One of our Scotiabank Charity Challenge Partners, Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA) is a no-kill, non-profit, registered charity dedicated to the rescue of cats in the Lower Mainland.
This year, local elite athlete Natasha Wodak is acting as Team Captain for VOKRA at the Charity Challenge. Natasha’s also a contender for the top spot in the Half-Marathon on June 28th.
Find out more about the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, and how you can get involved, here.
VANCOUVER May 6th 2015. Digital Champion Lola T. Small fell in love with running when she moved to Vancouver and ran along the Seawall at Spanish Banks. Now she can’t imagine her life without it. Lola loves running for reminding her that she is grateful for her body, her ability to move, and for being alive! As a Life Empowerment and Wellness Coach, Lola loves sharing her passion for running with others and can’t wait to share her journey of training for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon. Connect with Lola on Twitter, Instagram, and her blog.
3 Ways to Empower Yourself through Running By: Lola T. Small
There are so many things I love about running and I know I be a runner for the rest of my life. Of course this wasn’t always the case, since I used to hate running, always coming in at the back of the pack during those awful mile run tests in P.E. class during highschool. Luckily since then I have found my love for running as I run along our beautiful beaches on the Seawall, doing the Maui Half Marathon under the hot Hawaiian sun, and now training for my 6th half marathon with the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon in June. Many things keep me running, but the way my runs keep me feeling empowered is how I know I will be a runner for life.
Here are three simple but powerful ways to empower yourself through your runs:
1. Use your running time to be present and connect – Take a break from the craziness of daily life and use your running time to finally tune in to yourself. Use the rhythm of your breathing to clear your mind and let yourself feel your own presence as your stride connects with the ground. During this time, you don’t need to worry about anything or anyone else except yourself, your body, and your heart beating. As you run, you are reminded that you can put yourself first, that your needs are important priorities, and that you could use more time to be present for yourself.
2. Practice pumping up your positive self-talk – I am a big fan of affirmations, especially while I run! The combination of heart pumping, sweat dripping, and thinking thoughts that make me feel strong and powerful is the biggest adrenaline rush I get on my runs. Whatever I am wanting to achieve at that point in my life is the soundtrack I play in my head. I look forward to running because I know I’ll come back even more pumped. Each time you run is a chance for you to practice positive self-talk.
3. Run through the items on your gratitude list – When we feel good, we do good, and this is one of my favorite side-effects of running. Especially on days when I’m not feeling strong physically, I’ll focus more of my energy on feeling grateful for all the things in my life, including being able to breathe and being out there pounding the pavement. When you can remember that there are others struggling simply to take a breath or who lack the privilege of being able to move their legs, you quickly appreciate your own ability to be out there, enjoying this excruciating thing we call running.
When I am gasping for air during the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon as I push myself to run my sub-2:00 goal, I know I’ll be relying on the strength I have built from some of these tips as well as those kilometers I will log between now and race day. From one empowered runner to another, see you out there on the road! Happy running!
Neighbourhood House Week marks 121 years of Neighbours Growing Neighbourhoods
Originally from Eritrea, Adiam Haile arrived in Vancouver via Germany. Adiam did not find that her new home was very welcoming. She said that “where I grew up, there was a strong sense of community” but found it difficult to find the same sense of belonging and neighbourhood connections in Vancouver.
Luckily she found Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House.
Ever since the first BC neighbourhood house opened in Vancouver in 1938 (Alexandra House, which had been an orphanage since 1894 and is now called Kitsilano Neighbourhood House) a wide diversity of people have found a home in neighbourhood houses.
Now there are 15 neighbourhood houses in the Lower Mainland, offering programs, services and initiatives to more than 100,000 children, youth, adults and seniors annually. From May 3-9 Vancouver is celebrating Neighbourhood House Week.
For Adiam, finding Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House three years ago offered the lonely but eager-to-learn newcomer the opportunity to connect with friendly people from many cultures who lived in the neighbourhood. Adiam, now with an infant, attends other programs in the community, but is especially connected to Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House because of the early positive experiences she had in multicultural programs. Now with an eight-month old, she says “the neighbourhood house has helped me build a history, especially now that I have my child. I am so thankful the memories and connections I have made here.”
Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House Executive Director, Jocelyne Hamel said that
“Neighbourhood Houses have amazing capacity to help people discover their strengths and find ways to grow into leadership roles. Adiam came to us looking for and finding a community. Now she’s a parent leader for one of our parenting programs.” Adiam’s experience of finding a sense of belonging is typical for those who engage in neighbourhood houses. “That’s why, for Neighbourhood House Week this year we’re celebrating around the theme, ‘Neighbours Growing Neighbourhoods’. It’s people like Adiam who get engaged in neighbourhood houses and find a way to express their passions or follow a dream who help make neighbourhoods friendlier for all.”
Operated by not-for-profit societies, Lower Mainland neighbourhood houses have combined annual operational budgets of more than $50 million, engage more than 3,000 volunteers and employ close to 1,500 individuals.
For more information on Neighbourhood House Week, visit this site.
To find out more about the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, and how you can support them in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, click here.
We care for seniors.
At Tapestry Foundation, caring never gets old.
We’re dedicated to improving the care experience of hospital patients, and residents in seven healthcare facilities operated by Providence Health Care – one of the largest faith-based health care organizations in Canada. Sites that we support include Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, Youville Residence, St. Michael’s Centre, and St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni, Langara and Honoria Conway-Heather.
Improving Healthcare for Seniors
Tapestry Foundation also raises funds for the largest number of seniors care beds in Metro Vancouver. Our donors help to shine a light on the needs of a growing seniors’ population. Generous donations help purchase life-saving medical and diagnostic tools for acute hospital care, as well as equipment for physical rehabilitation services. Donations also support purchases of medical equipment and quality of life programs for elders in our care homes. To donate to Tapestry Foundation, click here.
Senior couple riding motor scooter having fun.
Dialogue on Aging Education Program
Education and research are also top priorities. Through our Dialogue on Aging Education Program we reach out to the community to foster greater understanding of seniors’ health needs. Our spring and fall Public Presentation Series offer timely topics on health, aging and wellness, and our annual Geriatric Services Conference provides ongoing education for geriatric medicine professionals from across B.C. Funding is also provided for geriatric research projects that ensure future generations can benefit from new and better ways of caring for the elderly.
You are welcome to sign-up for our free Public Presentation, Learn How to Prevent Falls at VanDusen Gardens on May 12th. Click here to reserve your seat!
Scotiabank Charity Challenge
You are invited to join our team in the 2015 Scotiabank Charity Challenge! Since 2010, Team Tapestry Foundation has raised nearly $300,000 for elder care research and site-specific fundraising priorities. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, we were awarded Scotiabank’s $5,000 prize for having the largest fundraising team in Vancouver!
While we’re all Team Tapestry Foundation, most of our team members create smaller teams under the Foundation umbrella. There are many teams to choose from, each representing a specific care facility or cause. To learn more about this year’s causes, visit our website or contact Katie Clogg-Burmeister at kclogg@providencehealth.bc.ca or 604.806.9486. See you on June 28th!
VANCOUVER April 29th 2015. Digital Champion Yuri Artibise has been running through the streets of Vancouver since returning to the city four years ago. After a modest start in a learn to run clinic in 2012, he has run in numerous 5, 8 and 10ks, thirteen half marathons, and three full marathons, including the 2014 Long Beach (California) Marathon last October on his 40th birthday. Connect with Yuri on Twitter, Facebook, and his blog.
Join The (Running) Club! By Yuri Artibise
Anybody who has trained for a race knows how strange the rigours of the sport can seem to your non-running friends and family. Running with others is often as much about sharing training tips as it is about spending time with like-minded people. This is certainly the case with the Fraser Street Run Club (FsRC).
FsRC was founded by Jesse Booi, Kat Drew, Cody Callon, and Michelle Ford. Dubbed the Fraser Street Run Club—after the neighbourhood where three of the four founders lived—the group started as an inside joke with a few monthly runs. The club is based on a simple premise of getting together for a run and hanging out afterward, drinking some beer, and sharing running stories.
