially announced her retirement from professional sport, but this brilliant lady has been planning her steps forward for much longer. After going all in and quitting her full-time job to put everything she had into running, Natalia made her dreams come true by lining up in the 1500 at the Tokyo Olympics. After that, she took a trip to Eugene for Worlds and a trip down under to run at the World Cross-Country Championships. We also chat a bit about her wedding and what she sees in her future now that she is entering new adventures.
Follow Natalia on Instagram @nataliahawthorn
Theme music: Joseph Dade
There is a reason that they call Rach McBride the most interesting person in triathlon. Because they just are. Rach is a five-time 70.3 Ironman champion and a highly accomplished runner, cyclist and gravel racer. Rach is one of a very small number of nonbinary elite professional athletes, and we talk a bit about the weight that comes with that. I loved learning about Rach’s early starts in sport, their parents, their racing style and what makes them proud.
Find Rach on Instagram @rachelmcb
PHOTO CREDIT: @ironkhem
THEME MUSIC CREDIT: Joseph McDade
Interim Executive Director for Run Calgary, Jon Bird and I are digging into making running more inclusive for families. Jon comes from the world of elite sports: as a former professional triathlete, he moved into coaching and community sports events and joined the Run Calgary family in 2017. Jon talks about his fantastic team and the new programs they are bringing to the 2023 Servus Calgary Marathon, including a day camp for kids to participate in while their moms and dads race!
To register for the Calgary Marathon, visit calgarymarathon.com
Come hang out with me and everyone’s favourite third-grade teacher Lyndsay Tessier. I haven’t had the chance to chat with this Team Canada athlete since the pandemic, so we get caught up on what life was like remote teaching and her choice to focus on her students over running. We talk about how she worked through plantar fasciitis and the lesson learned with a nagging injury that only patience will heal. Lyndsay has had the chance to get back to racing for the joy of competition again, and we chat a little bit about what the fall might bring.
Join me for the latest Krista DuChene Fan Club meeting! Canada's one and only Marathon Mom recently ran the Tokyo Marathon checking the last box for her Abbott World Majors and officially hanging up her “elite” bib. Krista dives deep into all things Tokyo: from travel experience to race start and finish and the miles in between. She also reflects on her previous five star races and how her more than 20 years of marathon experience led her to this day. Krista may be retiring from professional racing, but she still has a zillion adventures ahead of her, and we talk about what might be next.
It's a mini deep dive with sports psychologist and high performance and leadership specialist Dr. Beth McCharles. When you visit the home page of Beth’s website, you will see the words “be kind, be bold, be great”: which tells you a lot of what you need to know about her work. Beth works with high-level athletes, coaches, artists and a variety of professionals helping them master their mental game. We scratch the surface of some of her philosophies for maximizing your time and efforts as a runner, and I hope it makes you think more about how you can reach deeper into your mental toolkit and be your most connected self.
The unbreakable Sage Watson is back! I have always known that Sage is a tough-as-nails performer who always gets the job done on the track. But in the last few years, she has experienced a work and personal life overshadowed by an unexplained injury. Sage has worked hard to find her way through this challenge and even turned it into an opportunity for personal transformation and growth. Sage is extremely open in discussing the mental, physical and spiritual journey that has brought her to the person she is today. Now, finally, with a diagnosis of injuries that have been wrestling with her fitness and performance, she discusses how she sees the path forward.
Follow Sage Watson on Instagram @sagewatson
Anne Chang may appear like everyone else, but don’t let her modesty fool you. This mother of four is a determined, goal-oriented runner and run coach. Anne uses running to reclaim a bit of who she is outside of being a mom and a full-time employee and to see what might be possible. She wants to see how far she can stretch and where she can go if she moves out of her comfort zone and lets things get hard. Anne and I chat about the first leg of her journey to achieving the six stars of the World Marathon Majors and how the journey is changing her not just as a runner, but as a person.
Follow Anne on Instagram @the_running_critic
Shannon Coates is a dedicated member of the Winnipeg running community. Her smile lights up any race event or run group she is at, and her relentlessly cheerful attitude will carry you through all the miles. But since the fall, Shannon has been on a different journey. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she has been undergoing chemotherapy and is a few days away from a double mastectomy. Shannon and I chat about what this experience has been like, how she is trying to continue to fit in movement and running into her days as much as she can, and the constant battle she faces to stay optimistic and positive.
Follow Shannon on Instagram @livingwithshannon
I am thrilled to share the recording of our first-ever live virtual community event, Running and Reading with Alison Mariella Désir. We discuss her first book Running While Black: Finding Freedom in a Sport that Wasn’t Built for Us. If you haven’t read this book yet, you can find it anywhere books are sold, and if the cost of books is a barrier, check your local library for a copy. This book is a really important read and you will be glad you made the time for it. A big thank you to Sasha Gollish and Quinton Jacobs who joined me to help lead the discussion. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.
You can find Alison at http://alisonmdesir.com/ and on Instagram @alisonmdesir
Two-time Olympian Andrea Seccafien and I last chatted at the beginning of 2020, so it’s needless to say, we had a lot to catch up on. We talk about the road to the Olympics, which was challenging for everyone, but slightly more challenging for her, and her experience doubling in Tokyo in the 5,000 and the 10,000. She also talks candidly about the significant injury that has had her sidelined from her profession for six months (trigger warning for dealing with anxiety and injury recovery). Andrea is a fantastic athlete, a generous coach, and one hell of a runner, and I felt honoured that she joined me for this episode.
Find Andrea on Instagram at @aseccafien
photo credit: Athletics Canada
This week’s guest is a little off the beaten path of running, but I hope it starts our amazing community off on the right foot for January. Jenn Messina has been a registered dietician living in British Columbia for 15 years. She started her own journey from a place of trying to “crack the diet code” so that she could live a life of thinness, and discovered that what she was really looking for was just the opposite. Jenn and I talk about intuitive eating, rejecting diet culture, and questioning social media and advertising. We also touch on strategies to help kids get through "picky eating" and early teenage years.
You can find Jenn on Instagram @jennthedietician
Sarah Carroll is a wearer of many hats: she works as a personal trainer, a run coach, a group fitness instructor, and now as the newest member of the Manitoba Marathon team. She is a passionate member of the running community who loves to see people come together, regardless of their pace, to reach for the same goal of crossing the finish line. Sarah and I dive deep into the month that is January: the good, the bad and everything in between. How do you feel about New Year's resolutions? We have thoughts...
Find Sarah on Instagram @coachsarahc
Melissa Doldron makes me smile. She is a Registered Massage therapist, who works both with regular clients like you and me but also with a team, you may have heard of... the Toronto Blue Jays. When Melissa isn’t healing the world's athletes, you will find her either running or cheering. Melissa has spent the last decade hanging with the Parkdale Road Runners and becoming an expert hype girl at races everywhere. Melissa and I talk about party paces, the yellow pages, and the magic of the great outdoors.
Jake Fedorowski is a true example of being the change you want to see. A runner and board of directors member with the Seattle Frontrunners, Jake committed to stop running in any races that didn’t have a non-binary race division. They went further by creating a guide to non-binary inclusion in running and then made it available for free to any race director looking to make their race more inclusive. They also continue to work as a consultant in their spare time to several races, including the Chicago Marathon, to help teams through the process. Jake is kind, confident, giving and honest, and they are using all these skills and more to make running a space where everyone can be comfortable, safe, and truly themselves.
