YourSaskatoon Blogs
Brainsport Times Apr. 25, 2018
Just a little more than a week ago Olympian Krista Duchene captured the attention of the nation when she finished third at the Boston Marathon! At the age of 41, Krista is proving to still be one of the country's best distance runners. She also happens to be the guest speaker at this year's Saskatchewan Marathon Pasta Dinner, very cool!
In the spirit of masters athletes, we're going to speak with local masters athlete, Amanda Stalwick in this week's Q&A. Amanda is training for the 2018 World Masters Athletics Championships, being held in Malaga, Spain.
Let's get right to our conversation with Amanda!
Q&A with Amanda Stalwick
Tara: Tell us a bit about your running background. What brought you to this place of training for the World Masters Athletics Championships 2018?
Amanda: I've actually come full circle in my running career. I ran high-performance track for five years in my youth competing at national and international track meets; transitioned into longer distances such as 5K, 10K, half marathons and marathons; then came triathlons for 13 years including six full Ironman finishes; and now I've come full circle returning to the track running 50m, 60m, 100m, and 200m!
Returning to the track was actually a bit accidental. Three years ago, some of my Saskatoon Valkyrie friends needed an extra body at their sprint training practices and asked if I'd be game to come out. I wasn't sure how quick I'd be, but I'm really glad I showed up for it! Dale Upton, my coach, asked what I was training for after that first practice and I said I'd like to run in a Master Games if I was good enough. Since then, I've competed in the Americas Master Games (2016) bringing home three silver medals, set nine new provincial records, and run a handful of World Class times. I spent most of last year waiting for a bone in my foot to heal, and am very excited that I'm running well and preparing for the World Championships this September!
Amanda's training schedule includes plenty of strength work. Photo supplied
Tara: As you prepare for the Games, what will your training schedule look like?
Amanda: The trick for me is to strike the right balance between work, coaching, training and recovery. I do something just about every day, including run training, strength training and yoga, however, I have a tendency to over-do things. I've had to adjust to making a conscious effort to listen to my body and dial things back when my hamstring or knees are bothering me - or I just don't feel recovered. Also, my coach, Dale Upton, is really good at watching my stride and noticing if things are a bit off. In fact, quite often he'll notice that I'm fatigued before I do. So for training for Worlds in Malaga, it will be business as usual with a combination of strength training, running, and yoga and we'll build in a couple of transition periods of off-track training to maintain healthy run form and avoid injuries.
Tara: How important is your team/the supports you have in place?
Amanda: As with anything, it's important to surround yourself with the right people and have a great support network. The group I train with is very supportive, fun, and we are always feeding off each! Our speed workouts are as much entertaining as they are challenging, and they are always the best part of my day. My coach is amazing and I my massage and physical therapists will always accommodate when I have aches and pains. Recently, Saucony Canada jumped on board and provided me with shoes and spikes, and I couldn't be more thrilled and grateful for their support. I am also very grateful for the support of my family, husband, and friends who are always on board in whatever I choose to do!
Upcoming Events
Brainsport Spring Run Off
Join us on Saturday, May 12 in Elbow for our annual Spring Run Off! Take the short drive to Elbow, or hop on the shuttle, and enjoy a 5K or 10K trail run on the beautiful and challenging Elbow Recreational Trail. Register here: raceroster.com/events/2018/15233/brainsport-spring-run-off.
Canada Goose Ultra
The Canada Goose Ultra is a timed distance running event for all levels of fitness. The race welcomes new ultra runners and offers a fast course for seasoned ultra runners. Choose from the 6-hour, 12-hour, or 24-hour event. All events are run on a certified 4K loop. The course is a flat, paved route through a beautiful urban park. This race is officially the 2018 Canadian 24-hour Championship. The race takes place on May 12 through 13. For more information and to register click here.
Sweat Science - at Brainsport
Join author Alex Hutchinson at Brainsport on May 4 at 6:30 p.m. as he discusses his new New York Times-bestselling book, ENDURE Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance, exploring the science of endurance and the surprising role of the brain in setting our physical limits.
