Canada’s fastest all-time female marathon runner, Malindi Elmore, is also our wisest

April 26, 2022

A few days after the Boston Marathon, where Malindi Elmore, 42, finished eleventh, her first marathon since finishing ninth at the Tokyo Olympics—her second time participating in an Olympic event—the mother of two was moving a treadmill and planning to spend the day gardening. When concern was voiced—her husband is often worrying about Elmore hitting the BC slopes every weekend—Canada’s all-time fastest female marathoner only laughed. “I have absolutely no interest living my life in a bubble,” says Elmore, reached in her hometown of Kelowna, BC. “You never know when your day is up, so until then I want to live my best life.”

Elmore’s best life is a story that’s increasingly taking the world by storm. She ran track & field as a young athlete and made it to the Athens Olympics in 2004 and ran the 1500m for Canada. Apparently, she was just getting started. After giving birth to her first child, Elmore turned professional in the triathlon world. After ranking as high as sixty-second, and after having her second child, Elmore decided to try the marathon in 2019. She says it was a particularly exciting time for our sport.

“The marathon used to be known as the event you do if you’re not good at any other events, but the consequence of great modern marathoners in Canada like Eric Gillis, Reid Coolsaet, Lanni Marchant and Krista DuChene was that Canada proved it can compete with anyone on the marathoning world stage,” says Elmore, adding that she loves every part of her marathon journey. When asked what she loves about running, she said, “I love going for my long runs and being part of the community, but it’s not only that,” she says, “I love knowing at the end of each marathon that you completed something hard. I take immense enjoyment from that.”

That enjoyment infuses Elmore’s athletic journey, and, as she was inspired by the Canadian runners who came before her, she also inspires her peers. Recently the New York Times spoke about how Natasha Wodak enthuses about Elmore—Wodak, 40, herself a two-time Canadian Olympian and the 10,000m Canadian record-holder. It’s Elmore, Wodak says, who inspired her to try and compete for the 2024 marathon in Paris. Elmore told iRun that she doesn’t give her age much thought.

“I feel like my best marathon performance is still to come,” says Elmore, who finished Boston in 2:27:58—the fastest time ever from a Canadian female at the event—and Elmore’s second fastest marathon time. The performance, however, was off from Elmore’s goal.

“I sprinted to the finish line in Boston to come in under 2:28, and pushed through when the race got hard, so I can walk away knowing I did the best I could on the day,” says Elmore, “but I also know the results were a little short of what I expected.“

One result of her long-distance running career is a new partnership with Saucony, a brand she says is aligned with her ideals. “Run for Good,” is the company mantra, and they’ve set up a program to benefit children’s hospitals while also committing to a lighter environmental footprint. The company is also very community-focused and, Elmore also adds, the Endorphin Pro 3s that she wore in Boston—which will be released this August—create a parity amongst different shoe brands to compete with the Nike super shoes. She says the Endorphin Pro 3s and their carbon plate gave her a fantastic ride.

“Shoes have become so technologically evolved that I think it’s only beneficial that consumers have choice,” she says, and adds this for a runner trying to decide whether or not they should try a super shoe: “They make you faster. You should wear them.”

What makes Elmore a role model? Not being afraid to live her life. Taking pleasure in her sport and inspiring those around her. Choosing partnerships with brands that compliment her values. And having this to say this about age: “I don’t worry about an arbitrary number.”

Elmore says she wants to see lots more people run. “Running is a sport that’s accessible to everyone. It’s open to all ages, and you don’t have to be a fast runner to run,” she says. “All you need is a pair of shoes.”

Photographs by Jon Adrian.

That Magic Moment: Falling in Love with your Run

Ben Kaplan

April 20, 2022

Every runner has it: the moment something clicked in and we realized that running was going to become something that stayed part of our life. Because it’s one thing to run a few blocks and try a 10K once to fundraise, but something else entirely when you plan vacations around races and have more sneakers than dress shoes. “I started running as a way to get back in shape and as a stress relief. I started to love my short runs, and realized I loved the “runner’s high.” I completed my first 5km race and realized I wanted to run longer distances. I got hooked on running competitively and was utterly shocked I could run 21km,” says Joanne Merritt, pictured below, an Ottawa-based runner. “Next on my bucket list was a marathon, and since then I got hooked on marathon running and I never looked back. Running gets in your soul and it’s something that becomes a part of you.“

Joanne’s evolution—from 5K experiment to full-time marathon addict—matches the pattern of many runners, including my own. I started running looking to make a lifestyle adjustment and, taking to it during the Ontario winter, my buddy told me how much more I’d enjoy it when I didn’t have to wear two pairs of gloves. I ran a 10K, then half-marathon, 30K Around the Bay, and finally crossed the finish line at my first marathon: I remember being so sore afterwards that I couldn’t bend my legs.