Jen Cerullo has been a passionate member of the events community for a long time, including almost six years as an Event Manager with Canada Running Series. She has always brought her strong leadership skills and ability to make things work, but now she's bringing another one of her skills to the forefront: her passion for sustainability. Her education and practice in making events of all sizes more responsible for sustaining the communities they run through are amazing and inspiring. I hope this conversation makes you think a bit more about your impact on your community as a runner and what actions you can take to leave the places you run through better than you found them.
Astrid Nyame and Adrea Propp have lived parallel life experiences as Saskatchewan track and field athletes for many years. They excelled in high school and had successful university experiences. They transitioned to high-performance athlete training centres away from their home province. Though they both had great experiences, ultimately, they decided to return to Saskatchewan. They have created SaskWatch Athletics, which began as a social platform and recently expanded to a podcast, to give a moment in the sun to these prairie athletes that don't always get their due. We talk about the realities of track careers after university and what might be next for this fantastic duo.
My conversation with Brigit Bartusevicius got deep. Real deep. Today’s trigger warnings include talking about cancer, dealing with feelings of inadequacy, what it’s like to come back from COVID, and DNF on your big goal race. Recently, Brigit participated in the New York City Marathon, which didn’t go as she’d hoped. We talk about all this and everything in between... because that is how running is. It’s never just about the miles. I hope you can connect to some of it and her thoughts on balancing short-term and long-term goals in the sport.
I told some of Canada’s favourite race directors that I was having the Executive Director of the Emera Blue Nose Marathon, Sherri Robbins, on the show. I asked them to give me some words to describe her. They said she was a doer, always willing to work on any job, no matter the size of the project, and that she always get it done. This is all very accurate, but my favourite was this: Sherri is a dependable problem-solving thought leader. She is a pillar of the race community, both on the east coast, and all across Canada. And she’s also just an incredible human to get to spend time with and has a lot of great thoughts on how to get a start in the race industry.
Arden Young is an ultra trail running dentist who has been kicking around the trail scene for quite some time but is now taking it into high gear. After a lot of success in the Canadian women’s field, she has spent the last few years dipping into US and European races, including the Bandera 100K, the Javelina Jundred, and a couple of turns on the coveted Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc CCC in Chamonix, France. We talk about building up a well of both physical and emotional resilience, creating the ultimate trail mix, and the growth of women’s participation and success in the sport.
Meet Victoria Coates: lover of cross country and, recently, first-time marathoner. This McMaster and Queens running alum has had the opportunity to represent Team Canada at a number of races, including the World Half Marathon championships, the Pan Am Cross Country Cup, and the World Cross Country Championships. She now trains under the great Reid Coolsaet and has had one jam-packed race year. Not only did she win Around the Bay, but she also competed in three national championships: the 10,000, the 10K road Championships, and of course, the Canadian Marathon Championships. Victoria is driven, focused, and committed to racing with grit to find how far her fitness can take her.
Meet Victoria Coates: lover of cross country and, recently, first-time marathoner. This McMaster and Queens running alum has had the opportunity to represent Team Canada at a number of races, including the World Half Marathon championships, the Pan Am Cross Country Cup, and the World Cross Country Championships. She now trains under the great Reid Coolsaet and has had one jam-packed race year. Not only did she win Around the Bay, but she also competed in three national championships: the 10,000, the 10K road Championships, and of course, the Canadian Marathon Championships. Victoria is driven, focused, and committed to racing with grit to find how far her fitness can take her.
Auntie Dione is here! Toronto’s Warm-Up Lady, and founder and Race Director of the Toronto Carnival Run, Dione Mason is a fantastic human. She brings the perfect balance of drive and big dreams, with a practical realism that keeps her grounded and getting things done. This award-winning fitness and lifestyle coach also started the Simunye Foundation: an organization that has both short and long-term goals to bring history and cultural awareness to the black diaspora in Canada. Dione has such a passion for bringing whole-body wellness and happiness to people, it fills my heart with joy, and I think you will feel it too.
Auntie Dione is here! Toronto’s Warm-Up Lady, and founder and Race Director of the Toronto Carnival Run, Dione Mason is a fantastic human. She brings the perfect balance of drive and big dreams, with a practical realism that keeps her grounded and getting things done. This award-winning fitness and lifestyle coach also started the Simunye Foundation: an organization that has both short and long-term goals to bring history and cultural awareness to the black diaspora in Canada. Dione has such a passion for bringing whole-body wellness and happiness to people, it fills my heart with joy, and I think you will feel it too.
Vanessa Yu and I got to do one of the things us runners love most: sharing memories of a race we both participated in! We talk all things Chicago Marathon, but more importantly, she shares her perspective of being one half of a talented and dedicated running partnership, and how she and her husband John balance each other’s goals and priorities. She also has an adorable daughter to fit into the equation: Vanessa shares some of her experience as a pregnant runner and now as a full-time working mom. She has some important tips to share about finding a balance that feels fair and flexible and how her and her partner make it all happen.
Vanessa Yu and I got to do one of the things us runners love most: sharing memories of a race we both participated in! We talk all things Chicago Marathon, but more importantly, she shares her perspective of being one half of a talented and dedicated running partnership, and how she and her husband John balance each other’s goals and priorities. She also has an adorable daughter to fit into the equation: Vanessa shares some of her experience as a pregnant runner and now as a full-time working mom. She has some important tips to share about finding a balance that feels fair and flexible and how her and her partner make it all happen.
Straight from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Speaker Series to your ears, it's the live recording of This is a Runner's Body. Co-hosted by Olympian Kate Van Buskirk, this panel featured Kirsty Beck, Melissa Doldron, and Melanie Murzeau. We talked about our behaviours around self-image, the role of social media in the conversation, and creating inclusive spaces where people can find their joy on the run.
Carol LaFayette-Boyd is an 80-year-old sprinter who lives and trains in Regina, SK. She holds 15 world records, three of which she set this summer alone. In 2018 Carol was named the Female athlete of the year by World Masters Athletics, becoming the first African Canadian to ever receive that recognition. Carol is dedicated and fearless and plans to keep running until she is at least 106 years old so she can keep pace with some of her running heroes. She's already become my inspiration and she's about to become yours too.
Heather Cauliswono is many things: she’s a runner, she’s a mom, she’s a coach, and a photographer. But most of all, she’s a great example of what can happen when you listen to your heart and follow what is in your heart and truly brings you joy. Heather is also the creator of the Run for Devon, an event that remembers Devon Freeman, an indigenous teenager who died by suicide while under the care of the Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton. Heather’s happiness is contagious, and I hope it encourages you to follow your joy too.
Jazmine Lowther is the ultimate mountain athlete. This British Columbian recently became sponsored by The North Face, and is dark horse-ing the heck out of the ultra circuit: not only did she earn a Golden Ticket at Western States, she recently placed fourth at the UTMB CCC, which was her first ever European race. We talk about magical running moments, her job as a professional Agrologist and Field Biologist, and what might be next on her list of accomplishments.
Photo cover credit: Mathias Dumas
Jazmine Lowther is the ultimate mountain athlete. This British Columbian recently became sponsored by The North Face, and is dark horse-ing the heck out of the ultra circuit: not only did she earn a Golden Ticket at Western States, she recently placed fourth at the UTMB CCC, which was her first ever European race. We talk about magical running moments, her job as a professional Agrologist and Field Biologist, and what might be next on her list of accomplishments.
