Half Marathons for Mental Health

June 17, 2016

iRun: Jacob, tell us about your quest.

A) We’re doing a campaign called Run to Wellness. I’ll run 10 half marathons in 10 Canadian cities over the span of a month in support of Mental Health awareness and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). I’m someone who lives with depression and anxiety and was in a bad place last year but over a year now, I’ve found that running was something that could keep my mental health in check and give me balance—at first accomplishing small feats and now taking on a huge physical challenge.

iRun: And how much money do you think you will raise?

A) We already raised $8,000 to cover the project cost and now we kicked things off, we ran the first stop of the journey in Toronto and flew to Vancouver yesterday and are excited to get it going tomorrow. All of our fundraising now, from social media to the partnerships we’re fostering to the media we’re producing, is directed at raising money for CAMH, but we don’t want to focus solely on the numbers—we want to change the narrative around mental health. We want to connect with people who are uncomfortable talking about mental health in an uplifting and positive way.

iRun: Tell me about your running.

A) Half marathons are something I’ve done several of. I very rarely compete in actual races, it’s really the community around running that I enjoy. I’ve never done ten of them in a month, though, so we’re going to see how that goes.

iRun: Have you always run?

A) I was never a runner before I started using it as my main strategy with dealing with my mental health. I drew from not being able to do a 5K to running a half marathon in the span of a little over a year and it’s so inspiring. I just turned 26.

iRun: How is the Westin involved?

A) They came on early in the campaign and from the start have been an outstanding partner and not only in providing accommodation, but are big time advocates for mental and physical health and their run concierge program is great — it gets guests from the hotel and community out running.

iRun: What is the run concierge program?

A) Something they do at their properties around the world. It’s an opportunity for guests to borrow shoes and get run maps and run with a special “run concierge” and keep up their routine on the road and see the city from a different perspective. Guests love it.

iRun: Where are you going to be running half marathons?

A) We started in Toronto, then Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, Niagara Falls and Kitchener Waterloo, my home town.

iRun: Jacob, lastly, what words of inspiration would you like to share with the running community?

A) It can be difficult to make the decision to lace up your shoes, but it’s something that’s saved my life and made it better all around.

iRun Magazine Print Issue Availability

Why I Run

June 17, 2016

iRun magazine is available at every major race event that Sportstats times and at the best independent running shops across the country. We publish six times a year: February, April, June, August, October and December, and the magazine is free.

If there’s a local running shop in your town that you think should carry iRun, or if you’re a race director and want to give the magazine away at your event, please email Ben Kaplan at ben@irun.ca.

We always publish our digital issue on issuu.com and email it out to subscribers (a subscription is free). To subscribe to the magazine, and receive newsletters and such, please click here.

Here’s where you can currently find the latest issue of iRun.

Quebec

Boutique Endurance

6579 Rue Saint-Denis

Montréal, QC H2S 2S1

Ontario

Running Free
708 Denison Street
Markham, Ontario
L3R 1C1

Runner’s Den Ltd.
860 King Street
West Hamilton, Ontario
L8S 1K3

Sport X
11 Chambers Street
Smith Falls, Ontario
K74 2Y2

The Running Link
160 Armstrong Street
New Liskeard, Ontario
P0J 1P0

The Running Works
89 Gordon Street
Guelph, Ontario
N1H 4H6

Bushtuka
230 Richmond Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1Z 6W4

Black Toe Running
95 Bathurst Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5V OH7

The Running Factory
5480 Wyandotte St E,
Windsor, Ontario
N8S 1L9

Runner’s Choice
56 Brock Street
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 1R9

The North Face
151 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1S4

Salomon
10 Aggie Hogg Gardens
Toronto, Ontario
M3C 0G6

West Coast

Forerunners
3504 West 4^th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6R 1N8

Frontrunners
1200 Vancouver Street
Victoria, British Columbia
V8V 4X3

Peach City Runners
214 Main Street
Penticton, British Columbia
V2A 5B2

Prairies

Gord’s Running Store
919 Centre St NW
Calgary, Alberta
T2E 2P6

City Park Runners
2091 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3J 0L1

Strides
3558 Garrison Street, SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2T 6N1

Running Tech
2424 4^th Street
Calgary, Alberta
T2S 2T4

Calgary Marathon
296, Station M
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 2H9

MEC – Calgary
830 10 Ave SW,
Calgary, Alberta
T2R 0A9

East Coast

Bay of Fundy Marathon
1977 Rte. 774
Wilson’s Beach, New Brunswick
E5E 1J7

5 Minutes with Lolë design director and half-marathoner Andy Thê-Anh

TheBuzzonGear

June 17, 2016

At every Lolë preview, design director Andy Thê-Anh and I catch up about our past season of running. This week, at the FW16 preview, I took the opportunity to talk to Thê-Anh (who’s been with Lolë since 2011) a little more about his love of running.

