Why I Run, and What I Want for Running, by Jean-Paul Bedard and Krista DuChene

October 19, 2017

Krista DuChene is a Canadian Olympian and the second fastest female marathon runner of all-time. She once ran a half marathon in Montreal on a broken femur, and still took third. Jean-Paul Bedard is an activist and an ultra-runner, who will be running 6 in the SIX this weekend at the Toronto Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon, in order to raise funds and awareness for those impacted by sexual violence. His first of six marathons begin Friday morning. We brought the two Hall of Famers together for a discussion.

iRun: What’s your wish for running and runners in the new year? There’s so many of us, what should we be doing with our platform? My wish is that we have even more runners.

Krista: It’s a sport that requires very little investment with tremendous gain. Let’s aim for more sell-out events; for more in the 5 km road race or the 50 k trail run and everything in between; for more road closures during competitions; and for more off-road running adventures. Let’s make running more normal for everyone! To do this, let’s keep doing what we’re doing!

JP: One of the things I love about social media is that it takes running, a somewhat solitary and individualistic activity, and transforms it into a community or social practice. I think that for our sport to continue to flourish, shoe and apparel companies and to an even greater degree, race directors, will need to direct more resources to the so-called ‘middle’ and ‘back-of-the-pack’ runners. I believe that iRun has been a leader in this movement by profiling making a conscious decision to profile ‘the everyday runner’ right along side the ‘elites’.

iRun: How do you guys feel when people applaud you and call you a hero?

Krista: I feel honoured. I take my role as a Canadian, marathoner, Olympian, community member, parent, dietitian, and woman seriously. I have fun but am also very deliberate about how I communicate. I aim to be authentic, honest and open about my difficult trials and wonderful blessings. I strive to deliver appropriate messages when public speaking, writing, or posting on social media. I am aware that I can make a big difference in someone’s life, even with one simple comment. And I can only hope that I make a positive difference. While it’s an honour, it can also be a struggle particularly when it’s a time that I just want to put my head down, avoid the chit-chat, and just focus on getting to work.

JP: That’s a question I get asked a lot, and it’s one that I continue to struggle with. The the downside of having a public profile is that your life becomes ‘very public’, and because of that, my struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, and the childhood trauma I experienced, have become interwoven into any of the successes I’ve had in sport. I’ve never thought of myself as a ‘hero’, yet I do acknowledge that many people do look up to me. But what I believe is happening here is that people see themselves in me. They see their own struggles in my struggles. They see their own vulnerability in my vulnerability. But most of all, they recognize their own ability to rise through adversity by witnessing the resilience of the human spirit in me.

iRun: You both obviously have a passion for sharing your stories, and more often than not, that involves making yourself vulnerable by being open and honest. How do you manage to navigate that space, while at the same time making sure you provide yourself the self-care needed to keep doing what you’re doing?

Krista: Making myself vulnerable by being open and honest can actually be one of the easiest things for me. I don’t need to put on an act or performance with the intention of motivating my audience; I just tell my story with authenticity. I aim to be real and am told I’m an inspiration so I feel successful in what I set out to do. In order to provide self-care, I’ve had to learn to say no. I can’t be everything to everyone all the time. If I need space or time off, I take it. And I don’t feel any need to justify it.

JP: As an athlete, I like to think of myself as strong and somewhat invisible, but the the truth is that in order to perform at the level I choose to, it requires that I continually push against the physical and mental limits of my endurance. And here is where I believe the running community can be instrumental in sustaining us when we, unfortunately, tumble from those great heights we set for ourselves. To me, running has become a metaphor for my life—it’s the canvas on which I get to paint whatever story is unfolding in me that day or at that moment. I feel passionate about sharing so much of my story because I wholeheartedly believe that those ‘vulnerable pieces’ of me are actually the strongest and most beautiful parts of me. I’ve been very open about the struggles I’ve faced, and to a large degree continue to deal with, because I am passionate about breaking the silence that leads to all that negative self talk that rattles around our mind telling us, “I’m not good enough. I can’t do this.” So for me, self-care has a lot to do with staying connected with my community; that’s where I find my inspiration to take the “I can’t” and transform it into “Hell ya… I can!”

iRun: You’ve spoken openly about the importance of “faith” in your life outside of athletics, but what I’m interested in knowing is whether or not that spiritual grounding has come into your running practice?