Photo cover credit: Mathias Dumas
Gaby Estrada has dedicated her life to opportunities for women and girls in sport. And when those opportunities didn’t exist, she created them. From her start as a coach and motivator for youth in sport, Gaby went on to create Girls and Women in Motion to support those looking for opportunities to participate in her hometown of Scarborough, ON. Gaby's professional role with Fast and Female started from the ground up. She began as a role model and has grown to big goals of making significant changes across Canada for access and opportunities for females in sport.
Gaby Estrada has dedicated her life to opportunities for women and girls in sport. And when those opportunities didn’t exist, she created them. From her start as a coach and motivator for youth in sport, Gaby went on to create Girls and Women in Motion to support those looking for opportunities to participate in her hometown of Scarborough, ON. Gaby's professional role with Fast and Female started from the ground up. She began as a role model and has grown to big goals of making significant changes across Canada for access and opportunities for females in sport.
Are you in the thick of fall marathon training like me? Here is my five-minute pep talk to help get you through the grind.
Are you in the thick of fall marathon training like me? Here is my five-minute pep talk to help get you through the grind.
Crystal Antila is a criminal defense lawyer living in Manitoba. She is a runner, a swimmer, and a cyclist, and with the help of her 7-year-old son, she's always up to try any new activity that comes her way. As someone who has an extremely full life, Crystal is always showing up for herself: she makes no excuses, she just gets out and gets the work done. And she always does it with a smile on her face.
Crystal Antila is a criminal defense lawyer living in Manitoba. She is a runner, a swimmer, and a cyclist, and with the help of her 7-year-old son, she's always up to try any new activity that comes her way. As someone who has an extremely full life, Crystal is always showing up for herself: she makes no excuses, she just gets out and gets the work done. And she always does it with a smile on her face.
Retired heptathlete Rachael McIntosh credits much of her success in sport to strong leaders and fate, and while I am sure that is part of it, I think her self-confidence and bold spirit are equal parts of what makes her so great. Rachael talks about her start in sport, some of the significant race experiences that inspired her to reach for huge dreams, and the fateful day that she knew her time as a heptathlete had come to a close. This former Team Canada athlete continues to stay close to her athletic roots, now working for Biosteel, hiking around her home in Calgary, and keeping it fun the whole way.
You asked for it, you got it. The amazing Sasha Gollish was kind enough to turn the tables to act as host and ask me some of her questions and some contributed by our community. We talk about how the show got started, some of our athletes that have most profoundly impacted me, and how to deal with post-run hair bird's nests.
Diane Simon is an indigenous runner who is using her actions to inspire others to connect with their community and reach for big goals. After a personally challenging year in 2017, she decided it was time to make a change: she quit a 20-plus-year smoking habit and started running. Since then, she has run a variety of virtual and in-person races and has dreams of one day running the Boston Marathon. She is also the creator of Running is Medicine: an indigenous-led running collective that welcomes all ages and all abilities in Toronto, ON. Diane is inspiring, warm, welcoming, and now my official fall marathon training buddy.
2022 has Sasha Gollish firing on all cylinders. Having just recently joined the masters running category she has set four new Canadian masters records, a WORLD masters record in the mile, a gold at NACAC in the half marathon, and a podium finish at every Nationals race she has run. All of them. We talk about the magic around her and what's making all this possible: community, fun, fearlessness, and the desire to take a risk and find out what happens if you fly.
Saskatchewan hurdler Michelle Harrison has redefined resilience for me. This 29-year-old has faced many injuries and obstacles in the sport, but she has dug deep and found a way to tap into her joy and push through. She started out running at Rice University, but after that wasn't the right fit, she moved to Toronto to try again, and when that still didn't feel right, she decided to come back home to Saskatoon and has been getting faster and stronger ever since. We talk about family, travel, her outstanding baking business, and her impending trip to Worlds in Eugene.
Rachel Munday has been a huge part of the fabric of the Manitoba running community: it all started at the Running Room where she worked as the Regional Manager and Events Lead, putting on races all year long and getting people involved with her infectious smile and attitude. She has now been the Executive Director of the Manitoba Marathon for seven years and her hard work and determination are the reasons that the event has survived the turmoil of the past three years. Rachel discusses this year’s mid-race cancellation due to extreme heat and looks towards brighter days, as the Manitoba Marathon will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2023.
The incredible creator of Black Runners of the GTA, Melanie Murzeau, is BACK! Melanie joins me to talk all about bringing the Scarborough 5K to life. Working with Canada Running Series and so many invested partners, the race brought a beautiful event to Morningside Park where inclusion and accessibility to running were top priorities. The race raised more than $5,000 for two charity partners that directly impact Scarborough. I hope this amazing event sparks you to think about what might be possible in your hometown too!
Not only did Kinsey Middleton run a remarkable PB of 2:30:08 at the Ottawa Marathon this past Sunday, but she was also the first Canadian woman to win the race since 2007. Kinsey talks about training during the lockdown, the shoulder injury that kept her from making a run at the Olympic team, and what she has her eye on next.
Élissa Legault has been running and competing in triathlons since she was young. After her first marathon was canceled, she needed to regroup and make a new plan. She reconnected with her old coach to prepare and she hasn’t looked back. Élissa’s true love is the marathon, but she has seen a lot of recent success in track and cross county which leads me to wonder if there is anything this girl can’t do. Get ready to get inspired by Élissa’s love of the sport and her constant drive to be better than she was yesterday.
Kyra Constantine is an Olympian, Pan Am Game medalist and multiple Canadian record holder. She also recently wrapped up her dynamite career as a USC athlete and has gone pro with Nike continuing her training in Los Angeles. Kyra has a constant drive for excellence and dedication to executing her race plans to the very best of her ability, while at the same time making sure that the fun of what she is doing isn’t lost.
Laura Henderson is a woman who has honed in on what it takes to balance her passions. She works full-time as a CPA and is a wife and a mother to two young children. She has also worked hard to balance home and professional life with the other things that bring her great joy: running and coaching. Laura very recently attained a massive goal at the Mississauga Marathon: she ran a Boston qualifying time. Her race story will give you all the good vibes and feels you need to be able to say your next big goal out loud too.
It’s no secret that I am one of Krista DuChene’s biggest fans which is why I had to have her back on the show. This time, we talk about how she's become a trail and ultra running superstar, set a new age category record in the 30K, become a coach with Coolsaet GO and for a local high school, AND be an amazing mom to her three kids. So much to talk about!
It's Boston Marathon week and we are celebrating with two stories from amazing runners who took part. Robyn Michaud may have run 23 marathons, but this might have been the most special one yet. Wait until you hear her how her day started! Teal Gove shares how it may have taken her six years to arrive at the start line in Boston... but that it was defintely worth the wait.
Sarah Beairsto is not only an elite half marathoner, but she is a big ideas factory! Cards on the Run may have humble beginnings, but Sarah has tons of ideas for where she wants it to go. Much like her running career, she is delighting in watching the fruits of all of company's hard work grow and develop into something truly lovely and special. What can I say? The girl's got grit.
Amy Hicks' work title may be Guru Field Technical rep for Brooks Running, but today she is our Sports Bra Superstar. This active morning runner was kind enough to indulge my deluge of questions on the topics of fit, function, care, style and more... you name it, we talked about it. A quality sports bra just makes a good run into a great one so you can think less about your fit and more about your fun.
