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Damien

Jun 14 2018
0

10 tips for a successful road race

By | Toronto Waterfront 10K | No Comments

With all of the training and planning for your upcoming race, it’s easy to miss some of the small details along the way. Here are a few tips to ensure you’re prepared for a successful race day!

1. Run or bike the course.
Checking out the course beforehand will help you mentally prepare for race day. You’ll know what to expect and where the hills are.

2. Nothing new on race day!
This includes fuel! Have a familiar breakfast on race day, something you’ve had during your training that sits well in your stomach. It’s also a good idea to try out the fuel that will be available on course during the race.

3. Train at the time of the race.
As much as possible, complete your long training runs around the same time as the race will be, particularly if you aren’t a morning runner. Your muscles and your mind will be better prepared on race day.

4. Hydrate properly!
Having a set hydration plan will set you up for success. This includes pre-race hydration (including how much you drink the day before your race), as well as which aid stations you’ll stop by to re-hydrate with Nuun. Remember to plan for recovery hydration as well!

5. Have multiple goals.
Your “b” goal should be slower than your “a” goal, and your “c” goal should be to have fun! Having multiple goals means you still have a target to keep you going, no matter how you’re feeling during the race.

6. Then tell someone!
If you need help holding yourself accountable, tell your goals to a friend. Saying them out loud makes them real, and you’ll also have a friend that will check in with you to help keep you on track.

7. Wear extra layers at the start line.
It can be cold at the start of a race. Grab some old clothes to wear as extra layers at the start line, then shed them before the race begins. You’ll stay warm without overdressing for the race.

8.  Avoid aid station bottlenecks.
Head to the end of the aid station to avoid the large crowds. And no, you don’t need to learn to run and drink at the same time from those small cups. It’s okay to slow down to a walk, just remember to pull over to the side.

9. You can’t bank time.
You might think that you can “bank” time by running extra fast in the beginning, but it doesn’t work that way. Running too fast in the beginning will just tire you out.

10. Find your mantra.
Having a positive mantra will help you power through the harder parts of the race. Don’t be afraid to say/shout it out loud!

See you out there!

Jun 12 2018
0

Charity Spotlight: Jason Cole and Rand Surbey, racing for Cerebral Palsy Association of BC

By | Charity, Scotiabank Charity Challenge, Scotiabank Vancouver Half, Uncategorised | No Comments

For the seventh year, Jason Cole and Rand Surbey will be racing in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half marathon as part of a wheelchair team. Their goal? To raise money to support the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC. Oh, and a world record.

Their Story:

After damaging his knee during last year’s run and working hard to come back from injury, Jason will run again in 2018, pushing Rand again in an attempt to capture the elusive and challenging bid to capture to Guiness Record and support the Cerebral Palsy Association’s team. After seven years of breaking the world record but not having their time recognized due to an equipment technicality, Jason and Rand are coming back stronger than ever to prove their speed and determination.

 

“Thanks to Wheelin’ Mobility and the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC, who outfitted us with a racing wheelchair that matches the requirements of Guinness, Rand and I are back in training and preparing to take on the Scotiabank Half Marathon again this year on June 24th” said Jason. “Our goal since beginning our racing careers has always been to advance the inclusivity of fun athletic events, like running races and the Tough Mudder, regardless of people’s financial or physical status.”

 

Jason and Rand will be racing in costume and this year’s theme will super heroes, with Rand as the Hulk and Jason as Captain Canuck. As an additional incentive for fundraising, they have acquired a limited edition, minted $20 silver coin that was released from the Canadian Mint commemorating Captain Canuck, and are offering it as a prize draw, with entries available for anyone donating in excess of $50 to our fundraising efforts. The draw will take place at the finish line of the race.
 

CLICK HERE to support Jason and Rand, and the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC.

 

 

Jun 12 2018
0

Athletes to Watch For at the Toronto Waterfront 10k

By | Elite Athletes, Toronto Waterfront 10K | No Comments

Natasha Wodak, 36, Vancouver 

“You know it’s just about fun for me I really want to enjoy the race.”