Krista: My running is 100% about my Christian faith. I feel I’m here for a reason, God’s reason to use my life in His way. I am not defined by my performance, poor or spectacular, rather by my Christianity. It’s helped me out of my lowest lows and kept me grounded in my highest highs. Eric Liddell “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel his pleasure.”

JP: As an endurance athlete, you quickly understand that no matter how much preparation and training you put in, there comes a time, either in the late stages of race or in the midst of a long training session, when you have come to the ‘edge of yourself’. It’s there you discover what sits in your heart and propels you to keep moving forward. There’s no doubt that this a moment of truth, and it’s in the silence of this moment that my faith speaks loudest to me. When you strip away everything else, you are left with yourself; and that space can be a very uncomfortable place to be. For me, faith reminds me of how intricately we are all connected. I attend church a few times a week because I find great solace and a feeling of rejuvenation when I’m closer to my faith. When it comes to faith intersecting with my running, I’m reminded of the tattoo I have on my arm––Romans 8:18. It’s one of my favourite verses from the Bible: “Our present suffering can not compare to the glory that will be revealed within us.” As a long distance runner, I’m very acquainted with suffering, and I’m equally aware that on the other side of suffering comes much joy—the finisher’s medal and the banana!

iRun: Like actors and performers, elite athletes are compelled to confront the realities of aging, not in private, but rather in a public forum. How are you dealing with the aging process, and is it something you’re embracing or pushing back against?

Krista: I am fully embracing the reality of ageing! My goal is to do it gracefully. I won’t fight it nor think my fastest times are still ahead of me, even though there could be some PB’s (personal bests) ahead! I will continue to appreciate my previous successes, and also leave room for better performances. During this season of not running a fall marathon, I am preparing for and engaging in those activities I previously set aside due to the demands of training and racing. More of my time and energy is now spent coaching, public speaking, writing, and practising as a Registered Dietitian. I’ve deliberately taken this off-season to better establish myself in these fields as I will eventually spend more time in them than competing as an elite marathoner. I will always run and keep active in the running community while I continue to adjust my goal times. Competing as a master is a good way to transition and “age”! And I have retirement bucket list items: ultra on the trails, ironman, etc.! My only dilemma is what to do about my slowly greying hair. To dye or not to dye? I’ll never forget, as the oldest member of Canada’s Athletics (track and field) team, plucking the few greys I had just before walking in the Closing Ceremony at the 2016 Olympic Games.

JP: What do they say: “I’ll take growing old any day because the alternative is not much of an alternative.” I’m at the point of my life where I can still perform the way I used to, but now it takes a lot more work to prepare and recover. Like many of you reading this, I’m an endorphin junkie, so as long as I get my daily fix, I’m a happy camper. I’ve approached aging in my running practice with the same philosophy I use when I’m running up a long, steep hill in marathon or ultra. The trick is not to speed up on that hill, but to maintain the same perceived effort, and typically that means slowing the pace and trying to maintain the same heart rate. And that’s what I find myself doing as I’m aging into sport. I get the same endorphin rush, but now that happens at a slower pace. One of the amazing gifts of becoming an older, or ‘masters’ athlete is that you now are graced with the opportunity to mentor younger athletes or those just entering our sport.

iRun Radio – October 22nd, 2017

Why I Run

October 18, 2017

Its Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon race weekend! On this week’s show Mark speaks with Krista DuChene who recently sat down with Andre deGrasse and talked all things running and how their distances are so different yet their passion for running is the same. Then one man shares his story of ditching 200 pounds and now runs marathons, and the lessons one runner learned about himself, after not finishing his race.

Negative splits, personal bests, Colin Kaepernick and Harvey Weinstein: Leslie Sexton, in race mode

Ben Kaplan

October 18, 2017

Leslie Sexton is an outspoken cross-country runner from London, Ontario, whose marathon PB is 2:33. A contributor to iRun and a leading voice in running—here she is on gender differences in distances at track meets and on cheating at races, course-cutting and drugs—she is a sponsored Saucony athlete and one to watch at this weekend’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, running the marathon against our country’s best. iRun’s General Manager sent Leslie some questions that only she could answer.

1. A few days out from race day, how do you feel and what will you be doing, both from a physical and mental perspective?

