Run Canada Podcast
206 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsThe Run Canada Podcast celebrates runners from all walks of life and the community we create within this fantastic sport. Hosted by Kirsten Parker, this show is the perfect partner to get you inspired and laughing and best of all, it gets you out running this beautiful country we call home.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
EP 100. Heather Gardner
December 30, 2021 22:30 - 59 minutes - 22.3 MBAs we celebrate 100 episodes, I am joined by Heather Gardner, the first female run crew leader in the GTA and creator of Kardia - a boutique fitness studio and community located in Toronto. Heather is the queen of connecting, both in the best of times and the most challenging of times, and has proved without a doubt that community is never cancelled. We are also joined by my friend Melanie Murzeau, creator of Black Runners of the GTA, who helps me to celebrate the connections we make through...
EP 99. Alycia Butterworth
December 18, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 31.2 MBAlycia Butterworth is quite humble about the amount of work, effort and mental fortitude she puts into her steeplechase career. This girl is awesome, and I feel like she should shout her own name a little more. If you saw her race in the Olympics, you know that she has mental and physical fortitude that not a lot of other athletes can match. She is always assessing and analyzing, like the data scientist that she is, and making small adjustments to create big gains.
EP 98. Stephanie Case
December 11, 2021 00:30 - 1 hour - 29.4 MBIn editing of this episode, I realize that I sound a little star struck, but if there is a fan club for Stephanie Case, sign me up. A Human Rights lawyer with the UN, Stephanie focuses her work on areas of conflict. She has lived and helped others in some of the most war torn parts of our world, while continuing to challenge herself physically and mentally through ultra running. She founded Free to Run, a charity that helps to empower women in areas of conflict through physical activity. Thi...
EP 97. Hollie Gordon Lawder
December 03, 2021 22:00 - 27 minutes - 11.4 MBEncouraged by her awesome dad, Hollie Gordon Lawder combined her passions for mindfulness through movement and reading into her blog and Instagram page Reading on the Run. Hollie is a driven runner who completed her first ultra marathon this year. Her training time also helps her read all the books – more than a hundred this year and last! She’s got great recommendations for your next favourite read, and tips on how to try running on the treadmill!
EP 96. Leslie Sexton
November 27, 2021 01:00 - 49 minutes - 19.5 MBLeslie Sexton took the break in races this past year and a half to focus on the fundamentals - shorter distances and challenging workouts. And it paid off: in 2021 Leslie became the National 5K AND 10K champion. To top off her year, this past weekend she won the Philadelphia Marathon and set a new course record, making her the sixth fastest female marathoner in Canada.
EP 95. Natalie Pirson
November 20, 2021 04:59 - 36 minutes - 14.9 MBIt's everyone's favourite person, Natalie Pirson! Natalie is very well known in the Winnipeg running community as someone who brings everyone together with her positive, friendly personality. She participates in run clubs all over the city and has recently started her own crew called Connection Through Movement which she hopes will give runners and walkers of all abilities a place to meet and connect.
EP 94. Chix Run the Six
November 13, 2021 01:00 - 58 minutes - 25.1 MBWelcome to cocktails and conversations with the founders of Chix Run the Six: Shazia Banduk, Chantal Chiarelli, Kim Monroe Roberts and Amanda Richardson. These ladies started Chix Run the Six because they wanted other women to have the chance to experience the connections that they were making on the run and be a part of something special. Having just celebrated their one year anniversary, they reflected back on how things started, how things are growing, and how they plan to continue spread...
EP 93. Sarah @notyourtypicaldollface
October 28, 2021 23:43 - 46 minutes - 23.4 MBSarah is an enthusiastic runner who has completed races of all distances from the 5K to the Marathon... especially races that have the word "Disney" in them. Her passion for running is only matched by her passion for makeup: Sarah creates and shares makeup tutorials and info on her youtube channel, Not your Typical Dollface, so I got her to share some of her best product tips to keep us all looking gorgeous on and off the run.