Victoria Asikis is a lawyer who practice centres on regulatory law for foods, natural health products, cosmetics, and other consumer products. And she’s a passionate runner who loves to encourage others, especially coworkers, to get involved too. Victoria and I chat about how running and her job intersect and what we can learn from the work she does. What she shares will definitely make you feel more secure as a Canadian about choosing the foods and products that you interact with on a daily basis.
Allison Hill is the founder of Hill Studio: a community hub salon and wellness studio located in Toronto. Allison began running during the pandemic, and wanted to share the benefits she found in it with others, so she started Hill Run Club: a safe space for self identifying black women runners of all abilities. Allison is a community builder and a lifter upper of people. She is smart and intuitive and really understands people... and how to embrace and care for her avatar.
Mela Williams has really been focusing on self talk. As a way to test this and her mental toughness, she did the David Goggins challenge (running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours) and the results surprised her. I hope this episode shows everyone that we are so much greater than we think we are, and that we should always reach for big dreams... and maybe also wear red lipstick when you do it.
Jenine LaFayette is the Country Manager for Brooks Running in Canada... and also a super cool human. Her lifelong love affair with the running community started with cheering on her favourite track and field stars as a kid with her parents, and flowed into a career that has allowed her to be equally passionate about marketing for some of Canada’s top sportswear brands as well as finding her place in the run community all across Canada. We talk about equity, inclusion, and representation and the vision that Brooks running has to help everyone Run Happy.
Jess Tuomela is a former national swim team member turned triathlete. She is sight impaired and works with a guide to compete in para races. Marianne is a triathlete, a former NCAA track runner and a skilled trail and ultra runner. She is Jess' partner and guide who worked together with her most recently to achieve a 5th place finish at the Tokyo Paralympics. These two have the highest levels of trust, respect and friendship with each other and this conversation will make your day.
Erin Teschuk had an extremely successful high school and university career, setting some pretty impressive records at her alma matter NDSU. She became one of three of the first Canadian women to compete in the steeplechase at the Olympics in Rio in 2016. While Erin’s most recent attempt to join Team Canada in Tokyo didn’t work out the way she hoped it would, Erin is a shining example of taking big swings and big chances for big goals.
Kirsty Beck is a pretty remarkable lady. After a long struggle with her weight she decided she had had enough of being unhappy and committed to making a change. That change started small and led to big things: it led to a life that isn’t based around thinking about how her body looks but how it makes her feel and what it has made her capable of accomplishing. Today she has lost over 80 pounds and gained a love for running that fills her with happiness and positivity.
Megan Kuikman has dedicated her education to helping athletes perform better. Working primarily on RED-S and disordered eating in sport, women have been her focus as they are vastly underrepresented in current research. We talk winter nutrition: Megan shares what we can do to help ourselves get through the deep freeze in Canada and fuel ourselves for a strong spring.
Lynn Keane is a five-time Boston qualifier, an Ironman triathlete and a Lululemon legacy ambassador, but her physical strength only tells half of the story. When he was 23, her son Daniel, who was living with depression, died by suicide. Lynn has turned this awful tragedy into a personal call to action to bring the discussion on mental illness, depression and suicide prevention into the light.
Marissa Papaconstantinou is a two time Paralympian: her first games were in Rio before she turned 17. This past year in Tokyo we watched her bring home the bronze medal in the Women’s T64 100 metre and hit double PRs in the 200m. In our interview Marissa used the phrase “learning through challenges” which I think perfectly summarizes her years in the sport. Life has brought her injuries and hardships that she could have easily used as reasons to quit, but instead she used them to grow into a stronger more resilient athlete.
It’s a motivation day with Chiropractor, coach and elite runner Brittany Moran! Brittany is an accomplished marathoner who just set a smoking new PB of 2:33:37 and took 9th female at CIM in December. She is also the creator of StrideWise Coaching and helps people as a chiropractor at The Runners Academy in Toronto. Brittany brings her balanced approach to running and shares her advice for setting goals and focusing on your best running year yet.
As we celebrate 100 episodes, I am joined by Heather Gardner, the first female run crew leader in the GTA and creator of Kardia - a boutique fitness studio and community located in Toronto. Heather is the queen of connecting, both in the best of times and the most challenging of times, and has proved without a doubt that community is never cancelled. We are also joined by my friend Melanie Murzeau, creator of Black Runners of the GTA, who helps me to celebrate the connections we make through running.
Alycia Butterworth is quite humble about the amount of work, effort and mental fortitude she puts into her steeplechase career. This girl is awesome, and I feel like she should shout her own name a little more. If you saw her race in the Olympics, you know that she has mental and physical fortitude that not a lot of other athletes can match. She is always assessing and analyzing, like the data scientist that she is, and making small adjustments to create big gains.
In editing of this episode, I realize that I sound a little star struck, but if there is a fan club for Stephanie Case, sign me up. A Human Rights lawyer with the UN, Stephanie focuses her work on areas of conflict. She has lived and helped others in some of the most war torn parts of our world, while continuing to challenge herself physically and mentally through ultra running. She founded Free to Run, a charity that helps to empower women in areas of conflict through physical activity. This past fall, she beat the female course at the Tor des Glaciers by almost 30 HOURS. Listen on and get ready to join the fan club too.
Encouraged by her awesome dad, Hollie Gordon Lawder combined her passions for mindfulness through movement and reading into her blog and Instagram page Reading on the Run. Hollie is a driven runner who completed her first ultra marathon this year. Her training time also helps her read all the books – more than a hundred this year and last! She’s got great recommendations for your next favourite read, and tips on how to try running on the treadmill!
Leslie Sexton took the break in races this past year and a half to focus on the fundamentals - shorter distances and challenging workouts. And it paid off: in 2021 Leslie became the National 5K AND 10K champion. To top off her year, this past weekend she won the Philadelphia Marathon and set a new course record, making her the sixth fastest female marathoner in Canada.
It's everyone's favourite person, Natalie Pirson! Natalie is very well known in the Winnipeg running community as someone who brings everyone together with her positive, friendly personality. She participates in run clubs all over the city and has recently started her own crew called Connection Through Movement which she hopes will give runners and walkers of all abilities a place to meet and connect.
Welcome to cocktails and conversations with the founders of Chix Run the Six: Shazia Banduk, Chantal Chiarelli, Kim Monroe Roberts and Amanda Richardson. These ladies started Chix Run the Six because they wanted other women to have the chance to experience the connections that they were making on the run and be a part of something special. Having just celebrated their one year anniversary, they reflected back on how things started, how things are growing, and how they plan to continue spreading their movement to make all runners feel like real runners even further.
Sarah is an enthusiastic runner who has completed races of all distances from the 5K to the Marathon... especially races that have the word "Disney" in them. Her passion for running is only matched by her passion for makeup: Sarah creates and shares makeup tutorials and info on her youtube channel, Not your Typical Dollface, so I got her to share some of her best product tips to keep us all looking gorgeous on and off the run.
Not only is Malindi Elmore the Canadian Women’s record holder in the marathon, she finished 9th in the 2021 women's Olympic marathon. Malindi's race day motto “patience is power” took her through the grueling race, but also holds an even larger significance: 17 years may have passed since her last Olympic appearance, but she sure made up for lost time. We talk all about her experience from start to finish, including what a post race celebration looked like at this year's Olympics. Spoiler alert: it involved a nap.