The FsRC crew with honourary member Alan Brookes, Canada Running Series Race Director
I joined the FsRC soon after completing my first marathon clinic. After 16 weeks of running with others, I was missing the camaraderie of my fellow marathoners. From my first run with the group, I quickly realized that I had found something special. The simple equation of running and socializing had led to a community that was greater than the sum of its parts.
The success of the FsRC equation is evident in the continued growing number—and variety— of people who come out each week to club runs. The mission of the group is to engage people in running and build a supportive community for runners of all levels; from novices to national calibre runners. One week I can find myself running alongside a national champion marathoner, they next week I’m encouraging someone who is running their first 5K since high school. I believe that this inclusive and supportive environment is the secret of FsRC’s appeal.
Yuri with fellow Modo 8K digital champions, Elinor Warkentin and Steph Harrap
If you live in or around Vancouver, I highly recommend you check out this club. We currently offer two consistent weekly runs:
For details on these runs, including routes and locations, check out the Fraser Street Run Club website, follow FsRC on Instagram and Twitter, or join the FsRC Facebook group.
MONTREAL April 26th 2015. Under a clear sky with favourable conditions, more than 5,500 runners participated in the 13th edition of the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k presented by Asics, this Sunday April 26th.
Eric Gills wins in 65:31
Olympian Eric Gillis of Speed River TFC in Guelph, Ontario won the 21k for the fourth consecutive year in 65:31, in from of teammate Terrence Attena (66:39) and Quebecker David Le Porho in 66:55. Le Porho improved his personal best by more than a minute.
Gillis took the lead from Behanu Degefa after the 11k mark to make it a solo effort from then on and win far ahead of everybody else.
“When the fight is on until the finish line it keeps you on the edge. There is a challenge. But I enjoy running by myself too because I run to win. If I’m alone the win is easier [laugh]. I’m very proud of this victory. I was apprehensive before the race because I had to deal with some small health issues that have preoccupied me for the last few weeks. Today’s race was like a test for me. It gave me a better sense of where my fitness is right now and my efforts paid off. I really like running the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal. It is a great race, well organized and placed well in the race calendar. Certain years we had to fight with the wind, but this year wasn’t the case.” Gillis said.
“The conditions were perfect this morning. We were scared at the beginning of the day because it was a bit windy. It went well for me. I ran alone most of the way. I ran without my watch because wanted to run by feel. I kept the same pace and I passed runners one by one to finish in third place. It was a superb race. I realized my best time in this distance” Le Porho said after improving his personal best by more than a minute.
Bianca Premont breaks the tape in 1:20:40
It is with great joy that Bianca Prémont from Sainte-Julie won the half-marathon event with a time of 1:20:40. Pia Nehme who owns the national half-marathon record for Lebanon took second place is 1:21:39, right before Manon Letourneau in 1:21:48.
Although the marathoner, who won the Athletas Award in 2014, didn’t beat her personal record this morning, winning the race was a great accomplishment. “The lead pack I was with started at a relaxed pace. We were 5 runners up to 10k. I kept my pace. To win the race is a like a dream on the perfect day. I love this course.” Prémont said.
This annual meeting of thousands of runners, supporters, and partners is one of the sporting events that raises the most funds in Quebec. The 2015 edition kept pace with that tradition, raising $1,018,000, which is $140,000 more than the goal that was set for the event, for a total of 66 official charities. There were 3 featured charities at the event: Fondation A Pas de Géant, Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine, and Fondation les petites trésors.
Thanks to all who helped raise over $1,000,000!
“For sure welcoming elite runners of Canada is one of the objectives of the race and we are proud of it. The organization, the course, the team of volunteers, everything is set to stage a great event, but this year what touches me the most is to know that the 2015 edition raised over a million dollars. To see all those participants mobilize to try to make a difference in the lives of others is a big thing. I hope this phenomenon will be contagious and exponential” said Francois Lecot, Race Director of the Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal et 5k. “All the participants should be very proud of their performance, along with how much money they were able to raise.”
————————————————————
Montréal, 26 avril 2015. C’est sous un ciel clément et un timide retour du printemps que plus de 5500 coureurs ont participé à la 13e édition du Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k présenté par Asics, ce dimanche 26 avril.
