YourSaskatoon Blogs

Welcome to spring everyone! Though we still have some time to wait until those warm late-spring mornings start welcoming us onto the streets and trails, one can dream a little, right? So, this week we're going to allow our minds to slip ahead to late spring to learn more about an opportunity to hit the streets with a bunch of fellow runners on June 10 at the Second Annual SIGA Good Food Run.  This event is held by the SIGA Long Runners to raise funds CHEP Good Food. For those not familiar with CHEP, its mission is to work with children, families and communities to improve access to good food and promote food security. In this week's Q&A we're speaking with Shannon Josdal, the president of SIGA Long Runners, to learn more. So, let's get to it! Q&A with Shannon Josdal Tara: This is the second year the Siga Runners Fitness Group is hosting...

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Brainsport Brainfreeze over the weekend, and to all those who competed and volunteered at the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Track and Field Championship! In this week's Times we're going to be learning about an upcoming Brainsport Running Academy Course that is sure to help you, or perhaps someone you know, get well on their way to reaching their running goals. Kim Galus is coaching the Learn To Run course starting in April. This course will prepare you for the 5K event at the Saskatchewan Marathon on May 27, and also serves as a launching point for your future running goals, whether it be to race, or simply get out to run for fun and fitness. We're excited about what this course has to offer, so let's get right to our Q&A with Kim to learn more!Q&A with Kim Galus Tara: Let's start off by addressing some of the fears people...

Happy Valentine's Day to every one! As mentioned in last week's Times we're excited about this evening's Brainsport Run and Beer Night. The fun will get underway at the regular 6 p.m. Run Club time, followed by 9 Mile Legacy Brewing Company pints, served by our neighbourhood friends over at Leopold's Tavern.  Tyler Richard from Saucony is joining us this evening as well! He's going to bring a bunch of test shoes with him for you all to try out on this evening's run, if you'd like. He's also going to be giving away some brand new pairs of Sauconys! In this week's Q&A we're going to speak with Tyler to learn more about what to expect this evening from Saucony. Q&A with Tyler Richard Tara: We're expecting this evening to be a great night for everyone, and we're very excited to have you joining us. What sparked your interest in...

We're one week away from Valentine's Day, which also means we're one week away from the Brainsport Run and Beer Night, hosted by the Brainsport Run Club! We're expecting this to be a fun night - perfect you and a date. Or if you're flying solo this is a chance to be surrounded by a bunch of runners and beer for the evening - what more could you want on Valentine's Day! In addition to beer, Tyler from Saucony is going to be at the store with test shoes for everyone to try out on your run - plus you'll be entered to win a free pair of Saucony's!  Run Club starts at the regular 6 p.m. time, with 9 Mile Legacy Brewing Company pints to be served up afterwards by the good people at Leopold's Tavern.  Alright, now on to this week's Q&A. We're speaking with Rose McEwan, the regional director...

Hopefully you all have been able to keep warm, and get in some solid miles over the past few weeks. Perhaps we can help keep you warm with our Burn the Bill Sale! That's right, it's back for year two!  In this week's Q&A we're going to speak with Brian to learn more about the sale. But before we get to that, a quick note: For those who may not have heard, we're now offering an additional Run Club session every week. Join us on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. for a group run - all levels welcome. Alright, now on to our chat with Brian!  Q&A with Brian Michasiw Tara: Where did the idea for the Burn the Bill Sale come from? Brian: It's so cold in January that we wanted to create a promotion that would "warm" the hearts of our customers. The way Burn the Bill works is this Saturday and...

It's hard to believe we're almost halfway through the month of December! In the spirit of this busy season we have a couple of new events for you all to check out in the Upcoming Events section of this week's Times, so be sure to check it out!   For this week's Q&A we're speaking with longtime Brainsport Run Club member, Jan Stirling, about the sock drive she's organized this holiday season. Donating a pair of socks may seem like a small gesture, but as Jan explains, it can make a big difference for many of those living in Saskatoon. Q&A with Jan Stirling Tara: Before we get into more about the sock drive, would you mind sharing some of your background as a runner and your involvement with the Brainsport Run Club? Jan: My husband, Ken, and I started running 12 years ago after being inspired by close friends. Our first coach...

