On this edition of iRun Radio:
We’ll talk to Ottawa marathoner and triathlete Dave McClintock, who recovered from a heart ailment to run his 50th marathon. We’ll also speak to Robyn Decesare, a runner who completed her first marathon in 1990, and has kept going ever since. Plus, one runner explains why he is aiming to complete 100 marathons out of pure enjoyment.
Sasha Golish on Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, one of the most remarkable Canadian runners of all time.
Once upon a time, I met this youngster who started to show some talent. This is not your usual story of a runner shining in their elementary school years, this was a phoenix rising from the ashes sometime in the early days of high school. Little did I know that I would one day race and train alongside her, come to call her a friend, but also look up to this young woman as inspiration.
Don’t know who I am talking about yet? I’m talking about Gabriela DeBues-Stafford.
She grew up with humble beginnings, attending the Toronto French School and running with her local club, The University of Toronto Track and Field Club Junior Development Program. Graduating high school and attending the University of Toronto. After her successful reign in the USports (formerly Canadian Inter-university Sports [CIS]) system), she continued blossoming, and now is running with one of the most prestigious training groups in the world, and coached by Andy Young.
All along the way there was a steady progression. Don’t get me wrong there were some dips and down moments, but DeBues-Stafford’s resilience and resolve are why she is the champion she is today.
Her 2019 season is one that young athletes dream of having. From opening up 2019 breaking the Canadian record in the 5000m with a 14:57. She went on to set a total of eight records, which will be held in the books as six, since she broke her own 1500m record twice. From Diamond League podiums to 6th at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar this remarkable young woman is making herself a household name, not just in running fan homes.
What can we all take away from DeBues-Stafford’s story:
If you want to be really good at something you have to wholeheartedly commit. It is not just about moving on to the next endeavour but diving into whatever you are doing with no second guesses.
Improvement comes from surrounding yourself with the best. DeBues- Stafford looked to Laura Muir and Gemma Reekie and saw that she could get better by joining the likes of these amazing women. Having a coach who believes in you and those you are training with is also essential.
Surround yourself with love. A quick scroll through DeBues-Stafford’s Instagram and you’ll see pictures of her husband, her sister, and all the other people that are important to her. Running is one thing, but the bonds of love are what help us rise up.
DeBues-Stafford’s story shows us that fairy tales do come true. Mix together hard work, dedication, resilience, and an internal belly fire that makes you want to be the best in the world. These values, and this story, this is what we need to show the next generation.
Packed with noodles, this popular Japanese soup makes a comforting lunch. The soft boiled egg on top adds a wonderful richness
INGREDIENTS
4 cups (1 L) chicken broth
2 tbsp (30 mL) miso
1 tbsp (15 mL) soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 mL) rice wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh gingerroot, minced
1 carrot, shredded or cut into matchsticks
1/4 lb (0.2 kg)shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced
2 packages instant ramen noodles (each 85 g)
4 soft boiled eggs, peeled and halved
2 green onions, thinly sliced diagonally
1 sheet nori, toasted and torn
DIRECTIONS
ONE: In saucepan, bring broth to boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Add mi-so, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic and ginger; simmer until fragrant, approximately 10 minutes.
TWO: Return to boil; cook carrot and mushrooms until tender, approximately 2 or 3 minutes.
THREE: Meanwhile, in separate saucepan of boiling water, cook ramen noodles until tender, approximately 1 or 2 minutes (reserve spice packets for another use). Drain and transfer to 4 large soup bowls.
FOUR: Ladle broth over noodles. Divide carrot and mushrooms among bowls. Top each serving with soft boiled egg; garnish with green onions and nori.
Returning to running after a successful 20 year hockey career allowed me to pursue and live a dream of which I was initially unaware. My husband and I desired a family after establishing our professional careers. I then thought it would be fun to run a marathon, a simple bucket list item. Immediately I got the itch for more. Chipping away at faster times and having babies became my style. I wasn’t until 2009 that I realized where this sport could lead me. The next ten years would take me further than I ever could have imagined.
