The team behind the Calgary Marathon has a race they’re competing in to get ready for their own race weekend and it sounds like an amazing adventure: run from LA to Vegas.
“560 kilometres and the record is something like just over 36 hours and when I heard that, it sounded awesome. I figured we had to take a shot,” says Ari Sarantis, a 47-year-old lawyer and member of the Calgary Marathon board who first brought The Speed Project ultra relay race to Run Calgary’s attention.
Soon, Sarantis had enlisted two men and is working on securing the final woman to join the core team of speedy, sorta nutty Albertans, who plan to run as hard as they can and compete in The Speed Project to win. And there’s another dimension: the Run Calgary race squad is opening up two slots on the team to Albertans as a competition, and we’re announcing it here: one man and one woman can win an all-expense paid trip to run from LA to Vegas as part of their team.
“Send us your race times, tell us how competitive you are and make sure you play nice with strangers, because it’s going to be more than 36-hours cooped up in an RV,” says Sarantis, with a laugh.
If you’re interested in applying, and are from Alberta, you can send in your submission here.
Prior competitors suggests the best strategy is to run the first half in 10K splits and then change; switch to 5K splits when the going gets tough, like running-an-ultra-in-Death Valley tough.
Good luck to everyone who enters. There’s also a pool party in Vegas the day after the race, so participants must be over 21.
“I certainly don’t fit into what some may see as “ideal” runner shape. Often, when I tell people I am a runner, I get looked up and down, usually met with skepticism that I am a runner. What they don’t know is that I’ve finished 1 full marathon, 5 half marathons, numerous 5 and 10 k races and I strength train 2-3 times a week.”
These are some of the runners that we’ve met so far. Do you see yourself reflected here? What’s a runner look like? Look in the mirror: if you’re reading this, odds are a runner looks just like you.
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“I started running to lose weight and set the example for my kids about being active. I was 80lbs heavier but I ran just as proudly then as I do now. Today I run to be active, stay healthy and maintain my mental health too!”
“I’ve been running for quite a few years now as a plus size runner. I still get the comment; wow, you run??? It’s very annoying to be honest. I always say you can be a runner at any weight or size.”
“I started running again in April 2015, I could hardly complete a 3 km run. But I stuck to it and last October 22nd I completed my first Marathon in Toronto. I am so proud of my accomplishment. I do not have the body of what people expect a Marathoner to look like but here I am. This year I have run 1613 km so far. In 2017, I participated in 9 races. It’s been a great year for me. I am 54 years old and I feel better then when I was in my 30.”
This week on the iRun podcast Mark Sutcliffe speaks with runner and writer Noel Paine, iRun’s Running Dad who talks about how he has used running in confronting mental illness. Last month at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Mark found out what one women meant after she said that she runs for those who can’t. And runner and amputee, Tom McIntyre shares his emotional experience of completing the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
With Chicago well behind me, and after any big race, my priority turns to rest, recovery and relaxation. Tackling a marathon like Chicago, you need to give your whole body a chance to reset, even if you feel good after a couple of days. After completing an intense training cycle like the one I just did, I like to take a couple of weeks of unstructured free time, where my focus turns from “having” to run or workout, to running when I feel like it.
I didn’t have a day off from training between June to Chicago, so although I feel like I could resume training, right now I’m enjoying the mornings that I get to sleep in, socialize and eat out at night, and generally take all the time off while I can.
Even if there isn’t an immediate race coming up, there are always races on the calendar! In between cycles when my training isn’t for a specific race, my goal is to always slowly build a strong base of fitness, so that once the new cycle starts, I am fit, fast, and able to aggressively approach workouts. I still run every day, just not as much.
Next up for me will be the NYC Half Marathon in March 2018! I’m still thinking of what an appropriate goal will be for this race, but I am definitely looking to finally get under 70 min, maybe even 68 min. I will also try to get in a couple of fast 10 km races in the Spring to work on my speed, and looking even further ahead, I’m planning for my next marathon to be another one in the Fall. As for my Moonshot, it’s going to be big, scary and enticing, just like the last one! I want to break 2:20:00. I know that it is within my capabilities, it will just take time, patience and perseverance.
In the meantime, and for the rest of the year, I am looking forward to having extra free time on my nights and weekends. I won’t have to do double runs every day, and I won’t have to worry about rushing to bed or trying to squeeze in social plans. It will be nice to spend more time at home with my partner Jessy, and be able to take on some more of the household responsibilities like cooking, groceries, walking the dog etc., since he tends to take on these duties when I am in a full marathon build. Sometimes the simplest of things can bring you the most joy!