But I was hooked. That was 2010 and I haven’t looked back.

“It was 20 years ago that I fell in love and I remember that day vividly. I was running up the hill to get back home, and it was my first time running 40 minutes non-stop. All of a sudden, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of joy—the sun seemed brighter, the sky bluer, and I knew then, that I couldn’t go back,” says Sylvie Michaud, a runner in Gagnon, Quebec. “I would be running for the rest of my life and, once in a while, that wonderful feeling is there again. Running makes me who I am.”

It’s amazing how many of us, outside the elites, find our identities in our running. We post pictures on our social media feeds and eat spaghetti the night before races; we listen to theme from Rocky during training and have a special relationship with Terry Fox. Bagels, bananas, even music—all of these things have taken on new meaning since we first laced up our shoes. We run for our mental health, to get exercise, to get out of the house, to find peace, to feel satisfied, and we run as part of our community.

The relationships we form in our sneakers keep so many of us coming back out to races and training again and again. I must know two dozen people who met their spouse through our sport. And for some of us, it’s the shared interaction with a loved one that’s best.

“Wasn’t any of my races when I first fell in love, it was when my wife finished her first 5K, and we finished together. She took it all in and said, I could get used to this,” says Jon Yu, pictured at the top, who runs with his wife and baby in Toronto. “I loved that feeling that she discovered that she could accomplish more than she thought. Realized we both could.”

I know this story is starting to get long but I just love hearing people’s first times. “I started running almost 21 years ago. I had three surgeries in less than two years and was worried I wouldn’t get to live to watch my children grow up,” says Dean Moratz. “So I signed up for my first 5K one month after my third surgery alongside my wife and I have run regularly ever since. I have completed seventeen marathons and running has been a huge benefit to both my physical and mental wellbeing.”

Running has given all of us so much: an outlet, a hobby, an adventure, a chance to meet people, be healthy, and see the world. Let us know what it was that made you fall in love with our sport.

Lanni Marchant Shoe Review: STRIKE MVMNT

Ben Kaplan

April 20, 2022

Coming from a non-running background and crafting running shoes in today’s market is brave. I spent several years with Under Armour as they attempted the same thing.

STRKE MVMENT is a Canadian-based company out of Vancouver. Their shoes are developed by a self-declared “washed up pro snowboarder” who looked at running as a means to offset the years of asymmetric musculature from years of competing in his main sport.

Let’s be honest. Most of the shoes we wear to run are very obviously “runners.” This is especially true as we happened upon the era of the “super shoes.”

Great for running—a bit tacky to wear to the pub post-run.

STRIKE’s goal was to create a minimalist running shoe with the cushioning necessary to be worn in a variety of running environments, but also aesthetically pleasing. Ahead of their time, they created cool looking kicks that were wildly popular in the functional fitness world.

Their Haze trainer (pictured above) is something you want to wear when hitting up functional fitness workouts—think CrossFit, HIIT, and Parkour. I wore mine to join my girlfriend at the CrossFit gym and loved them. (Yes, I do CrossFit.) Mostly for the social aspect. My girlfriend and are often busy and it gives us a chance to get a sweat on and then go grab a drink. But I also enjoy moving my body in different ways and remembering that not all strength exercises have to be running related. One of my top favourites in 2021, the Haze trainer has a breathable and flexible 3D knit jacquard upper construction and uses their Cross Platform 2TM outsole created for a lightweight shoe that is ready for what your workouts have to throw at you.