2009: Mississauga Marathon
My last marathon before having our first child was the 2005 Boston Marathon where I ran a nine minute personal best of 3:00:46. When asked if I was disappointed about just missing the 3 hour mark, I hadn’t really thought about it; I somehow knew that it would happen. Four years later after the birth of our second son, I entered the 2009 Mississauga Marathon on Mother’s Day and won it with another nine minute personal best of 2:51:38. It was at this race that I was given the title, “Marathon Mom,” and took my husband’s advice of seeking a coach to take it to the next level.
2010: Ottawa Marathon
Fittingly, my first sponsorship came in the form of a Thule Chariot double running stroller, which I would use to log hundreds of kilometres with our children over the coming years. Pushing that much weight up countless hills was key to my success at several hilly Around the Bay 30 km races. Under the tutelage of Coach Nicole Stevenson, I lowered my time by twelve minutes when I won my first national championship in 2:39:07 at the Ottawa Marathon. I was also thrilled to represent Eload Sport Nutrition and Saucony with their sponsorship support when competing at this event.
2011: Year off for life.
When being interviewed after my national title, which was my fourth marathon in 13 months, I mentioned that I was hoping to take another baby break before getting back at it again. I specifically remember saying that I felt like I was just getting started. Our daughter was born 10 months later. There was no 2011 marathon.
2012: Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
After winning the Around the Bay road race at a pace that could earn me the Olympic standard, Coach Rick Mannen and I decided it was worth it to travel to Rotterdam to give it a shot. I had just finished breastfeeding our 13 month old before making my first trip to Europe. It was there that I met Lanni Marchant with whom I roomed and made our mark on the international stage, just missing the standard by two minutes. My 7 minute personal best of 2:32:06 that spring was followed by another 2:32:14 at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) later that fall. This was the first time since my first marathon (3:28:08), ten years prior, that I did not run a personal best. But I was pleased with my gains and still hungry to chip away for more.
2013: Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
After a disappointing DNF (my one and only Did Not Finish, ever, in any race distance) due to heat exhaustion at an extremely hot IAAF World Championships in Moscow, I returned with Lanni Marchant to the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon for redemption. We both had the same goal of beating Silvia Ruegger’s 28 year old record. While Lanni succeeded, crossing the tape 32 seconds ahead of me, I became the second fastest Canadian, a title that didn’t quite have the same ring to it. Walking to the awards ceremony with Silvia afterwards was one of the most meaningful memories of my entire life when she responded to my disappointment with her incredible words of wisdom, “It takes more grace than I can tell to play the second fiddle well.” I immediately asked her to repeat it because I knew its significance would be a defining moment in my career. It certainly was.
2014: Montreal Half Marathon
While aiming to defend my Canadian title at the Montreal Half Marathon I ended up hobbling to a third place finish due to an undiagnosed stress fracture that grew to a full fracture during the race. It required emergency surgery for the placement of a plate, 1 large and 2 small screws. While in the hospital recovering, I was already setting goals. The day after surgery, I told myself I would get that Olympic standard in two years. Two days after the surgery, I changed it to one year. I was unable to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Scotland that summer.
2015: Rotterdam Marathon
Exactly 11.5 months after fracturing my femur I returned to the Rotterdam Marathon with the same goal as before – to get that Olympic standard. With a third place finish and time of 2:29:38 I became the first Canadian woman in 20 years to get the qualifying time for the Olympic Games. Later that fall I would have to withdraw from entering the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon due to a stress fracture in my foot.
2016: The Olympic Games
I was fit, healthy and prepared for the heat that would be expected at the Olympic Games. Going into the race I was ranked 50th but worked my way up to a 35th spot with my 2:35:29. I ran into the arms of my loved ones, into a sea of red t-shirts with my favourite quote by Eric Lidell, “I believe God made me for a purpose but he also made me fast and when I run I feel his pleasure”. I could call myself an “Olympian”! To this day, it remains my absolute favourite moment of my career. Lanni and I represented Canada with Eric Gillis and Reid Coolsaet. Two months later I took advantage of my fitness and heat training, securing another national title at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon with a 2:33:59.
