Despite Omicron, In-person Racing to Return this Spring

January 4, 2022

Nothing is for certain, obviously. But the Running Room plans to host in-person racing this February with their popular Hypothermic Half events across the country and it came as a jolt of joyful relief when I spoke with Kelly and Marc Arnott, long-time race directors of the Chilly Half in Burlington, Ontario, and they said their race is a go. “I reached out to my MP and MPP and we’re sitting tight to see what happens after this big wave hopefully subsides, but we are definitely hoping that our Chilly will happen—we have two full months to go! ”

Vancouver’s First Half marathon in-person is sold-out on February 13 with 2,000 runners and the Chilly Half Marathon is scheduled for March 6. Brian McLean has been the long-time race director of the Achilles St. Patrick’s Day Race, celebrating its twenty-third anniversary on March 13. McLean also says his 1K and 5K race with a capacity of 1,500 is a go. “As of the beginning of December, city officials gave us the green light and we haven’t heard anything since,” says McLean, who feels good about the likelihood of his race happening. He’s moving forward under the thesis that the event, with COVID precautions, will proceed. “It’s our biggest and only fundraiser for our Achilles athletes, those with disabilities,” says McLean, adding that minus the in-person racing component, his charity suffers. “I see people want to get back to in-person racing and the minute we opened registration, we saw a huge spike in people signing up. Runners want racing back.”

Speaking with the race directors from Calgary to Winnipeg, Regina, Quebec City, Ottawa and Toronto, the consensus amongst the industry leaders is their in-person races should all proceed. “I am confident that with full vaccination requirements and (likely) COVID protocols in place, that we will be able to hold our event as planned,” says Rachel Munday, race director of the Manitoba Marathon. “Our runners, volunteers, sponsors and city officials are still expecting and planning for an in-person event. Whereas last year they definitely expected them NOT to happen. If this wave continues on the current trajectory, it should be well passed it’s peak in the coming weeks and we can look forward to events in the late spring/summer/fall.”

Marc Roy is the CEO of Sportstats who has 45 in-person events in Canada booked between now and the end of spring—and another 60 in the United States. “Our first event in the US is on January 14-15 (Rock’n’Roll Arizona) with 17,000 races already registered,” says Roy, who’s bullish on events, even in Canada, proceeding in-person as normal, especially as move into February. Roy also started Virtual Run Canada and thinks hybrid models like the one employed by Canada Running Series at their fall 10K between virtual and in-person racing will remain popular in 2022. “We strongly believe virtual events are there to stay. They keep some participants motivated, but also introduce many to the sport that might not want to do a 5K with 500 participants.”

One thought for racers returning to the sport we love, whether virtual or in-person, is knowing that the event organizers are facing supply chain issues. Appreciate that these events are happening and so, if they don’t have your sized T-shirt—be kind. In Calgary, Kirsten Fleming, says she’s bullish on her events happening. It’s the other stuff that she wonders about. “Our concerns—like all race directors and frankly most industries throughout the world—are mostly about navigating supply chain issues and rising costs, not operating safely. That we can do,” says Fleming, of the Calgary Marathon, whose team successfully put on five COVID in-person races and never saw an outbreak. “We are taking what we have learned, building on the experience to bring back some of the aspects we did without in 2021 while keeping people safe as we always do.”

January can be a tough month in the best of times. During these unprecedented times, it’s nice to know that our race directors—the people who provide us with starting and finish lines for our goals—are all working together on making sure their events proceed. “Racing builds more than fitness,” says Running Room founder John Stanton. “It develops friendships, and empowers us by testing the limits of the human spirit.”

With winter training, it can be helpful knowing that there’s a race happening in the spring. People, by nature, are goal-oriented. Anna Lewis, the Around the Bay race director hosting the 128th anniversary of her event on March 27, summed up the current scenario. “We are working towards hosting Around The Bay and will continue planning until advised otherwise,” she said. “We are preparing for several scenarios with various start line schedules and protocols. We will be ready to implement the most appropriate plan when we have more definitive guidelines. We are in touch with our city officials regularly and want to ensure we work within provincial and public health guidelines to ensure a safe event for everyone. It is our hope that the collective “we” will be in a much better place in early March so that we could move forward.“

That hope, for a runner in January, might just be enough to pull us through these tough next few weeks.

Cultivating a Running Community

December 30, 2021

About two kilometers into a 10K race course there’s a hungry alpaca eyeing the apple in my hand, likely wondering if I’ll give it over. I do with a smile because alpacas (even hungry ones) always look happy, much like many of the runners I’ve met here today. This is the Dump Run and it’s exactly the kind of community race everyone needs to round out what has been yet another year in which nothing went as expected, least of all racing. Feeding these alpacas is one of the features of this 10K race that also includes dropping off Cheezies to a garbage dump keeper, and picking up trash along the race course which covers a stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway, about 30 minutes north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Needless to say, this is not your average 10K race. Race director Nick Brash is also an ultra trail runner and organizer of the Ultra Trail Stokely Creek (September 22-24, 2002). Along with the Dump Run, Brash’s company Bear In Mind Running offers several other races each with a unique twist which has contributed to the popularity among the local running and cycling community. “These events are about more than racing,” explains Brash, “It’s about opening up to the idea of racing for runners at every level and ability, creating an inclusive community.”