His preferred distance is the half-marathon, which he typically races three times a year (in Lachine, Oka, and the Montreal Rock n Roll Half-marathon). “The whole 42.2, it’s too much for me, so much training,” he says of the marathon distance. He’d love to race the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half-marathon, he tells me, but every year he has sales meetings that conflict with the fall race.

By Karen Kwan

When did you start running?
In 2011. I started slowly and never thought I could run. The first 20 minutes was hell! But after that I was able to pick it up, from 5k to 10k to 21.

What do you love about running?
I think it’s relaxing. When I have a stressful day, I leave the office and I go for a run; it’s helped me a lot. I’m not a person who breathes nicely, so running helps me do that because you have to breathe, make your breathing slow and regular.

Is there a design element you are particularly proud of in your designs for the Lolë running gear?
Every season I’m more a concept guy, the overall look; yes, I pay attention to detail and think about “what is this for? How this going to will this cut emphasize the body?” But it’s not about, “I have to put this on every item because it’s my trademark.”

You design women’s fitness gear, but for men’s gear, is there something you wish for in your workout clothes?
The big brands are stepping it up, printed leggings for men, for example. They’re catching up on the style side, in a masculine way, toned down colours, for example. We are in looking at starting a men’s collection, I can’t say when yet as it’s still in discussion.”

Karen Kwan is a regular iRun fashion and travel contributor, and you’ll find her running fashion posts every Friday on Instagram. She contributes to a number of publications and you can also follow her travel and running adventures at Health & Swellness.

Taking Community Connections to the Finish Line

Why I Run

June 16, 2016

49 Kyle McNamara

45, Toronto

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge connects runners to local charities at running events sponsored by Scotiabank. In 2015, the Challenge helped runners raise over $8 million nationally. Currently integrated into the six Scotiabank races across the country — Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax and Calgary — the game-changing focus is embodied by Kyle McNamara, a marathoner and Scotiabank Executive VP.

“We’ve made a commitment to it, and for me personally, I’m extremely proud to encourage people to get out there and get involved,” says McNamara, after a run. “I’m proud to combine my work life with my personal passion and I’m proud that my work emphasizes being a good community citizen.”

A father of two, McNamara began running after watching his wife Terry complete the Washington Marathon. Now, raising money for several charities including the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, McNamara narrowly missed breaking three hours in the heat of the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon.

“Running keeps me healthy and I enjoy the peace and the thinking time, but I’m also competitive and I want to reach this goal,” says McNamara, who gets his long runs in on the weekend and sometimes augments his workouts with quick treadmill runs after work.

“I just hope he doesn’t break himself,” says his daughter Quinn, a budding rowing enthusiast herself. “He runs every race really hard.”

McNamara is seriously motivated by much more than his finishing time when connecting his work life with his avocation. In addition to setting an example for his children and employees, he finds that running for charity connects him personally to his community. “You’re out there running through these different neighbourhoods and you feel like you’re part of something special,” he says. “You’re making a contribution to the world and that’s important to Scotiabank and that’s important to me — it’s real.”

This year, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge runners will take the fundraising total over the $50-million mark, since its inception in 2003. A proud achievement for the bank. McNamara is likewise confident that he will achieve his ambitious goal of a three-hour marathon.

“As we all know, running on its own makes us feel awesome,” he says, “but when you can combine that with making a difference where you live, it takes the entire experience to a whole new level. The Challenge lets every runner in our races accomplish that.”

Finding Her Reason to Run

Why I Run

June 16, 2016

14 Trissy White

45, Toronto

In January, 2016, I completed my very first marathon at the Goofy Challenge at Disney. I was invited to run with a family I met through WhoIRun4. This family has a son, Garrett, 10, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

When we met in April, I was only running for the bling and not with any significant purpose. Garrett’s mom suggested I join their team Garrett’s Heroes, as part of the larger team Run for Our Sons, to help fundraise for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD). Money raised through Run for Our Sons helps to fund PPMD’s work to continue research, educate the community and fight for the care of all young men living with this fatal disease. After getting to know Garrett, how could I decline? Instead of running just the half with Garrett’s parents and grandfather, I decided on the Goofy Challenge — 39.3 miles over two days. I fought through fundraising challenges and running injury during training to get to that moment I will never forget. I crossed the finish line in tears yet energized and in disbelief that I had done it. Seeing Garrett and his family at the finish line as I crossed was extremely rewarding because I did all this for them. Garrett’s family asked how I was feeling and if I thought that they could run a marathon for Garrett. My response was that they could do anything with Garrett in their heart! So, in January 2017, we’re going back!

