An Interview with Simon Bairu, the Greatest Distance Runner in Canadian History
The following interview by Christopher Kelsall was originally published on Flotrack and re-produced here with permission. © Copyright – 2010 – Christopher Kelsall Simon Bairu of Regina, Saskatchewan is the greatest distance runner in Canadian history. Amongst the vast wealth of athletics prognosticators, it appears that it is a foregone conclusion that he will take... Read More
Opera Singer Training for Competitive Track Series this Spring
The following article, which features Trainharder blogger Marilyn Arsenault, was written by Travis Paterson and published in the Saanich News… ====================== There’s a lot more energy in opera singer Marilyn Arsenault’s voice this spring. There’s also a lot more spring in her step. A former varsity runner for the University of Victoria, Arsenault is in a year... Read More
Book Review: Marathon by Hal Higdon
The following book review is courtesy of Christopher Kelsall and originally published on the Flotrack website. Reproduced here with permission. ====================== We’ve all read John L. Parker Junior’s contribution to running culture, the quasi-fictional parable, Once a Runner – or inevitably you will. As far as running novels go, Parker set the benchmark with this story,... Read More
Inflexible Runners Faster than Flexible Runners
A recent article in the New York Times outlines recent research which makes that case that flexibility should not be considered a cornerstone of health and fitness. In fact, the latest science suggests that “extremely loose muscles and tendons are generally unnecessary (unless you aspire to join a gymnastics squad), may be undesirable and are, for the most part, unachievable,... Read More
A Beer Before a Run? Some Serious Runners Say Yes
Written by Hayley Mick and originally published in the October 29, 2009 edition of the Globe and Mail; Competitive distance runners, unlike hockey or rugby players, are better known as boy scouts than party boys, but some say that’s just a stereotype. Jim Finlayson, one of Canada’s elite distance runners, gathered with 75 racers on the track, feeling confident after... Read More
Running past hard times
CBC’s Scott Russell discusses on his blog the immunity of the running industry during the recession. An excerpt has been included below, to read his post in full please visit his blog. ====== The guy in the store where running shoes are sold had a simple message. “People run even when they’re stressed,” he said. Then he punched the cash register and rang up $169 for... Read More
Want to Go Faster? You Need a Trainer
A great article from New York Times writer Gina Kolata: ================ IF anyone ever wondered whether it was talent or sustained systematic training that makes athletes so good, they need only look at Joshua Gordon, a professional mediator in Boston. Mr. Gordon ran cross-country in college before stopping completely to take up baseball. Six years later, in 1999, he decided, almost... Read More
Did Humans Evolve to Be Long-Distance Runners?
Following is an excerpt from Mark Sisson’s blog (The Daily Apple) where he argues, contrary to the recent emerging popular belief, that humans have NOT evolved to be long distance runners… ================ Thanks to the several readers who have pointed out this recent article in SEED Magazine which once again dredges up the tired argument that humans evolved to be long-distance... Read More
After the Sun Run, on to Victoria
From the Vancouver Sun: VICTORIA – Brent Fougner, race manager for the inaugural Times Colonist 10K, recalls thinking how impressive it was that 1,700 runners showed up in 1990. On April 26, a throbbing ribbon of humanity comprising more than 12,000 participants is expected to snake its way through city streets for the 20th annual Times Colonist 10K. It is the second largest... Read More
An Interview with Keith Livingstone, Healthy Intelligent Training
Christopher Kelsall’s latest interview is will Kiwi athlete, coach and author Keith Livingstone. Keith is a Lydiard method enthusist, and has just published a book on the famous training method titled: Healthy Intelligent Training (H.I.T). This is a long interview, but if you are a fan of the Lydiard method then it is well worth the read. Note: this interview was originally... Read More
101 Running Books To Read Before You Die – Part 2
Its Christmas Eve! There’s still time for shopping for that runner on your list! Jesse Squire of The Final Sprint website has published the second installment of his 101 top books relating to running and track. Each listed title includes a short description of the book, ideal for helping us pick the perfect volume for that runner on our Christmas list. Here are the second... Read More
101 Running Books To Read Before You Die
Jesse Squire of The Final Sprint website has recently put together a list of 101 top books relating to running and track. Each listed title includes a short description of the book, ideal for helping us pick the perfect volume for that runner on our Christmas list. Here are the first 10 books in the list in no particular order: Lon, by Don Potts – Tafnews Press, 1993 A former... Read More
Born To Run
Writer and sports geek Andrew Braithwaite’s work has appeared in The Walrus, Azure and Toro. He also maintains a blog called the Sportstrotter, from which this latest article on marathon running appears. For the full posting please visit Andrew’s blog . ======= PARIS—In 490 BC, a Greek military leader entrusted the messenger Pheidippides with an important communiqué:... Read More
Victorians will run under Sahara sun
For dentist, it’s just one of four gruelling desert ordeals Katherine Dedyna, Times Colonist Published: Monday, October 20, 2008 It’s cold and rainy outside as Stan Lee and Jon Miller hoof it on the treadmills at the Oak Bay Rec Centre, where they’ve covered 15 kilometres a night for months. They’re really going to miss the crummy weather a pane of glass... Read More
The 29th Annual Royal Victoria Marathon
The 29th Annual Royal Victoria Marathon takes place this Sunday, October 12th; in addition to the Marathon there is a Half Marathon, 8K Road Race and Thrifty Foods Kids Run. For details, visit www.royalvictoriamarathon.com . Here are a few articles about the event: Canada’s Joggling Phenom to Race Royal Victoria Marathon Elite Runners confirmed for the Royal Victoria Marathon Names... Read More
Do you keep a Running Log?
For many runners, keeping a running log is an excellent way to keep track of their progress. In a running log you enter basic information about your runs. For example: distance, time and type of workout. You can also be more comprehensive and regularly put in your weight and pulse. Read More Read More
Runners recover after African oddyssey
The following is courtesy of writer Will Johnson and The Martlet , the University of Victoria’s student newspaper. This article was published in the September 11th edition and recaps the adventures of three university students who recently returned from running across Africa in support of African education … ======== Running across a continent isn’t as easy as it looks. Okay,... Read More
Barefoot Believers
A growing subset of runners are shedding their shoes and putting bare feet to the ground. The following article is written by STEPHEN and published September 3, 2008 on The Gear Junkie . Arms pumping, eyes scanning the ground ahead, Dean Laiti runs east on a sidewalk in St. Louis Park, Minn., his feet swishing like sandpaper on cement below. “Right over these tracks,” he shouts,... Read More
Reed books ticket into 800-metre final
published at canada.com BEIJING – Want to meet one of Gordon Lightfoot’s Rainy Day People? Look no further than Gary Reed. Most runners wouldn’t exactly cherish the thought of having to run their Olympic 800-metre track semifinal in a downpour. No problem said a drenched Reed, who qualified for the 2008 Summer Games final to be held Saturday at the Bird’s... Read More
Runners on their mark for five local charities
Tom McMillan, Times Colonist Race officials hope the program, which invites residents to recruit pledges for five local charities, will raise $75,000. However, others are aiming higher. "Forget the 70, let’s go for 100," said Rob Reid, marathon organizer and owner of Frontrunners Footwear. "We’ve got to reach for the sky." The Royal Victoria Marathon... Read More