2017: London Marathon
For my 40th birthday, my husband and kids sent me with their blessing to train for a month at altitude in Iten, Kenya. It had been a difficult bucket list item to check off the list with young children. Now training under Dave Scott-Thomas, I was excited to take it to yet another level. While 2017 didn’t produce the marathon results I wanted with my stomach problems at the London Marathon and another withdrawal from entering the STWM due to a stress fracture in my other foot, I will forever be grateful for the cultural experience, friendships, and deep gains I made in Kenya. While at altitude I completed two weeks of 190 km, giving me the confidence to know I had more.
2018: Boston Marathon
I returned to the Boston Marathon after 13 years, thinking it would be an honour to compete in the elite division, and hoping to place top 3 masters and top 15 overall. I far surpassed those goals with a surprise 3rd place overall finish and masters win due to some weather deemed favourable by those of us living north of the border. It was definitely the most fruitful day of my running career, allowing my family to upgrade our van and invest more into our children’s RESPs. Later that fall I returned to my favourite STWM, placing third at the National Championships with a 2:36:46.
2019: Ottawa Marathon
After a disappointing performance at a warm and humid Boston Marathon I took a short break before resuming training to give myself a second chance at my spring marathon. I sat in the sauna and completed several runs on a treadmill in a room with space heaters and kettles in order to be prepared for similar conditions in Ottawa the next month. Finishing just behind Dayna Pidhoresky with a time of 2:38:45 had me satisfied and pleased that I was still in the game. After a thorough recovery, I got back to the track for speed and to the road for mileage in order to be at my best for the Berlin Marathon. The day would have to be absolutely perfect for me to run the required 2:29:30 for the Tokyo Olympic Games. I ran another 2:32:27 and placed 12th overall, which was three minutes off the time standard and two places off the top 10 at a world major marathon that would also give me the Olympic standard.
My top 10 marathon times between 2009 and 2019 averages 2:33:54.
My top 5 marathon times between 2009 and 2019 averages 2:30:59.
Likely in another ten years our oldest child will have graduated while our second will be in the midst of completing his post-secondary program. And our baby will be an adult at 18 years of age. I can only hope that my legs, lungs, heart, mind and soul will still be out on the roads and trails, in every winter, spring, summer and fall, absorbing every kilometre I can. Maybe our own children will be chipping away at something they don’t know is bigger than their biggest dreams. And I will be their number one fan, waiting to embrace them with the same tears of joy and elation they shared with me.
Entering 2020 will bring some changes and also my 20th marathon where I will be giving it my best to qualify for another summer Olympic Games. It’s been an incredible decade. Thank you.
The 2019 iRunner of the Year is Dayna Pidhoresky
The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon website tells us, “This is our city, but it’s your moment. A moment months in the making. A moment shared with 25,000 others on the same path of self-discovery.” While Dayna Pidhoresky, native to Tecumseh, ON, now claims Vancouver, BC as her stomping grounds, it was most certainly her moment when she was the first Canadian woman to cross the line with a seven-minute personal best time of 2:29:03 at the October 20, 2019 event. Her moment guaranteed her selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Team.
It was Dayna Pidhoresky’s moment after well over 100 months in the making. When asked in her post-race interview what made the difference for her breakthrough performance, she simply said, “I don’t know. Honestly, I feel like I’ve had that in me for years and it just came together at the right time.” After running 1:11:46 at the Niagara Falls International Half Marathon in 2011, it’s doubtful that Dayna thought it would be another eight years for her marathon breakthrough. She had been on the verge for so long.
It was Dayna Pidhoresky’s moment shared with thousands of others, most significantly her husband/coach, Josh Seifarth, who embraced her at the finish line after years of what she would say was him “reminding me to stay patient.” Her dad and elementary school teacher, Mrs. Hayes, who were instrumental in igniting her joy for running with a strong work ethic, were also part of sharing Dayna’s special moment.
It was Dayna Pidhoresky’s moment of self-discovery as she explained after her victory how she’d arrived at her breakthrough. “We didn’t do anything special,” she said. “I actually had probably the rockiest build I’ve ever had.” This is what makes her so relatable, and our sport so exciting. You never know what can happen, and that’s why we keep showing up on that starting line.
“Going through this rough build,” she said, “I’ve never really explained this before, but I really just had to rely on God because…it’s fine, I’m not enough, but with Him, I can be enough.” When asked how she approached her event, she said: “Just believe that anything can happen.”