Heading into the running world, STRIKE MVMENT has the Vimana and Vimana Carbon. A hybrid running shoe that can hold up on the trail, but also still let you crush your workouts at the gym or on harder surfaces. Sticking to the less-is-more goal, the midsole of the shoe is designed to maintain the feel of a thinner, minimalist shoe, but with enough foam to protect the foot over mixed terrain. In the carbon version, the Vinmana features a Carbitex AFX plate, made to flex with the foot but still provide resistance. I again wore these shoes for more mixed-style workouts, but felt confident to run to and from the gym and not need a change of shoes.

Once again, they looked good for the post-workout beer.

It was a lot of fun testing out shoes not traditionally in the running world. As I keep finding new ways to train and keep life entertaining, having a few new pairs of kicks that can let me play are definitely going to make this summer exciting.

Breastfeeding at the Boston Marathon

Ben Kaplan

April 20, 2022

C082215F-B187-4842-9FE2-B454AA3C85AE — Photo credit Andrew Thuss

On Monday, the world’s most famous marathon made its welcome return to Patriots’ Day for the first time in three years. Athletes who trained during the winter months of 2020 were finally able to live their dream of turning left onto Boylston—covered with as many screaming fans as cherry blossoms—toward the finish line of the 126th Boston Marathon.

Runners from all over the world completed their own runs that day, strategically timed in order to be home to watch the many outstanding performances of the day. Peres Jepchirchir captured her third victory after winning the 2021 New York City Marathon and 2020 Olympic Games Marathon, and Canada had four athletes finish in the top 20, with performances by Olympians Malindi Elmore (11th), Natasha Wodak (19th), Trevor Hofbauer (15th), and Josh Cassidy (7th in the Wheelchair Division).

I enjoyed tracking runners throughout the morning while reading stories about race predictions and getting some work done on my computer between updates. I shared runners’ feelings of both happiness and disappointment with their races, started thinking more about my own race goals, and enjoyed seeing peoples’ finish pictures and videos posted on social media. The moment that stood out most for me—of everything that morning—was viewing a short video of a mom walking mid-race while breastfeeding her five-month-old infant son.

I breastfed our children while training for various races over the years. I topped them up moments before starting guns and met them just after crossing finish lines. Yes, many have. Malindi Elmore sat post-race on the ground in Houston to breastfeed her infant son after travelling with him to run the 2019 Marathon. I flipped pancakes and multi-tasked one-armed in my kitchen many school day mornings while the baby fed. But I never stopped to breastfeed during a race—especially one so grand as the Boston Marathon.

I was fortunate that when our children nursed frequently, they would take a bottle of my expressed breast milk. I never had to choose between racing and feeding my child—something that many have had to do. After viewing the video multiple times, I asked if I could repost it on my own social media. I then started getting a lot of likes and positive direct messages. I then connected with this super mom, Canada’s Sarah Curtis shortly after she finished the race, and, no doubt, fed her infant again.

I presumed that she and her partner Andrew—who raced the 5K the day before—had a plan to meet on route at a certain point so that their baby could feed. But it was more than that. I learned that the Boston Marathon had a specific tent in the athletes’ village for nursing moms to gather to pump before the race. She said that these moms—whom I presume she had never met—shared stories with each other that made her “cry with gratitude before the race even started.”

Breastfeeding is emotional. Running the Boston Marathon is emotional. Breastfeeding while running the Boston Marathon is another level of emotion. She went on to tell me that her coach, Lindsay Scott, told her about this support that was available, and after an email to the Boston Athletic Association, she simply had to stop by a booth at the expo for further details. While most moms chose to “pump and dump,” Sarah used another mom’s extra storage bag to carry her breast milk until she met Andrew at the pre-arranged 14K mark. Moms brought their own pumps that were placed in race-approved “medical device” bags that were carried with them on the bus to the start, used in the tent, and then transported to the finish line for pick up. They could also send their breast milk back in the bags.

I’m so proud of where we’ve come to support parents so that they can do both, race and nurse, and not have to choose one or the other. While Boston Marathon participants, spectators and volunteers slept soundly through the night after an exhausting day, it’s highly likely that Sarah and a handful of other parents were up tending to their little ones, no doubt, with big smiles on their faces.