L’Olympien Eric Gillis, de Guelph en Ontario, a remporté le 21k pour une quatrième année consécutive en 1h05min31, devant Terence Attema (1h06min39) et le québécois David Le Porho de Montréal (1h06min55).
Gillis a pris le contrôle de la course dès le départ pour distancer un à un les coureurs, au 11e kilomètre il se séparait finalement de Degefa pour faire la seconde moitié en solo et gagner loin devant les autres.
«Quand la bataille dure jusqu’aux derniers mètres, il y a un challenge qui nous pousse à nous dépasser. J’aime aussi courir en solo parce que je cours pour gagner, seul devant la victoire est plus facile [rires]. Je suis très fière de cette victoire. J’attendais cette course avec appréhension puisque quelques ennuis de santé m’ont préoccupé au cours des dernières semaines. La course d’aujourd’hui était comme un test pour moi. Ça me permet de voir où en est ma forme et que mes efforts ont porté fruits. J’adore courir le Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal. C’est une course super bien organisée, bien placée dans le calendrier et j’aime le parcours. Certaines années, on a dû se batailler contre le vent mais cette année ce n’était pas le cas.» a dit Gillis.
Le Porho a réalisé un nouveau record personnel en soustrayant environ une minute à son ancien temps sur cette distance. «Les conditions étaient parfaites ce matin, on a eu peur en début de journée parce qu’il ventait un peu et il ne faisait pas beau. Cela a bien été pour moi. J’ai couru seul tout le long et je suis parti sans ma montre, je voulais courir au feeling. J’ai remonté un à un les coureurs. C’était une super belle course.» disait-il.
C’est avec émotion que Bianca Prémont de Sainte-Julie a remporté le demi-marathon en 1h20min40. Pia Nehme, détentrice du nouveau record national pour le Liban au demi marathon s’est pour sa part classée deuxième (1h21min39) devant Manon Létourneau (1h21min48).
La marathonienne détentrice du prix Athlétas 2014, a frôlé un nouveau record personnel et réalisé un rêve ce matin. «Le peloton de tête est parti relaxe, on était environ 5 coureuses jusqu’au 10e kilomètre. J’ai gardé mon rythme. De gagner, c’est comme un rêve, c’était la journée parfaite. J’adore ce parcours.» disait Prémont après sa course.
Ce rendez-vous annuel pour des milliers de coureurs, leurs supporteurs et les partenaires essentiels est l’évènement sportif caritatif qui amasse le plus de fonds au Québec. L’édition 2015 s’inscrit dans cette même lignée généreuse! En effet, le total amassé par les 66 organismes de bienfaisance s’élève à plus de 1 018 000$, soit plus de 140 000$ que l’objectif fixé. À noter que les organismes de bienfaisance vedettes du Défi caritatif Banque Scotia était la Fondation À Pas de Géant, la Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine et la Fondation les petits trésors.
«Il est certain qu’accueillir des coureurs d’élite du Canada est un de nos objectifs et nous en sommes fiers. L’organisation, le parcours, l’équipe de bénévoles, tout est mis en place pour créer un événement de qualité, mais cette année, ce qui me touche le plus c’est de savoir que l’édition 2015 a dépassé le 1 000 000$ en levée de fonds. Voir tous ces participants se mobiliser pour faire une différence dans la vie de quelqu’un d’autre, c’est quelque chose. J’espère que ce sera contagieux de façon exponentielle.» dit François Lecot, directeur de course du Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k. «Tous les participants devraient être extrêmement fiers de leur performance, autant en ce qui concerne la course que la collecte des fonds amassés.»
Digital Champion Fiona Burrows feels lucky to live on the west coast, where she can run year round. An avid soccer player since she was nine-years old, and a runner for many years, the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon will be Fiona’s first 21.1k race of this decade! She looks forward to sharing her training journey with the #ScotiaHalf community. Connect with Fiona on Twitter, Instagram, and her blog.
Step One: Enjoy the Training Journey. By Fiona Burrows.