There were no clear indications that Pidhoresky would be the fastest Canadian female marathoner of the year. Many—although not many of her friends who’d raced against her, including myself and Olympians like Natasha Wodak and Lanni Marchant—thought perhaps the University of Windsor Honours Biology and Psychology graduate was more suited for the half marathon and 30K events than the marathon. She’d run an impressive 13 sub-1:15 half marathon performances and she’s a four-time Around the Bay 30K winner over the last 10 years. Clearly, Pidhoresky had talent. However, her marathon record did not reflect her hard work. She had more DNF’s (Did Not Finish), DNS’s (Did Not Start) and disappointments than she had successful marathons.
Here’s a brief list of her marathon finishes:
Dayna Pidhoresky nearly considered giving up. She thought about not continuing to pursue her dream of making an Olympic team after her most recent disappointing marathon performance earlier this year. There’s only so many marathons someone can run. And Pidhoresky is 33 years old. That’s not old, but it is two years older than Canadian record holder Rachel Cliff. Every runner knows that years of heartache can easily nurture negative self–talk, which requires tremendous mental fortitude to overcome. I’ve had several heartfelt moments while competing with Dayna over the years. I specifically remember her saying after Ottawa this May that she thought she should maybe get a real job, that it was maybe time to move on. I didn’t really know what to say. We all have to be realistic, and yet, chasing dreams is what all athletes do.
I remember seeing her barely cross the finish line—after leading much of STWM, 2016—due to a painful sacral stress fracture that would take weeks to heal. I also remember talking openly with Dayna, while riding the bus for one of the Canada Running Series races several years ago, as she was slowly climbing her way back to fitness after yet another injury. None of this was easy, but nothing we treasure ever is.
For the last few years, Dayna has expressed joy and happiness with running on her blog and in various social media posts, but has also exposed her honest and raw emotions as she struggled, mentally and physically, to stay on the gruelling path toward a goal she sometimes thought she may never attain. All of us have been there. This year, Pidhoresky crossed the finish line at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon as the first Canadian woman. She earned her berth to the 2020 Olympic Games.
“Crossing that line was both invigorating and validating,” Pidhoresky says. “It was the pat on the back that I needed to continue chasing my dreams, and Toronto’s win was certainly a dream come true—but I have bigger goals I want to achieve in the future and that fire is now reignited. Now, onwards.”
Thank you, Dayna, for inspiring a nation with your epic performance when it mattered most, for not quitting, for believing in yourself even when the chips were down, and for showing all of us how to believe in our dreams. It was truly an incredible moment for you and your team, as well as thousands of others aiming to create their own moment some day. You have taught us to continue to follow a passion despite the many hardships and setbacks that we all go through. You continued to grow through your difficulties, which fueled your determination, and you turned a negative emotion into a positive action and stunned the world. But deep down I think you didn’t surprise yourself. You always knew you had it in you, and you were right. We will remain behind you, my friend, following your progress and cheering for you when you proudly run another 42.2 kilometres. Dayna Pidhoresky, your 2019 iRunner of the Year—well deserved.
As we head into 2020, Mark talks with three Canadian elite runners all about the Olympics. First, Trevor Hofbauer shares his journey that earned him a trip to the Olympics. Then, the cover star of this month’s iRun, Dayna Pidhoresky talks about the experience of making the Olympics and the opportunities that surround it. Plus, Reid Coolsaet on his quest to get back to the Olympics.
Friends, happy holidays and best wishes. Enclosed please enjoy our new issue, our Best of Running guide to the people, places and things we love most in our sport. As ever, we thank you: our readers, we try and feature your voices as often as possible and we want you to love this magazine, we make it for you. What to wear, where to race, who to cheer for and your own stories are all enclosed: here’s to new personal bests in 2020, both in and out of our running shoes. Dayna, we’re all rooting for you in Tokyo!
You may have seen this headline before: Rachel Cliff breaks Canadian record in Japan.
Only this time it was in the half-marathon.
This past weekend, at the Sanyo Ladies’ Half-Marathon in Okayama, Japan, Cliff broke her own Canadian half-marathon record lowering the mark by two seconds. Thanks to a 1:10:06 clocking, she was able to improve her previous record set in 2018 at the Woodlands Half-Marathon in Texas.