The Toronto Waterfront 10k defending champion, Natasha Wodak is the Canadian 10,000m record holder (31:41.59) and represented Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games.

How Natasha prepares for the race: 

“Generally when I come to Toronto the races are in the morning so it’s a little tricky with it being three hours time difference. Usually I am getting only 5 or 6 hours sleep. I will go to bed at midnight and get up at 5:30 a.m. and that works fine me

I like to be at the start an hour and ten minutes before, to get settled and begin my warm up. If I am away I will usually have a coffee and a chocolate chip/coconut energy bar. I try to aim for 250 calories before a 5 or 10k. If I am at home or a place where it’s available, I will have a piece of multigrain toast with peanut butter and banana. But I need that two hours before the race.”

Follow Natasha on Twitter and Instagram.

Reid Coolsaet, 34, Hamilton

“I haven’t looked closely at the competition, but I’d be going for the win.” 

Reid Coolsaet is a two time Canadian Olympic marathoner and father of two. Coolsaet is the second fastest marathoner in Canadian history with a personal best of 2:10:28.

How Reid prepares for the race:

“Waterfront 10k morning is going to be an early morning. I usually eat oatmeal then an energy gel thirty minutes before the race and a sports drink throughout the morning.

Even if I’ve had a bad sleep, once I drink a couple of cups of tea with caffeine before the race, I am never tired for the race. For Waterfront 10k I will wake up at 4:30 a.m. Hopefully I can fall asleep at 9:30 p.m.”

Follow Reid on Twitter and Instagram. 

Sasha Gollish, 35, Toronto 

“A fun time and a good race, because really you cannot ask for much more than that, right!?” 

Sasha Gollish is an extremely versatile distance runner. She has a 1,500m personal best of 4:07.08 and claimed the 1,500m bronze medal at the 2015 Pan Am Games.

How Sasha prepares for the race: 

“I will probably get up somewhere around 4:30 a.m. to make sure I can get a proper breakfast in. I’ll likely stick with what I eat on ‘tempo saturdays’ which is a bowl of greek yogurt and some berries. And of course, coffee with a splash of milk.

In all honesty, I’ll probably go to bed when I feel tired. Recovery after the race will be really important, so I’ll be sure to go to bed early the night of race day. I am not worried if I don’t get a good night sleep before a race, as long as the sleep before that night has been sufficient I know I’m going to be ok.”

Follow Sasha on Twitter and Instagram. 

Krista DuChene, 41, Brantford

“I will not be running any super fast personal best times. So something around 35 minutes I will be happy with.” 

Krista DuChene, a Brantford, Ontario mother of three ran the second fastest marathon ever by a Canadian with her 2:28:32 at the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. She represented Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

How Krista prepares for the race: 

“I am used to running early in the morning so that is not something that would concern me. I would plan to have an early dinner the night before, be finished by 6 and get to bed early between 9 and 10 p.m.

It depends on when we are catching a bus to the start. I will probably wake up 5 a.m. or 4:30 a.m. have my usual bagel with honey, a few coffees drink some sports drink. That would work for me.”

Follow Krista on Twitter and Instagram. 

 

To view the full start list click here.

Jun 08 2018
0

Hydrating for Success with Nuun

By | General, Nutrition | No Comments

As an athlete, you understand the importance of staying hydrated, especially during high intensity training periods. But did you know that HOW you hydrate matters? At different levels of stress and effort your muscles require different levels of oxygen and fuel, which proper hydration can provide.

To begin, below are some general best practice guidelines for optimizing your hydration plan during training:

  • Workouts under 90 minutes require hydration replenishment with electrolyte-rich fluids.
  • Workouts over 90 minutes, carbohydrates play a key role in your hydration for optimal fluid transfer.
  • During your workout, aim to consume 16-24 oz. of electrolyte-rich fluid per hour.