I feel really good and I’m getting excited for race day! With every buildup I do I handle the taper better so I don’t mind it now. I’m using the extra time I have from running less to take care of the little things like stretching and foam rolling that I sometimes neglect when I’m running high mileage. The important thing to is take the extra time and do that stuff, but not obsess too much. As the race gets closer I will take more time to relax, put my feet up, and watch Netflix or play a video game to take my mind off of things.

2. Who are your heroes in the sport, and outside of the sport?

Des Linden for her toughness, work ethic, superb pacing, and no-excuses attitude. Outside of the sport, Rey and Leia from Star Wars. Carrie Fisher both for her portrayal of an incredible character and for being vocal on de-stigmatizing mental illness. I fully expect to get at least a little teary-eyed when I watch The Last Jedi in December. And Wonder Woman…I watched that movie before Eastside 10k last month and I think I’m going to make a tradition of watching it the night before a race.

3. What’s your race plan?

I want to run a personal best at STWM. The plan is to run my goal pace as evenly as possible, especially early on. I like to break the race into 5k segments and have about a ten second range that I want to stay within for each part. Each kilometer can vary a bit, but if I stay within a tight pace range for each 5k it keeps the pace and the effort pretty even. The other way I break it up is into thirds, sort of; be relaxed and comfortable for the first 16k, keep on pace and stay alert for the next 16k, then just run hard and stay tough through the final 10.2k.

4. Can you talk to us about the “negative split.” Is that something a) you do and b) you recommend?

Most of my personal bests have been slight negative splits. When making a game plan for a race I don’t like the idea of going out really hard to force a breakthrough. Most of the time it ends with a blowup and the longer the race, the fewer attempts you have to get it right. At the same time I don’t want to put limits on myself and I want to take advantage of a great race opportunity. Planning to even split with the possibility of a negative split on a great day strikes a balance between the two. My strategy is usually to set a realistic goal pace based on my recent workouts and plan to run evenly though the first two-thirds of the race. If I feel great and I’m having an awesome day, I can pick it up in the last third of the race and run fast off of a negative split. This is how I run most of my workouts, too, and I would recommend it to anyone racing 5k or longer.

5. Where do you think your toughness comes from?

My toughness comes from my confidence in my training and my belief in myself. When things get tough in a race I like to think back to some of my best workouts and visualize being back in Springbank Park in London, putting in the miles on my own. When that’s not enough, I think about my heroes in sport or in fiction who inspire me to be tough.

6. You’ve been outspoken in the sport, around track & field distances and more recently on Stephen Miller, who jumped into a girl’s track meet. How pervasive is sexism in running and for the iRun community, what can we do?

I have to acknowledge that compared to other sports, Athletics is doing very well on issues of gender equality. On the big things like equality of prize money and compensation or opportunities to compete we are way better off than women in team sports, for example. Yet that doesn’t mean we have full equality or that women should stop speaking up. One area that I frequently bring up is having equal opportunities for female distance runners to race the same distances as men and explore their potential at longer distances. For many years, men’s cross country distances have been longer than women’s, and this can have a negative impact on female athlete development, especially among women whose talents lie in distances longer than 5k. This is starting to change, but we need to continue to put pressure on organizations to have equal distances between men and women across all age groups, the way we do on the track or on the roads. The way we coach female distance runners goes hand in hand with this. While coaches need to assign all young athletes age-appropriate training, I think there has been a tendency to discourage young women from running the same longer distances as their male peers or assign young women less training in an effort to protect them, and this is based on outdated assumptions about female athlete development. Coaches need to assign training to young athletes based on principles of long term athlete development, individualized based on the runner’s capabilities, instead of generalizations based on the athlete’s gender.

The other issue I see often is media coverage of female athletes and the objectification of women in sport. I am sick of all of the coverage of women’s sport that focuses on what a woman is wearing, what her body looks like, or who she is married to instead of her athletic performance. We need to treat women in sport like athletes and talk about their performances in the way that we do for men’s sport.

Overall I think the road racing scene is very positive; women have lots of opportunities to participate or compete and most runners I have encountered are very positive and supportive. That being said…dudes, if you want to compliment a woman who is out on a run, say something like “great pace” instead of commenting on her legs or her ass. Stop talking about getting “chicked” (ie. when a woman runs faster than you) in a race. We are all runners, so treat each other with respect and, as Wil Wheaton would say, “don’t be a dick.”