The 31-year-old earlier in 2019 broke the Canadian women’s marathon record in Japan. On that occasion, at the Nagoya Women’s Marathon, Cliff, in only her second marathon, ran 2:26:56. She’s the only Canadian woman to have broken 2:28 in the marathon as Lanni Marchant previously held the mark at 2:28:00.
Cliff was among the lead pack at the Dec. 15 Sanyo Ladies Half-Marathon until around the 15km mark when the U.K.’s Charlotte Purdue pulled away. The Brit ultimately won the event clocking 1:08:45.
Currently, Cliff runs for On, a Swiss company that is increasingly making splashes in the sport.
Japan is increasingly becoming a hotspot for Canadians racing overseas, especially for women as the country hosts many women’s-only events that attract the best runners from around the world. Case in point: Cliff was 15th during her Canadian marathon record run. In Sanyo, Japan, this past weekend, Cliff was sixth. In total, Cliff raced three times in Japan in 2019.
Cliff has seen instant success at the longer road racing distances in recent years. In 2018, she debuted in the marathon running 2:28:58 in Berlin. Still, she splits her time between the roads and the track. This past summer, she represented Canada at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar. Earlier this year, she won a bronze medal at the Pan American Championships in Lima, Peru.
Next summer, Cliff will vie for a spot on Canada’s Olympic team in what would be her first trip to the Summer Games. Her husband, Chris Winter, represented Canada in the steeplechase at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
This Christmas, prove to the runner in your life that you know the latest and greatest trends. Like these AirPods Pro from Apple, about the coolest new tech toy on earth
Wired headphones are the enemy of the runner. The earbuds never stay locked in. And so, I approached the first AirPods with cynicism—after all, the only thing worse than a pair of headphones that pop out of your ears would be the same pair unshackled to their wires.
But the first iteration of AirPods were a revelation. Throughout the (literally) thousands of kilometres I’ve run in my first pair, they never once fell out. They were also surprisingly resilient. I got caught in a few rainstorms, and ran through one very cold Canadian winter with them, and they survived it all. I even washed a single bud, and it somehow survived the spin cycle.
I’ve tested the second iteration of the AirPods as well, and they feature a few subtle upgrades, including the wireless charging case. But AirPods Pro are a different animal altogether—a beast seemingly specifically made for runners.
Noise cancellation that’s safe for runners At times, I found myself having to crank the original AirPods in order to tune out ambient city noise, particularly when listening to podcasts. Apple’s engineers came up with a clever fix: a sealed silicone fitted tip and “adaptive EQ,” which modulates playback based on the ambient noise around you, creating a fairly immersive experience. But if you don’t feel safe running while completely locked into your own little world, the new
“transparency mode” actually pipes in background noise selectively so, you know, you can hear that car about to roll through the stop sign as you cross the street.
Surprisingly long-lasting I was always impressed by the previous iteration’s ability to accompany me for my entire long run without draining the battery completely. The Pro version comes packed with a two-cell battery at 1.98 WH capacity, which is a good jump from the regular AirPod case, but because the AirPods Pro are more power hungry, the battery life rating is about the same. Like the previous model, you can expect about 4.5-5 hours of listening time after a full charge. An added bonus for runners is that the case is easy to stow away, meaning you can pop them back in for a charge if, say, you’re running an ultra.
The new W1 Bluetooth chip also seems to be highly efficient while being extremely powerful, maintaining a constant and flawless connection—a nice improvement from the first iteration.
There’s a button! Touch screens can be the bane of a runner’s existence. One astonishingly simple yet brilliant addition to the AirPods Pro is the little “force sensor” button on each bud. It allows you to control a variety of functions, including toggling between full noise cancellation and the transparency mode. It also controls all the major music playback features.
They just work The earbuds have a tiny sensor that detects when they are in or out of your ear (automatically stopping playback, which is a nice touch), and pairing to an iPhone is dead simple. This is why the original AirPods have become so ubiquitous: they work. AirPods Pro are that next, mature step—adding every key feature a runner could hope for and improving upon one of the truly essential pieces of tech.