This time, we’ll be running the Dopey Challenge: all 4 races over 4 days. 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon = 48.6 miles. I have a higher fundraising goal of $2,500, which scares me more than the running. But I’m determined. After all, I am inspired by Garrett — a little boy who doesn’t let Duchenne’s stop him from being a happy boy with a big heart and big dreams to be a preacher when he grows up. I have created a GoFundMe Page to assist with my fundraising in the months to come. Last year I was just a small part of helping Run for our Sons raise more than $300,000 to help PPMD fund critical research. I run, because they can’t. I may not be able to save the world, but I can run trying to save a group. You will be amazed just how much more pep it puts in your step!

When Running Gives You the Strength to Go On

Why I Run

June 16, 2016

Vicky Libby

44, Montreal

Running is my joy, running is my strength, running gives me hope to conquer the difficult stages that life brings to me in my daily routine. Well, two years ago, when they announced to me that I had Lymphoma Cancer and required chemo and radiation, the first thing I thought about was, would I still be able to run?

My family and friends know that my joy of running is what makes me happy at home and at work. Now, if I can t run, will everything crumble? I was afraid for my family, my career, and of course how will I be able to fit in my running. How will I get the strength? The doctors and nurses knew this passion that I had. I told them I was a marathoner. I ran the Boston Marathon, the Ottawa Marathon, the Montreal Marathon.

The doctors told me I had to slow down. Guess what. Every day, I ran. Every day, I was running 10 to 15K a day…except on the chemo days, but I was running even during my 31 days of radiation. I knew that if I stopped running, my life would crumble.

Knowing that I could still run made me think that I was okay, and that having cancer was just something I needed to get cured for and that it would go away. I participated in races and more races. One week after finishing my radiation, I did my first duathlon and came in FIRST in the women’s division and received a plaque. Running gave me the strength I needed to help me with everything that was going on. I was going to my doctors appointment and showing the doctors and nurses my medals.

The doctors knew now that as long as I was running my health was okay. So every appointment at the doctor started like this, “Well, Ms. Libbi, how much did you run today?” Today, exactly two years later, I’m ready to run Ottawa and Montreal and hopefully qualify for BOSTON again. So this shows you that running can bring you far in life. It can give you the energy, it gives you the vibe, it gives you the strength to fight and be a stronger person. And that’s what I’ve become, a stronger person. Running saved my life.

Running Is An Emotional Journey

Why I Run

June 16, 2016

Filsan Abdiaman

28, Toronto

I’m a runner (marathoner now since completing the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon last year). I am also a certified personal trainer. I have been running for almost three years now, completing two half marathons and a marathon. Like many runners I know, I use running as a way to reach my full potential and overcome difficulties in my everyday life.

A few years ago I fell in love with running while doing walk and jog intervals around a track in my backyard. The main reason I started doing this was after a bad break up. At the time, I was heartbroken and devastated. Depressed and suffering from anxiety attacks, I lost all hope and gave up on my health and myself. But one day, after a health scare (I was told by my doctor I was borderline diabetic and had high cholesterol), I chose to get active instead of seek therapy (which, my doctor suggested). Running became an outlet for me—a means to uplift me and help me get over my anxiety attacks. The outcome was I consequently fell in love with running. And if I was completely honest, running has brought me so much joy and success. Early this year I became a Reebok ambassador as a result of sharing my story in their campaign.

I am no athlete, or elite runner. My marathon and half marathon times are not outstanding. My pace is average. But to me, all of that is secondary. If anything, running has taught me to be content with life as it is. Running has helped me achieve greatness I once thought was impossible and it has helped me inspire and motivate others around me. I have learned a lot as a runner. It has taught me how to be patient with myself and also how to truly love myself after years of not doing so.

iRun Magazine Print Issue Availability

UpToSpeed

June 16, 2016

Looking for that old-fashion feeling of flipping through a paper magazine. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here you’ll find a list of locations carrying our latest iRun Magazine issues. Stop by your local store and pick up a FREE copy today hot off the press!

Remember, if you would like your local running shop to carry iRun, let them or us know. We’ll make it happen!

If you do prefer reading the digital issue, our magazine will always be available, here.