Leslie Sexton (centre) will be among the leading elite Canadian women at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 22nd.

7. Is there a Harvey Weinstein in running? As an athlete, does that story come as a shock to you?

Personally I haven’t experienced anything like that but I’m not naive enough to say it doesn’t happen in the running world. One example that sticks out in my head was a few years ago when the coach at the University of Toledo was fired for sexually harassing women on the team. I made the mistake of reading a thread on Letsrun about it and saw the same victim-blaming and excuses from some male posters that we see now when a story like this breaks. When stories like these come out, the shocking thing to me is when women had spoken out about it previously or made complaints, only to have them swept under the rug. We can’t know how pervasive sexual harassment and sexual assault are, particularly when it involves someone in a position of power, because all too often the perpetrator is protected and the victims aren’t believed.

8. Do you think athletes, a la Colin Kaepernick, should use their platform? Have you felt any backlash?

Absolutely, yes. Athletes can be role models and agents of change, and they can do that by using their platform to bring issues or injustices to the public’s attention. Especially now, in the US, with Trump’s presidency threatening the livelihood and well-being of anyone who isn’t a straight white cisgender male. I haven’t experienced much backlash, probably because I’m not a big name or public figure. The backlash against Kaepernick’s protests shows a lot of willful ignorance of why he is protesting and demonstrates that racism in the US is still a huge problem.

9. Back to the task at hand: what will you eat the night before your marathon and what will you have that morning for breakfast?

I will have pasta the night before, usually something like spaghetti and meatballs if I am out at a restaurant. In the morning I start with tea and a bagel with butter or honey on it and then a Rockstar a bit later. I like the extra caffeine boost and I am used to having it before my workouts.

10. What sort of shoes do you wear for the marathon, and how are they different then shoes you use for shorter distances? Let’s say you had to recommend sneakers to your 50-year-old mother, what would you recommend for someone, say, training for the half?

I like a pretty light shoe for racing, so I tend to use the same flats for a 5 or 10k on the roads that I would for a marathon. Right now it’s the Saucony Type A8 for my races and workouts but I do my mileage in something more cushioned like the Saucony Ride or Freedom. I tend to have 4-5 pairs on the go at any one time. For someone looking for a pair of shoes, the first thing I would do is send them to their friendly neighbourhood run specialty store to get fitted. Generally I would recommend something with good cushioning for half-marathon training rather than something lightweight. I work at a run specialty store and the shoes I sell the most of are the Saucony Guide or the Ride, depending on if the customer needs stability or not.

11. Do you have a mantra?

My current one is a bit silly, but here goes. Having spent the first half of the year coming back from injury, I feel that Han Solo’s statement about the Millennium Falcon is appropriate to my running: “She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts, kid.”

12. What is it about Star Wars that you so like? The story? The sci-fi? Leia?

I loved the original Star Wars trilogy as a kid. It (and the Harry Potter book series) were what got me into science fiction and fantasy, because they were both so accessible. I loved the sci-fi elements of Star Wars but what really captured my imagination was the story and the characters. It’s a story about family, about hope, and about redemption. When Disney bought Star Wars and announced that they were going to do new films I was worried at first, but I ended up loving The Force Awakens and Rogue One. I think both movies captured what was so great about the original trilogy by returning to those themes of hope and redemption. Plus, I love the new characters. Rey, Finn, and Poe are awesome and I got very attached to the Rogue One crew. Needless to say, I am very excited to see The Last Jedi this December.

13. What do you plan on doing after your race?

I definitely plan on having a beer and burger as my post-race meal. I really like the Granville Island Lions Winter Ale so I hope we get that in Ontario at the end of the month so I can enjoy a few in the week after my race. My other plans for my rest week include working on my Halloween costume for the Halloween Haunting road races in London on October 28th (I run the 10k in costume every year) and binge-watching Stranger Things Season 2.

14. You’ve been in sports long enough to, ideally, not get so high or so low, dependent upon race results. What’s a good way to maintain equilibrium and maintain your character, despite finishing times?

What it comes down to for me is that I love running and I love the process of training and getting fitter. I love racing and to run a personal best or win a race is a great feeling, but it’s not the only thing I love about the sport. Like anyone else I get disappointed with a bad race and it can suck for a few days. But I love distance running, I love training hard and competing, and a bad result will never change that.