26 Marathons: What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career by Meb Keflezighi – $33.99 One of the most consistent marathoners of our time retired in 2017 after running his 26th marathon — one for every mile of the race. In this book, American Meb Kelfezighi, the first person in history to win Boston, New York City and an Olympic marathon medal, chronicles what he learned throughout the course of his professional marathon career. Included is an inside look into his life, family, identity and faith as well as his tips about running, training and nutrition.
Darn Tough Vertex 1/4 Ultra-Light socks – $24 Darn Tough is a strong candidate to be the longest-lasting and most durable socks on the market. The ¼ Ultra-Light socks are the perfect length — though Darn Tough also has low-cut, and high-cut options — to cover the exposed area of your ankles below your long tights. Best of all, these socks are tough enough for winters and because of its mix of merino wool, nylon and lycra, they’re cool enough to wear in the summer too.
TriggerPoint GRID Ball – $30 Gift your loved one a year of injury-free running with a TriggerPoint GRID Ball, a compact and portable massage tool. Target specific muscle groups with the precision of a ball, plus access harder to reach areas for therapy like your arch if you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis. Typically, a lacrosse ball or tennis ball does the trick, but if you’re looking for something in the middle in terms of stiffness, the GRID Ball has a softer outer layer mixed with a hard plastic core.
Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. by Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky – $32.50 For the food lovers out there, Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. is your quick-fix for healthy and simple recipes made by runners, for runners. Olympic medallist and New York City Champion Shalane Flanagan and chef Elyse Kopecky offer a whole new lineup of recipes in the successor to Run Fast. Eat Slow. This cookbook bible for runners is great for recipes for pre-run, post-run, and on-the-go.
Level Terrain FlipBelt – $38 (medium) Essentially doubles, or triples, your carrying capacity. They come in reflective colours for nighttime running, and alternatively, the material is soft enough to hide under your clothing without chafing concerns. Also: because there is no buckle, FlipBelts come in various sizes and are above-the-head.
Under Armour ColdGear Reactor Performance Vest – $160 One of the more underrated, but versatile, pieces of apparel in a runner’s wardrobe is a vest. Vests are warm enough to keep your core warm, but breathable and versatile enough where you can wear a simple long-sleeve underneath. Or, on those really cold days, vests can easily slip overtop or underneath your standard running jacket for extra warmth. The Under Armour ColdReactor Performance Vest is water-repellent, insulated, and offers a snug fit for windier days.
COROS APEX Premium Multisport GPS Watch – $459.99 (42mm) Does the runner in your life always complain about having a GPS watch on the verge of battery death? COROS makes GPS watches with a staggering 100 hours of battery life on a single charge (and proves you know more about running watches than just Garmin). The COROS APEX Premium features a wrist-based heart monitor, bread crumb mode (for navigation), built-in barometer, altimeter, and compass and a fully customizable home screen to choose between your preferred tracking metrics.
Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% – $330 Although you won’t be able to gift an actual personal best, the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% is the next best thing. Worn by world-class runners across the globe, the NEXT% is considered the fastest racing flat on the market. In fact, a recent The New York Times study of the NEXT% found that those who wear them when racing clock times 4-5% faster than those with average shoes. Fortunately, the NEXT% is more accessible – albeit at a steep price – than its predecessor, so you can find it online or at your local running store like BlackToe Running.
Ciele FST Beanie – $55 From the makers of the highly-popular running caps comes the winter version of headgear. Designed and manufactured in Canada, the Ciele FST Beanie offers full coverage for colder days, and wicks away sweat so you avoid the chills. The one-size product is reflective, machine-washable and offers a lifetime
Tuff Mutt Dog Leash – $85 Here’s a gift that will benefit both the person you’re gifting it to, as well as to their number one training partner. For runners with canines, the Tuff Muff dog leash is a hands-free bungee with up to 4-feet in slack to ensure the dog has enough room to run without heels being stepped on. Backed by a lifetime guarantee, this is a gift that will keep on giving for years to come.
Energy Bra High Neck by Lululemon – $64 Built with training in-mind, the Energy Bra High Neck features four-way stretch, high-coverage, sweat-wicking materials and breathability. This particular model also offers high-neck coverage in the front with an open back. Plus, Lululemon also offers express shipping for orders as late as Dec. 22 to arrive by Christmas — perfect for the last-minute gifts if you’re in panic-mode.
