By: Magi Scallion

No matter where you live in Canada, you can expect to have some sort of winter weather to deal with every year. As we all know, winter running is simply not as nice as summer running and the motivation to get out there can be lacking.

I use the winter months to heal my body from big summer mileage but cross-training on my cross country skis. At one point in my life I was an aspiring Olympic cross country ski racer but those days have passed. Now I’m just trying to lead a healthy, active lifestyle year round!

I strongly recommend cross country skiing to any runner or cyclist as great way to cross train during the winter. Cross country skiing is very similar to swimming in that it uses your entire body and has very little impact. The huge advantage of cross country skiing is that you can do it outside – so you still get the fresh air and scenery that most of us love about running.

There will be a bit of a learning curve to get your ski feet under you, so I do recommend that you get a lesson or two from a local ski shop or ski club. Lessons run in the $30-$60 / hour range but are totally worth the money, especially if you’re an absolute beginner.

There are two types of cross country skiing: classical technique and skate technique. Classic is easier to learn but harder to do well and many feel like you don’t get as good of a “workout.” Skate skiing is harder to learn but easier to learn to do well. The added bonus of skate skiing is that you don’t need to deal with grip wax or fish scales, which you have to in classic skiing.

There are many great places to ski across Canada such as:

• Newfoundland: Corner Brook (Blow-me-Down Park)
• New Brunswick: Charlo (Les Aventuriers)
• Quebec: Mont-Sainte-Anne
• Ontario: Ottawa (Gatineau Park) or Toronto (Hardwood Hills)
• Alberta: Canmore Nordic Centre
• British Columbia: Invermere (Nipika Mountain Resort) or Whistler (Whistler Olympic Park)

If you’re wondering what to wear – just dress like you’re going for a winter run. I recommend warm socks (thin or thick), tights and long underwear, a couple technical shirts and a jacket, toque and gloves. Be ready to peel off some layers as you heat up!

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Born in Nova Scotia and emigrating to British Columbia via Ontario and Alberta, Magi has been running the entire way. Primarily defined as a cross country ski racer, Magi has competed nationally and internationally in that sport. The highlight of her career was competing in the World University Games and the World Cup races in Canada in 2007. Cross country skiers rely heavily on running for cross training and Magi has become an accomplished trail and mountain runner, representing Canada at the World Mountain Running Championships in 2005 and the winning numerous national championships medals.

Today Magi runs for fun… and it’s a lot of fun! Epic mountain runs, city cruises with friends, and more keep her happy and occupied outside of work and school.

Wow.  I can’t believe the fact that in one month, my very first experience running the Boston Marathon will be over.

March break has all but come and gone in our house, (sniff, sniff) and the weather has been wonderful.  Who knew I would rack up so many gorgeous training days in a “winter” training cycle?  In this last month of training for the race of a lifetime, I am hoping for the following things:

-more of this lovely spring (ok, summer) weather.  If I am lucky enough to wear shorts in Boston, it would be nice to do so with legs that have seen even just a tiny bit of sun beforehand!

–continued patience on the part of my family/friends.  With an extra shout-out to the hubs.  I am impressed with the fact that I have been able to fit in all of these training runs, but really, it is because I have a very understanding family.  I am the lucky one that gets to log miles while they sacrifice a clean home, perfect meals, etc.

-speed/patience while racing at the end of March.  The Around the Bay Race is coming up, and while I hope to be quick, I really hope not to injure myself by trying too hard!

–Time.  You know what they say…”time is money”.  In this case, it really is, “time is running.”  Next week, I am heading back to work (gulp!) after 14 months away.  I will now face the reality of a day job, along with the kiddies, housework, (it will suffer, no doubt) homework, running and being my cheery self through it all.  Wishing, hoping and praying for time is important.

–Health.  I have managed to log hundreds of miles this winter without so much as a sniffle.  Being mindful of getting sleep, (when the baby allows, of course) trying to eat right, and avoiding those germs the older boys drag into the house has worked so far.  I have a feeling that when I head back into a high school full of students, my luck might run out in the ‘healthy’ department.  I may turn into the hand-washing queen?!

I feel like the luckiest runner out there.  I am so eager to get to that starting line (er, corral…then starting line) to put this training into fruition.  So, be kind to me, Final Month of Training.  I respect you, and I will try my best to hold up to my end of the deal.  We will both celebrate in Boston, perhaps in an ice bath at a very nice hotel.

It gets to easy to get wrapped up in the wrong issue. To focus on a “trouble spot” that a magazine or website promises they will help you fix. To look longingly at the legs of the woman on a running magazine and wish yours were that long, than lean. To beat yourself up because you’re certainly no Kara Goucher, so what is it that you’re doing out here?

I have felt lost at times, for months on end (as has everyone, I’m sure). Having children, while it has undoubtedly been the biggest blessing of my life, also really threw me for a loop.

I had my first daughter two days after my 25th birthday. Coming from a place where I wasn’t even exactly sure who I was, I was thrown into the milky and terrifying world of babies. While there was never any question of my devotion to her, I realized, two years later, with a second baby in my arms and a toddler on my knee, that I had no idea who I was.

It happened at a family get together almost four years ago: we were asked to turn to the person on our right (I have a big family) and tell them something that we liked to do. I turned to my cousin, opened my mouth, and nothing came out. After opening and closing my mouth for a few seconds, I think I mumbled something about liking to run.

That realization stayed with me for a while, but I didn’t really do anything about it. Quite frankly, I was too tired, what with the babies and diapers and stuff.

Time passed, and mostly, life started to seem less overwhelming, and then somehow, along the way, I started to identify with this new me, with this “Mom Kaitlyn.”

While I don’t feel so lost anymore, I’ve still hit some stumbling points. Moments where it feels like I’ll never be enough, never do enough. Moments where I am jealous of others, angry at myself. Moments when I wished I was somehow different than I am. Times when I felt so very far away from being perfect.

The thing is though, that I am very far away from being perfect. And that in itself is kind of lovely. I’m not perfect, and hell, I’m not even trying to be anymore. I’m just… me.

Will I ever look like the girl on the cover of a running magazine? Will I ever run a sub-four hour marathon? Will the crow’s feet around my eyes ever lessen? Probably not.

And yet, if I looked like very tiny girl on the cover of the magazine, I may not have been able to give birth to my two beautiful (and hefty!) babies.

If I concentrate on my inability to run a sub-four hour marathon, I will miss out on celebrating the best part of running: the joy it brings me.

So many people strive to be perfect, but I think that if we just took a moment and asked ourselves what perfection really looks like, you may realize that it’s not so far from where you are now. Or if it is, you may realize that you are capable of getting yourself there.

People’s lives aren’t what you see on Facebook. People are sweaty and smelly and we get tired and yell at each other and say shitty things. People are small and weak and scared.

But people are also kind and loving and looking for someone to recognize all of the good that they do, all the sacrifices they make for those they love. People are wonderful and giving and yes, smelly and sweaty.

So if you’re struggling because you’re lost, or because you’re not perfect, ask yourself where it is you truly want to go. Ask yourself how you can get there. If you let go of the notion of perfection, chances are, you’re pretty close.