15. If you could run alongside anyone in history, who would it be, where would you be, and why?

Meb Keflezighi in Central Park. I admire his positive attitude, his longevity in the sport, and his ability to get the most out of himself and perform well despite facing setbacks in his training or on race day. I think everybody could learn so much from him and he probably has some great stories from running at a high level for so long.

The Hero’s Journey: Batman Races STWM for the Last Time on October 22nd

Ravi Singh

October 17, 2017

image000003 (1) — Batman runs the Toronto Waterfront for the last time on Oct. 22. Image credit: Inge Johnson, Canada Running Series

JP Hernandez has no problem admitting, “I chose a very unorthodox way of living life to the fullest.” The Hero’s Journey

In 2013, in what was meant to be a “one and done” stunt, the father of two and grandfather of three suited up for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) as Batman. On Sunday, he’ll do so again for the fifth and final time.

For his final STWM, JP will add to the unorthodoxy by adding an extra eight kilometres, extending his final run as the Dark Knight to 50K and closing a chapter in his life defined by memories of over 20 races and thousands raised for charities like Sick Kids Foundation and Oolagen Youth Mental Health.

“Six years ago,” JP says, “running was a better way or coping with my separation and a dark time in my life than heavy drinking.” The first step was joining a running clinic at the High Park Running Room. “I ran some short track as a kid and I immediately fell back in love with it when I joined that clinic. I went from my first 5K to my first half marathon in the same year.”

JPs experiement grew into the formation of a full Justice League of runners racing for a cause.

The reason for lacing up in the first place was inspired by the people who inspire all that JP does to make himself a better person, his children and grandchildren.

His children (ages 24 and 18) and grandkids (ages 7, 5, and 9 months) once again inspired the admittedly difficult decision to shed Batman’s armour and chase his own running goals. “It was easy to think that I shouldn’t stop, but if we don’t constantly have new goals then we’re not really growing and that’s what I want to teach my kids through my own actions.”

Working with coach Nathan Monk and seeing his ability as an athlete blossom to a 40+ minute marathon PB told JP that it was time to focus on his ultimate goal of Boston. As he digs in, his children will still see the drive and perseverance they saw when their father was Batman.

“At the end of the day,” JP says, “the most important people who have their eyes on me are my kids and how I look to them matters more than anything.” When his daughter completed her first 8K in 2016, JP described it as his proudest running moment.

While he’ll leave Batman behind, at least for the foreseeable future, there’s much that he’ll take with him that had its origins in the costume he’s worn for the past four years. Foremost, JP says he’ll take the amazing people he’s met and the friendships formed, including a full crew of Justice League Runners, on his continuing journey.

“I chose a very unorthodox way of living life to the fullest.” Image credit: Inge Johnson, Canada Running Series

“Batman gave me a lot,” JP says with a laugh. “In the comic books and movies he fights crime and oppression, but he has no superpowers. That’s the way I’ll always approach running, by never cutting corners and trying to live up to the standards of a hero.”

Batman was perhaps the gateway to bringing inspiration to others and to supporting causes that mattered, but in time JP realized that by covering his face on the course he brought his true self to the surface. “I can’t really say there’s any difference between JP and Batman,” he concludes. “I never scowl like Christian Bale even when I’m in pain.”

Instead, he opts to smile and dish out generous high fives. “When I ran the Around the Bay [30K] in 2015, I high fived a kid on course and it turned out his father was just ahead of me.” JP recalls. “That night, his mom wrote on the race’s Facebook page that when his father tucked him in that night, the son was so excited that his dad was faster than Batman. That moment wasn’t about me but about how that kid saw his father.”

JP on course at STWM 2015. Image courtesy of Tribe Fitness.

JP has also learned in his stint as Batman that he has a genuine drive toward helping others. As he sees it, “Batman was really just an outlet that made me realize who I want to be and where I want to take my life. That’s why at 42 I’m a student again.” Outside of his running goals, JP will also return to school full time to study occupational therapy, carrying on his mission to inspire and empower others to be their best.

On Sunday, he hopes there’ll be no tears at the end of 50K, but cautions, “I’m an emotional guy!”