The Dutch sure know how to host a race. Taking place in late September, thousands of runners get together for Dam tot Damloop, an 8K night race on the Saturday followed by a 16K full-day event on the Sunday. Whether running, cheering, or simply looking for a party, the weekend has a little something for everyone.
We’d only traveled to Amsterdam with plans of running the Sunday race and hadn’t originally signed up for it but couldn’t resist, people raved about Damloop by Night, a 5EM (8K) night race in the heart of Zaandam. All of which brings us to the Saturday night before the main race, we board a train from Amsterdam Central to Zaandam. We have no idea where we are, as we get closer, the crowd gets thicker and thicker, hundreds of runners decked out in neon everything, glow sticks, and holiday lights.I suddenly feel slightly naked sporting my one head lamp.
The sun quickly sets, but the night lights up. We wait in our corral for the race to begin and are surrounded by music being blasted and dancers leading choregraphed warm-ups featuring light sabres across multiple podiums.It’s a full-on dance party warm-up. I’ve never seen anything like it, and although there’s a short second where I contemplate abandoning the run to spend the night dancing, there’s no time to waste. We are off! The 8K route twists and winds, taking us along the stunning waterfront, through tiny neighbourhood streets, and bar-heavy areas. Everyone is cheering, music is blaring, and I even get the satisfaction of dancing along with some others along the route. We could be running in circles for all we know, but we don’t mind – the energy is unbelievable. Even after the race ends, the party continues well into the night at Dam to Dam Park, but we can’t stay. We have to start our trek back to Amsterdam to rest up before the actual race we signed up for, and the next morning is approaching fast.
I can’t find my usual pre-race breakfast anywhere and must settle for a croissant and Stroopwaffle – a Dutch delicacy consisting of honey squeezed between two mini waffles. Tasty, but not your usual pre-hard effort breakfast. We make our way over to the blue corral that has a scheduled start of 11:45 AM. Along the way, we get to watch elites crossing the finish line and soon enough, skies clear-up and temperatures quickly rise. It’s bound to be beautiful day. This time the start line is right at Amsterdam Central with the finish located in Zaandam, 10 EM (16K) away.
With an anticipated 50,000 runners taking part, the starts are staggered between 10:19 AM and 2:55 PM, meaning the city pretty much shuts down for this race. The Dutch don’t mind, this is by far the biggest running event held annually in Holland. Before long, the gun goes off and runners eagerly get moving. It’s a crowded race – the first hundred metres we spend weaving through runners trying to reach our desired race pace. Soon enough, the road turns into a tunnel where the bang of bass drums creates a resonating vibration through the entire tunnel and my body – it’s unreal. The tunnel goes on for 2K, emerging into the now 25-degree heat waiting for us on the other side. The route takes us through open fields, parks, canal ways, waterfronts, and some of the same neighbourhoods as the night prior. There’s less neon in the light of day, but the positivity from the previous night is still obvious.
Race organizers have anticipated the heat and have set multiple water, fruit, and sponge stations, though it’s impossible to go 2K without feeling refreshed thanks to a bounty of homes who have set up sprinklers and hoses that spray onto the street. The energy from Saturday night is alive once again – cheering, dancing, and music continues throughout the entire course. 16K rolls by until we make the turn onto Zaandam’s main shopping street for a final uphill. The uphill quickly turns into an enjoyable downhill and we’re cheered on by hundreds of spectators pushing us to emit the last bit of energy left into the final 500m. Crossing the finish line, we are immediately rewarded with a sports drink and sparkling new medal to add to our international collection.
I hesitated before choosing to run Dam tot Damloop – was the travel to Amsterdam for a 10-mile race worth it? It really was. The race is one of Holland’s largest events – it was incredibly organized, animated, and scenic and the energy was simple like nothing I had experienced before. Despite the 50,000 runners, majority came from Western Europe which has us immersed in the local culture – something I actively look for while traveling abroad.
Dam tot Damloop should be added to anyone’s list. With it taking place in late September, it’s the perfect opportunity for a unique tune-up run for upcoming fall races.
Cindy Gallant is a runner living in Toronto. She is a member of High Park Rouge Runners and ASICS Runners.
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