Mel Paauwe was inspired to become a coach after her own coach brought out potential in her that she didn't know was there. She founded We Run the World Coaching and now she doesn't just inspire her own clients, but a whole run community. Mel is an impressive duathlete who kills it as a distance runner as well. We talked all about racing, traveling, coaching, breaking tapes, and the life in between.
Gabriela DeBues Stafford and I like to talk and we hadn’t caught up since she returned to Canada from Scotland at the start of the pandemic so we had a lot of ground to cover. But we managed to focus and we dug in hard to the Olympics. Gabriela talks about what it was like to attend the Olympics with her sister Lucia Stafford, how her races went out tactically, and how she is a wholly different human than she was in Rio.
A lifelong athlete, Joy SpearChief-Morris started out doing every sport before focusing her talents on the track. Joy followed her heart and her goals from UBC to the University of Western Ontario, to the Santa Barbara Track Club, and back to Ontario again. Like so many Olympic hopefuls, she fought through COVID training on a will to survive and when she got to the Trials she didn’t get the win she'd been dreaming of. Joy shares what it was like, and some of the exciting things coming in her next chapter.
Dayna Pidhoresky does a deep dive on her experience preparing for and competing in the marathon at the Tokyo Olympics. Dayna's win at the 2019 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon earned her a ticket to compete, but the guts and spirit it actually took to get to the start line is where her story really begins. This episode will remind you what it means to be a competitor and how far running with your heart can take you.
For this episode, we hop into the way back machine and do a relisten to my 2019 interview with Olympian Dayna Pidhoresky. This interview was hot off the heels of her win at the Olympic Trials at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Dayna and I talked about her road to this big win and how all of the adversity, grit, determination and challenging finishes led her to be ready for this amazing day. Listen again and you'll be ready to hear all about her experience in Gifu in the Olympic Marathon when I catch up with her later this month!
If you need a daily dose of happiness, here it is. Rae Sunshine is so full of light and joy, it’s right in her name. Rae is a fantastic storyteller so I won't ruin it, but her journey to triathlon started with her dragging herself on crutches to the bike shop to purchase a bike that she couldn’t even ride yet. Now Rae proudly proclaims herself an athlete: she is a dedicated triathlete who is deeply involved in her community in her hometown of Calgary. Her mission is to pass on the love and support that was shown to her when she got started and I am here for it. Enjoy!
For episode three of our August how it started how it's going, we talk about a subject very close to my own heart: being a race volunteer. Amy Li was just a girl who started out hating running but grew to love it. In fact, she grew to love it so much, she wanted to play a role in everyone’s race day, so she got involved as a volunteer. Today Amy holds multiple volunteer roles and she and I chat about why being a volunteer is so special and how YOU can make the decision to get started too.
For our second "How it started, how it's going" episode, I chat with B.C. runner Siobhan McManus. Siobhan has a lot of marathons under her belt, but with the guidance and support of her running coach Malindi Elmore, she looked towards a new challenge.... a 5000 metre track race. This masters athlete had never set foot on a track before; but her story will show you that even if you are also brand new to it, you too can find your place on the start line - with or without spikes.
The first episode of our August "how it started, how it's going" series brings you ultra trail runner Jenn Walton. Jenn has been a fixture of the Winnipeg running scene forever: she started her journey on the roads, found her heart on the trails, and found her challenge in the ultra. Jenn shares her journey as well as tips for those sitting on the fence with trying trails and ultras as well as safety tips for solo running.
For episode three of our Meet your Sheroes series, presented by the ASICS Runkeeper App, I had the opportunity to chat with the incredible Lyndsay Tessier. My co-hosts are Eugenie Steyn and Madison Kerr-Wong. Eugenie is a fellow marathon runner and teacher in the GTA who normally just gets joy from waving at Lyndsay when she catches her out for a run. Madison had the good fortune of being coached by Lyndsay and had her support during a particularly challenging time with her running. We got her take on how she focuses her life with her dual tracks of teaching and running, how she found her way through the pandemic, and what moments of self-care looked like. Lyndsay had a ton of amazing advice, including on recovery from disappointments. To unlock a lifetime of running like Eugenie and Maddy, download the Runkeeper App today.
Kiera Verbonac started her journey as a runner, then got the biking bug and tried out a duathlon. After success in that category, she donned a wetsuit and now she trains like a beast in the triathlon. Kiera is an amazingly dedicated athlete who also happens to be hearing impaired. We talk about some of the challenges that come with that in her training and racing, none of which hold her back at all. She's also got a ton of great first-time triathlon tips for newbies!
It's the Pride of the Rock: Newfoundland's Kate Bazeley! Kate holds the provincial record for the marathon, but don’t think she’s let that slow down her drive. This former Canadian Half Marathon Champion has been setting big goals, but at the same time balances the things in life that are most important to her: her family. Kate’s a firecracker and fuelled by competitive spirit – we talk about some of her races and how she takes a wider view when it comes to injury and setbacks.
This is what it looks like when passionate, driven women work together to make change. The founders of Winning Within, Delilah Topic, Teagan MacDougall, Dhana and Samantha Cruikshank and Rachel Cliff join me to talk about the foundation's mission: encouraging positive body image self-acceptance and empowering women to find self-worth outside of sport. We discuss their personal experiences and why they are so focused on helping to change the conversation for women in sport.
Polly Moody is a runner who takes a licking and keeps on ticking. She is a mother of two, a kindergarten teacher and one fast runner. She lives in Calgary but she has travelled all over chasing amazing race experiences and speedy courses. We talk about race day feels, and about some of her experiences chasing a sub-3 race. We dig into how she has been recovering from an ACL reconstruction the past few months and what that experience has really been like: the fears, the frustration, the sadness and the light at the end of the tunnel.
People have been talking a lot about Tokyo hopeful Julie-Anne Staehli lately: she has been lighting up the track taking huge bites out of her PBs race after race, and has reached the elusive Olympic qualifying time in the 5000m. But this is no overnight success: Julie-Anne is the epitome of “rise and grind”. She’s been plugging the meter for years and is at that exciting moment in her career where she is watching it all come together. We talk about her time at Queen's, race tactics and staying in the moment, and her favourite way to beat the summer heat.
Co-host of the Inspired Soles Podcast, Carolyn Coffin interviews the amazing Masters' marathoner Paula Wiltse. Paula is a coach with Mile 2 Marathon, a mom, and one of a select few Canadian women who have run a sub-3-hour marathon over the age of 50. Paula shares what it takes to set and reach big goals as a masters athlete (spoiler alert: it takes dedication and hard work) and how she has supported her family through their own goals and through the pandemic. To unlock a lifetime of running like Carolyn, download the Runkeeper App today.
It seems really fitting that my guest on Global Running Day is Olivia Levy. Olivia embodies the spirit of community in running: she may only have been focusing on running and racing for a few years, but in that time she’s used her marketing savvy, desire to give back, and her bright and friendly personality to draw more awareness and inclusivity to our sport. She works with Runners of the Six, The Longest Stride podcast, and is an ambassador for Saucony and she's leaving a trail of joy for running everywhere she goes. You know I love that.
Yana Hempler is a marathon machine. Last year, she decided to run ten marathons in ten days to raise money for the Victoria Hospital Foundation. Right now, she’s back on the road fundraising again, working to complete an incredible 30 marathons in 30 days. Yana talked to me in between marathons and we dug into why she is so passionate about running and the Victoria Hospital Foundation.