His fellow Justice League Runners will likely continue the tradition he started and JP hasn’t ruled out a successor, citing Christian Bale’s credo that anyone can be Batman. “It’s always been about something bigger than me,” JP affirms, “but I was glad to put my own stamp on it and I’d do it all over again.”

Ravi Singh

How Running Fuels This Musician’s Creative Process

Ben Kaplan

October 17, 2017

Gavin Gardiner, lead singer of The Wooden Sky, on the sanctity running brings as he bares his soul to the world

Last night I struggled my way through a slow 7 kilometres. Sure, I’ll tell myself it was 33 degrees, but while it was hot, I know what my struggle really means: I’m a long way from where I need to be come October 22nd. This will be my fourth half-marathon in three years, and though my commitment sometimes comes in waves, running has become an important fixture in my life and creative process.

In 2013, after three albums and as many years touring, life on the road had taken its toll on my body and my mind. I’d seen it in those around me as well, and after losing a band member, friendships and mental health seemed to hang on by a thread. I was at a low point and feeling lost about what to do next. It was that winter that I started frequenting the local Y. Before long, it became an addiction, and every other morning I would meet the other two members of the band, Simon and Kip, at the corner of Dovercourt and College. The band that pumps iron together, stays together… or something like that. We worked out in the mornings, wrote songs in the afternoon, and before we knew it we had the bones of what would become our next record.

That spring, once the snow had melted and the streets were clear, my partner, Sarah, began to push me to join her on her runs. At this point, she had a few half-marathons under her belt and had her sights set on 42 kilometres. It was difficult for me at first. At the time, I had what fellow musician and marathoner Luc Doucet described as the physique of a Clydesdale (coming in at 6’6” and over 200 pounds). But once I started getting up over the 5K mark, I was hooked. I began wearing my running clothes to soundcheck and soon found myself running along the Seine, past the Louvre and Cathedral de Notre-Dame, rather than sitting in some dank green room trying not to get drunk before the show. These days, it is not uncommon to see the entire band out running before a show or spending our day off hitting the hotel gym before heading out to explore a new city.

Running has also changed my relationship with time. In the hour that I might spend out running, exploring new cities like Tokyo, Zurich, or Saskatoon, I become hyper aware of every moment, every step, and every breath. In the course of a run you go through so many emotions, work through problems, and, in my case, often write new music. And while I enjoy the physical benefits that come from running, its effects on my mind are what I have really come to appreciate. The intense focus that running affords is invaluable to my creative process. As the miles started adding up and the runs became longer, I found I was more focused and creative in the time I had left.

In writing this, I realize that I am at a point where I need running as much as I did back when I laced up my first pair of ugly fluorescent shoes. Each runner I see brings me excitement and inspiration. Sometimes putting one foot in front of the other is hard enough.

This year I will again be running in support of Romero House and the work they do with refugees in my community. Find out more about how you can help here.

The Wooden Sky play the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on October 27. Swimming in Strange Waters, the band’s most recent record, is available at thewoodenskymusic.com.

Over 40,000 Runners took to the Streets in the 40th Anniversary of the Chicago Marathon

AttheRaces

October 16, 2017

Last weekend, more than 44,000 runners took part in the 40th Chicago Marathon and we were there to take part ourselves.

The day prior to the race, we went to the expo to pick up our race kit, and the video showing the entire route was equally exciting and anxiety inducing. The route takes you through nearly 30 neighbourhoods and for me, watching the video just reinforced how long 42.2 kilometres really is. The race expo is amongst one of the best ones we have been to; lots of interesting vendors, and high production value. Runners lined up for free beer from Goose Island and were eager to get photos at a few very Instagrammable spots, like at the Nike wall where you could make your mark with your name or message.

The day prior to the race was very humid and muggy, but thankfully it cooled down significantly by nighttime. In the early morning, temperature was about 14 Celsius and we were greeted with a glorious sunrise beyond the Buckingham Fountain as we checked our bags and went for one last bathroom break. The weather would remain relatively cool for about two hours but then the temperature rose significantly, and was at least about 26C by the time I finished the race around 11:30, and in the latter part of the race, there were more portions of the route not shaded by tall buildings.