Ontario

Running Free
708 Denison Street
Markham, Ontario
L3R 1C1

Runner’s Den Ltd.
860 King Street
West Hamilton, Ontario
L8S 1K3

Sport X
11 Chambers Street
Smith Falls, Ontario
K74 2Y2

The Running Link
160 Armstrong Street
New Liskeard, Ontario
P0J 1P0

The Running Works
89 Gordon Street
Guelph, Ontario
N1H 4H6

Bushtuka
230 Richmond Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1Z 6W4

Black Toe Running
95 Bathurst Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5V OH7

The Running Factory
5480 Wyandotte St E,
Windsor, Ontario
N8S 1L9

Runner’s Choice
56 Brock Street
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 1R9

The North Face
151 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1S4

Salomon
10 Aggie Hogg Gardens
Toronto, Ontario
M3C 0G6

West Coast

Forerunners
3504 West 4^th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6R 1N8

Frontrunners
1200 Vancouver Street
Victoria, British Columbia
V8V 4X3

Peach City Runners
214 Main Street
Penticton, British Columbia
V2A 5B2

Prairies

Gord’s Running Store
919 Centre St NW
Calgary, Alberta
T2E 2P6

City Park Runners
2091 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3J 0L1

Strides
3558 Garrison Street, SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2T 6N1

Running Tech
2424 4^th Street
Calgary, Alberta
T2S 2T4

Calgary Marathon
296, Station M
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 2H9

MEC – Calgary
830 10 Ave SW,
Calgary, Alberta
T2R 0A9

East Coast

Bay of Fundy Marathon
1977 Rte. 774
Wilson’s Beach, New Brunswick
E5E 1J7

Every Runner Motivates Marathon Mom Krista DuChene

Krista DuChene

June 14, 2016

I get numerous messages of support and encouragement leading up to a race, for which I am so grateful. Often it’s, “Have a great race” or “We’re cheering for you, Krista!” but sometimes it’s a bit more specific and personal.

By Krista DuChene

I’m so thankful for each and every note I receive but those special messages are the ones I will re-read, over and over again. And sometimes I print them to take with me to read while waiting for my flight at the airport, or resting in my bed at the hotel, leading up to the race. It’s a reminder that I a motivation for another runner, an inspiration for a new mom, or a source of pride and joy for a friend or family member from my small hometown. Additionally, it helps me focus on my race goals, motivate me to make my fans proud, appreciate the incredible love and support I’ve received over the years, and be grateful for the opportunity to be living this wonderful and blessed life.

Let me share a few of these special messages:

Before Racing:

Hi Krista!
Trusting that God is going to keep you healthy, and that you’ll continue to enjoy every step you take! You truly are inspirational. Your faithfulness amid all the accolades is totally awesome! You rock!

Krista,
You are so amazing and so inspiring. I have always looked up to you and admired you for your athletic abilities but more for the person that you are. You show strength,dedication and determination in all situations. You have grace under fire and are modest despite all of your amazing accomplishments. You make those around you better just by being in your presence. My dad is so incredibly proud of you. He gets teary every time I report to him one of your accomplishments. He wants you to know how proud your mom and dad would be! We believe in you Krista and we believe that God will be with you as you run on the 15th. Have a safe trip and a great run!

Krista – good luck on Saturday. I’ve been following your progress and this is your race. You have inspired so many women and girls across Canada with your determination. I strive to be the kind of runner you are. All the very best this weekend. Enjoy every moment! Go for it!

Looking for Support:

Hey Krista there maybe a girl named xyz that may add you as a friend on fb. You are her running hero and has been following you for a while. I met her at work and she needs inspiring right now. I am hoping someday to introduce you two. I hope you are well… btw she is our local running hero.

Giving Encouragement:

Krista. Ouch, my prayers are with you and your family, I know how hard you train with the huge commitment and support of your family. I also know how tough you are and know you will return even stronger. Sometimes these speed bumps come with a reason. Know you have a ton of people who respect and cheer for your talents, hard work and impeccable leadership in the running community. Stay focused on the positive !

Krista, I wanted to send a hug to you from Ontario 🙂 I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you and thinking about how proud I have been over the years of you and Jonathan. There are so few truly exceptional people in the world, and you are one of those rare people. And on top of that you are one of the even rarer who uses their daily life, both good and challenging as an example of Christ’s love and grace. I will continue to pray for you and know that you are loved.

