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Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Archives - Page 13 of 14 - Canada Running Series

Jul 16 2015
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Running and Family: A Balancing Act

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TORONTO July 16th 2015. Digital Champion Jason Guy hails from the East Coast of Canada, St. John’s Newfoundland. He started running in junior high school after his soccer coach suggested he take up cross country. In 2015, he placed second in the Bluenose Half-Marathon, after Olympic Silver Medalist Abel Kirui. Jason credits much of his running success to having a very supportive family who always cheers him on and are very understanding of his 5am wake-up calls during the week! The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon will be Jason’s first marathon and he’s looking forward to the challenge. When he’s not running, you can find Jason playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, and spending time with this wife and two young children. Connect with Jason on Twitter and Strava.

Running and Family: A Balancing Act. By Jason Guy. 

I’ve been running off and on most of my life, but I’ve only Jason Guy Blog 2become consistent over the last number of years. I come from a family of athletic people, and when I first started running, it was easy and I was good at it, so I didn’t take it seriously enough. Ever since I graduated from college I look at running more as a mental exercise than physical, and I need to stay focused to get better, and run longer. I use to wonder if it was working, but it really wasn’t until my children came around that I knew I was succeeding.

Everyone who has ever worked out or practiced any sport knows that you need to get into a routine to see any improvements, and at first it’s easy to make excuses. Here I was faced with the easiest excuse I could ever have at this point in my life; a baby. If ever there was a multitude of reasons not to do something, a baby is the ultimate. I can’t run today, my son is sick; I can’t run today, my son was up all night fussy, and on and on.

I pushed through, I changed my routine, and kept running, making sure not to trouble the upbringing of our son. When we had our second child two years ago, my routine needed to change again, and I had even less time to do things for myself. Every parent knows, the first thing that is given up when raising children is personal time. Once again my routine was changed, and events were combined, and certain things were given up, but not running.

Strangely I have been able to run more since our second child was born, but it really isn’t that strange when you take into account that most of my runs start at 5am when everyone else is asleep. Being in a relationship makes you learn to compromise, and becoming a parent forces you to put others before you, no matter what. I run at 5am so that I can eat breakfast with my children, and pick them up at the end of the day and have supper with them. My Sunday long run could happen at 6am, 8am, 8pm, I never know until Saturday, due to being a parent. I’ve wanted to be a parent for a long time, and I always want to be there for my wife and children and experience everything they do.

Running is a mental exercise, even more so Jason blogwhen you have to schedule around the lives of two young children (ages 5 and 2). I love running, but I love my family more, and everything is sacrificed for them. I only hope that my dedication to running inspires my children to follow me as they get older and start being active. I remember reading somewhere that it’s hard for a parent to admit when their child(ren) are better than them at something, and as a competitive person I both fear and wait in excitement for that day, because I know I have helped mold them into the person they are and will become through running.

Running takes physical and mental strength, but most importantly, you need dedication and the heart to push through when it’s hard and keep going to get the reward. If I can instill that attitude into my children, then I’ll know I can call myself a great parent.

Jul 09 2015
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Lesson From My Running Family

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TORONTO July 9th 2015. Digital Champion Amy Friel comes from a family of distance runners. Her Grandpa, Jack Friel, won the Toronto Police Games Marathon in 1977 in an impressive time of 2:26:11. Last October, Amy had the privilege of carrying his legacy across the finish line at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. On October 18th, she’s returning with the goal of a Boston-qualifying time! When she’s not running, Amy is on “the last 2.2k” of her Political Science degree and can also be found painting. Connect with Amy on Twitter and Instagram.
Lessons from my Running Family. By Amy Friel 

JackFriel

Sometimes I talk to people about running, and sometimes, depending on who I’m talking to, people will tell me that I’m fast. This always strikes me as funny, because compared most of the runners in my life, I’m actually quite slow.

I have what you’d call a “fast family”. My parents actually met at a cross-country race. My grandpa (pictured on the right) won the Toronto Police Games Marathon in 1977. My dad represented Canada at the World Masters Track and Field Championships in 2003. And my big sister, who I’ve been running after most of my life, ran as an NCAA scholarship athlete. She’s run two consecutive Boston Marathons, and shows no sign of slowing down.
And then there’s my roommate. If you happened to be a spectator at the Canada Running Series half-marathon in Montreal this past April, you might have noticed a tiny, adorable brunette with the voice of a cartoon squirrel whizz across the finish line to capture fourth place.
DadAndAmyThe runners in my life have taught me a lot of lessons, from the importance of finding an apartment with adequate shoe storage, to the true meaning of finding your “sole mate”. (Brooks Ravennas, I’m looking at you!)
Our sport is unique, because distance running makes room for everyone. We welcome every age, body type, and level of ability, and what we celebrate isn’t the victory of one runner over another, but the victory of one runner over all the things they once felt they could never do. That’s the one thing that seems to be constant across all runners, from my speedy family and friends to those just starting out.
Because what makes a great runner isn’t body type, or height-to-weight ratio, or lung capacity, or physical strength. What makes a real runner great is courage. The marathon is a gruelling race, but what it tests isn’t really your speed, strength, or endurance. What the marathon really is, is a test of your existential courage; it’s a great big, fearless celebration of human tenacity. Because at the 35K mark, alone in the face of bitter cold winds and heavy fatigue, far from friends, family, or a phone, quitting just isn’t an option. The marathon teaches you that if you’re going through hell, you keep going.
Jul 07 2015
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On your mark, get set, fundraise for the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge!