The relatively flat course makes for a fast course, and most of the bridges has the metal grate surface carpeted. The one moderate incline in the last few hundred metres to the finish line proved to be a small challenge. I appreciated the frequent kilometre markers and the big water/Gatorade stations and the cheerful volunteers. Several sprinklers and a few sponge stations were along the route, which came in handy once the sun was out in full force, and chafe not–several stations had Vaseline for runners to slather on.

The most fantastic part of the race, though, are the runners from all over the world (more than 100 countries are represented in the race) and the spectators. The sidelines are thick with people cheering pretty much the entire race. Fun signs with people’s faces or ones telling you to run as though you forgot to turn off the stove for the frijoles provided a welcome chuckle as we ran, along with a school band, an Elvis impersonator, to name just a few of the entertainment we spotted during the race. And there wasn’t just water and Gatorade and gels on the route; people handed out oranges, bananas, beers, Jello shots, paletas, hard candies and more.

tIn the end, we ran our second fastest marathon here (and my marathon PB is also in Chicago three years ago), so the flat, festive course is a nice fast one for those looking to PB or BQ.

Considering running Chicago? Here are some of our recommendations for the first-time Windy City visitor.

Where to stay: Our race HQ was at the James Hotel, just off of the Magnificent Mile, where the beds are luxurious, and a breakfast buffet was set up in the lobby for runners. The race start was only three subway stops away, and Nike and Under Armour are steps away, for any last minute gear purchases, and there’s a Trader Joe’s across the street for your healthy fuel needs.

TIP: While the Chicago Marathon is one of the Big Six World Marathon Majors, so you probably know it as a top notch spot for running, if you’re looking to combine your love of the sport with your travel plans, consider trying the booking.com Passion Search feature to help plan your getaways. You can, of course, search any passion or interest; I found myself going to Sayulita, Mexico, not long ago when I looked for a surf getaway using this feature.

Where to eat: If pasta is your pre-race carb of choice, RPM Italian is within walking distance of the hotel as is Eataly, Mario Batali’s Italian food emporium. But you can also go budget-friendly and classic at Club Lago, which has been serving up pasta since 1952. For your post-race indulgences, Chicago boasts such an incredible food scene (Au Cheval! Publican! Anything by Grant Achatz or Rick Bayless!) that you can find something delicious no matter what you’re craving. A very popular post-race meal, though? We encountered loads of runners proudly wearing their medals and chowing down at hamburger chain Shake Shack.

What to do: If you’re looking to keep those legs moving after the race, strolling the River Walk will give you superb views of the fantastic Chicago skyline. If the weather is fair, a Citypass to Chicago will get you into some of the top sights, such as Shedd Aquarium and the Art Institute of Chicago, where you can stroll for hours.

iRun Radio – October 15th, 2017

Why I Run

October 12, 2017

On this week’s show, Mark speaks with Eric Strand who has just finished an ultra marathon with his son, along with a woman who ran her perfect marathon in Chicago. Plus, the countdown on for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon where iRun’s Ben Kaplan will honour Ed Whitlock by running Ed’s pace from his last marathon at #STWM 2016.

Things You Don’t Want to Do on Race Weekend, and Things That You Do

Ben Kaplan

October 12, 2017

Trevor Hofbauer is an elite runner with New Balance Canada, and all this week, we’re helping New Balance promote the launch of their new 860v8. On the 22nd, Hofbauer will be making his marathon debut at STWM. Here, he breaks down the dos and don’ts of race weekend preparations.

Autumn is here. For us, that means marathon season is upon us and the road races are taking place more frequently. There are many ways to train for a race as well as many ways to screw it all up, so be prepared and don’t make a foolish mistake a week before your big day.

A well-balanced diet is a key component to a proper recovery and a successful race day. Stay consistent with your meal options and don’t try a new dish the week before a race. By human nature, it’s easy to crave certain foods, especially foods that we haven’t eaten in a long time, but risking your overall health for a few tasty bites is not worth it.

To add onto that tip, don’t consume a new type of gel on race day. Consume the gels that you normally would during long runs and workouts, an option that won’t turn your stomach over. Although gel stations on the race course are generous, don’t risk your whole race on consuming a product you’ve never consumed before.

With every race weekend comes the race expo. Expo’s are a great opportunity to purchase official race merchandise, limited branded apparel, new running accessories, and discounted footwear. Go ahead, buy one or two or even five pairs of new shoes, because why not? But don’t you dare think about wearing brand new shoes on race day. Unless you like having blisters and uncomfortable foot pains, then that’s your own call.