VANCOUVER April 22nd 2015. So you’ve decided to do a half marathon, now what? For starters, pat yourself on the back for making an amazing and empowering decision! So much of your training journey is a mental challenge more so than a physical one. Trust me, physically you can, and will, do it. And mentally you can too, but for many runners, this is the area they need to focus on. There will be days when hill training, fartleks or tempo runs will push you to your limit—and that’s a good thing! Tell yourself you can do it and you’ll be amazed at what you will achieve. Think of a positive statement that resonates with you; something that is short, powerful and motivates you to lace up and do the best you can. And don’t be afraid to repeat it many times in your head as you start running up a hill, speed up your pace or run farther than you ever imagined.
One of the best ways to ensure success is to train with others. Consider joining a local running club where others with the same goal gather to share running tips and tricks and train together multiple times per week. A training program, such as the one I’m currently doing at the Running Room, will keep you focused on your goal. You will stay motivated being surrounded by other like-minded individuals and training in a group will also keep you accountable. The celebratory high fives at the end of a long weekend run, the words of encouragement while conquering a grueling hill and sharing the feeling of accomplishment with your running friends is fantastic. It’s also a great way to make some new friends!
It’s important to enjoy the training journey. It should never feel like a chore. Always keep your goal in mind. Training is a time to focus on you. It’s a time to be free, to embrace the simplicity of running and be a happier and healthier you. Write down the initial reason/motivator you decided to register for a run and post it on your fridge. The visible reminder will help you strive for that goal.
Celebrate the small victories as you train. Some of my most memorable training runs for the 2015 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon have been in monsoon-like weather, while running a distance I haven’t run in months, if not years. It’s those small victories, which you will achieve frequently, that motivate you to keep going and do better. It’s really amazing what you can achieve – don’t be shy and share your happy news! I’ve lost count of how many small victories I’ve had during the past four months but I do know that they helped shape me to be a better, stronger and more confident runner. As for June 28th, I choose to call it the big run day rather than race day. It keeps me grounded and reminds me to enjoy all of the kilometers I’ve ran–on roads, trails, in sunny weather, in rainy weather, in the daytime and at night.
One of my biggest motivators is my friends and family—many of them aren’t even runners but they encourage and support me. I originally thought running a half marathon was a personal and solo experience. But I’m learning that it involves so many others who truly care and embrace it with me. Every kilometer of my half marathon will be dedicated to one of those special people in my life. I know that the greatest part of this journey is what I am discovering about myself and a renewed appreciation of friendships made along the way. So as I pound the pavement along that scenic English Bay route on June 28th and pass each km marker (yes, all 21 of them) I will focus my thoughts on a person that enriched this experience and reminded me that all of this training, sweat and every single stride is so worth it.
I wish you nothing but happy trails during your training and that June 28, 2015 will be a memorable day.
To join Fiona on Sunday June 28th at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k, sign up here!
TORONTO April 22nd 2015. Eric Gillis returns to the Banque Scotia 21k De Montreal (April 26) seeking his fourth consecutive victory on the scenic Parc Jean-Drapeau course.
The two time Canadian Olympian will also attempt to make it three for three in this young 2015 season. Already he has won the Harry’s Spring Run-Off 8k and, this past Sunday, the Toronto Yonge Street 10k. All three races are part of the Canada Running Series.
Gillis was the 2014 Canada Running Series champion and appears a good bet to repeat if he can stay in form.
Success however is not only due to his commitment to training hard at Speed River Track Club but also an uncanny ability to balance family life with his training and competitive schedule. Gillis, 34, is the father of two young children Heidi, 5, and Luke, seventeen months. His wife Emily is a nurse and recently returned to full time work following maternity leave.
“It is flexible, that’s the biggest thing with kids, and, with my wife Emily back at work now,” he declares. “We have chats the night before or a couple of nights before and get things down on calendars but it is always a very fluid process.
“That is probably the biggest challenge – my ability to plan ahead. But once we do it usually involves getting up just before 7am – the kids might already be up. Emily will get up first with the kids, and then from 7 until 9 it’s breakfast. Then I am taking Heidi my youngest to the bus stop at 8:30am. She’s in junior kindergarten and then it’s taking Luke to daycare after that.”