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

Runners set to raise millions for 173 local charities this fall.

Toronto, Ontario – (Marketwired – July 8, 2015) – Over 27,000 runners will hit the streets of Toronto on October 18 for the 26th annual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM), Half-marathon & 5k. Many will be raising funds for 173 mostly local Official Charities in the 2015 Scotiabank Charity Challenge, including three featured charities:

  • Autism Ontario
  • Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health
  • Romero House

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will be the National Charity Partner.

For a complete list of 2015 charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please visit the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon website.

Since the introduction of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge to Canada in the 2003 Toronto Waterfront event, the fundraising initiative has raised almost $25 million for hundreds of charities in the Toronto area. The participating charities keep 100 per cent of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees. Given its resounding success in Toronto, the program has been expanded nationally in recent years. So far in 2015, $4.4 million has been raised for hundreds of Scotiabank Charity Challenge official charities across Canada in Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa and Halifax.

“The success of the STWM Scotiabank Charity Challenge is due to the tremendous support from the City of Toronto, the thousands of runners, and the energy of the 173 charities involved,” said Rob Mattacott, District Vice-President, Toronto Centre District at Scotiabank.” The IAAF Gold Label Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has become one of Canada’s finest road races and its Charity Challenge fundraising has grown from $198,000 in 2003 to $3.67 million in 2014.”

“The enthusiasm and dedication toward giving back to the community demonstrated by the Scotiabank Charity Challenge participants is what makes race day extra special,” said Alan Brookes, Canada Running Series Race Director. “From dressing up in crazy costumes to chasing Guinness World Records, and running the race three times in one day, the determination, creativity and spirit we see on the course is what makes the Charity Challenge so unique.”

Please visit the website at www.STWM.ca for more information.

Part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a friendly competition between the charities for $33,000 in cash prizes consisting of $6,000 for 1st place, $3,000 for 2nd, and $2,000 for 3rd in the following categories:

  • The Official Charity that has the most fundraising participants.
  • The Official Charity that raises the most fundraising dollars.
  • The Official Charity that raises the largest amount of pledge dollars per fundraising

How to get involved!

  • Register for an event: Register for one of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon events (Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5k) on the event website www.stwm.ca
  • Fundraise: Once registered, you can sign up for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and raise funds for a participating official charity or donate directly to their cause.
  • Donate: Visit the Scotiabank Charity Challenge to select an Official Charity and make a one-time donation.
  • Cheer: Come out and support friends and family along the race route and as they cross the finish line. You can also show your support to runners online by using the hashtags #STWM and #runScotia.

About Scotiabank

Through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 86,000 employees and assets of $837 billion (as at April 30, 2015), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank’s media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.

About the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

An IAAF Gold Label race, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada’s premier, big-city running event, and the Grand Finale of the 8-race Canada Running Series. In 2014, it attracted more than 26,000 participants from 60 countries, raised $3.67 million for 173 charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, and contributed an estimated $35 million to the local economy. In 2014, it also became the first marathon to be livestreamed globally on YouTube, attracting viewers from 115 countries. In 2015, it will host the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships and the international Bridge The Gap movement www.STWM.ca.

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For media enquiries only:

Joanna Hatt
Narrative PR
(416) 922-2211 x3349
(416) 557-5333
Joanna.Hatt@Narrative.ca

 

 

Jul 06 2015
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Lessons Learned After Running 23 Marathons

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TORONTO July 6th 2015. Digital Champion David Daze is very excited to be running the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 18th. He started running marathons in 2001 at the age of 40 and #STWM will be his 24th marathon! David’s most memorable running accomplishment was qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon in 2006 and 2007. When he’s not running, David is a full time elementary school teacher and basketball coach. Connect with David on Twitter and Instagram.

Lessons Learned after Running 23 Marathons. By David Daze. David Finish Line

1. You cannot get into marathon shape quickly. Be mindful of your mileage as the training weeks progress, because ramping up too quickly will possibly lead to an injury.  Listen to your body and be sure to build in rest days to your training program.

2. Have your gear ready to go and your pre-race logistics figured out in advance of the big day. My hat, shirt with bib, shorts, socks, shoes, watch, and gels are all laid out the night before the marathon.  When race morning comes, I know what I am having for breakfast, how I’m getting to the start line, where I am going to park, and what my warm-up ritual will be.  No stress, no worries.  Just think about the run.