The Big Something-for-Everyone All-Purpose Hot Spring Shoe Guide

Ben Kaplan

April 12, 2022

Springtime is the time to get running. With the winter (mostly) in our rearview, the excuses exit like the snow and with clearer conditions and a slew of great at-home and abroad in-person events and races, there’s no time like the present to get running. And you know what makes running really great? A brand new pair of super slick shoes. Herewith, our guide to some of the recently released or else newest shoes coming out in Canada soon, please enjoy, and don’t forget to tie up your laces.

ADIDAS: A snub-nosed super shoe that moves away from the traditional paper-thin adidas stack to recreate the trend towards extensive foaming, the Takumi 8 is a stunning update of some legendary wheels—a carbon-plated beauty built for shorter distances. Already in market, this US$180 beauty will be all over the Boston Marathon on Monday.

ASICS: The GEL-CUMULUS 24 (pictured up top, and stunning) has a 8mm drop and weighs almost an ounce less than its previous iteration. Coming this June, the GEL-CUMULUS is a perfect training shoe with a smooth underfoot feel and a light outside rubber that helps ensure durability and, yes, the shoe’s overall endurance. Fast, durable, and instantly comfortable and snug, the CUMULUS is just one of the new drops from ASICS (check out our review of the new GEL-NIMBUS), and the two new lines combined work hard to keep ASICS ahead of the pack as the weather, like the race calendar, gets hot.

DECATHLON: For the roads or the trail from the buzzy French company that’s opening shops all over the country, the XT7 is a comfortable, sturdy, under-$100 trail shoe that has a 5mm lugs for traction, their exclusive, bouncy Kalensole Eva foam, and a subtle styling that makes it OK for a hot summer post-run night. The most inexpensive shoe on our list for spring and summer, the XT7 from Decathlon is the perfect gateway shoe for exploring trails and this outdoors-wear company, all of their products—shoes, clothes, hydration packs—are top-notch, fairly priced, and, like the XT7 trail shoe, reliable.

HOKA ONE ONE: One of the entire sneaker world’s buzziest brands updates their carbon offering with the Carbon X 3—which is propulsive and energized. Akin to strapping into a rocket, but one that feels secure, the Carbon X 3, with a newly configured upper and premium performance knit, is an endurance marathon racing shoe that feels light and responsive, almost like a jetpack for your foot. Runners are loving the carbon-plated line from Hoka, this new iteration will take them over the top.

MIZUNO: Weighing under 8 ounces and packing a glass fibre plate, the Wave Rebellion is a super-fast marathon racing shoe that has a mesh upper and a “gusset tongue,” which clings the shoe to the foot. Super comfortable (and super fast), the Wave Rebellion has tons of cushioning and responsiveness—a quick toe-off—and will be a treat for anyone familiar with the popular Wave Rider series. The outsole is durable and light and the styling is fresh and clean—it’s a new Mizuno for a new season.

NEW BALANCE: The line described by the brand as “the best running shoe New Balance makes,” the 1080v12 is a performance shoe for everyone: featuring top of the line design, foam, comfort, and style (which is something New Balance has, season after season, improved upon). With a knit upper and the brand’s signature, propulsive Fresh Foam X cushioning, the shoe is breathable, light, and fast—plus, meeting the brand’s Green Leaf standard, it’s also the most sustainable New Balance 1080 of all-time.

NIKE: In two months, Nike will release their 39th iteration of the Pegasus, and then be dropping new versions of the Next% and Alpha Fly. From the company that revolutionized shoes with their carbon-plate, a function that you now find on the elite line of every brand’s shoes, the challenge now is remaining ahead of the competition. Meanwhile, next in the pipeline from the Portland-based dream-child of Phil Knight, is the Infinity Run Flyknit 3, out in May. The shoe is soft and stable, breathable and beautiful (which really is the Nike way—still the best looking sneaker in town). Let the Flyknit 3 hold off the Nikeheads until the new drops arrive this June.

ON: What the company calls their “weirdest creation yet,” the Cloud Monster takes what every brand is doing with cushioning and then supersizes it: bouncy, unique and definitely maximalist, the Cloud Monster takes the cushioning trend and—like feeding a Gremlin after midnight—creates something wild, exciting, and entirely brand new. (Not many sneakers do that). Comfortable, springy, and inordinately plush, the Cloud Monster is guaranteed to produce comments, and results, at your next race.