While Emily heads off to the clinic where she works Gillis heads out for the first of his two daily runs around 9:00 a.m. and after he returns there are breakfast dishes to tackle.
“I am usually pretty flexible through the day,” he offers. “My usual routine is either doing some stretching mobility exercises or even sometimes some core exercises.”
Once a week he also drives to Georgetown, Ontario where he visits an acupuncturist and also has a weekly physiotherapy appointment with Brenda Scott-Thomas, the wife of his long-time coach Dave Scott-Thomas. Then there are the occasional appearances for his sponsor, New Balance which might entail visiting a local high school or a running shoe store.
“Those things I usually book for around noon when I am not running or have children responsibilities,” he adds.
“Getting in the second run is more challenging right now. Sometimes I try to get out before 3:30pm when I have to get my daughter off the bus. I also have practice (with Speed River TC) at 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday now so Emily and I will do the trade-off. I will get Heidi off the bus and then leave for practice.”
If it all sounds complicated it’s something the family takes in stride. Gillis is a true family man and enjoys the opportunity to travel together. A year ago, for instance, he and the family took the train to Montreal. His wife and children were at the finish line when he collected the National Half Marathon title that day.
“With all of us staying in one room it’s a little tougher with my little guy older now,” says Gillis. “He’s up through the night whereas last year when he came to Montreal for the 21k it was easier because he slept through the night.”
This week Gillis will travel alone to the competition.
“It’s a little tougher knowing that it’s more work for Emily at home when I am away at a race,” he admits, “so there’s a tradeoff. To go to a road race and you consider it’s a work trip. But it’s also more work with only one parent being home or you have to ask your in laws to come and stay. It’s a tradeoff.”
Between Emily’s salary, his New Balance contract and the money he picks up from road race appearance fees and prize money, the family is able to live comfortably in Guelph, Ontario.
He is a heavy favourite to win on Sunday. Although Quebec athletes are showing promise on the track, none are yet approaching the level required to challenge an athlete of Gillis’ strength. Consequently, he is taking a relaxed approach to the event.
“It’s not the Canadian championships this year so I doubt there will be the same level of competition,” he explains. “I am treating it like a solid half marathon race training Hopefully I run a similar time to years past but I am not looking to run a personal best.”
-30-
For More Information and registration:
http://www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf/index.htm
The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is committed to producing a world-class event that showcases our city and is both socially and environmentally responsible. In 2013, the race became the first event in Canada to obtain a Silver Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport. This year, the event is aiming to better that mark and reach Gold Certification.
Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport formally recognizes significant achievements through the successful completion of socially and environmentally responsible milestones at sporting events. Standards can be achieved in areas ranging from waste management and climate impact to community involvement, health promotion and more.
Some examples of what the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is doing to reduce the environmental footprint and increase the sustainability of the event:
The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is committed to giving back to our community. Working with 79 charities, nearly $1 million dollars was raised at the 2014 event. A recent study also reported that the event generated close to $2 million dollars in local economic activity.
The 2014 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon was also awarded a Silver Certification in sustainability from the Council for Responsible Sport, becoming the second event to achieve this title in Canada. Both races are part of the prestigious Canada Running Series.
We encourage all participants to help us “run green” by getting to and from the event in a sustainable way — by foot, by bike, by transit, or carpooling. Please only take what you need in terms of finish line food and cups at water stations. Make sure to use the provided recycling stations at the finish area and at water stations, leaving no garbage behind on course.
About the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k:
The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k (SVHM) is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series. As one of Vancouver’s premier running events, the SVHM attracts more than 7,000 runners and walkers of all levels, including many elite athletes and spectators to the city. The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k takes place on Sunday, June 28th starting at 7:30am for the Half-Marathon and 9:30am for the 5k. Register today at www.vancouverhalf.com.
Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada’s most international bank. Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.
By CRS Community Leader Jodi Lewchuk
“Let it give your feet wings,” she said, and smiled.
In desperation, with about a month left in my training schedule for my first Boston Marathon, I was sitting across from someone I hoped could help me release the load I was carrying in my heart. It was weighing me down.