I hope you’ve enjoyed following along on my running journey this Fall. I know that I’ve enjoyed being able to share it with all of you. And for anyone looking to take on their own running goals, my advice is to set your own Moonshot! Don’t be afraid to dream big, just because you’re afraid you will fail. You will only fail if you don’t try. We are all humans and every human has potential. As long as you have the will to feed that potential you will always continue to grow not only as a person, but also as an athlete.
I’m struggling these days to accept how I look. I do not like how skinny I am. I do not want other young runners to look at me and say to themselves ‘to be fast I need to look like her.’ (And to be honest, I do not think many people do that.) I’m not looking for a pity-party, don’t feel sorry for me, but also do not judge me for openly talking about this.
Today I was skinny-shamed and it’s having me take a good long hard look at myself and to remind myself to take a deep breath, believe in myself and believe what I’m doing.
Here are some of the facts: 1. I’m gearing to run a marathon eventually. That means miles, minutes, kilometres, and lots of them. I run a lot. I am also in the gym 2 to 3 times a week for a proper lifting session, plus some other work with mini-bands, medicine balls, hurdles, and what JMar likes to call ‘athletic movements.’ My body knows what’s coming and it’s adjusting itself to prepare itself to go fast. I cannot remember if this is from Lauren Fleshman, Max Shute, or my boyfriend Rol, but one of them said that your body naturally becomes what it needs to be, whether or not you like the outcome.
2. I’m 35 turning 36 before the end of this year. My body is no longer thinking it’s going to have babies. In fact, I’ve probably said it enough times out loud that even my uterus is listening. My body is getting ready for menopause, which means it’s probably trying to teach itself to be really efficient.
3. Genetics. My dad’s family is a long line of endomorphs, and there is a lot of my dad that I take after. My engine burns hot, which is a blessing and a curse. It means that I am burning food rapidly and efficiently, and most nights I’m woken up because I cannot stand the heat of myself! (I just want to crawl out of my skin). Food is my friend, and I have a great relationship with it. I look at food as a positive part of my life and it has really improved my outlook on how I choose to nourish and fuel myself.
Moving forward:
This really got me thinking today about what is important. Firstly, that I continue to share my story, my authentic story, about how I nourish and fuel myself. Food is a really important part of my life. Sure, it’s what helps me stay strong and healthy, but it’s also about sharing great life moments with the people you love. Being together over a great meal is an important Gollish-Family tradition.
Secondly, we are all individuals. Our bodies will act and do things very differently. To be the best version of yourself you really have to listen to your body. As I just wrote in an email ‘comparison is the thief of joy,’ so please do not rob yourself of fantastic moments with your teammates because you’re comparing yourself to them. Celebrate your differences and your strengths.
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, let’s stop judging each other. In the ROO episode, there is a suggestion to start greeting people with ‘It’s so great to see you.’ Even when we compliment someone we are judging them. Plus what happens to their self-confidence if one day we forget to compliment them? Instead by reminding people that they are important, not their looks, we make them feel whole and that they matter to us. In addition, another suggestion from the podcast was to call people up to recovery. Being concerned about a friend’s health is natural, but do not confront them in a way that makes them feel isolated or alone. Real friends show concern through love, not through judgement.
There is so much more I wanted to write, so much more to talk about. Know this, when I make comments about how I look or what I eat that I do it from a place of kindness, that I do not believe in judging others for how they look or what they eat, and that I am concerned about the health and well-being of young runners, especially young women. If I say something that upsets you please just talk to me about it. And if you’re a young woman struggling with food, nutrition, and comparing yourself to others, know that you have a friend here that will always lend an ear and give you a hug.
Inside photographs of Sasha by Brad Reiter. Main picture by Leigh Tynan; Tynan Studios @tynanstudios.
As Halloween was approaching I felt the need to once again post my thoughts about children and candy, based on and reinforced by Ellyn Satter whom I had the privilege of meeting while attending her workshop when employed at a health unit several years ago. Not only was I able to receive her excellent training and teach it to others, but also apply it to our own children, as early as infancy. If you have, want to have, or are involved in caring for children, I highly recommend a visit to her website. I posted the article “Why you should let your kids eat all the Halloween candy they want” on Facebook and retweeted fellow dietitian Abby Langer’s, “Clean candy should not exist. It’s candy, people. Live a little.” No doubt it resulted in several likes and reposts and generated a good discussion amongst parents struggling to find the best approach to the mounds of candy and chips taking over counters and dining room tables. We’ve been at the trick or treating for a few years now so let me highlight some key points that may assist in tackling this area:
Allow your children to learn how to manage their candy
Keep your involvement to a minimum
Let them lay it out, sort it, trade it, smell it, touch it, and eat as much as they want for the first few nights
Then put it away, setting it aside to be consumed with meals and snacks
Offer milk or fruit with the 2 or 3 candy pieces they choose as an after-school snack
Keep structure with meals and sit-down snacks; parents decide the what, when and where, and children choose how much and whether
Avoid shaming children and labelling candy as “bad” or forbidden
Stay away from micromanaging and controlling; it will only backfire
Sugar does not cause hyperactivity…children are already excited at the birthday party long before the cake and ice cream is served.