It is so important to provide your body with an optimal blend of electrolytes and carbohydrates in order to stay energized and strong when you’re putting it under extended stress. There are a number of variables that contribute to your individual hydration needs as an athlete (weight, gender, etc.) Find below a guide for how to plan your hydration and nutrition before you head out for your next long workout:

Visit nuunlife.com to stock up on your favorite flavors of Nuun Electrolytes and Nuun Performance!

Jun 07 2018
0

KIND® becomes newest sponsor of Canada Running Series

By | General | No Comments

KIND® Snacks is the newest series sponsor of Canada Running Series for 2018, supporting all 8 CRS events across Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal, including the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Half Marathon & 5k.

Runners can expect to sample plenty of KIND snack bars in their race kits, at training runs and on race day through exciting on-site activations.

“KIND® Snacks is thrilled to be the official healthy snack bar of Canada Running Series for the 2018 season,” says Stacey Bowman, Director of Marketing, Canada.  “We are excited to provide all runners with delicious and nutritious on-the-go snack options, from race expo all the way through to the finish line. In addition, KIND will be surprising and supporting runners throughout the season with pop-up snack sampling, cheering stations and yoga cool downs.  This is the perfect partnership for KIND, a brand that is committed to challenging consumers to do the kind thing for their body, their taste buds and their world. KIND is looking forward to an exciting 2018 race season and hopes that each runner takes the time to do something kind for someone in their community.”

“We’re delighted with our new partnership with KIND® bars”, says Canada Running Series Race Director Alan Brookes. “They align perfectly with our Canada Running Series mission to build healthy, sustainable communities through running, and following a healthy lifestyle. We love their commitment to only using ‘nutritionally-dense ingredients like whole nuts, fruits and whole grains – no secret ingredients and no artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners.’ It’s a shared message: ‘do the kind thing for your body, your taste buds & your worldTM’”

To learn more about kind, visit https://www.kindsnacks.ca/ 

May 29 2018
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#UAeastside10K Partner Charities Announced!

By | Uncategorised | No Comments

Under Armour Eastside 10k is proud to be working with key charity partners that are working hard every day, supporting our community.

 

PHS Community Services Society

phsPHS Community Services Society (PHS) is an innovative and well-established non-profit organization located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) community. The organization has extensive property management experience in complex mixed-use projects and primary health care initiatives. PHS improves the lives of thousands of vulnerable individuals each year through housing programs, health care and support services. Clients served represent the most marginalized populations residing in Vancouver’s DTES and face multiple barriers due to their mental health and substance use. Through many successful partnerships, PHS contributes to developing and maintaining best practices in health care and harm reduction.

Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre

The mission of the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC) is to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for women from all walks of life, who live and/or work in the Downtown Eastside. DEWC operates a low-barrier drop-in centre and emergency night shelter, offering safe, women-only space, meals and basic essentials, as well as a continuum of care that nurtures and empowers members towards long-term change. DEWC sees over 500 women every single day, providing refuge from conditions of poverty and violence, hot, nutritious meals, toiletries and clothing, phone and computer access, as well as specialized support including advocacy, victim services, HIV case management, and housing assistance. In a severely marginalized community, DEWC provides a place where women can come as they are, find resources, support, and sisterhood, and build personal capacity so as to bridge the gap fromsurvival to self-sufficiency.

 

Greater Vancouver Food Bank

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank is a non-profit organization with a mission to create empowering environments that provide and promote access to healthy food, education and training. The GVFB provides assistance to over 27,000 people weekly through 13 food locations and more than 80 community agencies located in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore. The GVFB is committed to its vision of accessible, healthy and sustainable food for all and through community collaboration, is pro-actively working to help reduce food insecurity.

For every dollar donated allows the GVFB to purchase $3 of nutritious food.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Fundraising / pledging our 3 Eastside Charities:

  1. Make a Top-up Donation. You can donate directly to our partner charities during
  2. Start online fundraising with your registration for the event. Personalize your Pledge Page, select your preferred charity, and send it around to family and friends! Simply Sign in to your account, once registered, select Menu, edit your page, then share it via email, Facebook, and Twitter. Click here for assistance in setting up your page.
  3. Donate toa Participant or Team
May 22 2018
0

Why I Run

By | Charity, Scotiabank Charity Challenge, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Make this year’s Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k count with the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

By Diana Hart

Time for Vancouverites to lace up their sneakers; runners of all ages are taking part in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k on June 24.