SAUCONY: Hot on the heels of the Ride 15, Saucony is dropping their Endorphin Pro 3 in June, a faster update on their carbon-plated shoe and an update on the kicks that Trevor Hofbauer wore in the Olympics (Pro 2, pictured). With the Ride 15, the deck was set by Saucony for runners to get started. The Endorphin Pro 3—snug heel, updated mesh, ridiculous propulsion—is for runners wanting something more for their next race. Coming this June, the fastest model of the blazing fast new Saucony line (which Hofbauer will be debuting this Monday in Boston!)

Inside the Ride 15 from Saucony

Ben Kaplan

April 12, 2022

Jessie Peterson is the Senior Product Line Manager for Saucony, based in Boston. This weekend, as runners from around the world gather in his hometown to welcome racers, Peterson took a moment to get inside the details of the awesome new Ride 15, the newest iteration of one of Saucony’s most popular shoes. iRun editor Ben Kaplan spoke with Peterson right after the launch.

Ben Kaplan: What was the thinking behind the very first Ride?

Jessie Peterson: When we first created the Ride, our sole focus was to bring a product to market that was completely distraction free. Distraction free means once it is on the foot you are not thinking about it for a second. You are free to go about your run and fully focus on the run itself. No irritations, no break in time, just out of the box comfort. Distraction free comfort has changed over time. Firm to soft, responsive to energy efficient, and we flow with what the runner needs and wants.

BK: When the RIDE was first launched, what was the problem the shoe was trying to solve?

JP: Through out the years, the RIDE has been built around our purpose: for this shoe has to create a distraction free experience where the runner feels great from mile 1-300.

BK: Over the years, how has the shoe changed?

JP: We’ve updated the foam, fit, and aesthetics over the 15 iterations. Runners change in more than 15 years, and we change with them!

BK: Trends come and go but makes the RIDE the RIDE?

JP: Distraction free comfort! We make this shoe for everyone and every run. This shoe works for our professional athletes all the way to the consumer who is using this shoe to go to the grocery store.

BK: Can you talk specifically about this new iteration, the 15, does it share any DNA with the original model? Can you talk specifically about the updates to this new version?

JP: In the past few years there has been a drastic swing towards comfort and full cushion. We know that the RIDE has always delivered on this promise, but with the RIDE 15 we double down on COMFORT from the moment you put the shoe on. We got there with a three-prong approach.

First we reformulated the foam. PWRRUN has always been a great experience but maybe in the past few iterations a little on the firmer side. This season we were able to soften the foam a little bit while making it more energy efficient and lighter. We also added a PWRRUN+ sockliner to the overall midsole to give that extra plushness right next to the foot. Not only did we change the foam compound but we added more to it underfoot. We have about 18% more total volume in this product. While the overall offset remains the same the stack heights have increased 3mm in both the heel and the forefoot.
Second we considered fit to be a 360 experience. Usually fit is an upper conversation but we started to look at fit from the ground up. The sidewalls of the foam is higher and that give the runner a feeling of being in the platform rather than insecurely on top of the platform.
Third we smoothed out the ride. With greater bevel angles from the heel and the toe the runner has a smooth transition as they are moving through their gait cycle.

BK: Lastly, and thanks for your time, but look in your sneaker crystal ball—can you envision a RIDE 50, a RIDE 250? I mean, why not. . . . . ?

JP: OF COURSE! This is a do it all shoe that works for many runners. We will continue to service this runner with whatever they need.

To check out the new RIDE 15 from Saucony, please click here.

Crush a New PB with ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 24

Anna Lee Boschetto

April 12, 2022

With spring training kicking into gear, it’s back to getting out the door on the regular. As you build back your racing calendar, your logging some additional kilometers. Even if there’s no goal race on the horizon, this time of year is definitely made for building back up, so that you can keep going the distance. Before you get out there and make tracks, start off on the right foot with a new pair of shoes.

This season, ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 24 marries advanced technology with comfort and durability. In fact, the GEL-NIMBUS 24 are made for runners who are hitting the road 3 times a week, for about 10-20K total. I may be going a little over the intended distance in these, there are many reasons I’m still enjoying the ride.