When you talk with Brash, you quickly realize exactly how much he genuinely enjoys running. He also has a passion and love for the trails in the Algoma Highlands, in particular the 160 km trails spanning Stokely Creek. Basically, he wants just about anyone who can, to have as much fun as he does and judging from the runners I speak to on and off the race course, there’s no question they do. “There’s so much to see, so many incredible trails that people just don’t know about right in their backyard,” he says. While the race draws seasoned runners including multiple Boston marathoners, it’s the low-pressure, community driven atmosphere that also attracts new runners who are looking to complete their first race. An open start time between 9am and 5pm allowed runners to start safely at any point, while using their own devices to log their finishing times.

Nicole Pyykonen understands how intimidating that first race can be. As a local run crew leader Pyykonen says its events like the Dump Run that give new runners a goal to aim for while still easing into their first race day experience. After several years of trying to stick with a regular running routine on her own, it wasn’t until she got her dog, a Labrador Golden Retriever mix, that she finally held to her training schedule. “Having a dog meant I had no excuse even if I didn’t want to, I knew I had no choice but to get us both out the door,” she explains. With her running companion, she was able to build a consistent training schedule that took her to training for a 15K at the 2019 Ultra Trail Stokely Creek Race. “When COVID hit I knew I needed something more to keep me motivated,” she explains. “Running is about making it fun, and when I learned more about Nick’s other events including the Dump Run, I knew this was my way to keep going and stay connected with other runners.”

At the 3.5K point, an aid station serves up a selection of unconventional snacks, beverages including beer and the conversation flows easily among runners, some of whom have already claimed their race medal and are headed back to the finish line. The beauty of an out-and-back race course means this is an aid station for runners heading back at the 6.5K point. After dropping off Cheezies to the Haviland Garbage Dump Manager (its his favourite snack food) and claiming your race medal, it’s onto the finish line and a post-race bonfire and barbeque the includes traditional bratwurst along with vegetarian options.

Crossing the finish line brings more than a sense of accomplishment, there’s a sense of warmth that comes from being a part of a race that’s run on the love and enjoyment of this sport. In the subzero temperature, the warmth of the running community is palpable. It is an inviting and invigorating feeling, a glowing reminder of what we have all been missing these past eighteen months—a real human connection. Standing around the bonfire, a playlist pumping from the speakers as Brash announces runners starting and finishing their race, I’m now basking in the warmth of the sunshine peaking through the clouds. It’s clear that Brash is onto something here. We all know that running can be about much more than the sport itself. What is also clear is that events including the Dump Run are uniting a community, whether or not you take part in the sport, running really does connect us all in rather unique and unexpected ways.

Anna Lee Boschetto is a regular iRun contributor, runner and fitness enthusiast.

Lanni Marchant Wins Hawaii, Begins Reviewing Shoes for iRun

Ben Kaplan

December 14, 2021

Five weeks after her eleventh place finish at the New York City Marathon, Lanni Marchant laced up again in Honolulu. The results? Marchant finished first female in a fast 2:41:25, finishing fourth over all at the race. Not related to her victory, Marchant is also taking over the iRun shoe review job vacated by Reid Coolsaet, who will soon begin a new shoe contract in 2022. After her victory, and before penning her first January column, Marchant spoke with iRun.

iRun: Tell us about Hawaii.

Lanni: Hawaii is amazing—it’s one of my favourite spots to come visit, train, and race. The Honolulu Marathon has been a bucket list race for me ever since I came out here to re-learn to run post hip surgery. I never expected I’d be running in it for the title spot.

iRun: You said you raced it for fun. Is that your new approach to racing?

Lanni: Having fun is definitely my new approach to racing—but also to most things generally. Not everything in life is supposed to be fun—I get that, but when I have an opportunity to make something fun, I’m going to take it.

iRun: How did you feel and how do you feel right now?

Lanni: I actually felt really good in the race until my right foot started cramping at about 27km. It had cramped up in a similar manner in NYC, but not until 40km there. So knowing I had quite a bit more racing left, I opted to pull back and not press things too hard. Running another marathon five weeks after NYC means I was not fully recovered, so I wanted to find that balance between running for fun but still running smart. I feel pretty good now. A bit sore but nothing that isn’t normal post marathon.

iRun: After New York and Hawaii, is Olympic Lanni, at 37 years old, back?