At Scotiabank-supported marathons across Canada, people can make their runs count by taking the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and raising money for charities helping strengthen their communities. This year, we are highlighting Scotiabank Charity Challenge participants running for charities that help build a better future for young people in their communities.

Meet Jaylene

Jaylene Prime, 11, is taking the Scotiabank Charity Challenge alongside her sisters. They are raising money for Cassie and Friends Society, a not-for-profit, which supports children with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, and their families.

Jaylene has a rare form of juvenile arthritis called systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). With the support of Cassie and Friends Society, Jaylene and her family were successful in their battle to gain accessto an expensive medication to treat her life-threatening illness. She was the first child in B.C. to be granted public coverage to the medication canakinumab.

Jaylene explains why she’s excited to run the Scotiabank Charity Challenge this year.

WATCH VIDEO HERE

Link to original story HERE

Jaylene’s story is just one of many. Support Cassie and Friends or another Charity through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and run for a cause on June 24th.

Already registered to race? You can still fundraise, click HERE to log into your race account.

May 07 2018
0

Meet Your #scotiahalf Pacers!

By | Community Leaders, Scotiabank Vancouver Half, Training Tips, Uncategorised | No Comments

Trying to get under the two-hour mark? Looking for a running buddy to keep you motivated through your race? Pacers are a great resource for runners to help maintain pace, keep you motivated, and maybe push you towards that elusive new PB!

We had an incredibly strong group of applications for our pacer positions this year, and we’re very excited to announce your 2018 Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon Pacers!

 

Pace Time: 2hr 30min

Name: Susan

A little about Susan:

“I started running with my first Learn-to-Run clinic in July 2012, and did my first half marathon in November 2013. Since then I’ve done 10 half marathons.  I have attempted to do the Scotia Half a few times, but scheduling and injury derailed my plans. ”

“I paced my first half marathon last year and had a fantastic time, so I decided to do it again this year; and when Canada Running Series asked for pacing volunteers, I jumped at the chance.  I am looking forward to bringing other racers across the finish line!”

 

Pace Time: 2hr 30min

Name: Amanda

A little about Amanda:

“My name is Amanda and I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. My passion for running started in high school and I’ve completed several races ranging from 10k to full marathons mainly in BC, but also in the US and Ireland. I’m excited to serve as a pacer for the 2018 Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon because I can’t wait to help you crush your goals! Whether your goal is to just finish the race or get a new personal best, I’ll be there with you every step of the way!”

 

Pace Time: 2hr 15min

Name: Meaghan

A little about Meaghan:

Meaghan started running in 2013 when her brother bet her on who could out run who at a 10K race (this is now an annual tradition!). Since then, Meaghan has run countless 10KM events, 11 half marathons and is currently training for her first full marathon. She is very excited to pace the 2:15 Scotiabank Half Marathon group and to help fellow runners crush their goals. When not out running with her husband James and their chocolate labrador Gus, you can find Meaghan at the local coffee shops or craft breweries.

 

Pace Time: 2hr 15min

Name: Rose

A little about Rose:

“Hi there! My name is Rose and I am super excited to be a pacer for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon! I code most of my day away, so running is a welcome break for my brain and body. The Scotiabank Vancouver half marathon was my first half marathon and why I am so happy to be a pacer this year. Pacers have pushed me to PBs and finishes that I doubt I could have reached alone. I am very excited to help others reach their personal running goals.”