3. When the gun goes off don’t be in a hurry. Ease into the race and let the road come to you.  Running with a pace bunny, at least in the early stages of the race, is a good way to keep it under control and not let yourself get caught up in the early excitement of the marathon.

4. The halfway point of a marathon is the 32km mark.   The last 10 km is when it gets real and it gets tough.  So get your weekly training long runs in because they are important.  I don’t know where I first saw this quote but for me it describes the marathon perfectly: “A marathon is 20 miles of hope and 6 miles of truth.”

5. A little inspiration can go a long way. I always write the names of my wife and two daughters on my arm before each marathon.  Whatever motivates you, keep it in mind when you are making the final push to the finish line.

6. Smile when you cross the finish line and celebrate your race! No matter what place you come in, running a marathon is an accomplishment to be proud of.  Congratulate your fellow runners, thank the volunteers as you make your way through the recovery area, and wear that medal proudly because you are a marathoner!

 

Jul 02 2015
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Injuries: What do you do when it happens to you?

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TORONTO July 2nd 2015. Digital Champion Jess Collins began running as a way to complement her strength training workouts.  In 2011, she decided to challenge herself to run the Terry Fox Run (something she’d long wanted to do) as she was getting over a breakup, in order to focus her energy on a positive goal and raise money to fight cancer. She got hooked on running, and completed her first timed 10K race in March 2012. Jess’ most memorable running accomplishment was her first marathon in October 2014, at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. When she’s not running, you can find Jess baking (a lot!) and brewing beer! Connect with Jess on Twitter and Instagram.

Injuries: What do you do when it happens to you? By Jess Collins.

IMG_9990Like most runners, I’ve experienced some relatively minor injuries before (such as plantar fasciitis), but I’ve usually been back pretty soon, after some treatment. But this spring – one week before the Toronto Yonge Street 10K, and less than half an hour into what I’d hoped would be my first 25K run in several months, a twinge on the top of my foot quickly turned into a sharp pain with every step, forcing me to hail a cab home. When the pain didn’t subside, I sought out a sports medicine doctor, and a bone scan ultimately revealed a stress fracture – probably two of the most dreaded words a runner can hear, since it requires 6-12 weeks off running.

There’s no denying that being injured (especially an injury that requires you to abstain completely from running) is challenging – physically, emotionally, and socially.

Physically, I was fortunate that I was able to cycle, as long as I heeded my doctor’s orders not to put extra weight on my foot by standing on my pedals. While they kept me reasonably active, spinning workouts just didn’t give me the same satisfaction as running outdoors. Spinning became fairly dull, and my motivation waned, despite knowing it was helping keep up my fitness.

I escaped the gym with outdoor bike rides; the next best thing to spending hours outside running is spending hours outside cycling. Missing the thrill of chasing PBs in races, I unconsciously began creating new challenges. The first time I was able to cycle up the notorious Poplar Plains hill on my single-speed bike without standing up on my pedals felt like a victory (one I’d never before achieved even when not injured)!

Emotionally, I put some of the blame on myself and thought of all kinds of ways I might have avoided this (Did I stretch enough? Did I increase my mileage too quickly after my minor injury in the winter? Was I wearing the right shoes? etc). More importantly, I’ve felt shut out from an activity I love – one which helps me manage stress, and which gives me a sense of identity. If you think of yourself as a runner, as I do, who are you when you can’t run?

IMG_9829Socially, I also felt distanced from my friends and teammates. I train with Pace & Mind, a phenomenal group of people, many of whom I am lucky to consider good friends. Without being able to run, I missed the social interaction and support of Thursday and Sunday group workouts. My “cowbell” got a lot of use this spring as I cheered for friends and teammates. But, it was tough to repeatedly show up and be positive and enthusiastic when I desperately just wanted to run these races myself. I joined in for some get-togethers, but – although most likely my teammates didn’t feel this way! – I worried that my presence was a bummer, a reminder that they, too, could lose the ability to run.

It’s been 10 weeks of uncertainty and waiting – for an appointment with a specialist, for test results – and it was hard to envision that this time would eventually end. As the doctor-approved ‘Begin Running Again Day’ approached, I felt phantom pains and anxiety that I’d immediately re-injure myself. But I finally laced up my running shoes and ran/walked 1km. It is incredibly humbling to think that about 8 months ago, I completed a full marathon, but was elated to get through a single kilometre. Afterwards, I cried out of a mixture of joy and relief from built-up frustration and emotion.

Now that I’ve (slowly, cautiously) started running again, I’m having my running form and weaknesses professionally assessed, so I can reduce the chances of future injury. I’m trying to trust that my body has healed, and I’m working on getting mentally re-focused on training for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, assuming my body cooperates!