Lanni: In a weird way, I hope not. I am excited to be back able to run marathons and run them well. I think I have a new relationship with running, racing, and myself—quite different from how I approached things as “Olympic Lanni” in the past. So, I am back on the roads but I’m dead set on writing the story differently this time.

iRun: Let’s talk about your new gig reviewing shoes at iRun. What shoes did you wear in New York and Hawaii?

Lanni: I am amped to write shoe reviews for iRun! I think it will be a great way for me to test out what’s out there and share the journey of my running with the readers. I wore the Nike Next% for both races. I bought them a while ago but have not really been able to wear them a ton due to my injuries, surgeries, shoe contracts, and the shut down of most races last year.

iRun: How important are shoes to you? Has your relationship with shoes changed through the years?

Lanni: I used to be a runner who could wear any neutral shoe and not have an issue. My racing flats—even for the 10,000m and marathon—were always something like the Saucony A5 or Asics Hyperspeeds. Now, I have to be a bit more picky about what I put on my feet. Certain shoes will aggravate some nerve stuff in my left hip or right foot, and because I run on a lot of dirt roads in Colorado, I need to make sure what’s on my feet can withstand the rocks and such.

iRun: What shoes have you worn? You started out as a Saucony athlete, right?

Lanni: My first partnership was with Saucony. I wore their A5s when I set the previous marathon record. I then switched to Asics and wore their shoes from 2014 – 2016. Setting the former half-marathon record and competing in Rio in their Hyperspeeds. I switched to Under Armour after the Olympics, and wore those up until 2020/2021. Now I train a good bit in Saucony and do my speed work/races in different versions of Nike or Puma.

iRun: Do you still wear UA? What was that like?

Lanni: I have a few pairs that I like to wear for easy runs. The company was still developing their “super shoe” and because I wear a smaller size than their prototypes I wasn’t able to test them out before my contract ended.

iRun: Do you think runners put too much stock in their shoes?

Lanni: It’s hard to say since we are in the era of “super shoes.” I will say that fitness is fitness—you can’t expect a shoe to take you from the couch to the finish line without putting in the work. I believe it is important to find a shoe that you feel comfortable and confident in.

iRun: What do you look for in sneakers?

Lanni: I am still a fan of keeping things simple with a neutral style trainer. I prefer something that I can do some pick-ups in (fartleks and tempos) without having to drop down to a racing flat.

iRun: You’re not a scientist, you’re you. Straightforward and no BS, which perhaps is an approach never before taken with reviewing shoes in the history of shoe-reviewing. What’s your approach going to be to this column?

Lanni: My goal is to let the shoes do the talking. I want to share with the readers the fit, feel, responsiveness etc., but I also want to share the story of the run itself. Why I chose a particular spot to run and those shoes to do it in.

iRun: Are there shoes out there you’re dying to try?

Lanni: I have had my eye on some of the Adidas models for a while now, so I would really love a chance to check them out.

iRun: When do you reckon you might race next?

Lanni: I am sticking with my new race plan of #sayyestostupid. Which means, I don’t have a race plan in place and will just look for fun, silly, challenging, or travel opportunities for the most part. I am excited to be in a place where I can do that.

iRun: You may have just answered it, but what’s your outlook for the new year, goals, resolutions?

Lanni: I am looking forward to building on the tiny bit of momentum I have going right now. The past few years have had some big blows, so I am going into 2022 with no expectations other than for things to be different than they were this year.

iRun: Last word to the people, who love following you and you applaud your races, the ups and downs, and look forward to reading your column? Can you speak directly to the folks cheering you on?

Lanni: Keep treading water.

The Female Perspective on Varsity Distance Running

Ben Kaplan

December 14, 2021

Throughout my time as varsity distance runner, I heard numerous stories of female runners who produced fast times early in their career but, ultimately, were forced to give up the sport before reaching their full potential. Typically, the story goes something like this: a young girl with impressive endurance and natural talent produces fast times for her age before she hits puberty. Then puberty hits, her body changes, and for a period of time she can no longer hit the times she once could. In an attempt to run faster and fit the “ideal” body image of a distance runner, she will fall into a pattern of overtraining and under-eating. This will inevitably lead to mental and physical burnout, injury, and mental health issues. This training pattern is unsustainable, and many young females who go down this path have no choice but to give up the sport.

I started running at twelve years old when I joined my middle school cross country team. Being from Prince Edward Island the smallest of Canada’s provinces, I was able to quickly find success in the sport and gained self-confidence that I never had before. In high school I was the provincial cross country champion each year and I represented team PEI at the 2017 Canada Games in track and field. I continued running in university, where I competed for the Dalhousie Tigers while pursuing my undergrad. Over the past decade, I have trained with and competed against female runners from across the country. My experiences have shown me how much of a positive aspect running can be in one’s life. However, I have also witnessed how unhealthy training environments and an ignorance towards female specific health issues can leave female runners feeling neglected and unhappy. There were times in my life where I valued my performances more than my own happiness and each time I failed to live up to my own expectations and the expectations of those around me, I was left feeling worthless. This mindset was not one that I always had, but one that developed after I was exposed to a culture that at times values short-term performance over long-term well-being. In more recent years, I have distanced myself from the narrative that my self-worth is based on the times I am capable of running right now. This change in perspective happened gradually and is largely a result of help from my former teammates who showed me that the most important aspects of the sport lie outside of team championships and individual performances. I am writing this now in the hopes that this may help shift the perspectives of other young female runners who can relate to some of the experiences I describe herein. I hope that by shedding light on the issues female varsity runners face, the Canadian running community will feel compelled to do more to protect and support them.