Rio Bound:

Krista, Enjoy the flight home and all that’s coming your way soon. I’m so happy for, these next 6 mos are some of the most important in your life. You’ve got this. Xoxo

Thank you, each and every one of you who has ever written, called or wished me all the best in person. I strive daily to make you proud and be all who I can be!

Love,
Krista

Father’s Day Gifts for Dads on the Run

TheBuzzonGear

June 14, 2016

This Father’s Day I was so excited to shop for my husband with the our children because we had a solid focus and mission on exactly what he needed and would love: Kickass gear to help him achieve his goal of competing on his first Olympic Distance Triathlon this Fall. We decided to build him a head-to-toe toolbox of training resources and products to make his quest of competing a much more successful and joyful experience!

Outdoor cross-country running in early sunrise concept for exercising, fitness and healthy lifestyle — **By: Jenn Pike**

He is super picky about what style and fit of training clothes he wears and has always preferred Under Armour as his number one go-to for any training season, so I headed out to Sporting Life and stocked up. I bought him a great pair of shoes and lightweight shorts and t-shirt for training. From the performance fabrics they use to the design of their athletic gear, Under Armour focuses on innovation, which results in the highest quality athletic gear, which the man in your life (just like my husband) will love to wear!

The gift I am most excited for him to open up is this super cool UA HealthBox designed by HTC includes everything my husband or the healthy man in your life, needs to better manage his health and fitness in one easy to use system. It includes a band to track activity and sleep, a heart monitor to measure workout intensity and a scale, which measures weight and body fat percentage. This gift will earn me – I mean the kids – huge brownie points.

My clients, who are 99% female, often ask me what the best type of exercise for their husband to start doing is and my answer is always “whatever brings them joy”! If they love running they should do that. Biking? Ride away. Strength Training? Happy lifting guys! Golfing? Ditch the cart and walk the course! You can’t force them to do what you like, so be supportive of any type of movement they choose. In an ideal scenario it would be great for them to have some cross-training in their regime; a combo of cardio 2-3x weekly, strength 3-4 x weekly and I would LOVE to see some yoga in there too. For my husbands tri-training he mixes it up with swim/bike/run work 5x weekly, Crossfit 2xweekly and daily stretching and yoga postures.

For the days when the man in your life may have trained a little too hard there is this incredible home laser unit I have had the privilege of trying out and it was fantastic at helping with recovery time in my husbands training efforts but also just day-to-day aches and pains from life in general.

BioFlex Laser Therapy was once only technology available in a clinic setting is now available in a personal unit that people can purchase to self-administer light therapy at home and reduce clinical visits. This is a convenient treatment option for people who experience chronic pain from arthritis, muscle-strains, soft-tissue injuries, etc. When effectively applied, this process initiates a series of physiological reactions within the cell tissue that leads to the healing of normal cell structure and function. The therapy is approved by Health Canada for the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions including arthritis, soft-tissue injury and joint pain.

Another gift idea I had was geared towards pampering him when he finished exercising and came home to shower and shave. As the best-selling author of The Simplicity Project a holistic minded full body and life book, what we use on our skin is as important to me as what we eat or how we choose to move. I make most of our skincare products but had never tried doing a shaving cream for my husband so I set out to test and try a new recipe. I used it for myself a few times to be sure and the results were AMAZING!

I had tried to use coconut oil and shea butter as my base but the razor kept getting clogged. I swapped out the coconut oil and used almond oil as my base instead along with a few other soothing, effective ingredients below and upgraded his razor to the Schick Hydro 5, which also has a built in lubrication, strip for extra skin support.

Smooth Man Shaving Cream

Ingredients

½ Cup Oil(olive, jojoba, almond etc.)
¼ Cup Organic Honey
¼ Cup Liquid, Dr Bonner’s Lavender Castile Soap
5 Drops each of Helichrysum and Sandalwood

Instructions

Combine ingredients in a bowl and whisk for several minutes until all of the ingredients have fully combined
Transfer to a pump or squeeze bottle.
A Little Goes A Long Way! You only need a pea-sized amount to create a nice lather!

The BIG Bonus:

This shaving cream will not expire, as all of the ingredients have a very long shelf life. PLUS when your husband and your whole family use natural, healthy products for your skin and body it will thank you by feeling great and letting you know, you are amazing.

This Father’s Day think outside of the box for the best Dad ever; pay attention to the subtle clues he drops about wanting to feel better and get into better shape and use this gift guide as some inspiration to a Father’s Day he won’t forget. And you might also want to leave my book The Simplicity Project open to a certain section you want him to read.

To book a private consult or purchase holistically life enhancing products visit jennpike.com.

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