EP 92. Malindi Elmore
October 22, 2021 00:28 - 54 minutes - 35.9 MBNot only is Malindi Elmore the Canadian Women’s record holder in the marathon, she finished 9th in the 2021 women's Olympic marathon. Malindi's race day motto “patience is power” took her through the grueling race, but also holds an even larger significance: 17 years may have passed since her last Olympic appearance, but she sure made up for lost time. We talk all about her experience from start to finish, including what a post race celebration looked like at this year's Olympics. Spoiler al...
EP 91. Mel Paauwe
October 07, 2021 02:15 - 49 minutes - 19.9 MBMel Paauwe was inspired to become a coach after her own coach brought out potential in her that she didn't know was there. She founded We Run the World Coaching and now she doesn't just inspire her own clients, but a whole run community. Mel is an impressive duathlete who kills it as a distance runner as well. We talked all about racing, traveling, coaching, breaking tapes, and the life in between.
EP 90. Gabriela DeBues-Stafford
October 01, 2021 01:13 - 1 hour - 32 MBGabriela DeBues Stafford and I like to talk and we hadn’t caught up since she returned to Canada from Scotland at the start of the pandemic so we had a lot of ground to cover. But we managed to focus and we dug in hard to the Olympics. Gabriela talks about what it was like to attend the Olympics with her sister Lucia Stafford, how her races went out tactically, and how she is a wholly different human than she was in Rio.
EP 89. Joy SpearChief-Morris
September 25, 2021 02:24 - 1 hour - 27.6 MBA lifelong athlete, Joy SpearChief-Morris started out doing every sport before focusing her talents on the track. Joy followed her heart and her goals from UBC to the University of Western Ontario, to the Santa Barbara Track Club, and back to Ontario again. Like so many Olympic hopefuls, she fought through COVID training on a will to survive and when she got to the Trials she didn’t get the win she'd been dreaming of. Joy shares what it was like, and some of the exciting things coming in her...
EP 88. Dayna Pidhoresky
September 18, 2021 02:36 - 49 minutes - 18.1 MBDayna Pidhoresky does a deep dive on her experience preparing for and competing in the marathon at the Tokyo Olympics. Dayna's win at the 2019 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon earned her a ticket to compete, but the guts and spirit it actually took to get to the start line is where her story really begins. This episode will remind you what it means to be a competitor and how far running with your heart can take you.
EP 87. Throwback with Dayna Pidhoresky
September 02, 2021 09:00 - 47 minutes - 18.2 MBFor this episode, we hop into the way back machine and do a relisten to my 2019 interview with Olympian Dayna Pidhoresky. This interview was hot off the heels of her win at the Olympic Trials at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Dayna and I talked about her road to this big win and how all of the adversity, grit, determination and challenging finishes led her to be ready for this amazing day. Listen again and you'll be ready to hear all about her experience in Gifu in the Olympic M...
EP 86. Rae Sunshine
August 26, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 15.9 MBIf you need a daily dose of happiness, here it is. Rae Sunshine is so full of light and joy, it’s right in her name. Rae is a fantastic storyteller so I won't ruin it, but her journey to triathlon started with her dragging herself on crutches to the bike shop to purchase a bike that she couldn’t even ride yet. Now Rae proudly proclaims herself an athlete: she is a dedicated triathlete who is deeply involved in her community in her hometown of Calgary. Her mission is to pass on the love and s...
EP 85. Amy Li
August 19, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 11.1 MBFor episode three of our August how it started how it's going, we talk about a subject very close to my own heart: being a race volunteer. Amy Li was just a girl who started out hating running but grew to love it. In fact, she grew to love it so much, she wanted to play a role in everyone’s race day, so she got involved as a volunteer. Today Amy holds multiple volunteer roles and she and I chat about why being a volunteer is so special and how YOU can make the decision to get started too.