The running careers of so many promising young female athletes should not have to end so abruptly, nor should these girls feel forced to sacrifice their health and happiness for fast times and team championships. Though many runners may not be willing to admit it, the culture in the sport is toxic at times, as training and winning take precedent over mental and physical well-being. Many varsity coaches preach a win at all costs mentality, in which athletes feel obligated to perform at their peak at all times, or risk being overlooked by their coach and replaced by someone faster. The alleged events that took place at the University of Guelph are an extreme example of how a coach’s win at all cost mentality threatens the mental and physical health of their athletes. The abusive behaviour of certain coaches often goes unnoticed because they are glorified and protected by systems and cultures that overlook personal wrongdoings in favour of institutional success. However, if certain issues within the sport are addressed, particularly those that pertain to the ethical treatment of female athletes, it is possible to improve the sport’s culture and build programs that promote the long-term development of athletes beyond their five years on a varsity team.

As it is with most sports, the majority of varsity cross country and track coaches are men. A lack of female representation amongst coaches means that female teams are not provided with the support system they need. Many varsity training programs are unconsciously biased towards the male experience as male coaches are more likely to be ignorant to the specific issues that female runners face. For example, most training plans are designed to be one-size fits all, meaning that both male and female athletes are prescribed similar workouts and are expected to develop at the same rate and peak at the same time. From an outside perspective this may seem like the right thing to do, as both male and female athletes are being treated equally. However, training programs should not strive towards equal treatment, rather, aim for equity. Coaches should give more attention to the physiological and hormonal differences between men and women and what this means for training, recovery, and nutrition.

It is not uncommon for female runners to lose their periods, which is a symptom of RED-S or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. RED-S is the result of a calorie deficit caused by overtraining and under-eating and can lead to injury, severe fatigue and burnout. Unfortunately, RED-S can very easily go unnoticed in female runners especially if coaches are not willing to have conversations with their female athletes about their periods. Both male and female athletes can suffer from RED-S; however, it most commonly occurs in female athletes. During my time in the sport I knew multiple female runners who did not have regular periods and yet, coaches did not openly discuss the associated risks with the team.

Eating disorders are also incredibly prevalent among female runners. Sadly, many feel as though they must conform to the “ideal” runner’s body type, one that is often unattainably thin, in order to run fast. Coaches can contribute to this unhealthy mindset even if they do not weigh their athletes or support the idea that lighter runners will run faster. Making off-handed comments or insensitive jokes about weight, failing to recognize early signs of eating disorders and allowing athletes that show these signs to compete are just some of the ways varsity coaches can contribute to a toxic attitude towards eating amongst their athletes. Though most varsity coaches in Canada do not consciously support ideas that lead to eating disorders, all coaches, both male and female, must educate themselves about the warning signs of eating disorders and promote a team atmosphere where their athletes feel comfortable discussing eating in a positive way.

Many runners, including myself, consider running to be a part of our identity, and we hope to continue running well beyond our varsity careers. It is heartbreaking that so many young female runners grow to resent the sport because of the damage it can do to their mental and physical health. Some of the great friends and teammates I have gained during my time in the sport have stepped away from competitive running because it was no longer a positive aspect of their lives. These girls are incredibly dedicated and talented athletes who felt they had no choice but to push themselves to their breaking points both mentally and physically. In some cases, they pushed through injuries and suffered from untreated eating disorders while competing. This is a direct result of the lack of support given to female runners and the win at all costs mentality that is fostered in varsity sport. I believe I gained more from spending time with these girls and learning from them than I ever will from training and competition. If the toxic culture of varsity running is to ever be erased, programs must recognize that the value of our sport extends far beyond championships and personal bests. The most valuable aspects of competitive running are intangible and lie in the mental and physical health benefits of running itself as well as the relationships that are formed between teammates and competitors.

Moving forward, varsity running teams must actively try to resist the toxic culture that has developed in our sport and provide more support to female runners. Coaches must have open conversations with their female athletes about the prevalence of eating disorders and emphasize the importance of proper nutrition. There should also be more female representation among coaching staff as no one understands the female experience in competitive running more than those who have been through it. Female athletes should never feel pressure to over train to the point of irreparable injury or to lose weight to fit an “ideal” body type. Coaches must instil a team atmosphere in which their athletes feel supported and valued as opposed to neglected and expendable. It is time that varsity programs acknowledge their insensitivities, re-evaluate their priorities, and raise awareness for the unique issues that female runners face.