Having had a lot of time to think about it over the last 10 weeks, here’s what I’d recommend to someone else taking time off from running after an injury:

  • Listen to your health care professionals’ guidance, as well as your own body. There’s no point rushing back to running if your body isn’t ready.
  • Don’t punish yourself mentally for what you might have done differently, but do consider how to address the cause and avoid future injury. Focus on improving strength and flexibility so you come back as strong as possible.
  • Find and set new little challenges in whatever physical activities you’re able to do, to keep yourself motivated.
  • Show yourself some kindness. Accept that it’s frustrating and upsetting, and cut yourself a little slack. Treat yourself (I bought some cute, comfy sneakers to wear while recovering, but now I’ll always associate these sneakers with injury!).
  • Try to find ways to enjoy the “break”  from running, by spending time doing other activities you don’t always make time for during training (I immersed myself in a baking class!).
  • Stay connected to running friends – they appreciate your support, and will continue to support you as your recover and return to running.

Running has been a source of ambivalence for several months – I’ve desperately wanted to run, while knowing that running itself caused much pain and frustration. But recently a friend/teammate reminded me of the sheer joy and camaraderie I’d felt after a few members of our team had run 15K worth of parking lot laps in the wee hours of the morning before the Canada Running Series’ Oasis Zoo Run last September. He told me that eventually, I was sure to feel that enthusiasm and love of running again.

It’s been a tough time without running, but the anticipation of feeling that pure joy of running soon has gotten me through this.

Jun 30 2015
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Runner Aiming For Triple Toronto Waterfront Marathon. By Paul Gains

By | Community Leaders, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

_NGE0247-B&WJust before midnight on Saturday October 17 Jean Paul Bedard – JP to his friends – will toe a the starting line outside Toronto’s University Avenue courthouse and run two circuits of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

If he has timed it just right he will have thirty to forty minutes rest before joining 18,000+ other runners – who will raise $4 million for local charities – as the official IAAF Gold Label Race begins. By the end of the day he will have run a triple Waterfront marathon – a whopping total of 126.6 kilometres!

The 49 year old has battled demons in the past including alcohol and drug addiction, suicide attempts and depression. He has overcome much but there is nothing crazy about this incredible physical challenge.

“The first thing in this is an awareness campaign,” Bedard says. “I am almost 50, I am a recovering alcoholic and addict, I have been sober for a little over 18 years. I spent a lot of time beating myself up with different substances kind of masking what was going on inside.

“About two months before the Boston marathon in 2013 I finally disclosed to my wife and adult son, who was 23 at the time, that I am the survivor of childhood sexual abuse and rape.”

Bedard ran a little over three hours for the Boston marathon that year – he has a personal best of 2:57 – and admits that he was an emotional wreck as he tried to come to terms with having shared his past. Midway through the race he broke down crying and hyperventilating. Nevertheless he completed the race. After showering and changing at the hotel he and his wife walked out onto the marathon course. That was when the terrorist bombs exploded.

The whole experience proved overwhelming and he reckons he was suffering Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. But with his family’s support he entered a treatment program at The Gatehouse which helped him and helps other adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The impact of the treatment was enormous.

“I got my life back,” he declares. “For such a long time running _NGE0666was a kind of escape, running away from myself, turning off my brain all that stuff but, through this program, I started looking at running as a way to kind of run back into myself and come to terms with all of these things in me. It became almost a spiritual practice.

“And I was so grateful to the program at Gatehouse, how much everyone there had helped me. I decided I would go back to Boston the following year and try to raise money for the Centre and, also, raise a little bit of awareness for childhood sexual abuse especially. There are very few male advocates out there. I got in touch with (retired NHL star and victim of sexual abuse) Theo Fleury and asked for help and he has been instrumental in helping me find resources.”

Returning to Boston in 2014 he decided he would do a ‘double marathon’ setting out from Boston in the reverse direction to meet up with the official entrants in time for the official start. The logistics were quite complicated. Security had been enhanced a year after the bombing but in the end he raised more than $25,000 for The Gatehouse.

The idea of doing a triple Toronto originated during a conversation he had with Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon race director Alan Brookes.

“I have an affinity to the Canada Running Series and to Alan,” Bedard explains. “I have run this marathon 10 times, this will be my 11th, 12th and 13th time running STWM. Alan is like the race ambassador. He is not in it for the cash he is in it for the love of the sport. He said ‘JP it’s great what you did in Boston but it’s going to be hard to outdo that.’ That was the genesis of the triple Toronto. I am not sure what happens next year!”

Bedard laughs as he relates this tale. Formerly a school teacher he is now a full time writer with a book coming out next Spring called ‘Running Into Yourself.” It deals with the subject of running to combat depression, anxiety and traumatic events. In a typical week he puts in roughly 200 kilometres. Thankfully he has a shoe sponsor as he goes through a pair of shoes every three to four weeks.