Olympian Hilary Stellingwerff is a jack of all running trades. Her journey began on the track then lead her to the road. She became a mom which made her into an advocate for women in sport, and now she coaches at the University of Victoria. Hilary is brilliant and driven: she and her husband Trent are always working hard while saving space for flexibility which makes her so great at everything she does. We talk about everything from food poisoning to finding ways to wear out young kids.
Creator of @blackrunnersofthegta Melanie Murzeau interviews track and field legend, Valerie Jerome. From a long legacy of runners and Olympians, including brother Harry Jerome, Valerie is a huge part of the history of running in Canada. Not only does she hold multiple national and international medals, but she is also the only Canadian athlete to compete in five track and field events in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, or Pan-American Games. She remains an active teacher, community leader, and activist. To unlock a lifetime of running like Melanie, download the Runkeeper App today.
Madeline Price lives and trains in the United States but thanks to two Canadian parents, we get the privilege of claiming her for Team Canada. Maddy is a sprinter and 4x400 relay specialist who graduated from Duke University and still continues to support the team there as an assistant coach. Maddy was raised to be brave and take on challenges head on: she is relentlessly positive and always grateful. We talk about the challenge of staying relaxed while racing, why Canadian teammates are amazing, and how she is supporting the next generation of female track runners.
Perdita Felicien is an Olympic hurdler and the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal at the World Championships in track and field. She is also a mom, television host, sports broadcaster, and now a national best-selling author. We talk all about "My Mother's Daughter" and about her upcoming dream gig co-hosting "Tokyo Today" with Andrew Chang. I also talk to Christine Roper, Olympic rower all about the CAN Fund #150Women program and why it's so exciting.
Meet 100-metre hurdler, mother, and coach Nikkita Holder. Nikkita is a two-time Olympian and international medalist but her achievements on the track are just a fraction of who she is as a human. After splitting with her husband just months after her son was born, Nikkita had to navigate a whole new life for herself while pursuing her running goals. She is an inspiration to anyone who is trying to find their way through any kind of tough situation and a model of resilience, gratitude and kindheartedness.
Heather Hennigar is a native of Halifax, but she now lives in Victoria and works as an Athletics Canada staff coach at the West High-Performance Hub with both able-bodied and para-athletes. Heather is a former Canadian record holder in the 4x800m relay, has traveled the world as an athlete and as a coach, and has become a pretty incredible role model for a whole lot of aspiring Olympians. We talk about coaching lessons from her brother, supporting athletes on the world stage, and a few of the magical moments along the way.
Shana Goulbourne and Rachael Kalaba are the incredible creators of the Peg City Steppers: an inclusive crew for all levels that encourages people to keep active and find joy in movement. They created something that is truly incredible: supporting members in person but also embracing runners from across Canada by hosting online events to encourage connection and discussion. We talk about first race experiences, how they learned to love winter running, and our thoughts on Grey's Anatomy.
If you are looking for inspiration to help you find balance, look no further than Natalia Hawthorn. When this 1500 and 5000m specialist isn't lighting up the track, she's helping high school kids navigate the recruiting process with her work at Streamline Athletes. Natalia has invested a lot of physical and mental energy into finding the sweet spot between hard work and recovery to get her in peak condition; and proving that she is an athlete to watch in 2021.
Ever wondered if you could find an outlet for your love of the outdoors and find some independence and time for yourself outside of motherhood? Tara Matheron did too, so she created RadMums. This Calgary-based group of adventure-loving women are discovering who they are outside of the grind of everyday life and making connections and friendships that support their well-being. If you need a little reminder to find ways to prioritize yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of life, this is the episode for you.
Ever wondered if you could find an outlet for your love of the outdoors and find some independence and time for yourself outside of motherhood? Tara Matheron did too, so she created RadMums. This Calgary-based group of adventure-loving women are discovering who they are outside of the grind of everyday life and making connections and friendships that support their well-being. If you need a little reminder to find ways to prioritize yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of life, this is the episode for you.
Denise Robson experienced a rebirth as a runner when she was encouraged to take on her first marathon by two coworkers when she was in her 30s. Fast forward to 2019 and she now holds the W50 record in the marathon. Denise is an amazing human whose humility and storytelling ability will give you all the feels.
Sarah Kwajafa and Avery Garrett-Patterson are University of Toronto Varsity Blues middle distance alumni. Not only are these two ladies tremendous runners, but Avery is also a personal trainer and Sarah is pursuing her childhood goal of a career in medicine. We talk about the part they played in the creation of the BIPOC Varsity Association which was created to hold stakeholders in the athletic program accountable for the experience of its BIPOC athletes. These ladies are fun, energetic, and serious about finding ways to make change for the future.
Fierce and driven 400m hurdle specialist Noelle Montcalm may have her eyes firmly fixed on Tokyo this year, but she's got a lot more on her plate than just that. A working Registered Nurse and a strong advocate and ally for mental health, Noelle is working to spread the love of sport and a message of hope and optimism to people of all ages. We take a stroll through just a few of Noelle's remarkable races over the past fifteen-plus years and what she sees on the horizon moving forward.
A runner and busy working mom of three girls, Melanie Murzeau is making change. She created Black Runners of the GTA on Instagram to highlight runners of colour in her community and to tell stories that create inclusivity. This month, Melanie researched and presented African Canadian runners that have influenced and shaped our sport. We talk about her experience in creating this content, how a passion for fundraising started her journey into running, and just how early in the morning she gets up to get it all done.
New Balance middle-distance runner Mariah Kelly has a passion for life and running. While she didn’t start out as the fastest runner on the track, her tenacity and incredible work ethic have taken her the distance: first to a scholarship at an NCAA school, and then to the Athletics Canada West High Performance Hub. Mariah doesn’t do anything halfway... and that’s what makes her a remarkable human being.
Time to take a deep dive into mother running. Name your challenge and Nadya Stewart can probably relate: she has dealt with difficult pregnancies, miscarriage, anxiety, and postpartum challenges. And she did a bunch of it during a pandemic. Nadya is really candid about sharing how running as well as other forms of self-care and awareness have helped her through, and she hopes that her honesty will help others who need support.
Olympian Jess O'Connell is co-owner of Grit Athletic Coaching and I can't think of a more appropriate word to describe her. Despite a variety of setbacks that would have sidelined many, Jess is persevering and pushing towards her goals. This chat will make you believe in resilience and consider how you can work more of this mindset into your own days.
A quick episode to talk about the year that was with highlights from Malindi Elmore, Natasha Wodak, Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, Lucia Stafford, and Filsan Abdiaman. I also answer a couple of listener questions and discuss show goals for 2021.
As one of three children growing up on a farm, Scottish distance runner and recent Canadian permanent resident Sarah Inglis' family tradition of hard work and competition led her to move to Canada at the age of 21 to reach for her running dreams. Under coach Mark Bomba, Sarah now holds the Canadian all-comers record in the road 5K and she's one of Britain's fastest female marathoners thanks to her amazing first attempt at The Marathon Project in December. Now Sarah's tuning up for the British Olympic Marathon Trials in March and she shares what it's going to take to get it done.
The word 'resilient' takes on new meaning when you get to spend a little time with Sheree Mullings. From overcoming obstacles in her time at U of T to dealing with the major illness of a parent, Sheree has a way of turning challenges into opportunities for change. Sheree tells us all about why she created Track Fit with Mullings and how she is staying positive during difficult times.