Finally, perhaps most importantly, making the choice to leave the sport needs to be destigmatized. Many athletes continue to train and compete long after they have lost enjoyment in the sport, simply because they do not want to appear weak. Making the decision to leave varsity running for the sake of one’s mental and physical well-being should not be considered a weakness but rather, a strength. Choosing to give up something that no longer makes you happy demonstrates both courage and self-awareness and should be applauded, not stigmatized. The varsity running community needs to recognize that while competing and winning are important, there are many other aspects that bring value to our lives and these should no longer be sacrificed for the sake of short term success in the sport.

Winners of the iRun 2021 Golden Shoe Awards

Ben Kaplan

December 14, 2021

We asked iRun readers to vote on their favourite things of the year and no brand won more than Saucony.

With 63 out of 327 votes, Saucony is your iRun 2021 Brand of the Year.

Here is Reid Coolsaet’s review of the Endorphin Pro 2.

Third place: Brooks

There were other big awards in the 2021 iRun Golden Shoe Awards.

We also asked readers for their favourite winter shoe.

Receiving an unbelievable 60 votes is the Saucony Peregrine Ice.

Second place, with 20 votes, was the ASICS GTX.

Third place was the Nike Shield.

261 of 327 runners said that they bought their last pair of shoes at an independent running store.

BlackToe Running is your 2021 Best Canadian Shoe Retailer of the Year.

2021 was the year of virtual races. 260 of our respondents ran a virtual event—nearly 80%.

The top three virtual events of 2021, according to iRun Nation:

3. We Run the North

2. Canada Running Series 10K

1. The Boston Marathon (these Toronto-based athletes obviously ran the actual Boston Marathon; but the photograph still represents the joy of the event).

The 2021 Watch of the Year: Garmin

The 2021 App of the Year: Strava

We want to thank everyone who participated in the 2021 iRun Golden Shoe Awards. A few more take aways:

Hoka One One was the biggest mover of the year. Not on our list in 2020, Hoka scored 36 votes for Shoe of the Year—just three less than Nike.
COROS was also a big mover. Only 5 votes beneath Fitbit, COROS definitely is one to—pardon the pun—watch.

Happy holidays, everyone. Here’s to all of us finding new finish lines in the new year.

Run in Support of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side Women’s Centre

Ben Kaplan

December 8, 2021

This past weekend was the 6th annual Run to Give YVR! This run was started in 2015 by Kate Gustafson, who wanted to find a way to bring Vancouver’s active and engaged running community together in support of marginalized women. She recruited Neasa Coll and Sabine Martz to help her put it together, and Run to Give was born. Now, every year a group of women runners come together to organize the event. Over the years Kim Doerkson, Kristina Jenei and Alyssa Cantarutti joined the organizing committee, and to date they have been able to raise over $35,000 for the Downtown East Side Women’s Centre.

The DEWC is an amazing organization that exclusively serves women and their children. They provide many of the necessities to their clients, including hot meals, clothing, toiletries, a mailing address, internet access and secure toilets and showers. Most importantly, they are a safe and welcoming refuge from the street. Their meal program, which serves over 500 meals daily, is completely donor-funded and relies on the support of the community. The centre also assists women with immediate and crisis needs so that they can improve their health, family, employment and housing situations. They offer long term support, education and advocacy.

Every year, Vancouver’s running clubs come together and meet on a Sunday morning in December to run as a group in support of the incredible work the DEWC does. Runners are encouraged to donate what they can and everything is donated to the Centre. The event is untimed and the route is always the same almost-but-not-quite 8km on Vancouver’s seawall. Everyone from the speediest runners to toddlers and dogs are welcome.

In 2020, the event had to be paused due to restrictions on large gatherings, so when Run to Give restarted in 2021 the fundraising goal was increased. The DEWC has faced more of a need than ever, and we would like to be able to support them as much as possible. As of today, the donation tally is at $4,075—and our dream would be to get to $7,500. For the DEWC, $5 means they can give a woman a hot meal, safe space and a day’s access to support services.

If you would like to help support the DEWC, you can donate through the Run to Give YVR page, which will also generate a tax receipt for you. If you’re local to Vancouver, the Centre also has a mini wish list of things they need, and they always appreciate the gift of volunteer time.

We are so grateful to the Vancouver Running Community for coming together every year and being as enthusiastic, engaged and generous as they are!

Ottawa police officer, and runner, on how to stay safe on a run

Ben Kaplan

December 8, 2021

Michelle Baird, pictured above, racing, is a police officer and an ultramarathon runner and she read the iRun story on Amanda Richardson with shock. “That has to be a one in a million experience,” she said, about Richardson’s trip to the track with her girlfriends to celebrate her fortieth birthday and being struck, while on a run, in the face.