EP 84. Siobhan McManus
August 12, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 11.9 MBFor our second "How it started, how it's going" episode, I chat with B.C. runner Siobhan McManus. Siobhan has a lot of marathons under her belt, but with the guidance and support of her running coach Malindi Elmore, she looked towards a new challenge.... a 5000 metre track race. This masters athlete had never set foot on a track before; but her story will show you that even if you are also brand new to it, you too can find your place on the start line - with or without spikes.
EP 83. Jenn Walton
August 05, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 20.7 MBThe first episode of our August "how it started, how it's going" series brings you ultra trail runner Jenn Walton. Jenn has been a fixture of the Winnipeg running scene forever: she started her journey on the roads, found her heart on the trails, and found her challenge in the ultra. Jenn shares her journey as well as tips for those sitting on the fence with trying trails and ultras as well as safety tips for solo running.
Meet your Sheroes, Lyndsay Tessier
July 30, 2021 04:19 - 53 minutes - 21.1 MBFor episode three of our Meet your Sheroes series, presented by the ASICS Runkeeper App, I had the opportunity to chat with the incredible Lyndsay Tessier. My co-hosts are Eugenie Steyn and Madison Kerr-Wong. Eugenie is a fellow marathon runner and teacher in the GTA who normally just gets joy from waving at Lyndsay when she catches her out for a run. Madison had the good fortune of being coached by Lyndsay and had her support during a particularly challenging time with her running. We got h...
EP 82. Kiera Verbonac
July 15, 2021 09:00 - 52 minutes - 20.9 MBKiera Verbonac started her journey as a runner, then got the biking bug and tried out a duathlon. After success in that category, she donned a wetsuit and now she trains like a beast in the triathlon. Kiera is an amazingly dedicated athlete who also happens to be hearing impaired. We talk about some of the challenges that come with that in her training and racing, none of which hold her back at all. She's also got a ton of great first-time triathlon tips for newbies!
EP 81. Kate Bazeley
July 08, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 26.2 MBIt's the Pride of the Rock: Newfoundland's Kate Bazeley! Kate holds the provincial record for the marathon, but don’t think she’s let that slow down her drive. This former Canadian Half Marathon Champion has been setting big goals, but at the same time balances the things in life that are most important to her: her family. Kate’s a firecracker and fuelled by competitive spirit – we talk about some of her races and how she takes a wider view when it comes to injury and setbacks.
EP 80. Winning Within
July 01, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 27.2 MBThis is what it looks like when passionate, driven women work together to make change. The founders of Winning Within, Delilah Topic, Teagan MacDougall, Dhana and Samantha Cruikshank and Rachel Cliff join me to talk about the foundation's mission: encouraging positive body image self-acceptance and empowering women to find self-worth outside of sport. We discuss their personal experiences and why they are so focused on helping to change the conversation for women in sport.
EP 79. Polly Moody
June 24, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 25.4 MBPolly Moody is a runner who takes a licking and keeps on ticking. She is a mother of two, a kindergarten teacher and one fast runner. She lives in Calgary but she has travelled all over chasing amazing race experiences and speedy courses. We talk about race day feels, and about some of her experiences chasing a sub-3 race. We dig into how she has been recovering from an ACL reconstruction the past few months and what that experience has really been like: the fears, the frustration, the sadne...
EP 78. Julie-Anne Staehli
June 17, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 32.8 MBPeople have been talking a lot about Tokyo hopeful Julie-Anne Staehli lately: she has been lighting up the track taking huge bites out of her PBs race after race, and has reached the elusive Olympic qualifying time in the 5000m. But this is no overnight success: Julie-Anne is the epitome of “rise and grind”. She’s been plugging the meter for years and is at that exciting moment in her career where she is watching it all come together. We talk about her time at Queen's, race tactics and stayi...