Lastly, and maybe most importantly when it comes to so many areas with parenting, lead by example. This not only applies to candy consumption—by letting your children see you enjoy an abundance for the first few days then eating less as the novelty wears off, but also to physical activity. These are the things that will shape your children’s relationship to their diet and health.
Since withdrawing from my favourite marathon, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) I have successfully given myself enough to do to keep busy, contribute more financially to our family, and use that extra energy not spent logging kilometres on the road. I am back to a balanced off-season routine with some time in the pool, weight room, and on the trails. I was hoping I would be able to make good use of the trails as the leaves change colour, and before they are snow-covered and unaccessible over the winter. They really are my favourite for the varied surface and pleasurable views.
In mid-October I attended our school’s cross country meet as coach. It was so rewarding to see the children running with smiles on their faces and proud of their effort and accomplishments after crossing the line. I made it a particularly fun day for myself by hopping into the senior boys’ and girls’ 2.5 km races as a rabbit. They sure do start out quickly! In addition to coaching the cross country team, I volunteered as trainer/coach for my daughter’s hockey team. Several hours were spent fulfilling the necessary requirements to become certified for the hockey association; a police check, trainers course, and respect in sport course certainly reinforced the seriousness and responsibility of leading children in sports and being a good role model.
My career as Registered Dietitian has been moved from back burner to the front as I’ve re-started some private practice work, registered for the Dietitian of Canada Intensive Sport Nutrition Course, and recently started implementing a “Healthy You” program with fellow marathoner runner, friend, and dietitian Megan Kuikman. I’ve quite enjoyed assisting people in learning ways to better their health through more mindful food choices, physical activity and feeling good about themselves. Lately we’ve been discussing the benefits of avoiding food rules and regulations, and labelling food and days as “good” or “bad.” We’ve covered listening to our hunger and fullness queues, and making small but permanent changes while releasing the diet mentality. We read a quote from Ellyn Satter about “Normal Eating”, which resonated with our group and created great discussion.
In addition, I explained Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in feeding children as many adults benefit in looking back to their early years in order to be successful in moving forward with their eating competence, particularly when it comes to their weight.
It’s a new time for me, as I’m sure it’s a new time for many of you. With the weather getting colder and the new year approaching, we all have our goals and habits we wish to follow, both in ourselves and in our loved ones.
The Black Lungs take their name in tribute to the coal miners of Cape Breton, where the group first ran as a team in the Cabot Trail Relay. According to statements by the founders, the group derived inspiration in those miners’ demonstration of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and a willingness to take risks for reward.
Lyndsay Tessier, who has trained with the Black Lungs since 2013, may put the men of the deeps to shame. At least miners allowed themselves the pleasure of imbibing at the end of the workday or week. The 39 year old elementary school teacher is damn near monastic.
Ms. Tessier says, “I get up at 4:30 a.m. to have my coffee and sit around for about an hour to get my head around the day and go over lesson plans.” At 5:30, she leaves for that day’s workout, choosing to minimize any chance of surprise by running the same route every day.
Lunches are prepared on Sunday, so after returning home at around 7 Lyndsay can simply grab it from the fridge before departing again at 8 a.m. to switch roles from athlete to educator.
Once the school day ends, it’s “home, dinner, couch, and lights out by 9.” “It may not make me popular,” Lyndsay says, “but I make no apologies for my routine.”
It’s a routine that doesn’t leave much room for error or flexibility and appears to border on punishment.
What makes Lyndsay Tessier special, a figure of so much curiosity and admiration, is that her extreme sense of commitment has never turned running into a chore.
Her personality and willingness to show emotion on the course is akin to American legend Meb Keflezighi. Lyndsay makes superhuman performance look and feel real, like something the rest of us can relate to, and sometimes even makes it seem like fun.