Reading the story, like a lot of runners and readers, Baird felt outrage. But she also has an important message, given her years in law enforcement, to share: “That’s not happening every day.”

It’s a message comforting to hear and, given the highly-charged atmosphere of our times, important to remember.

Running by and large is safe, Baird says, and she says there are easy tips for runners to follow while out on a run:

Wear bright clothing

Cross at crosswalks and stop lights

If you’re running alone, make sure someone knows where you’re going and how long you’re going for

Bring your phone If something spooks you, leave

In the wintertime, Baird stops running the trails near her home in Ottawa and instead hits the sidewalks and streets. “With the cold weather, our phones tend to die much sooner than they normally would, so it’s important to let someone know where you are,” Baird adds. She says the most important thing is to run where it’s lit. And, if heaven forbid, you do find yourself in a situation like Richardson, and you’re running with a group and it’s light and you have your phones, if you see a situation developing—even potentially—it’s better to be safe than sorry.

“If anything is making you feel uncomfortable, a gut feeling is enough to make you react,” says Baird, who recommends either running in a different direction if spotting something unusual or else just taking out your phone. “Sometimes, just the appearance of a phone can deter.”

The holidays can be a tough time for a lot of people, Baird adds, and she says that COVID has been hard on people. Remember compassion. Remember empathy. The majority of calls she receives in Ottawa are for mental health issues. “You never know,” she says, “Who’s suffering from what.”

This holiday, run with a group, run where it’s lit, and always bring your phone. Make sure someone knows where you are and when you’ll be back and, if the worst thing happens and you are attacked, try and take down whatever details you can and immediately call the police.

Those details might go towards the would-be assailant being captured before he or she can strike again.

Making Your Next Destination Race a Real Trip

Anna Lee Boschetto

December 7, 2021

Running a marathon is an accomplishment. When the marathon is a destination race, suddenly it becomes a vacation. For that matter, whatever distance you’re going making your next destination race a vacation gives you and your traveling cheer squad (aka friends and family) something to look forward to after you’ve crossed the finish line. Yes your training plan is your first focus, but your travel plans are just as important. Like those race goals, keep the plan simple, and you’re on the fast track to an easy, breezy post-race vacation. It really doesn’t take a lot of time and energy. In fact, the best destination race plans start (and finish) with choosing the right place to stay, which you’d need even if you weren’t planning on extending your stay.

Walk through the lobby doors at the Westdrift Manahattan Beach Autograph Collection and you’ll instantly feel a vacation vibe. Filled with natural light, the lobby’s muted finishes are offset by the vibrant larger-then-life artwork from local and regional artists. Visually, the space feels as rejuvenating as inhaling the Pacific Ocean breeze, a feeling of Califonia cool at its best. It’s a welcomed change of scenery for so many of us who have spent these past countless months looking at the exact same interiors of our homes. From the fitness area to the pool to the 9-hole golf course, the recently transformed Autograph Collection Hotel features a variety of amenities of interest to runners and wellness travelers. The hotel is more like a resort with a curated menu of in-room spa services and exclusive access to reservations with local recreation activities such as GoSurfing.

Since I’m arriving a couple of days before the Los Angeles Marathon, I’ve got an afternoon surf lesson on the day I arrive. This is probably not the best time to tackle a new sport, but I have always loved surf culture so I wasn’t turning down the opportunity to give it a try. Established in 2020, Go Surfing is a boutique surf experience company offering premium quality surf instruction to anyone with the desire to ride waves. My instructor John Stokke has been surfing for 24 years and he all but convinces me that I’ll be up on the board in no time. Looking out at the waves on Manhattan Beach, even with my wet suit on, I’m not easily convinced. Suddenly I’m thinking more about the marathon on Sunday and also wondering how my modest swimming skills will fare in these conditions. John tells me the tides are about five or six feet. As I watch each crest rise and fall, I’m now wondering if this is a good idea at all. Go Surf offers an inclusive,accessible surfing atmosphere. In short the instructors including Stokke believe that anyone can learn to surf, even in a single lesson. This is California and I’ve traveled here on my first trip in almost two years. I finally decide that I’m not leaving without at least learning the basics, first on the safety of the beach and then in the ocean. Stokke was right. With a whole lot of digging deep, eventually I did manage to get up on the board, and even ride a few waves. Needless to say, he also wasn’t wrong about the incredible feeling of the powerful nature of the waves beneath your board. There really is nothing comparable and I’m definitely looking forward to giving it another try when I return with my daughters.

Back at the Westdrift, I’m grateful for the relaxed comfort of my room including the balcony view of the golf course. After a couple of hours contending with the crashing Pacific waves, my room has a luxurious feeling with the right amount of California coolness. Each room has a spacious layout with an ecru interior colour pallet that provides the perfect backdrop to for the eclectic collection of artwork from Manhattan Beach’s surrounding artist community. It’s an atmosphere that already has me channeling vacation vibes even before my race.