Meet your Sheroes, Paula Wiltse
June 11, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 24.5 MBCo-host of the Inspired Soles Podcast, Carolyn Coffin interviews the amazing Masters' marathoner Paula Wiltse. Paula is a coach with Mile 2 Marathon, a mom, and one of a select few Canadian women who have run a sub-3-hour marathon over the age of 50. Paula shares what it takes to set and reach big goals as a masters athlete (spoiler alert: it takes dedication and hard work) and how she has supported her family through their own goals and through the pandemic. To unlock a lifetime of running ...
EP 77. Olivia Levy
June 03, 2021 09:00 - 49 minutes - 24.5 MBIt seems really fitting that my guest on Global Running Day is Olivia Levy. Olivia embodies the spirit of community in running: she may only have been focusing on running and racing for a few years, but in that time she’s used her marketing savvy, desire to give back, and her bright and friendly personality to draw more awareness and inclusivity to our sport. She works with Runners of the Six, The Longest Stride podcast, and is an ambassador for Saucony and she's leaving a trail of joy for r...
EP 76. Yana Hempler
May 27, 2021 09:00 - 52 minutes - 26 MBYana Hempler is a marathon machine. Last year, she decided to run ten marathons in ten days to raise money for the Victoria Hospital Foundation. Right now, she’s back on the road fundraising again, working to complete an incredible 30 marathons in 30 days. Yana talked to me in between marathons and we dug into why she is so passionate about running and the Victoria Hospital Foundation.
EP 75. Hilary Stellingwerff
May 20, 2021 09:00 - 57 minutes - 22.9 MBOlympian Hilary Stellingwerff is a jack of all running trades. Her journey began on the track then lead her to the road. She became a mom which made her into an advocate for women in sport, and now she coaches at the University of Victoria. Hilary is brilliant and driven: she and her husband Trent are always working hard while saving space for flexibility which makes her so great at everything she does. We talk about everything from food poisoning to finding ways to wear out young kids.
Meet your Sheroes, Valerie Jerome
May 15, 2021 09:00 - 59 minutes - 37.5 MBCreator of @blackrunnersofthegta Melanie Murzeau interviews track and field legend, Valerie Jerome. From a long legacy of runners and Olympians, including brother Harry Jerome, Valerie is a huge part of the history of running in Canada. Not only does she hold multiple national and international medals, but she is also the only Canadian athlete to compete in five track and field events in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, or Pan-American Games. She remains an active teacher, community leader,...
EP 74. Madeline Price
May 13, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 31.4 MBMadeline Price lives and trains in the United States but thanks to two Canadian parents, we get the privilege of claiming her for Team Canada. Maddy is a sprinter and 4x400 relay specialist who graduated from Duke University and still continues to support the team there as an assistant coach. Maddy was raised to be brave and take on challenges head on: she is relentlessly positive and always grateful. We talk about the challenge of staying relaxed while racing, why Canadian teammates are ama...
EP 73. Perdita Felicien
May 06, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 16.5 MBPerdita Felicien is an Olympic hurdler and the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal at the World Championships in track and field. She is also a mom, television host, sports broadcaster, and now a national best-selling author. We talk all about "My Mother's Daughter" and about her upcoming dream gig co-hosting "Tokyo Today" with Andrew Chang. I also talk to Christine Roper, Olympic rower all about the CAN Fund #150Women program and why it's so exciting.
EP 72. Nikkita Holder
April 29, 2021 09:00 - 54 minutes - 21.8 MBMeet 100-metre hurdler, mother, and coach Nikkita Holder. Nikkita is a two-time Olympian and international medalist but her achievements on the track are just a fraction of who she is as a human. After splitting with her husband just months after her son was born, Nikkita had to navigate a whole new life for herself while pursuing her running goals. She is an inspiration to anyone who is trying to find their way through any kind of tough situation and a model of resilience, gratitude and kin...