In last week's edition of the Brainsport Times we talked holiday gift-giving, so it's fitting that in this week's edition we bring you some opportunities for charitable-type giving. Be sure to check out the "Upcoming Events" section for a couple of new announcements that provide an opportunity to help out others in our community, along with a unique opportunity to help out a fellow runner.  Now onto our Q&A! This week we're speaking with the creator of the Uksi Winter Skirt, Elizabeth Stack. For those of you not familiar, the Uksi is a staple at Brainsport every winter season; keeping women and children warm and stylish throughout the deepest of freezes. Let's learn more in our conversation with Elizabeth!  Q&A with Elizabeth Stack Tara: As the creator of the Uksi Winter Skirt, what was your inspiration for bringing your idea to life and actually beginning to make, and distribute the skirts? Elizabeth: When I started wearing my...

We're talking TCS New York City Marathon with Brian this week! This was Brian's first New York City Marathon, and it didn't disappoint. He traveled to The Big Apple with his training partner, Tarrant Cross Child, who was also experiencing this prestigious event for the first time. As you'll read in our Q&A with Brian, he was happy to have his training partner there with him. There's a ton of value in training with others, whether you're just getting started with running, or you're a veteran of the sport. Having others to go through the highs and lows of training, to push one another, and to support one another, helps us all reach our goals. The Brainsport Run Academy offers several options and opportunities to start training with others. Be sure to check out the Upcoming Events section to find a training group that's right for you. In fact, Tarrant is coaching a...

We're shifting gears this week to talk yoga, but don't worry we're not steering too far off our favourite topic of running! In fact our focus this week is very much on running; we're just looking at it from the ground up.  As seasoned runners will know, a foundation of strength and mobility, along with proper recovery is key to injury-free running and longevity in the sport. Here in Saskatoon, we're fortunate to have some excellent yoga teachers who know their stuff when it comes to integrating yoga into a runner's routine.  Shirley Berthelet and Leanne Parsons are the founders of BreatheMoveBe. You may be familiar with these names, as many of their yoga classes have been taught in the Brainsport Community Room. So what's yoga for runners all about? Well, in this week's Q&A we're going to speak with Leanne to learn about it! Q&A with Leanne ParsonsTara: Before we get into...

It's another exciting week on the Q&A front as we're set for an interview with the winner of the Headlands 100 Miler Endurance Race - Theresa Reid!  Last week we spoke with local runner Jen Kripki, who won the 2017 Queen City Marathon; and now this week we're fortunate to have Theresa Reid-Shea on board. She won the Headlands 100 Miler Endurance race two weekends ago in Sausalito, California! Theresa is likely a familiar face to many of you, as she's one of the pillars of the Brainsport Run Club. Time to hear what Theresa has to say about her big win! Q&A with Theresa Reid-Shea Tara: The Headlands 100 Mile Endurance Race draws in some of the top ultramarathoners from around the world. Leading into the race did you feel like you had it in you to win? Theresa: Did I have it in me to win? Wow, that's a big question! I will...

In this week's Times, we're going to speak with the winner of this year's Queen City Marathon, Jen Kripki!  Many of you may be familiar with Jen as she's coached at the Brainsport Running Academy, and has her own personal training business in the city. This week we're going to get to know Jen a bit better and learn about her big win in Regina. So, let's get right to it!  Q&A with Jen Kripki Tara: Let's start by getting some background for those not familiar with your running career. What have been some of your career highlights? Jen: Some of my career highlights include running the Boston marathon as it was my first big race, a second place finish in Winnipeg in 2014, and hitting my PB of 3:06 in Vancouver 2014. Tara: How does winning the Queen City Marathon stack up to other major accomplishments in your career? Jen: The...

All the best to everyone participating in the Queen City Marathon this weekend! Here's hoping for some beautiful September weather, and ideal running conditions.  In this week's Q&A we're catching up with Kaycee Shroeder. You may recall we had an interview with this talented young triathlete mid-summer. At that time Kaycee had her sights set on competing in the Canada Summer Games, which took place last month in Winnipeg.  Kaycee met her goal of making it to the Games, so now it's time to get the scoop on her experience there! Q&A with Kaycee Schroeder Tara: Since we last spoke, you've gone on to achieve your goal of competing in the Canada Summer Games, which took place just a few weeks ago. We'll talk more about your experience at the Games in Winnipeg in just a minute, but first, tell us about your journey there.Kaycee: Four years ago when it was...