At this point he is still sorting through logistics for the Waterfront Marathon. His wife will likely accompany him in the car during the first two loops and he expects three or four ultramarathoners he’s enlisted will jump in and out at various points.

Bedard is not fundraising this time. He says you can only go to the well so often. Keeping the topic of rape and sexual abuse at the forefront is his aim especially since more than a dozen women have come forward accusing former CBC personality, Jian Ghomeshi, of assault.

“I have also been associating with these two twitter campaigns,” Bedard says, “one of those broke just after the Jian Ghomeshi scandal, the #BeenRapedNeverReported  campaign and also the (Kathleen) Wynne government’s #ItsNeverOkay.

“I was the victim of sexual abuse by a hockey coach when I was younger but I was also raped in a ravine by two men when I was 12 years old.  I have never told my story. So part of it is to run and keep this story front and centre. Leading up to the Jian Ghomeshi trial it’s important to keep it out there.”

Committed to marathon running, Bedard says he runs ten to twelve marathons a year mostly in the 3:10 – 3:15  range. For the triple Toronto he will scale back his pace to ensure he can cover this massive distance.

“I would like to target each of those first two marathons around 4 and a half hours, somewhere around that,” he declares. The time does not matter in any case.

_NGE0293“I think the three things I would like to accomplish are number one, keeping the conversation toward sexual violence in our community at the forefront, because I think we are at the turning point where we will see change in that dialogue. The second thing would be just to show the resiliency of being able to overcome the trauma and challenges in our life. I would like to show that despite the trauma I went through in my childhood, the addictions and depression and suicide attempts and all of that, I am still going.

“And I think the third element would be just to kind of show just how community building running is, and choosing the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon was the perfect vehicle for that. I think that is everything that race embodies.”

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To join JP on the Start Line, register for Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon at www.stwm.ca

 

Jun 24 2015
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My Journey to 42.2

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TORONTO June 25th 2015. Digital Champion Jonathan Greenwald started running in 2013, after being invited on a trail run with some friends. He ran 3 kilometres, started seeing stars, then walk/jogged the 3 kilometres back to his car. Despite a shaky start, Jonathan stuck with running for the next year and in October 2014, he crossed the finish line of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon, an experience he will never forget!  When he’s not running, Jonathan is usually thinking about running or discussing one of the many aspects of running with people (some of whom probably wish he had other hobbies!) Other times, he’s coaching his son’s soccer and T-Ball team or helping him clear levels on his Wii gaming system (equally as important as running). Connect with Jonathan on Twitter and Instagram.

My Journey to 42.2. By Jonathan Greenwald

Jonathan Greenwald 3On Sunday, June 23rd, 2013, I became a runner. This wasn’t the first time I attempted to earn the moniker, but unlike the many failed attempts in the past, this time would different. In the days leading up to my “first” run, I tried to recall why I never enjoyed running in the past; fortunately for me, I couldn’t recall as more than 20 years had passed since the last failed attempt.

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. In the mid 90’s, I lived in an apartment building in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn which was situated two blocks from the entrance of the Verrazano Bridge; the same bridge the NYC Marathon participants cross at Mile 1. One early Sunday morning in November, I positioned myself near the first turn on to 92nd street and watched as the elite pack crossed the bridge. The sensation that soon followed as roughly 60,000 feet pounded the pavement was overwhelming. It was at that moment I knew I wanted to become a runner. For days following the marathon, I would run from my apartment to a nearby park and back. The entire run was just over 3 kilometers and each run was as rewarding as the last. I kept this up for nearly a month until I forgot why I was running and found something else to occupy my time. I guess I really didn’t want to be a runner after all; a fact which would be confirmed the two additional times I watched the marathon, laced up a pair of runners, only to toss them in the back of my closet a few weeks later.

Fast forward 20 years to the aforementioned beautiful summer day on the Don Valley Trail. I joined my buddy Gus and my sister-in-law Andrea in the parking lot on Pottery Road; days prior, we spoke about getting in shape and living a healthier life. Running sounded easy enough, so why not give it another try?! We entered the trail and started our run at a very manageable pace. I took in the sights and sounds on the trail and enjoyed the moment. Before long, we hit the 3km mark and everything changed. I started to get dizzy, nauseous, and it felt as if my heart was going to pound out of my chest. I had to sit, but I was encouraged to walk, jog, or crawl, back to the start; anything but sit.

I decided I was not going to let the experience change my views on running. I was determined to continue running for at least the remainder of the week. Three days later, I headed out for another run. This time, I would reduce the distance and pace. I ran most of the 4.5km distance; slowing down once towards the end. By the end of the week, I had three more runs under my belt.