 

Pace Time: 2hr

Name: Paul

A little about Paul:

My name is Paul and I’m super excited to be the 2:00:00 pacer for the SVHM. I love setting HAGs (i.e. harry audacious goals) and working relentlessly to achieve them. In 2018, I’ll run the Boston, Berlin, and Chicago marathons. By achieving my HAGs, I aim to both role model and inspire my kids and others to set lofty goals and achieve them. As a SVHM pacer, I will encourage others by running alongside them and motivating them to achieve their own HAGs on what is one of the most stunningly beautiful courses.

 

Pace Time: 2hr

Name: Jaylene

A little about Jaylene:

“In the last five years I have developed a love and appreciation  for running and created a lifestyle around it. With the help of mentors in the Running community that have challenged me and with my sense of determination I have completed my goal in running the Boston Marathon in 2017. ”

“Giving back to the running community has always been important to me. Helping fellow runners push themselves to meet new goals gives me a sense of accomplishment and pride as I give back to the community. ”

 

Pace Time: 1hr 45min

Name: Philip

A little about Philip:

“Hello!  I am Phil Finlayson and I have the privilege of pacing the 1:45 group at the 2018 Scotiabank Half Marathon.  This will be my fifth time running in this event.  My favourite distances are 10K and Half Marathon, though I will have just finished my 3rdMarathon before we meet at the start line.  You can find me sharing my love of running with the North Burnaby Runners, Phoenix Running Club, Sun Run Clinics and sometimes even with crews west of Boundary Rd.”

 

Pace Time: 1hr 45min

Name: Dan

A little about Dan:

Originally from the UK, Dan ran his first 10k in London back in 2001. He didn’t get back into it until 2013 when he joined a local run group (at Rackets & Runners) to improve his distance and find a supportive run community. You can find Dan at road races of many distances; he’s lost count of how many, but the half is still his favourite. He’s also competed in 12 triathlons of all distances except the full Ironman; that’s his main focus for this year, as he’ll be competing at Ironman Canada in July. He’s looking forward to working to help others meet their goals at this year’s race!

Apr 30 2018
0

Charity Spotlight: Alzheimer Society of B.C.

By | Charity, Scotiabank Charity Challenge, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon is proud to support local charities as part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, with the goal of raising over $1,000,000 annually for local charities. Each year, charities such as the Alzheimer Society of BC build fundraising teams to support their causes, with runners participating in both the half-marathon and the 5k races.

Here’s a look at some team members raising money for the Alzheimer Society of BC:

 

Participant Name: Bark Kong

Goal Time: Under two hours for the half-marathon

Running wisdom: “Take the first step and be patient with yourself… it’s more about the process than the finish. Don’t go out too hard. It’s not a sprint; it’s like running a marathon, well…except it’s half. There is a lot of training information available on the internet, so find a program that works for you and decide to do it!”

Why he runs: “It’s both the challenge of doing something hard and the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve done it.”

What’s special about the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k: “Not only is this event a way for me to use my love for running to raise funds, it lets me get to know my friends and colleagues in a new and fun way. For example, I learned that Emily (Pridham, Manager, Regional Services for Vancouver Island) is really competitive – almost as much as I am.”

Bark is the veteran runner on the team. With six full marathons and eight half-marathons under his hydration belt, he’s more than ready to take on the mental challenge of 21.1 kilometres alone with his thoughts – with the help of a healthy cheering section on race day. This is the third consecutive Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k that he’ll tackle with the help of high-altitude, trail and road training and some intense metal in his headphones. Still smarting from a devastating loss last year to his worthy competitor, Emily Pridham, he has a new training program that is driven by the raw desire to come out ahead of his much younger colleagues. To show Bark your support, visit his fundraising page.

 

Participant Name: Emily Pridham

Goal Time: Under two hours for the half-marathon… and to beat Bark!

Message to other new runners: “Don’t be scared to try something uncomfortable. Ease in gently and set goals.”

What she learned about herself at her first Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k in 2017: “I was surprised by how into the fundraising I got. I got competitive because I saw [my teammates’] totals going up and I didn’t want to be left in the dust!” (Emily started her fundraising with tentative social media posts and ended up enthusiastically knocking on her neighbours’ doors.)