Whether you’re racing, surfing, golfing or simply strolling along the beach, just about all of us could benefit from improving our flexibililty. At StretchLab Venice flexology practitioners will help you improve your flexibility, range of motion and energy. While massage therapy may be part of your regular routine, if you have ever wanted to have someone assist you in your stretching routine, then StrechLab is your place. You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit from this one-on-one assisted stretching. And the Venice Beach location is an airy communal space featuring an open-air entrance that offers a comfortable amount of breathing room between clients.

When you need to refuel after all the adventure, you’ll find there are pletny of options and local, sustainable cuisine is a big focus on restaurant menus. Healthy eating doesn’t mean cold pressed juices, smoothies, and salads. Even athletes crave indulgent meals, yet with the abundance of local food producers the best quality (and healthy) ingredients are readily available and many chefs are all the more inspired. With a welcoming neighbourhood vibe, Charcoal Venice features a seasonal menu that features local proteins and vegetables prominently. As its name indicates, chef and owner Josiah Citrin takes his culinary inspiration from backyard barbeques with each dish cooked over or in charcoal. From starters to desserts, each dish is served family-style making it a perfect spot for larger groups and families with diverse palates. Whether you’re diving into the grilled escarole with quince, persimmons, and pomegranate dressed in a charred scallion vinaigrette or a plate of the smoked pork ribs, deliver next-level flavour combinations. Plus, Charcoal’s house-made condiments including the smoked paprika mustard chimichurri or the red wine chipotle bbq sauce create an additional flavour dimension.

At Great White, a cafe in Venice Beach, seasonal organic produce features prominently on the menu. With breakfast served until 3pm, the Breakfast Burrito or Great White Breakie are satisfying options. No matter which you choose, you’ll need to order the banana bread served with honeycomb butter because it’s the right thing to do. Lunch lovers will enjoy the array of fresh salads which can be on the lighter side with fresh market greens or heartier with roasted beets and squash and in Califorina-style, share plates such as sustainably sourced fish tacos, mezcal con penne, and wood-fired-oven pizzas all pair well with a wine from one of the small, independent wine producers on the list.

From Manhattan to Venice to Santa Monica and more, California’s beach towns are epic. Wherever you’re staying along the coast, you’ll feel an instant sense of relaxation. This is the much needed atmosphere that begs you to stay for just a little while longer. After race day, or any day, this chill vibe is exactly why it’s a terrific destination for runners to plan an extended vacation. With travel restrictions changing almost daily, when you do have the opportunity to get away make the most of every moment. A vacation doesn’t have to mean a week-long getaway to Bali, though there’s a place for that too. As you mapping out your 2022 race schedule, adding in you destination races, making the most of your time post-event really is the perfect end, no matter what happens on race day.

Anna Lee Boschetto is a regular iRun contributor. An avid avid runner and traveler, she recently ran her 10th marathon in Los Angeles and enjoyed every moment.

Mother attacked running laps on her birthday. She finishes her workout and hosts Resilience Run.

Ben Kaplan

December 6, 2021

Amanda Richardson had big fortieth birthday plans: forty laps with her run crew near her home in Toronto on the track near her house to begin her day. However, her morning run was disrupted when a man approached, early in the morning onto the track, and smacked her in the face as she ran. The man retreated into nearby bushes before the police arrived and Richardson, wiping the blood from her nose, continued her laps to finish celebrating her birthday. Richardson spoke to iRun’s Ben Kaplan about her ordeal, and how she’s using her experience as a teachable moment.

iRun: What happened on the morning of your fortieth birthday?

Amanda Richardson: My husband took me down to the track to meet the girls. He stayed until it was light out and then left for five minutes to go get our boys. My group were all wearing bright lights and the track was busy—there were people walking their dogs, we were doing all the things.

iRun: And then what happened?

AR: We get to the track, it’s 6am. We begin running around the track in our bright colours and ticking off the laps. At around 7, halfway through, the sun started to come up and there’s this beautiful purple and pink sky, so my husband is going to leave to go get the kids, they were just up the street.

iRun: So he takes off and the group keeps running as the sun comes up over the track.

AR: And the group has sort of split up into smaller groups, and the faster girls in the front noticed a guy sort of coming towards the track. We assumed, from a distance, he was a runner coming to join us. All throughout the morning people came and went. So when they saw this other person, we figured he was coming to say hello.

iRun: Which clearly he wasn’t.

AR: He wasn’t. This person came and stood on the track and from a distance, he seemed to be dressed like everyone else: a hat, jacket. Well, from 100-metres I saw this person in the middle of the track and as I got closer, I was trying to make out who it was. I got close, within a few feet, and realized I couldn’t quite tell who he was and then he just moved towards us and opened hand straight armed hit me straight across the face.

iRun: Oh my God, a runner’s worst nightmare.