First up, it’s the noticeably lighter design. At 250g, its about 20g lighter than the GEL-NIMBUS 23 with a redesigned breathable upper that leaves you feeling lighter on your feet. For runners how appreciate a faster feel in a neutral shoe, the GEL-NIMBUS 24 has the level of lightness that gives you the freedom to kick it. Runners will also appreciate the knit tongue construction which wraps comfortably around your foot. It’s a detail that your foot will thank you for with its noticeably flexible, non-constricting support, even before you lace up.

When your feet hit the pavement, the FF Blast Plus kicks in and you’ll appreciate the added mid-sole cushioning. For runners who are getting back to their training, the FF Blast Plus offers the right amount of comfort that allows you to run longer longer without your feet and body feeling the effects later in the day. This is the season for building towards that personal best and along with the added cushioning, you’re still getting that same energetic feeling at toe-off that is synonymous with the GEL-NIMBUS. It’s the little extra push you need when you might otherwise want to dial back the distance. And with the launch of the GEL-NIMBUS Lite 3 earlier this month, you can also lighten your load on the environment. Using three organically derived materials, this version of the Lite 3 has an additional 75% recycled materials used in its light yet durable construction.

No matter what type of runner you are, consistency is key. It’s not about how fast or how far, but getting out and getting it done. With the unpredictability of weather and road conditions during this time of year, we all have some weeks where it’s more, others less and then of course there’s a long run mixed in. When it comes to running with the changes of this season your shoe’s durability is essential. As light and comforting a ride as the the GEL-NIMBUS is, it’s also got strength. With this shoe, the ASICS Lite outsole rubber is lighter yet stronger than standard outer sole materials. In the GEL-NIMBUS, you’ll feel the ability to navigate and withstand the roughness of changing road conditions. Even when you come across an unpaved path or two, you appreciate how the new construction handles the resistance against the abrasive elements.

And while colourway options won’t make you faster, there is something to be said for that feeling of lacing up in a hue that suits your running style. Easing into more long run Sundays, working on your first marathon or getting out the door for a few kilometers before work, the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS will help you take it all in stride.

Anna Lee Boschetto is a regular iRun contributor and ASICS runner living in Caledon, Ont.

Physical Education: On Using the Body to Power the Mind

Ben Kaplan

April 6, 2022

Well howdy. I’m Diane Chesla and I co-direct the Niagara Falls International Marathon (NFIM) alongside my husband Henri Ragetlie. My foray into running happened in grade 6 when I trained super hard for my school’s annual 5k only to pass out right before the finish. That was my first taste for massive disappointment in sports. Being young and naive, I also thought passing out was beyond cool and that maybe there were secret powers my mind held that could help me win the next race.

From that point on I never stopped trying to tap into the strength of my mind. Ya, I know, my parents were worried too & began to roll their eyes when I talked incessantly about the Olympics. I never quite made the Olympics, but I did go onto study Peak Performance in my Masters. I dove right in and explored all these neat psychological theories on mental attributes of succeeding in sport in addition to some of the lesser known ones tied to Eastern philosophy.

I worked with a few athletes in sport psychology after my studies, but I had this euphoric vision one day while running the Niagara Ultra 50k. And that was to create an ultra race on trails, make it super tough, but create this community of inclusion where all these like-minded individuals supported each other. I still reminisce with friends I made in the days of “dirty girls 24/48 hour trail race.” That race lasted 10 years. In those years I started a road race and eventually moved onto where I am today—with NFIM.

Along the way I’ve learned that event production is bloody hard. I can be a logistics pro, but there are SO many elements that are completely out of my control. And patience is one of my worst virtues, but I’ve learned that there are options for “getting things done.” Like, our marathon starts in Buffalo and runners return to Canada via the Peace Bridge. We bus people out to Buffalo from Canada early on race morning. Well, guess what? One year at 8 p.m. on the Saturday night I learned that we had no buses coming for everyone the next morning. And there was no answer at the bus company in Buffalo late on a Saturday night.

Well, something magical happened. I told only my husband what was unfolding and said I would take care of it. I was driving at the time so pulled over on the shoulder of the highway and began making phone calls. I was able to secure buses for the next morning to arrive at the scheduled time in Canada to pick up runners. No one knew of the massive glitch and no one lost an eye or shed a tear.