EP. 71 Heather Hennigar
April 22, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 33.2 MBHeather Hennigar is a native of Halifax, but she now lives in Victoria and works as an Athletics Canada staff coach at the West High-Performance Hub with both able-bodied and para-athletes. Heather is a former Canadian record holder in the 4x800m relay, has traveled the world as an athlete and as a coach, and has become a pretty incredible role model for a whole lot of aspiring Olympians. We talk about coaching lessons from her brother, supporting athletes on the world stage, and a few of th...
EP 70. Peg City Steppers
April 15, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 26.6 MBShana Goulbourne and Rachael Kalaba are the incredible creators of the Peg City Steppers: an inclusive crew for all levels that encourages people to keep active and find joy in movement. They created something that is truly incredible: supporting members in person but also embracing runners from across Canada by hosting online events to encourage connection and discussion. We talk about first race experiences, how they learned to love winter running, and our thoughts on Grey's Anatomy.
EP 69. Natalia Hawthorn
April 08, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 29.5 MBIf you are looking for inspiration to help you find balance, look no further than Natalia Hawthorn. When this 1500 and 5000m specialist isn't lighting up the track, she's helping high school kids navigate the recruiting process with her work at Streamline Athletes. Natalia has invested a lot of physical and mental energy into finding the sweet spot between hard work and recovery to get her in peak condition; and proving that she is an athlete to watch in 2021.
EP 68. RadMums
March 25, 2021 09:00Ever wondered if you could find an outlet for your love of the outdoors and find some independence and time for yourself outside of motherhood? Tara Matheron did too, so she created RadMums. This Calgary-based group of adventure-loving women are discovering who they are outside of the grind of everyday life and making connections and friendships that support their well-being. If you need a little reminder to find ways to prioritize yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of life, this is the e...
EP 68. RadMums
March 25, 2021 09:00Ever wondered if you could find an outlet for your love of the outdoors and find some independence and time for yourself outside of motherhood? Tara Matheron did too, so she created RadMums. This Calgary-based group of adventure-loving women are discovering who they are outside of the grind of everyday life and making connections and friendships that support their well-being. If you need a little reminder to find ways to prioritize yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of life, this is the e...
EP 67. Denise Robson
March 18, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MBDenise Robson experienced a rebirth as a runner when she was encouraged to take on her first marathon by two coworkers when she was in her 30s. Fast forward to 2019 and she now holds the W50 record in the marathon. Denise is an amazing human whose humility and storytelling ability will give you all the feels.
EP 66. Avery Garrett-Patterson & Sarah Kwajafa
March 11, 2021 10:00 - 59 minutes - 23.7 MBSarah Kwajafa and Avery Garrett-Patterson are University of Toronto Varsity Blues middle distance alumni. Not only are these two ladies tremendous runners, but Avery is also a personal trainer and Sarah is pursuing her childhood goal of a career in medicine. We talk about the part they played in the creation of the BIPOC Varsity Association which was created to hold stakeholders in the athletic program accountable for the experience of its BIPOC athletes. These ladies are fun, energetic, and...
EP 65. Noelle Montcalm
March 04, 2021 10:00 - 40 minutes - 20.7 MBFierce and driven 400m hurdle specialist Noelle Montcalm may have her eyes firmly fixed on Tokyo this year, but she's got a lot more on her plate than just that. A working Registered Nurse and a strong advocate and ally for mental health, Noelle is working to spread the love of sport and a message of hope and optimism to people of all ages. We take a stroll through just a few of Noelle's remarkable races over the past fifteen-plus years and what she sees on the horizon moving forward.
EP 64. Melanie Murzeau
February 25, 2021 09:00 - 50 minutes - 25.4 MBA runner and busy working mom of three girls, Melanie Murzeau is making change. She created Black Runners of the GTA on Instagram to highlight runners of colour in her community and to tell stories that create inclusivity. This month, Melanie researched and presented African Canadian runners that have influenced and shaped our sport. We talk about her experience in creating this content, how a passion for fundraising started her journey into running, and just how early in the morning she get...