Very quickly weeks turned in to months and I was finding I could be on my feet for longer periods of time. By November, I was able to run 18 kilometers and I started to set my sights on road races. In December, I registered for the 2014 Toronto Yonge Street 10K, the 2014 Oasis Zoo Run 10K, and the 2014 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I was running less than 6 months and already had the marathon itch! I had 11 months to prepare, so why not?! I became obsessed with running, learning how to breathe, and putting in the time to build my base and improve my endurance. 2014 was going to be a very big year for me. Then, the injuries started.

I suffered a foot injury unrelated to running late November 2013 which took a toll on my training. From December through the beginning of April 2014, I completed a total of 3 runs. To make up for the lost time, I made a rookie mistake and went for a 7km run, followed by 10km run a few days later which I couldn’t complete because of the sharp pain I start to feel in my knee. Ignoring the pain, I raced in the 2014 Yonge Street 10K. The pain increased and I started to visit a physiotherapist. I was advised to stay off my feet, but with my second race on the horizon, I didn’t listen. I barely finished the race due to the pain. I should not have run the race. The rest of May was a wash and I continued my physio visits through June and July. I was placed on a “return to running” program to build my strength to the point it was in November before the injuries sidelined me.

In September I raced in the 2014 Oasis Zoo Run without incident. By this time, I knew I would not be able to complete the full marathon in the 2014 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, so I ran the half. 2014 ended with 4x10Ks and 1×21.1K races complete.

The real turning point for my success was the Jonathan Greenwald 2introduction to running crews. I always felt something was missing from my runs and it wasn’t until I was put in touch with a group of friends who ran the Kay Gardiner Beltline on Sunday mornings. They called themselves the Sunday Run to Eat Gang. Once I joined them, I quickly realized I was missing the social and, sometimes, competitive aspect of running amongst friends. A few months later, I also started running with the Night Terrors Run Crew and my circle of friends got even bigger. Running was taking on a new form for me and I was excited about the future. So, maybe 2015 will be my big year?

So far, 2015 certainly has been a big year for me. I crushed my 10K and Half Marathon PBs and completed a 30K road race. I have a few other races planned including the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, which was to be my first full marathon attempt, but I was convinced I was ready sooner; so on June 20th, 2015, I became a marathoner by finishing the Niagara Ultra Series 42.2 distance.

Sunday, October 18th will be my redemption run where I plan on crushing my marathon PB.

See you in October!

 

Jun 18 2015
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Why I Chose STWM As My First Marathon And How I Plan To Get There!

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

TORONTO June 18th 2015. Digital Champion Mike Van Mil took up running after hearing about all the achievements of his runner friends and the camaraderie of the running world. A year ago he set the goal of running the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half-Marathon and he hasn’t looked back since! When Mike’s not running, he works full and part time as a paramedic in the GTA. You can also find him at the hockey rink and dance studio cheering on his two children or enjoying family trips to Disney. Connect with Mike on Twitter, Instagram, and his blog.

Why I Chose STWM As My First Marathon And How I Plan To Get There. By Mike Van Mil

Firsts are amazing things aren’t they?  First love, first kiss, first house, first child, first car… This could go on forever.  All significant times in your life that you will remember for the rest of your life.  And if you have any control over when, where and how they happen, you do everything you can to make sure they are special and shared with your family and friends.  So when it came time to select my very first marathon the choice was easy. Probably the only easy thing about running my first marathon!  I wanted my first to be right here at home where my family and friends could cheer me on!  A marathon where I was comfortable and familiar with my surroundings, the route, and the organizers.  There are quite a few marathons in the GTA and I needed to find one that suited me and my needs.  The choice for me actually came quite quickly and easily.  I selected the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon for a few reasons:

1. I have already established a relationship Mike Van Mil Blog Image 1with Canada Running Series as a Digital Champion for the 2015 Toronto Yonge Street 10k. This means I already have a good idea of the high caliber races CRS puts on and the amazing management team they have to ensure the whole process, from sign up to race day, goes off without a hitch.

2. The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is held right here at home which makes it easy for my friends and family to come cheer for me on race day.

3. This race fits very well with my training goals and race calendar.

4. The course is quite flat and runs right along the lake, which will mean cooler temps and inspiring views!

So how the heck am I going to stay motivated over the next 4 months to get longer and longer runs in, without feeling daunted or overwhelmed? Self doubt has a nasty way of creeping into my brain sometimes, trying to take over my thought process. This is where motivation and visualization have to kick in.  My biggest motivation when I’m training is to visualize running the marathon and to remind myself that I need to be prepared for it, both in my legs and in my lungs.  The only way to prepare is to start months ahead and just run!  I will get the miles under my belt, gradually increasing my distance every week.  For me, the body is kind of like a sloth; it is very slow to react and because of this you need to tax it slowly over time, with increasing levels of exertion. Thankfully I really enjoy running! It is a wonderful stress relief for me after a busy shift at work.  I also find having a running partner or group greatly improves motivation. For me it’s my wife.  Since we do a lot of our races together, we are on the same training plans. We lift each other up and keep each other motivated.