In an ascent to the elite ranks that’s included victories at the Vancouver Half Marathon and a second place finish among the Canadian women at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where she recorded a 2:36, Lyndsay maintains that she has never been ultra competitive and has never placed the weight of expectations upon herself.
“Running started for me in elementary school,” Lyndsay explains. “I was too young for cross country, but the principal agreed that if my mom supervised, I could train off school property with the team.” Lyndsay would run until the eighth grade when, “It became more competitive and more expectations were being placed on me, which took away from the enjoyment.”
Rather than go against what she felt to be her own nature, Lyndsay left running altogether, only to be reintroduced to the sport when asked by a friend to join a local 5K six years ago. Lyndsay recalls, “I had such an amazing time and was smitten again. After that I joined a half marathon clinic at the Pickering Running Room.”
The trajectory doesn’t read like that of many elites. In fact, Lyndsay’s story could be that of so many middle and back of the pack runners who were drawn by the promise of a welcoming community and personal growth later in life.
Lyndsay believes her mindset hasn’t shifted from that of a recreational runner. “I love everything about running!” Lyndsay exclaims. Rather than competition, “It’s therapy, it’s confidence, and it’s peacefulness.” As a cross country coach, Lyndsay strives to transfer that mindset to her students. “I’m not coaching my kids to be superstars. I’m coaching character and for a love of running,” she explains.
The night before the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Lyndsay received a message from Natasha Wodak reminding her that the hurt would begin after 30K, but that she was strong enough and deserving of the nine minute PB she would run that day.
That’s a connection that Lyndsay says she will never lose with every other runner. Everyone who has ever ventured past that 30K mark defied their doubts and found the strength of character that Lyndsay seeks to impart to her students.
“I look at everyone who runs and we’re all the same,” Lyndsay says. When she and her sister ran different half marathons on the same weekend last year, Lyndsay finished thirty minutes ahead, but she adds, “We both felt the same pain at 17K.”
If someone therefore looks to Lyndsay as a role model, she can accept it but says the feeling is mutual. No matter where she finishes, Lyndsay is always reminded that, “For runners, when we see the individual achievements, we’re always so happy for one another because we know where it comes from.”
We asked readers to show us some skin, some skin that’s been branded with running tattoos and here’s just a sample of what we received. Do you have a running tattoo? Want to be in the next issue? Show us your ink and be featured in our December year-end extravaganza! Send your photos for consideration to ben@irun.ca.
On this week’s podcast Mark Sutcliffe speaks with runners who exhibit strength and courage with each step they take. First, an Ottawa runner who has run 110 marathons and counting shares what he has learned and discovered about the destinations where he has raced. At 79, Florence Barron keeps getting stronger, recently setting an age group record on the Cape to Cabot race, and Jean-Paul Bedard talks about what makes him run six marathons in one weekend.
Las Vegas has been my happy place for a number of years now. Once, sometimes twice a year I would make the 4-hour flight with various family members to decompress from work, to bond, to have fun. Being goofy with my sister. Catching up with my mom. Watching my wife almost in tears at a show. Simply magical times.
Last year, I checked a big one off my bucket list. I ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas half marathon. We went right down the main strip at night! It was an amazing experience, but I figured that would be my only time. It was simply too crowded, and weaving around people is a pet peeve of mine. When you’re as slow as I am, it’s extra frustrating!
While watching the news of the shooting, the festival-goer videos made things a little too personal. Most were taken from the exact vantage points I had wandered around during the pre-race festival last year. For a few days, I was not only shaken thinking about Las Vegas, but being around large running crowds again. In one act of madness, two of my favourite things in the world now caused me fear.
After a few days of contemplation, I realized I could not let this tragedy destroy the two things I care for most. I am fairly new to running, having only completed my first 5K three years ago. Since then, I have progressed to the half, and even completed my first full in May.
I realized how much I’ve overcome since my journey started. That time when I was walking on a fun run, explaining that I couldn’t run due to a bad hip injury many years before.
“Have you tried?” was the response.
That time when I thought I’d never break a limit I’d set on a distance. And CRUSHED IT! And in that journey, I’ve become a much better person. And found a family along the way. I’ve found some very true friendships on the road, and knowing people have your back, even at the #backofthepack is pretty special.
I decided I couldn’t—I WOULDN’T let this act of savagery ruin my memories. I’m taking back Las Vegas on my terms. I’m running the Strip again this year. I will be there to show that I will not be frightened into hiding. I will stand strong in a crowd. I will run my hardest, and I will not give up! #iRun #VegasStrong
I’ve hid from and denied my fears for far too long. I’m stronger than that. (Trust me. My running partner told me so.)