In this week's Times we're "shining a light" on the YWCA. This year the organization is hosting its first annual Shine a Light Run to bring about more awareness of all the YWCA does in the community, as well as to raise funds for their ever-important programs.  The run gets underway at sunset on September 15, and has a few distance options to choose from, which we'll learn about - and much more - in this week's Q&A with event committee member, Ashley Gedir.  Q&A with Ashley Gedir Tara: The YWCA plays an important role in our community in many different ways. Can you expand on this - and why it's important to bring about more awareness of the YWCA? Ashley: The YWCA is a non-profit organization that benefits the community in various ways. At the YWCA, one can access our Fitness Center, Childcare Services, Employment and Learning and the Crisis Shelter and Residence....

In less than a week the North American Indigenous Games will get underway in Toronto. More than 5000 young athletes will be competing in events ranging from athletics to baseball, wrestling, soccer and more - from July 16 to July 23. All of Canada's provinces and territories will be represented, along with athletes from 13 regions from within the United States. Saskatonians will have a hometown runner to keep an eye. Jaira Cross Child is competing in the 1200 metre and 2000 metre track events, along with the 3 kilometre cross country event. In this week's Q&A we're speaking with Jaira about her first appearance at the North American Indigenous Games!   Q&A with Jaira Cross Child Tara: Before we jump into some more of the details about the North American Indigenous Games, let's get to know a bit more about your background for readers who aren’t familiar. Would you tell us about how you...

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Brainfreeze over the weekend! Be sure to scroll all way to the very bottom of this edition to check out photos of the event submitted by Times readers! In this week's Q&A we're learning more about an upcoming Brainsport Running Academy course that may be perfect for you, or somebody you know who's interested in getting to know the fundamentals of running within an encouraging and welcoming environment. Coach Cara Mazurak is here with the scoop on this course. So let's get to it! Q&A with Cara Mazurak Tara: Before we get into some of the specifics of the upcoming Learn To Run course, would you mind telling us a bit about your background as an athlete and coach? Cara: I became a runner about 15 years ago. I had lost 65 pounds and decided I wanted to start running. I joined a 10K running clinic and...

In this week's Times we're talking hill training . . . wait don't stop reading . . . it's not as bad as you think! Believe it or not hills can be a lot fun and a super rewarding workout, especially if you find the right group to train with.  For anyone who's been around Brainsport long enough, you've likely heard about a group of runners who go out and tackle hills every Monday evening. In today's Q&A we're going to speak with one of those runner - Dave Stark, and learn more about this opportunity to join a great group of runners for a great workout! Q&A with Dave Stark Tara: Let’s start by getting a bit of a rundown on this group of hill-bound athletes. How did it get started? What’s it all about? Dave: There's no denying that a regular workout on hills can be a great benefit to even the recreational...

Tomorrow evening marks the start of the 2016 Saskatoon Road Runners Trail Race Series! In this week's Q&A we speak with the SRRA's Peter Goode to learn more about the series. It's exciting to know these races are for all levels of runners — as long as a conservative approach is taken, which Peter will get to. Also, be sure to check out our "Product of the Week" — we're featuring another great trail shoe (last week was the Hoka One One Speedgoat). Q&A with Peter Goode   Tara: For those not familiar, can you tell us more about the SRRA's series of trail races? Peter: The SRRA trail series is about five years old. It began with a fall trail race at Blackstrap Provincial Park, which I had planned as an SRRA end-of -season run and barbeque. It was so popular I decided to plan for three events in the following...

We have an exciting evening coming up this week! On Friday, April 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. you're all invited to the Brainsport Run Club/Academy Appreciation Night.  To fill us in on all the details we'll be speaking with Brian in this week's Q&A. So, let's get right to it! Q&A with Brian Michasiw Tara: What’s was the motivation to present this evening of appreciation?   Brian: We want to give our loyal customers an opportunity to gear up for the Saskatchewan Marathon event. As a token of our appreciation we’ll have an extra special discount on Friday evening.   Tara: The timing of the appreciation night is very intentional. Can you elaborate on why you think it’s important to offer this discount at this time?   Brian: I was in Victoria for the Victoria Marathon a few years ago and I looked at my shoes and noticed the...