EP 63. Mariah Kelly
February 18, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 35 MBNew Balance middle-distance runner Mariah Kelly has a passion for life and running. While she didn’t start out as the fastest runner on the track, her tenacity and incredible work ethic have taken her the distance: first to a scholarship at an NCAA school, and then to the Athletics Canada West High Performance Hub. Mariah doesn’t do anything halfway... and that’s what makes her a remarkable human being.
EP 62. Nadya Stewart
February 11, 2021 10:00 - 50 minutes - 20.7 MBTime to take a deep dive into mother running. Name your challenge and Nadya Stewart can probably relate: she has dealt with difficult pregnancies, miscarriage, anxiety, and postpartum challenges. And she did a bunch of it during a pandemic. Nadya is really candid about sharing how running as well as other forms of self-care and awareness have helped her through, and she hopes that her honesty will help others who need support.
EP 61. Jess O'Connell
February 04, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 27.5 MBOlympian Jess O'Connell is co-owner of Grit Athletic Coaching and I can't think of a more appropriate word to describe her. Despite a variety of setbacks that would have sidelined many, Jess is persevering and pushing towards her goals. This chat will make you believe in resilience and consider how you can work more of this mindset into your own days.
EP 60. 2020 Clips and Questions
January 28, 2021 10:00 - 27 minutes - 17.3 MBA quick episode to talk about the year that was with highlights from Malindi Elmore, Natasha Wodak, Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, Lucia Stafford, and Filsan Abdiaman. I also answer a couple of listener questions and discuss show goals for 2021.
Ep 59. Sarah Inglis
January 21, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 27.7 MBAs one of three children growing up on a farm, Scottish distance runner and recent Canadian permanent resident Sarah Inglis' family tradition of hard work and competition led her to move to Canada at the age of 21 to reach for her running dreams. Under coach Mark Bomba, Sarah now holds the Canadian all-comers record in the road 5K and she's one of Britain's fastest female marathoners thanks to her amazing first attempt at The Marathon Project in December. Now Sarah's tuning up for the Britis...
EP 58. Sheree Mullings
January 14, 2021 10:00 - 57 minutes - 22.7 MBThe word 'resilient' takes on new meaning when you get to spend a little time with Sheree Mullings. From overcoming obstacles in her time at U of T to dealing with the major illness of a parent, Sheree has a way of turning challenges into opportunities for change. Sheree tells us all about why she created Track Fit with Mullings and how she is staying positive during difficult times.
EP 57. Regan Yee
January 07, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 25.2 MBRegan Yee is definitely an athlete to watch in 2021. From the tiny town of Hazelton, BC, Regan is a middle distance and steeplechase runner who balances a strong competitive streak with a view of running as play. I chat with Regan about why a smaller university was the right fit for her, how missing out on the Olympic team in 2016 made her a more confident runner, and how her work with Thinx extends her reach as an amazing role model.
EP 56. Natasha Wodak and The Marathon Project
December 30, 2020 10:00 - 43 minutes - 17.1 MBNatasha Wodak became the second-fastest Canadian woman running the marathon in 2:26:19 on December 20th at The Marathon Project in Chandler, AZ. And I wanted to know EVERYTHING. She and I dug deep on everything from committing to the start line, how training went, to how the miles all rolled out. You don't want to miss this chat with one of the coolest women in running.
EP 55. Shanda Hill
December 17, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 28.5 MBIf you have never heard of Shanda Hill before, you are in for a major treat. Shanda’s journey started with BMX but a serious accident led her on a journey that she never would have expected. Today she is one of the toughest female athletes in the world. Among other incredible accomplishments, Shanda is the first Canadian ever to complete the double Deca Ultra Tri which is the equivalent of 20 ironman triathlons that she had 28 days to complete. Her stories are awe-inspiring - don't miss it!