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Canada Running Series Archives - Page 6 of 6 - Canada Running Series

Feb 04 2015
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Welcome Canada Running Series Community Leaders

By | Community Leaders | No Comments

TORONTO February 3rd 2015. Three years ago, we introduced a new ambassador program at Canada Running Series called the Digital Champions. Our goal was to build an online community of support for runners as they trained for the Toronto Yonge Street 10K and Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. The Digital Champions were, and still are the anchors of this community, sharing their training journeys, inspiring others, and bringing runners together, both online and off.

Today we are excited to introduce 12 Digital Champion alumni who have been with us for the past three years and will now serve as Canada Running Series Community Leaders. These runners will be out in the community all year long, sharing our mission of “building community through running.” You will see them at our races in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and you can connect with them anytime online via social media.

Please join us in welcoming our Canada Running Series Community Leaders!

Jean Paul BedardJean Paul Bedard
A veteran of over 100 marathons and ultra-marathons, and a member of the STWM Platinum Club, Jean Paul will be completing a Triple Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in the fall to raise awareness for the #BeenRapedNeverReported Campaign. Connect with Jean Paul on Twitter, Instagram and his blog.

 

Andrew ChakAndrew Chak
A regular columnist for iRun Magazine and blogger on iRun.ca, Andrew started running when his wife signed him up for a 10K and hasn’t looked back since! His greatest satisfaction is seeing others take the first step in their own running journeys. Connect with Andrew on Twitter, Instagram, and his blog.

 

William ChaupizWilliam Chaupiz – A leader in the Toronto running community, William heads up the Night Terrors Run Crew, a group for both beginner and seasoned runners to explore the city on their feet. There are no boundaries for the Night Terrors and they can also be found in Los Angeles and Miami. Connect with William on Twitter and Instagram.

 

Alyssa CheungAlyssa Cheung
Alyssa began running 2 years ago and completed her first 42.2K at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2013. Running is more than just exercise for Alyssa, it’s a lifestyle and it’s taught her that nothing is impossible with hard work, perseverance, and amazing supporters. Connect with Alyssa on Twitter, Instagram and her blog.

Christa DavidsonChrista Davidson
Christa added running into her life in 2011 as an outlet to heal from alcohol addiction. She credits running and the social media community as major factors in her recovery. Christa is a regular columnist at iRun Magazine and loves connecting through social media. Connect with Christa on Twitter, Instagram, and her blog.

 

Lisa DavidsonLisa Davidson
An age category winner 3 years in a row at the Oasis ZooRun 5K, Lisa has run every distance from 5K to the marathon. What started as a hobby 7 years ago has become such a huge part of who Lisa is and she hopes to inspire athletes of any age to “redefine their impossible.” Connect with Lisa on Twitter, Instagram and her blog.

 

Heather GardnerHeather Gardner
With nearly two decades of experience in the fitness industry, Heather is a marathon runner, indoor cycling coach, yoga teacher, and triathlete. She is also the founder of Tribe Fitness, a Toronto fitness community sweating for social good, and enjoys supporting runners, yogis, and cyclists of every level set as they rock their fitness goals. Connect with Heather on Twitter, Instagram, and her blog.

JP HernandezJP Hernandez
Since 2013, JP has been running in races on the streets of Toronto as The Dark Knight Runner, raising money for the hospital that saved his life many years ago, Sick Kids. He is honoured and proud to have been asked to be a Community Leader by Canada Running Series. Connect with JP on Twitter, Instagram and his blog.

 

Steve LaytonSteve Layton
Steve used to eat too much and work long hours until his unhealthy lifestyle caught up with him.  Over the past 5 years he’s changed jobs, sleep habits and his diet and is a proud member of the running community! Honoured to be part of the Community Leaders Program, Steve strives to encourage others to test their boundaries and try running. Connect with Steve on Twitter, Instagram and his blog.

Jodi LewchukJodi Lewchuk
Believe” is a word that Jodi has truly come to understand through running. It inspired her to tackle her first 42.2K race, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, which she finished in Boston-qualifying time. Jodi hopes that by sharing her story and love of running, she might encourage others to run their way to their best selves. Connect with Jodi on Twitter and Instagram.

Linda NguyenLinda Nguyen
An avid runner and obstacle course racer, Linda’s love of running started on the high school track where she was a competitive runner and hurdler. A marathon is on her bucket-list this year and as her running journey continues, she hopes to inspire others to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Connect with Linda on Twitter, Instagram and her blog.