Emily is an avid cyclist, but until last year, she had never run more than 10k. A month before the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k, she was inspired by Bark and Theresa Frazao – who was also planning to run her first half-marathon for the Society – and she joined the team. The combination of her love for physical and leadership challenges, the healthy competition with her colleagues and the opportunity to embody the philanthropic spirit of the Society was enough to drive Emily to the finish line with little preparation. At the end of her dramatic debut, Emily beat Bark to the finish line by a minute. Complicating her win, however, shortly after the race, Bark learned he had been running with appendicitis. Now he’s back to full strength and ready for his re-match. Emily, with a year of running behind her, isn’t about to hand the top spot over to Bark – or the latest contender to join the office road race. To show your support for Emily, visit her fundraising page.

 

Participant Name: Allison Baker (aka, The Mystery Runner)

Goal Time: 1:45 for the half-marathon

Where she runs: Along the beach in Tsawwassen.

Why join the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k? “To be a part of a team. Running can be a very lonely sport. I’m excited to do it with a team because I’m extra competitive and I’m usually just competing with myself.”

Message to her teammates: “Bring it on!”

Earlier this year, when the Society team began to take shape at the provincial office, Allison threw her hat in the ring for the half-marathon – without revealing her identity to her teammates. At first, The Mystery Runner in the office sparked intrigue. Now that the secret’s out, so is the truth about Allison’s running resume. She has completed two full marathons and is now training for her third. Allison initially took up running at the age of 14 to impress her hockey coach and later fell in love with the endorphins she found pounding the pavement to her pop favourites. Will the ‘90s nostalgia of the Spice Girls and ‘N Sync propel her to the finish line before her colleagues? That part’s still a mystery. To show your support for Allison, visit her fundraising page.

 

Participant Name: Theresa Frazao

Goal: “To run a strong 5k in June and use these beautiful spring months to get outside and run again.”

Why she runs: “I love the endorphins and doing what I can to be fit and strong. I also love how meditative it is. It’s really hard to think about your problems when you are running.”

Run tunes: Fast, energetic pop songs to keep up her pace.

Last year Theresa completed her first half-marathon on the Society team. This year, she’ll be returning to the 5k distance and joining thousands of other runners and walkers on the shorter course. To all the less-competitive runners out there, Theresa has this to say: “5k is the perfect distance to participate in an event like this because you can run, you can walk or you can do a combination of the two. And you can recruit some friends to come out for the morning and walk or run with you! The crowds, the entertainment, the cheerleaders and the charity village all add to a great festival environment and you’ll have a blast while doing some good for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.” To show Theresa your support, visit her fundraising page.

Apr 23 2018
0

10k to Half-Marathon Training Plan

By | General, Racing Strategy, Scotiabank Vancouver Half, Training Tips | No Comments

10k to Half-Marathon — “Sun Run to Scotia Half” Training Program

Just finished the Sun Run? Well that means you should be able to run a Half-Marathon! Follow along with this simple nine week program to get you ready for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon in June. No more excuses — get out the door and get ready to run! Register for the run today!

 

WEEK MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
Apr 23–29 Rest 4km Cross-train 4km Rest Cross-train 7km
Apr 30–May 6 Rest 5km Cross-train 4km Rest Cross-train 10km
May 7–13 Rest 6km Cross-train 5km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 12km
May 14–20 Rest 6km Cross-train 6km Rest Cross-train 14km
May 21–27 Rest 7km Cross-train 6km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 16km
May 28–June 3 Rest 8km Cross-train 7km Rest Cross-train 18km
June 4–10 Rest 8km Cross-train 7km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 20km
June 11–17 Rest 8km Cross-train 7km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 12km
June 18–24 Rest 5km Rest 4km Rest Rest 21.1km — Event Day

Cross-train with swimming, hiking, cycling, yoga, or strength training. Make sure not to over do it on these days as they are part of your recovery process. When adding in hills, try to incorporate a few steady climbs into your route, anywhere from 200m to 500m long.