Regan Yee is definitely an athlete to watch in 2021. From the tiny town of Hazelton, BC, Regan is a middle distance and steeplechase runner who balances a strong competitive streak with a view of running as play. I chat with Regan about why a smaller university was the right fit for her, how missing out on the Olympic team in 2016 made her a more confident runner, and how her work with Thinx extends her reach as an amazing role model.
Natasha Wodak became the second-fastest Canadian woman running the marathon in 2:26:19 on December 20th at The Marathon Project in Chandler, AZ. And I wanted to know EVERYTHING. She and I dug deep on everything from committing to the start line, how training went, to how the miles all rolled out. You don't want to miss this chat with one of the coolest women in running.
If you have never heard of Shanda Hill before, you are in for a major treat. Shanda’s journey started with BMX but a serious accident led her on a journey that she never would have expected. Today she is one of the toughest female athletes in the world. Among other incredible accomplishments, Shanda is the first Canadian ever to complete the double Deca Ultra Tri which is the equivalent of 20 ironman triathlons that she had 28 days to complete. Her stories are awe-inspiring - don't miss it!
Elite road runner Catherine Watkins is faster as a master. This mother of two and Oiselle Haute Volee runner has been continually putting in the work and making for some impressive race times. We talk about her work as a coach with Mile 2 Marathon, the keys to keeping her body ready to race, and what book is on her nightstand.
Two-time Worlds competitor in both the steeplechase and cross country, Maria Bernard Galea has an attitude of gratitude. This UBC grad and Calgary native had her first shot at the Olympics in 2016 and she's gunning for a repeat in 2021. We talk horses, work wives, movie theatre popcorn, and how the injury that sidetracked her for eight months made her realize what a huge place running holds in everything she does.
Looking to get reenergized? It's time for some real chat with Coach Lynsey! Founder of Skyline Endurance and six-time Boston qualifier, Lynsey brings us a ton of helpful hints on setting goals, info on strength training, and how we can get what we need out of our running. This one is a game-changer!
Elite runner and mother of three Tarah Korir joins me to talk about what it's like living between two countries, being married to a Boston Marathon winner, and founding not one but two charities to support Kenyan youth. Tarah shares how she manages to make doing it all seem possible and how having children translated into her going from a 1500 runner to a marathoner.
Three-time Olympian Angela Whyte has put more than two decades of her life into pursuing athletics through track and field. She has had an amazingly successful career, but at 40 she's still hungry for more. Angela shares the ups and downs of her career so far and what it looks like to put absolutely everything she's got into a chance to compete in Tokyo in 2021.
If you don't already know who Karla Del Grande is, you are in for a treat. Karla is a Masters Track and Field athlete with a passion and a drive for the sport that is unparalleled: she holds 12 outdoor national track records, 17 indoor national records and nine world records. NINE! Karla shares her passion for the sport and why everyone listening should consider giving Masters level track a try.
We're back for a catch-up session with Canada's fastest female marathoner, Malindi Elmore. A LOT has happened in the year since we last spoke, so Malindi fills us in on all things Houston Marathon, what life in lockdown has been like and the amazing work she is doing as a coach.
Robyn started her running career in track and cross country but found that her true superpowers lied on the road. Sharing her time and passions between research and running, Robyn talks about balance (both on and off the unicycle), why mountain running is Canada's hidden gem of a community, and her recent move to Baltimore.
Don't call it a comeback: for the one year anniversary of WRC, I caught up with my first-ever guests on the pod, Race Directors Kirsten Fleming and Charlotte Brookes. The captains of the ship at Run Calgary and Canada Running Series respectively, these amazing women are leaders in the industry and have really stepped up even more as race events have navigated their way through COVID. They have also been challenging themselves even more with their own running and supporting Canadian events at the same time.
Emily Setlack finished second at the Canadian Olympic Trials Championship last year at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, but that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how cool she is. Emily ran track in university but by the time she was done she was burned out. Hear all about how over time she has taken on trail, mountain and road racing and made a journey back to the basics... learning to love running all over again.
Coach Lynn is on the show! Two-time Olympian and Canadian women's record holder Lynn Kanuka talks about her love, commitment, and passion for the sport of running. She shares what it was like to win a bronze medal in one of the most memorable races in Olympic history, how she managed to always bring her best on race day, and what it's like to be one of Canada's most well respected running coaches.
Jellisa Westney may be a sprinter whose career so far has included representing Team Canada in both her junior and senior years, but she is also a huge advocate and supporter of the road running community through her work as a manager of the Liberty Village Running Room. Jellisa talks about races, training, showing up and doing the work, and some of her great joys in working with road runners.
Micha first represented Team Canada in 2015 and has been burning to be the best to represent her country in everything she does ever since. Micha shares her experience running track at the University of Maryland, being named to the 2016 Olympic team, lessons learned from her famous parents, and her experience hosting Athletics Canada's podcast People Behind the Performances.
Self-described "pro teacher and rec runner" Lyndsay Tessier talks all about returning to running in her 30s, finding joy in road racing and her remarkable performance in Doha.
Melanie and April Boultbee started out in cross country as kids, came back to running as adult elite road racers and now have transitioned to trail and ultra running. They are also epic leaders coaching track and field and working as R.E.A.L. role models for Fast and Female. These twin sisters share the ups and downs of their careers so far and what they look forward to in races that lie still down the road.
Happy running BFF day! On this episode, we celebrate the happiness that is a running bestie and who better to do that with than the amazing duo of Lisa Sun and Joyce Law. Joyce and Lisa met online and went on to become sole mates and key members of the Ontario run crew We Run North York (Joyce is the co-leader). From their stories on the run to their matching outfits, Lisa and Joy are sunshine in a bottle and had me laughing all hour. Enjoy!
Get fired up with Crystal Emmanuel: Canada's fastest female runner. Crystal is a sprinter and holds the Canadian Women's record in the 200m as well as the 4x100m AND 4x200m relays. She is a two-time Olympian and is getting her mental and physical game ready to join Team Canada in Tokyo. I talk to the Queen Beast about kicking Iced Capps, her deep love of sneakers and how growing up in Barbados sparked her love of running.
Rachel Seaman holds FIVE Canadian women's records for race walking. She's an Olympian and a four time competitor in the IAAF World Race Walking Cup. These are just a few of the things that make Rachel an amazing athlete, but what makes her an amazing human is her resiliency and tenacity. Rachel talks about recovering from an injury that kept her from returning to the Olympics in Rio, dealing with depression and her drive for a comeback for 2021 in Tokyo.
At just 16 years old, Metis runner Tracie Leost embarked on a four day 115 KM run to bring attention to the over 4,000 aboriginal women, girls and two-spirit people who have gone missing in Canada since 1980. Her journey to addressing aboriginal issues in Canada is nowhere near over: Tracie is now 21 and using her voice, intelligence and athleticism to continue to support and uplift her people. She is proof positive that you are never too young to make a difference.
Vancouver-based trainer and ultra runner Filsan Abdiaman is passionate about helping others feel beautiful, both on the inside and out. She is the founder of Project Love Run: a monthly run-to-brunch that "offers women a safe space to talk about matters of the heart". Filsan talks about her journey to arriving at PLR, as well as her other projects all of which share her heart and soul in a very candid, honest and thoughtful way.