To be completely honest, I don’t really know the first thing about training for a marathon!  For all my past races my training really had no plan or structure.  It simply involved getting out when I could and gradually increasing my mileage and run/walk intervals.  I think, though, that training for a marathon, which is twice the distance I’ve ever completed, requires a plan and a structure to be successful.  The plan I have selected begins on July 1st and slowly builds from there. It starts with 3 runs per week and slowly progresses to 4 runs per week. I will admit that I am a little daunted by the structure, the miles, and the amount of time required in the last few months of the plan.  If you don’t know a lot about me, I work a full and part time job with 12 hour shifts.  That presents a whole set of challenges to my training as well as my family life, but that’s a whole topic for another time.  Suffice it to say I need to buckle down, not make excuses, and find the time to get my training runs in, while still fulfilling all my other obligations.

“Make time for the run; the run will not make time for you!”

Mike Van Mil Blog Image 2I am really looking forward to this whole adventure.  I am excited to see where this will bring me when it’s all done.  I may love it and I may hate it but I am trying to leave expectations at the door and see what happens.  I have chosen not to set a time goal for myself either. With this being my first marathon I really want to just experience 42.2k without the pressure of abiding by a time.  I’m sure there will come a time in the future where I will set marathon time goals for myself, but for now I’m going to ride this train and see where it takes me.   I don’t doubt that there will be ups and downs and I am not afraid to share them with you. My hope is that one of you may also have the same concerns or issues that I do and you will take comfort in the fact that you are not alone.  If you are, please let me know because I also take comfort in knowing that what I am experiencing throughout this journey is normal.  I truly believe that this is going to be one of those firsts that I will remember for the rest of my life!  I am so thankful that I get to experience it right here at home with my closest family and friends!  Thank you Canada Running Series for giving me that opportunity as well as the ability share my experience with all of you!

#KeepSmilin 🙂

Mike

Jun 17 2015
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Get Motivated: The journey from a 5% chance of ever being able to walk again to running STWM

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TORONTO June 17th 2015. First in a series of 4 special blog features by Robert MacDonald, a 28-year old Canadian who went from ICU hospital bed, with a 5% chance of ever walking again, to training to run the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon in 2015. Follow Robert’s journey via Instagram and Twitter.

Get Motivated: The journey from a 5% chance of ever being able to walk again to running the STWM. By Robert MacDonald. 

The date is December 8th, 2012. I am lying on the ground not able to get up, move or for that matter feel my lower body.  All I can think is, “What have I done?”

I had fallen 30 feet, landing on my side, breaking 9 vertebrae, 11 ribs, my scapula, and puncturing a lung.  At that moment on December 8th, lying there, I didn’t know the full extent of my injuries yet.  But I did know one thing for certain: from that moment on, my life had changed forever.

Arriving by air ambulance and rushed to Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital I began to learn exactly how dire my circumstances were. I was diagnosed with ASIA B Paraplegia, leaving me a 5% chance of ever walking again. I was left immobilized in ICU not knowing if I would live, move my legs, or ever walk again. It was a very dark time in my life.

However, I had been raised to believe in perseverance: never giving up regardless of what you’re striving to accomplish. So I climbed out of that dark place; even though I had every odd stacked against me, I believed I would walk again.Robert MacDonald Blog 2

My rehabilitation journey would begin with the help of amazing Canadian health care system, specifically St. Michael’s Hospital and the Lyndhurst, a Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. My life was consumed by one painful day of rehab after another. Progress wasn’t made in huge strides but in small muscle twitches, or the first time I was able to stand on my own.

  • At one month in, I would stand with aid for the first time.
  • Two months in, I would walk with aid for the first time.
  • Three months in, I would walk without aid or devices for the first time.
  • 14 months in. I would jog a short distance for the first time.
  • Two years in, I would complete a 10Km jog without stopping.
  • At Just under three years from my accident, I hope to complete 21.1km without stopping at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon.

Robert MacDonald Blog 3This journey has been a long, frustrating, painful and exhausting process. I have had many ups and many downs, but what keeps me moving forward is the idea of improvement. Whether it is an incrementally small gain in balance or colossal breakthrough in muscle response, the opportunity to improve keeps me going.

One of my favourite quotes, which is framed on the wall in my apartment really hits home to my whole experience.

“There is one thing that gives radiance to everything. The idea of something around the corner.”

– G.K. Chesterton

I urge each and every one of you to get out there and challenge yourself, to start running. Start with 1 km, progress to 2 km, or just aim to beat your personal best and establish a new goal. The power of the human mind and spirit is an outstanding thing.  Anything can be accomplished if you set your mind to it.

I know, with just a little perseverance, you will find the outcome truly rewarding.

Your training buddy,

-Robert MacDonald

 

*To learn more my story, visit this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oep9KOQLG3g
or contact me via email at robert@roicorp.com.