Alex Hutchinson (@sweatscience) is an award-winning science columnist for Outside, the Globe and Mail, and Canadian Running, and a former national-team long-distance runner.
This event is free, but as space is limited please sign up through the link above or at the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sweat-science-at-brainsport-tickets-44725979609.
Saskatchewan Marathon
The 40th Annual Saskatchewan Marathon event takes place on May 27! There's still plenty of time to get registered and train for your event, whether it be the 5K, 10K, half-marathon or marathon. This is sure to be an exciting weekend featuring a pasta dinner, race expo and some of the best road racing in the province! To learn more about the event, including how to volunteer go to http://saskmarathon.ca/.
Yoga for Athletes - Instructor Training
Yoga for Athletes is the third training module of the FYI (Fitness Yoga Instructor) program. Yoga instructors looking to add athletic perspective to their current class offerings can participate in this training module and receive CEC's for SPRA and Yoga Alliance. BreathMoveBe will be offering this training on April 20-22 at Anytime Fitness Gym in Yorkton. If interested, move quick - there are only two spots still open. To register contact
SIGA’s Second Annual Good Food Run
On June 10, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) is hosting its second annual fun run in support of CHEP: Good Food Inc. Presented by SIGA’s Long Runners, participants can choose between a 1K, 5K or 10K run. There are finisher medals for all participants! Family entertainment, water stations, swag and after-race snacks and refreshments provided.Registration is now open! To register or donate go to http://www.siga.sk.ca/goodfoodrun.
Brainsport Running Academy Spring Courses
Join our interactive and fun-filled training courses with expert guest speakers presenting on healthy running technique and injury prevention specific to runners. Our high-quality coaches will prepare a program for you which will help you reach your personal running goals.
#PatTrick Run Program: This is an on-going training group coached by Pat Sommerville. Participants can join at any time. Training will include preparation for the Saskatchewan Marathon and Queen City Marathon.
For more information on these courses, and to register go to www.brainsport.ca. Or call the store at 306-244-0955.
RIKI Walkathon 50th Year Celebration
The RIKI Walkathon is celebrating its 50th year on June 9. The entire family is welcome to come walk 22 miles along scenic Pike Lake. Gate fees are being waved for participants, and there will be refreshments and awards for the top fundraiser after the walk. All funds raised this year will go to the Riversdale Kiwanis Club. For more information about this event click here.
Canada Beer Run
The Canada Beer run is going coast to cost this year, hitting eight cities across the country, including Saskatoon! On June 3 the run stops in Saskatoon! Run your way through 10K making stops at six breweries along the way!
For more information about this event visit https://canadabeerrun.ca/products/saskatoon-beer-run.
Saskatoon Police Service Foundation Half Marathon
The 2018 Saskatoon Police Service Foundation Half Marathon is being held on April 29. This event features 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances - and is open to runners/walkers of all levels. For more information and to register go to https://saskatoonpoliceservicefoundation.org/. Volunteers are also needed for this event. If you would like to give some of your time please contact Sgt. Wade Bourassa at
Brainsport Run Club - Thursday Morning Run
The Brainsport Run Club is now gathering every Thursday morning at 10 a.m at the store. This session is in addition to the Wednesday, 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. sessions. Run Club is free and open to all levels of runners. We look forward to seeing you out with us for a run!
The product of the Week
Saucony Freedom ISO
Amanda selected the SauconyFreedom ISO as this week's featured product. This is Saucony's first shoe to offer a full midsole of EVERUN Continuous Cushioning. If you're looking for responsive, plush ride this might be the shoe for you.
"I love, love, love my Saucony Freedom ISO's! They're like pillows for your feet! No seams cutting into your feet, great fit and very stylish and versatile. I've been wearing them in the gym when I lift, but I can also see myself wearing them shopping or when I'm travelling and on my feet all day." - Amanda Stalwick
Thanks for reading the Times.
Gotta run,
Tara
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