I mean that figuratively, of course, but as I entered the final days of preparation for the Holy Grail of marathons for endurance runners, I knew something wasn’t right. Something was holding me back. Running itself had told me so.
Oh, sure. Toronto has just experienced its coldest winter on record, which made for some of the most challenging training I’ve done in the three years since I’ve taken up distance running seriously. But I’ve run in frigid weather conditions before, and it didn’t slow me. In fact, it had made me stronger and faster. This time, something was different. Something was off. Something was wrong.
My coach had put together a plan for Boston that would stretch me in ways I hadn’t been stretched before, but nothing she asked me to do was beyond my potential. The time goal we set for the 20 April 2015 race was tough. But it wasn’t impossible. And yet the harder I worked to fulfill that potential, the farther away the target seemed. I was defeated by tempo runs. My finishing kick was often nowhere to be found. Worst of all, on Sunday long runs, which I usually look forward to, I would be labouring along, feeling like I was giving everything I had, only to look down at my watch and see a pace time that was at least 30 to 40 seconds slower than my usual “autopilot” speed.
Running, which for so long had been my place of refuge and strength and achievement, suddenly felt like the enemy.
For anyone not familiar with my story, I took up distance running after the end of a long-term relationship. I ran my way back to myself during that time, and discovered running was the perfect metaphor for life: both joy and pain are temporary, and if you keep running, keep pushing, keep believing, you always end up somewhere – often a place better than you ever imagined. I qualified for Boston in my first marathon the year I turned 40, and I saw my race times improve each and every time I toed the line. Running became my wellspring of confidence.
And so it shook me in a very deep place when that confidence was stripped away as I battled each and every workout on the road to Boston. I thought about scaling back my time goal. I thought about not going to Boston at all. I thought about quitting running altogether.
It took time, but I eventually realized that running 
hadn’t turned on me. It wasn’t trying to trip me up. Running was trying to tell me something. Running was trying to save me.
When you are the fittest you’ve ever been and there’s no medical reason for running slower than you did when you first started, it’s time to look elsewhere for answers. It’s time to look within.
If you ask me what my biggest strength is as a runner, I’ll tell you it’s my heart. There’s no doubt that I’ve conditioned my body to be lean and strong. I’ve also got an iron will. But I truly believe it’s my heart that propels me. It’s big and it’s deep, and when it decides to open to something — or someone — it does so wholly and fully and unabashedly. It flings open with abandon.
I can’t imagine living my life any other way; facing each day with such an open heart brings great rewards. It can also bring great heartache. And that’s precisely where I found myself as I entered the homestretch of my training for the 2015 Boston Marathon: bogged down in a heavy heart that was dragging my mind, and my legs, down with it.
Thus my plea to the person I entrusted with helping me release my burden. I told her I would do whatever was needed to leave it behind and move on. Her advice took me by surprise.
“Why would you want to leave something so special behind?” she asked me. “Wouldn’t it be better to find a place where its magic can always exist within you, inspire you, and open other doors? It doesn’t have to be a weight. Open your heart to it, and let it give your feet wings.”
It’s amazing what a different perspective will do. Carrying a memory wasn’t a problem; I just needed to carry the right parts of it in the right way.
The difference in my running was almost immediate. It’s like my legs woke up. I watched my pace times speed up run by run. I hadn’t left anything behind, and yet I felt lighter. I nailed my first tempo run. Going long started to feel fun again. And for the first time in the training cycle, I began to feel genuine excitement about lining up in Hopkinton for the race into downtown Boston.
All it took was someone to remind me of my own motto: “Head up. Heart open. Run.” Sometimes we say things and forget what they truly mean. But on the morning of the 119th Boston Marathon, I will open my heart with purpose. I will be grateful for everything that got me to the most legendary marathon there is — joy, tears, elation, pain, hills, valleys. I will be grateful to carry a memory that reminds me what it feels like to soar. I will fling my heart wide open and I will run where it leads me, fast or slow or somewhere in between, to Boylston Street and beyond.
It will be magic.
© 2026 Canada Running Series.