AR: He was mumbling and literally swiped me with an open hand and hit me straight across the face. He didn’t say anything specific or anything that made any sense. He wasn’t loud or aggressive and then as quickly as he was there and put his hand on my face, I turned away and the girls all faced me to see if I was OK. He went off in the bushes and the girls all called the police.

iRun: He ran away?

AR: He just went off into the bushes. A girl took off in his direction to see where he went and we looked north and south, but he just disappeared back into nowhere.

iRun: Were you OK?

AR: He slapped me across the face to the point that it stopped me and turned my head. I don’t think I’ve ever been hit in the face before and I knew that my nose was bleeding, and my face was hot and tingling. But the main feeling was that I was so mad. How could this person come into my space and think he can stop me doing what I was doing?

iRun: It’s scary.

AR: I had a bleeding nose, but my teeth were all there and I didn’t want to stop. I wasn’t going to go to the hospital and I was in shock but I wanted completion. I walked the rest of that lap, maybe 100 metres, and then picked back up my run. I had no intention whatsoever of not finishing.

iRun: I just find that extraordinary. So many times runners find excuses to quit and you had a bonafide excuse and defied circumstances out of your control.

AR: It made me incensed. Like, no way I’m stopping. I’ll finish this 100% despite you doing that to me. I’ll finish so any runner, any person anywhere, knows that if they want to do something in a public space that’s normal and positive and acceptable behavior, will not be stopped by someone else. No way.

iRun: Do we know anything about who this guy was?

AR: It seems like someone mentally unwell. It wasn’t a robbery and he didn’t seem under the influence. He didn’t seem to be uneasy on his feet or malicious in the sense that he was there to hurt me. He just took one swipe and then walked away back into his own world. It didn’t seem motivated by anything except what was happening in his head.

iRun: It could have been so much worse.

AR: The truth is that he’s in a much worse spot than I am.

iRun: A fortieth birthday you clearly won’t soon forget.

AR: None of us will forget it. I had all these women come down to the track, in the cold and the dark, and one of my girlfriends brought 40 balloons to tie around my waist, and it was just a great way to start the day. I’m glad no one else got hurt.

iRun: Tell me about how you picked back up your run.

AR: I was going to finish the run because, for me, it was about the support, love and friendship of the community of people I surround myself with, my running community. And it was a testament to courage and feeling tired and sick of feeling targeted, as a woman, and I just started running again and it brought front and centre about all the bullshit we have to go through that needs to be changed.

iRun: Are there takeaways from your ordeal that you can share?

AR: Be careful. Take other people with you. Run where its light and there’s other people. But don’t be afraid. Be smart. But not scared.

iRun: And that’s what went through your mind as you began taking down those last 20 laps?

AR: I was processing it. My teeth were still there. My nose wasn’t broken. I was just going to keep running. How dare this person do this to me, no way.

iRun: Where do you go from here?

AR: Our running group is called ChixRunthe6ix and it’s open to everybody and this Sunday at 6pm we’re hosting a Take Back the Track friendship run for our whole community. People can log on virtually or come join us at Riverdale Park East, which is where all of this began.

iRun: Good for you. Reframe a negative experience as an experience to be empowered.

AR: Our running community started with a group of friends during the pandemic, just to make running accessible to all women. And now we’re all about 100% reenforcing that women can and should run, and we’re reaching out to everyone, everywhere, and telling them: run with us, join in, do something for yourself and others, let’s all be part of positive change.

iRun: A great story with a great ending, thanks so much for your time.

AR: I’m fine, but maybe the next person won’t be. And we have to say, ‘No, this is bullshit.’ We all need to be part of the story. We all need to run for change.

To learn more about #TakeBacktheTrack, please follow @chixrunthe6ix on Instagram.

Reid Coolsaet reviews the New Balance Fresh Foam 860v12

Ben Kaplan

December 1, 2021

It would be hard for me to say anything negative about a brand who supported me for 12 years so I’m glad the New Balance 860 v12 is a really good shoe. Otherwise, I would have simply not written this review.

The 860 is an everyday stability training shoe that will serve you well in terms of cushion and protection. The layer of Fresh Foam makes the shoe feel very comfortable and the more responsive midsole provides protection. The outsole is grippy, works fine on regular trails and offers good protection as it covers the whole sole except for the necessary flex grooves.

Medial posting in the 860 prevents runners from over-pronating and if you don’t pronate much you probably won’t even notice the posting. As with almost every shoe these days the upper is comfortable and fits well. I prefer a gusseted tongue and although this tongue is not attached at the side, it never got out of place by sliding down the outside of my foot.

This is not a shoe I would do any sort of speed with, it’s just a little too heavy and bulky. It performs as it’s intended for your regular everyday runs and doesn’t pretend to be good at anything else.

You’ll be able to get a lot of kilometres out of this shoe. It’s built to last. The NB Fresh Foam 860 v 12 is your no-nonsense shoe that you’ll love and use more than any other shoe.

1...373839...335 Page 38 of 335