When it comes to training, every athlete is different, therefor your training plan should differ from others. Do you best to realize that and don’t adjust your training just to impress others. Neither should you adjust your race plan when you hear about what others goals/intentions are for race day. And if you hear about an athlete doing a long run the day before a race, ignore them and do not follow in their steps. They’ll likely be following in your steps the next day.

During your training, you should be visualizing yourself on race day and practicing your warmup routine before workouts. When race day comes around, make sure you don’t skip your warmup and give yourself plenty of time to do so, so you’re not rushed. Race day is nerve-racking; going through your pre-race routine will help ease that and improve your state of mind.

Ultimately, the final week of training before a race can be stressful as the mind wanders and you develop unneeded nerves. Do your best to prepare for every outcome well in advance, don’t sweat the small stuff, be confident that your training has set you up to succeed, be headstrong in your own abilities and own your race.

Ed Whitlock’s enduring gift to running and life.

Ben Kaplan

October 11, 2017

“We worshiped Ed Whitlock as a god even though he had no interest in being a god,” Amby Burfoot, Runner’s World editor-at-large, told the New York Times. “He didn’t run to inspire us, to impress us. He ran for higher reasons—he ran for himself. In the end, that’s why we all run. He was a pure athlete, following his own drummer.”

I miss Ed. Last year at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon I remember catching him on my phone for a video in his suit and seeing him smile. I miss that smile. I like what he brought to running. Of course, I’m in awe of his records—this weekend I’m joining a couple of guys in running at Ed’s pace for whoever would like to know what it feels like to run like him. The only pace of his I can manage is his time last year, when he was 85 and almost certainly ran the marathon with pancreatic cancer. I’m 43 and don’t even have a toothache. I could never have caught him in his early 70s, in his prime.

I first met Ed before my wife and I had our children, but I came to appreciate him more after I was a dad. It’s not just the running records that made him so special, he did things that no one else had ever done. By some accounts, he holds 36 world records and it’s astounding how many times Ed came back from injury—even in his 80s, to run another marathon and break another world record. He didn’t get too high or get down too low. He didn’t take himself, or running, too seriously. To be sure, he loved it. He was a student of the sport and of his body. He wasn’t spending all that time running in the cemetery to look at the birds, he wanted to break records—because he knew that he could. But he never let his running drain the joy from his life. I’ve spent a lot of time lately with Neil, his son, and Neil says that his father showed no visible differences between when he was running or when he was not. Whether he was a record-breaking star or just another old man at church, Ed didn’t change how he acted. He appreciated it, but he didn’t need our applause.

I think that’s what I miss most about Ed, what I most want to learn from him, is how authentic he was. He thought that maybe he was able to run so well in his old age because he had taken so much time off from the sport in his 30s and 40s. Maybe by the time he became famous he had already answered all those nagging questions about who he was. Or maybe he learned something growing up in England during World War II. His sister, who he spoke with every week, had no clue Ed was as beloved as he was until she read the obituaries after he passed away last March. Talking about yourself is unseemly. So is being paid to wear somebody’s shoes. Ed didn’t have any sponsors. He also didn’t succumb to any miracle training plans.

Alan Brookes, the STWM race director, tells a great story of Ed being in New York to receive an award in 2005 from Runner’s World. He followed the Olympic sprinter Justin Gatlin up on stage. Gatlin thanks his sponsors, his agents, his physiotherapist, his masseuse; Ed comes up afterwards and brings the house down: “I’m not sure what to say and I don’t have a team or a coach or much of anything,” he said, “I just like to run.”

As if his star needed any more shining, that night Ed was the King of New York.

The most significant records that Ed held were all set in Toronto at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and this is the first year that the race will be held since he’s gone. His presence is missed and he will not be replaced, but he can be remembered and we can all strive to be like Ed. We’ll never run like one of the greatest marathoners in the history of the world. But we all have the chance to live like him. We all have the chance to be true.

iRun Radio – October 10th, 2017

MarkSutcliffe

October 10, 2017

Mark Sutcliffe on approaching the Boston Marathon, one woman’s epic tale of her first marathon: “I couldn’t be in town and not race,” and the remarkable story of women racing in Afghanistan.

All that and more for your fall racing needs, with iRun Radio.

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