Why am I telling you this story? From my personal interest and studies in the strength of the mind, I noticed something. We can use all these mental techniques to perform at our best in sport, but sport makes up only a small percentage of our time on this planet. We can apply these techniques to our personal life and we can certainly be über successful, but it’s not easy and the truth is that life presents real challenges involving emotional pain, setbacks and working with others with different personalities and goals.

The challenge is learning how to succeed in sport and then applying these lessons to our own life so that whatever we choose to do, and however far we choose to reach, we are happy and others around us are also happy. In my series of articles for iRun, I’m going to be exploring lessons learned from running & how we can apply these to our everyday life. Stay tuned and I hope to inspire readers to examine their own approach—to running and life.

My Life as a Series of Mugs and Races

Ben Kaplan

April 6, 2022

We’re a unique type—lovers of coffee, running, and travelling for races. We enjoy our lifestyle and don’t mind people asking us questions about why we do what we do. We take pleasure in scrolling through Strava just as much, if not more, than any other social media platform. And we don’t mind leaving parties early or being the first in our household to go to bed. Because, when our head hits the pillow and we’re drifting off to sleep, we’re all enjoying thinking about the same thing: the coffee we’ll drink in the morning before our run in preparation for our next race. Am I right?

Toronto, Ontario

Competing in the December Tannenbaum 10 km (2014,15,17,18,19) has always been very fun with a lot of familiar faces. I’m usually just returning to training, after taking some downtime post fall marathon, so I rarely have specific goal times. The Christmas spirit is in the air and the running community is happy to be together out along the beachfront. We usually start decorating for the season at home so I’m happy to pull this mug from the box amongst other holiday items.

Orlando, Florida, USA

After recovering from my fractured femur in 2014, I was succeeding in what it would take to make the standard for the 2016 Olympics. In order to get a solid block of peak training in March for my April marathon, I travelled south to escape our Ontario winter. For the first ten days I stayed and trained in Houston, Texas with my good friend Mary Davies. As she was also preparing for a spring marathon, our plan lined up well for joint workouts, easy and long runs. From there I travelled to Florida where I met up with my family for continued warm weather training and a Disney vacation. I would get up early to complete my run while my husband and kids would eat breakfast and pack lunches for the day. After a quick shower and eating, we’d head to the amusement park for the day and repeat it again the next day. Looking back, when our kids were ages 4, 7 and 9, I don’t know how I had the energy to keep up. But I did. And I have the mug to show for it. I went on to run 2:29:38 at the 2015 Rotterdam Marathon, which made me the first woman in 20 years to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Edmonton, Alberta

This mug is my favourite of all. I love the shape, its solid structure, and the memory of what I overcame after I purchased it. In 2015 I was in great shape and training for the October Toronto Waterfront Marathon. A few days before travelling to Edmonton to race the half marathon, I stepped on a rock and injured my foot. After flying all the way to Edmonton, my pre race test run revealed that I definitely should not even start the race. Mary Davies was my roommate, who also travelled for the race, and I was so grateful for her friendship. She helped me during a very difficult time. I bought this mug at the airport before my long, solo, and teary trip back home, where the next day I discovered that I had broken a bone in my foot, and my season would be over.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I have several items to remind me of my incredible experience running for Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games. I enjoyed my time in the Olympic Village, was very pleased with how I worked my way from about 70th to 35th place in the race, and was full of emotion when I celebrated with my family and coach just after crossing the finish line. I don’t think anything will ever top that moment.

Iten, Kenya

For the month of March in 2017, I completed my first (and only) stint of training at altitude. Other than the deep sadness I initially felt when leaving my family, I absolutely loved everything about this trip. The local people, facility, other athletes with whom I ran and ate, the cuisine, culture, and training made for one of the best experiences of my life. I feel like a small part of my heart remains in Kenya and I have the mugs to take me there.

London, England

After my very productive month of altitude training in Kenya, I was fit and in fine form to run a personal best at the 2017 London Marathon. It was a perfect day for racing—ideal temperatures without wind, and a pace group within my goal time. Around the 10 km mark I started to feel unwell and dropped off the pack, only to then realize that my stomach would be problematic for the remaining 30+ km. I finished the race and managed to win the masters division but to this day it still seems like the longest marathon I’ve ever done. I decided to make the best of my remaining time in London, doing some sightseeing and shopping, before making the trip back home.