Cory PagettCory Pagett
Cory first laced up in 2008 and was immediately caught up in the spirit of the running community. Since then, Cory has increased his running distances, as well as his fundraising efforts for a variety of causes that add meaning to his miles. Cory also seeks to promote the benefits running has on mental health and is grateful for each day that his feet feel the earth beneath them. Connect with Cory on Twitter and Instagram.

Learn more about our Canada Running Series Community Leaders here.

 

 

 

Jan 26 2015
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When The Going Gets Tough.

By | Digital Champions, Toronto Yonge Street 10K | No Comments

TORONTO January 26th 2015. Digital Champion Lauren Simmons ran cross-country in grade 7 and 8, inspired by her Dad, a sub-3 Boston Marathon runner. In university, she lived near the Mt.Royal in Montreal, and ran as a way to explore her own backyard. It was in Montreal that she really fell in love with running and she’s been running ever since! In 2014 Lauren ran the Around the Bay 30k and improved her half-marathon PB by 22 minutes! When she’s not running, Lauren is a high school music teacher and librarian, involved with #WiTOPoli (Women in Toronto Politics), and is passionate about supporting local restaurants, wineries and craft breweries in Toronto’s East End, which she calls home.

When The Going Gets Tough. By Lauren Simmons. TYS10K Lauren ATB

I’ve been a runner for almost 15 years. When I look back on the early years of my running life, I can’t help but think how naive I was: running long runs three times a week, never stretching, running on worn-out shoes – all kind of bad habits. Of course, like every runner who keeps at it long enough, I’ve had my fair share of injuries in the last few years – some from over-training, some from freak accidents, and some from muscle imbalances. But I’m here to tell you that as dark as it may seem when you can’t get out and run, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – and if you’re injured now, that light can still very well be running the Toronto Yonge Street 10K.

My first running injury was a stress fracture, and it was the first time I was really humbled as to how fickle the human body can be. If you’re new to running, you’ll want to watch out for these if you’re increasing your mileage too much or too quickly. My foot started hurting about 3 weeks into my first half-marathon training plan, and by 2 months in I was benched for 6 weeks with a hairline fracture in my toe. Lesson learned: don’t run too much too soon.

I’ve had a few accidents in my time that have put dents in my running, too. I got hit by a car at crosswalk (I pushed the button, he was in wrong!) and I rolled my ankle going down, tearing tendons in my foot and ankle. I spent the first few weeks on crutches, and again had 6 weeks until I could run, and had to shelve plans for a spring half-marathon for the second year in a row. It was frustrating, even more so because I had had an injury the year before, but knowing that the accident could have been much worse put some things in perspective.

TYS10K Lauren Foam RollingI’m currently coming off of a groin/adductor tear that has had me benched from running since early December. 2014 was my banner year: I PBd in the 30, 21.1, 15, 10 and 8k distances, and had been injury free. But sadly, this injury came for me, like many do for others, from an imbalance in muscle strength. I felt my left glute tighten after and during my training for my half-marathon last fall, but I didn’t treat it. I didn’t foam roll consistently, didn’t get massage or physio, and eventually the weakness there led to compensation in my inner thigh, which ended up torn. I spent most of December hobbling and moody, mad to be missing the unseasonably warm weather and clear sidewalks ideal for winter running. I shelled out the cash to visit my sports doctor/chiro/acupuncture/ART/miracle worker almost weekly, and dutifully winced through home treatments with the foam roller, lacrosse ball and “The Stick”. Last week, I ran for the first time, only 4k, and while I felt pain the next day, I was back to running again this week, and felt less pain time.

This is how running works. It builds us up to break us down. And in that way, running is a great metaphor for life. I’ve some personal ups and downs in the last few months, too, and it’s been a huge source of frustration for me that I haven’t had my long runs to clear my mind. But I push on. We all do. Through life, through the hard times, and through the parts when our bodies let us down. If we work hard, respect our own limitations and set reasonable goals, we can all get back in the game. I’ve set my sights on building back the speed and strength I worked so hard to achieve in 2014, I’ve been cross-training and have kept my weight down – I’m ready to PB in the Yonge Street 10k, just like I did last year.

Connect with Lauren on Twitter and Instagram.