Co-Founder of Run Like a Girl, traveler and trail runner extraordinaire, Courtney McQueen will inspire you with her no-nonsense approach to running and life. Listen in to her tales from the trails, how she dove head first into race planning, and what it's like to be expecting baby #2 while managing everything else.
Liz loves to run and volunteer. She loves going fast but she loves going slow too, especially when it means spending time with her her run club Frontrunners Toronto. Liz shares what running has done for her and how she got out of her comfort zone to find a supportive loving group that helped her heal from loss.
Welcome to the steeplechase, everyone! Canadian record holder Genviève Lalonde joins me to talk steeplechase 101, her love of running (and chocolate), and her Acadian roots in her hometown of Moncton, NB.
Today we talk to four friends from the running world and how they have been getting through the last few months. I talk to Cheryl Zealand (Cranked Energy Bars), Morgan McKay (Battle Unicorn Training), Rachel Munday (Manitoba Marathon) and Lynn Bourque (The Runners Shop). The global pandemic has challenged us all, but there is still good to talk about in the way we have all been able to come together as a community.
Teal Gove is a Boston qualifying marathoner from Calgary, but she's so much more than that. Teal is a Lululemon ambassador and a blogger who is inspiring runners everywhere to reach for big goals. She is also making real change working and fundraising with Run for Water. Get ready to get inspired!
An up and coming Calgary elite racer, Leanne Klassen talks all about her beginnings in the sport and the training, goal setting and love of racing that have brought her to now.
800-metre specialist Lindsey Butterworth shares her thoughts on managing a full-time job she loves at the same time as her professional running career. She also shares a couple of the craziest stories of getting to the start line that I've ever heard.
Runner, coach and advocate for equality in sport, Leslie Sexton joins me this week on the show. She talks all about her move from the track to the road, what it's like to inspire young runners and a few of her ups and downs on the way to the start line. She also takes on the first ever WRC Star Wars trivia challenge...
It's sister day on the podcast! Canadian record holders Gabriela DeBues Stafford and her younger sister Lucia Stafford join us from quarantine for the ultimate running family chat. Get ready to laugh and learn a little more about these two amazing women, including which one owns more shoes.
The current Canadian record holder in the women's half marathon, Andrea Seccafien is a dedicated athlete who is killing it and just getting started in reaching for her big goals. Currently living in Australia and training with the Melbourne Track Club, Andrea is splitting her focus between the road and her track specialty of the 5,000. She talks with me about coming back from injury, racing in Japan and what makes living in Australia so awesome.
Québec's Mélanie Myrand gives us a lesson in balance: this amazing lady works part time as a nurse practitioner while pursuing her dreams as an elite marathoner. She has some great advice on knowing when to lean in on the race course and how to keep positive in this challenging time.
One of the fastest women in Canada, Natasha Wodak holds multiple Canadian distance records and just this year became the first Canadian woman to run sub-70 minutes in the Half Marathon. Natasha opens up about social media, travel and racing and the challenges of self criticism.
How do you do justice to an athlete like Rachel Cliff in an hour? The road and track racing legend shares a little bit with me about setting Canadian records, staying grounded and where she is at mentally with the postponement of the Olympics.
Let's talk triathlon! PK Performance coach extraordinaire Phaedra Kennedy talks about her journey with running, getting older and getting faster, how her husband's finish line was her start line and a whole lot in between.
Kinsey Middleton is a dual Canadian/American citizen who can't wait for her chance to shine representing Canada at the Olympics. She's bright, funny, positive and full of energy - this one will fuel your next long run with lots of good vibes!
Sarah Wells knows all about the highs and lows of running. From the elation of reaching the semi-finals in the 2012 Olympics to the devastation of missing the 2016 team by one second, and the life-changing experience of competing on The Amazing Race Canada, Sarah is taking her experiences and using them to inspire Canadians to Believe in themselves and reach for dreams of their own.
How do you spell passion? K-A-R-A. Kara Leinweber is a ultra distance trail runner and creator of The Lewiston Ultra. If you are thinking of giving trail running a whirl or just want to think about new ways to connect with the outdoors, Kara will get you reaching for your trail shoes.
Daryl Lang is far from your ordinary runner: not because she is visually impaired (which is just a sideline to her story) but for many other reasons. She decided her first half marathon needed to include a solo bus trip across half of the United States. She books her next race before she has completed the one she is currently training for. I could go on. Along with her sidekick guide dog Jenny and a pile of other supportive partners, she is taking over the world one epic adventure at a time.
One of the most significant voices of our time in Canadian women's running, Lanni Marchant is pouring her heart into making the comeback of a lifetime in 2020. Hear her talk about her journey to Lanni 2.0 and why the race to the Tokyo Olympics is so darn exciting.
Elite road runner and Registered Dietician Rachel Hannah dives deep into her experiences with RED-S and her current work with athletes of all levels to help them maximize their own performances and outcomes.
Today we welcome the Battle Unicorn herself, the Canadian Queen of OCR, Morgan McKay. This Guinness World Record holder has done it all, from the Spartan Death Race to World's Toughest Mudder, and has even competed in the Barkley Marathon. Get ready to get energized on this one!
Co-Founder of Canadian registration software giant Race Roster, Chantelle Wilder talks about her journey so far. From running track in Hawaii to returning back to Ontario to work with her childhood friends, she tells us all about the ride and where she thinks it might go next.
Women's record for the 400m hurdles, Sage Watson talks inspiration, great advice from her dad, and how she shuts down negativity. Time to get some sagespiration!
GM of Saucony Canada Nicole McCasey shares some insight from her experience working in the industry along with her perspective as a long-time runner. We talk everything from favourite race events to kimchi.
Happy holidays! This extra special episode features two extra special women who are redefining running into retirement years. Former Running Room manager Lorraine Walton talks about her life after work and how she is making the most of every moment, and world-record-holding octogenarian Helly Visser shares the amazing tale of her accomplishments.
Big inspiration episode! Founder of VO2 Max Events and Toronto Womens Run Series Cory Freedman talks about what it's like to innovate, create and get things done in the running industry. Alison Désir, founder of Run Harlem, shares how you can get involved in the Global Womxns Run Collective and connect with other influencers all around the world.
Marathon Mom Krista DuChene chats about everything from career highlights to faith, to work as a Registered Dietician and a broadcaster as well as her undying love of coffee.
Health and fitness professional Joanne Merrett talks common injuries and some training basics. A great episode for newer runners and people in need of a training tune-up.
The amazing Canadian record holder for the women's 1500m joins me to talk all about training, Doha, life, and love.
Co-director, executive producer and cast member of The Secret Marathon Kate McKenzie tells me all about her experience running her first marathon ever in Afghanistan while making a film to shine a light on the race and its participants.
On the heels of her incredible Canadian Marathon Championships win at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, I chatted with Dayna about the big day as well as the training and past races that brought her here.
This week I talked to all-star endurance athlete Malindi Elmore. This former 1,500-metre star turned Ironman triathlete has reinvented herself as a road racer with a serious shot at Tokyo in 2020. Malindi talks about her sidelining injury and her feelings post-Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon as well. Get ready to feel inspired!
In this episode, we chat with Sasha Gollish on her experience at World's in Doha, her love of running and her tenets of living.
Kirsten talks to race directors extraordinaire Kirsten Ellen Fleming of Run Calgary and Charlotte Brookes of Canada Running Series. Everything you ever wanted to know about these two dynamic women: how they got started, what challenges they face and what their vision is for the future of racing in our country.