Tonight the Brainsport Walk/Run Club is celebrating the Wintershines Festival! This is going to be a great opportunity to bring out a friend who has yet to experience what we have to offer every week at the club. Check the "Upcoming Events" section below for more details about this evening.
In this week's Q&A we're speaking with a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan. Margo Killham is embarking on an exciting study and she's looking to some of you to help her out with her research. Let's get to it!
Q&A with Margo Killham
Tara: Let’s start by learning more about your study. What can you tell us about the focus and goals of your research?
Margo: Like most graduate students I have many goals for my Ph.D. research in the College of Kinesiology, but the main goal of my ongoing study is to find out more about women athletes’ sport performance and well-being over a competitive season. I am excited to have the opportunity to explore different aspects of performance such as performance perceptions, competition outcomes, and expectations. While also taking an in-depth look at athletes’ well-being, including self-attitudes, general well-being, body image, and eating and exercise attitudes in my research program. I will also be considering how well-being changes or remains stable over a competitive season for women in sport, which is an important element that has not been previously considered. Overall, I am hoping to highlight how well-being is related to sport performance, so future research can start to consider how to promote well-being in sport as a useful sport training tool or resource.
Tara: Can you elaborate on the benefits of sport in the lives of women?
Margo: There are challenges that women face in sport related to the often harsh and evaluative contexts that women compete in such as self-criticism, body dissatisfaction, and perfectionism.
However, there are also many important psychological (management of anxiety and depression and promotion of optimism and happiness), social (such as developing leadership and communication skills), and physiological (such as muscle and bone strength and heart health) benefits for women in sport. I am approaching sport contexts in my research from a positive psychology perspective, which is focused on helping individuals meet their potential. Recently, self-compassion has been suggested as a useful resource for women athletes to manage the challenges of sport contexts while also promoting positive sport experiences. Because of the potential of self-compassion for women in sport, self-compassion is one of the variables that I am considering in my current study.
Margo celebrating at the Saskatchewan Marathon. Photo supplied
Tara: What are your thoughts on running, specifically, as a sport for women to be involved in? You’re a runner yourself, correct?
Margo: There are many great things that running has to offer women. Running has been associated with physical and mental health outcomes that can improve a person’s quality of life and be a source of meaning and identity. Running is a sport that many get into later in life or after retirement from other sports, which allows women to have an ongoing positive athletic outlet that offers strong social supports related to both running and non-running related life experiences.
In terms of my own running thoughts, I am relatively new to the sport, but I am often blown away by the kindness and encouragement that I have received in the running community, through gear suggestions, race recommendations, or a nod in passing on the Meewasin trails. The Saskatoon running community has made a big difference in my own progress and confidence in setting, and achieving my running goals.
Tara: Tell us why you’ve come to Brainsport in search of women for your study? And who should participate?
Margo: I am interested in recruiting athletes through Brainsport because my research is being done in partnership with Saskatchewan Sport Inc. and the College of Kinesiology and because Brainsport has a large and strong community of athletes interested in improving and developing at a variety of levels of competition.
Women athletes from all sport types are encouraged and welcome to participate in my study if they meet the following inclusion criteria:
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16 to 35 years of age
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Have at least one year sport specific experience
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Are competing at the local, provincial, regional, national, or international level
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Have at least 2 competitions scheduled for this upcoming season
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And are not currently pregnant
It is also important to note that athletes must get in contact with me at least one week before their first completion of this upcoming sport season. My recruitment will continue until early June 2017.
Tara: For those interested, what is entailed in taking part in your study?
Margo: For the women who are interested and eligible for my study they would be asked to get in contact with me at least one week before their first competition and then to complete a series of online surveys spaced over their competitive season. The surveys take between 5 and 30 minutes each to complete, with most surveys taking less than 15 minutes.