 

 

 

Jun 16 2015
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Krista DuChene to race Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on the road to Rio. By Paul Gains

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It gives us ENORMOUS pleasure to announce that Krista DuChene will be on the start line at STWM — vying for overall as well as National Championship honours, chasing records, and moving inexorably towards an Olympic dream. In SO many ways Krista captures the spirit of the marathon, of what can be achieved by dedication, determination and great courage. As a marathoner, as a mom, as a nutritionist, as a Canadian hero, Krista is a great inspiration to all. Never give up! Never quit! Even against great odds. We’re thrilled she’ll be on that Start Line with us all on October 18th. 

Enjoy Paul’s feature, and stay in touch with @kristaduchene on Twitter and on Instagram. #ShareTheJourney to #STWM. #InItTogether  –Alan (Brookes), Race Director

TORONTO June 16th 2015. A little over a year has passed since Krista DuChene struggled across the finish line of the Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal with what would be diagnosed as a broken femur – a potentially career ending injury.

Yet, this 38 year old mother of three is now poised to represent Canada at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

On April 12th of this year DuChene finished 3rd at the Rotterdam Marathon with a time of 2:29:38 beating the Olympic standard by twelve seconds.

The miraculous comeback has afforded her the luxury of going into her next marathon, not having to chase standards, but to run the race the way she wants to. Accordingly, the Brantford, Ontario native has chosen to run the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon October 18th.

The event is the only IAAF Gold Label marathon in Canada and this year will also serve as the Athletics Canada National Championship Marathon.

“You know it’s an absolute wonderful feeling to have that standard so early in the qualifying period,” she declares, “and just to be able to sit back and reflect, and let it soak in, and make wise decisions moving forward, as opposed to panicking and thinking ‘oh what race am I going to do now to get the standard.’

“But, at the same time, I am not taking that for granted. Certainly we do have a couple of women who are making their mark and I have to watch out for them if they do run faster than my 2:29:38.”

Krista DuChene Blog 2DuChene is fully aware that she has beaten the odds, so to speak, being much nearer to 40 than most of her competitors and being able to recover from an extraordinary fracture. There surely were times where she wondered about her future as an elite marathon runner.

“You know it all comes down to my faith, everyday,” DuChene explains. “I knew it was part of a bigger plan. I had peace in the hospital. I had my share of crying. That was difficult but, not once did I have this fear or panic that something better wouldn’t come of it. I didn’t know what it would be.

“I said, the day after surgery, it would take two years to run my next marathon. Two days after surgery I knew I could do it in one year. I didn’t think I would get the standard on my first try; I was fully mentally prepared for three tries. I think that is why my recovery from Rotterdam was longer this time. Physically I was fine but emotionally, just understanding and reflecting on the significance of the previous year, was pretty hard to grasp. So I really needed to take the time to emotionally recover from it in a good year.”

The decision to run Toronto and forego an opportunity to represent Canada at either the Pan American Games or the World Championships in Beijing was a difficult one for the athlete and her coach, Rick Mannen. They consulted and reflected and ultimately decided that she should completely recover from Rotterdam and build up gradually for a fall marathon. The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon was a natural choice.

The Toronto race has been good to her. It was the scene of her assault on Sylvia Ruegger’s then 28 year old Canadian record of 2:28:36 in 2013. Though she did dip under the time with her 2:28:32 personal best she was beaten to the line by Lanni Marchant’s 2:28:00.  And, she doesn’t have to think long and hard for reasons to return to the event.

“There are numerous things I can say I love about the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon,” DuChene reveals. “Number one (race director) Alan Brookes and his amazing Canada Running Series team. I call it my home marathon because it is close in distance; I don’t need to travel. Family and friends are close, the crowd is fun. The comfort and the familiarity of the race, the international field, it’s our national championship and it’s an IAAF Gold Label event. That’s probably more than a half dozen reasons.

“There’s no pressure for me to hit a certain time. At the same time, I can maybe go for a faster time and be a bit more risky with that. I still tend to be an even paced, conservative, runner going out at a pace I think I can hold to the end. The nice thing after making the decision to not do a summer marathon I just kind of went right back to the bottom and I am going to slowly build a base and get my routine back, thin out the sweets a bit, increase the mileage and intensity in a really gradual way.”

Two of her three children are currently in school and the youngest, at 4, will start school next September which will give her a little more freedom. For the past several years she has risen at 5:00 a.m., even in the coldest winter months, to run before her husband Jonathan, leaves for work. Then she would often run on the treadmill at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre while her daughter was in childcare on site.

With the luxury of building up for Toronto ever so gradually DuChene could well be in a position to beat her personal best and challenge Marchant’s national record. The Rotterdam performance was inhibited somewhat by windy conditions and the lack of a pacemaker for the latter stages of the race. She’s proven she can beat the odds time and time again. Maybe a record is in the cards October 18th.

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For further information and to register to run with Krista, visit www.STWM.ca