New York City, USA

I was fortunate to compete in all three New York City bucket list races—the Half Marathon (2014), Mini 10 km (2018), and Marathon (2021). Visiting the M & M’s store has always been a must-do with every trip, which I enjoyed once with my sister and once with my husband. My most memorable moment in New York City was likely in 2018 when I sat on a panel with Des Linden and Sarah Sellers after our podium finish at the Boston Marathon.

Over the years I’ve collected a few mugs while away for training and racing. For each mug there’s something meaningful behind it. And when I drink from a particular mug, that memory reminds me of who I’ve become and how it’s contributed to my story. There’s a lot more racing, and mug collecting, to come, stay tuned.

Shoe review: Ride 15 by Saucony

Ben Kaplan

April 5, 2022

A shoe offers support, fundamentally. Despite the barefoot rage and the Born to Run ethos, a good running sneaker is there to help you achieve your goals: withstand distances, achieve speed. Further into our journeys, as our form breaks down and exhaustion takes over, the shoe can be the only thing that keeps you from turning an ankle or, worse, not finishing the race. You want a shoe you can depend on.

The Ride 15 from Saucony is an iconic piece of footwear. For a brand that launched in 1898, the Ride has become its cornerstone: synonymous with neutral training, stability, trustworthiness, value, and efficiency. Created to fill a gap in the market, the Ride is smooth, practically perfect for anyone, fool-proof, and the proper gateway drug for someone getting curious about our sport.

So what happens when a shoe like that meets modern innovation? It’s the Ride 15, which takes the great lines and assets of a legacy model and updates it with the bells and whistles of cutting-edge tech. The result is the comfort of an everyday trainer gifted with the lightweight, forefoot flexibility of a racing shoe.

First, the details: the Ride 15 has an 8mm drop and weighs 7.8oz in women’s, 8.8oz in men’s. (About an ounce more than the Alphafly Next% from Nike, and a hundred dollars cheaper and lasts about an extra six months). At BlackToe Running in Toronto, the Ride 15 costs $170, and it looks good. Ogling the new model, in Acid Lime, I couldn’t help thinking it looked like a purring Corvette. The foam employed is called PWRRUN, and while that name won’t mean much—all the shoe brands have foams titled with capital letters and lacking in vowels—just know that it’s what makes the feel of the shoe on the road almost cloud-like: the sensation is soft, plush, and cushioned, and the bounce of the street feels good. You want a sneaker that you can wear straight out of the box and the Ride 15, for me, is it.

Testing the shoe on a long run, perhaps a bit out of shape or else just tired and old, the Ride 15 felt almost like a saviour, a life raft. I have experience in marathon races and know how close I’ve come to twisting my ankle when, exhausted, my stride falls apart and it takes everything I have just to remain upright. This run in the Ride 15 wasn’t quite at that level (thankfully it was a straight 36K and didn’t involve strides), but I was able to appreciate my coverage. Protection. The shoe is light but sturdy. It feels significant without weighing you down. There’s also a mesh upper and a sewn-in tongue, which are just little modern touches that improves fit and feel from earlier Ride iterations, and make the comfortable shoe also fast.

The last thing to consider, when pondering your next shoe, is stack height. Currently there almost seems to be a competition to turn running shoes into platform boots. HOKA has been ahead of the curve on this, but ON has followed suit, and Adidas, too. These shoes almost look like Kiss boots, and I’m yet to be convinced of their efficacy, outside of making you seem taller than your running peers. I like the stack height of the Ride 15: again, it’s ample, without being over the top. You could wear your running shoes to the grocery store without attracting curious stares.

In conclusion, Saucony is a terrific shoe brand, timeless, and their Endorphin Pro 2 helped me achieve my most significant race time (which I won’t mention here but also never will achieve again). Like the Pegasus from Nike or the Kayano from ASICS, the Ride is a comfortable, iconic staple of legions of runners’ closets and it’s for good reason the shoes endure over time. They’re affordable, indestructible, and stable—a shoe almost any runner will like.

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