To thank athletes for their participation a donation will be made on their behalf to a sport or women related foundation (their choice between: Kidsport, Because I am a Girl, or the Canadian Federation for the Advancement of Women in Sport) and each time they complete a survey they will be entered into draws for Amazon gift cards. If anyone has questions or who would like to participate I can be contacted at
Tara: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Margo: I would like to say thank you to Brainsport for taking the time to talk with me about my ongoing research and to also thank all the women currently participating and all women who volunteer to participate this upcoming season because without the women athletes willing to participate, my research would not be possible.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Walk/Run Club Celebration of Wintershines Festival - Tonight!
Winter isn't for hibernating - it is for recreating! This evening (February 1) Brainsport Walk/Run Club is hosting a celebration of this as part of the Wintershines Festival. All members are encouraged to bring out a friend they think might enjoy going for a walk or run with the club. It’s free but drop by early to get them to sign a run club waiver. Also, they may like to check out the Salomon studded running shoe demo fleet on hand.
You can expect the same fun we have each week but we will plan to walk or run our way from the store to the festival site for a walking or running tour of the sculptures and snow park and then continue on our regular workouts.
Wintershines Blizzard Triathlon
Up for a winter triathlon? This mix of ice skating (or snowshoeing), cross-country skiing and running can be done solo or as part of a relay. There are family events and a youth, and junior challenge event at shorter distances as well. There’s also a non-competitive citizen event at half the distances of the ones listed below.
Event distances:
- Skate 4k or snowshoe 1.5k
- Ski 8k (classic or skate ski)
- Run 5k
The event gets underway at 8 a.m. on February 4 at the Clarence Downey Oval and Holiday ParK Golf Course ski area. Cost is $15 per person. For more information click here and to join the Facebook group click here. Volunteers are still needed to help out with preparation of the event and for the day of.
If your interested in volunteering click on either of the links and send a message.
Brainsport Running Academy - Spring Courses
Below are brief descriptions of this year's spring courses. For more information, including dates and registration go to:
Performance Marathon Course:
Coached by Jason Warick, this will be an intense training course for the experienced and serious runner wanting to reach a competitive edge. Jason is a very high qualified coach and knows what it takes to be an extremely competitive runner.
Standard Marathon Course:
Coached by Pat Sommerville, you will be training with like-minded athletes as you work toward taking on 26.2 miles. Pat has coached countless running courses at the Brainsport Running Academy and is known for his coaching technique and ability to help you reach your goals.
Half-Marathon Course:
Coached by Jen Kripki, this will be a fun, interactive training time with athletes wanting to do their first half-Marathon or raise their running to a higher level. Jen Kripki is a very experienced runner, personal trainer and coach.
10k Course:
Coached by Tarrant Cross Child, this will be an engaging and interactive course. Tarrant will bring both his knowledge of running, and his personal desire to see people excel to the group. This course is designed to take you to a new level of running and is geared at the beginner and established runner. Tarrant will have a training program for everyone.
Learn To Run Course:
Coached by Cara Mazurak, the Learn To Run course is designed to accommodate those from a non-running background, or someone coming back to running after an extended time away. This is an 8-week course, which will culminate with a 5km race. The Learn to Run course will give you a solid foundation for your future running goals.
Brainsport Shoe Donation Progtram
The Brainsport Shoe Donation Program has received a request for basketball shoes. If you have gently-used basketball shoes please consider dropping them off at the store for donation. They will go a long way in making sure no child is left sitting on the bench because they don't have proper footwear.
Volunteers for Track & Field
Volunteers are needed for track and field events at the Field House. During track and field meets volunteers are needed to fill positions on the track, at long jump, high jump and shot put. By attending a training session for only two hours you will become a valuable member of the volunteer officiating team. The bonus is you get to see the growth of many young athletes.Register today for one of the following Introductory Officials Clinics: January 27 at 6:30 p.m. or January 28 at 9:30 a.m. Register by email with
Just Tri-It - Triathlon Training
Ladies, have you ever wondered what it would be like to do a triathlon? Are you looking for a fun and challenging spring training program? The Just Tri-it program gives you eight weeks - starting on March 19 - of swim, bike and run training, plus entry into the Makin It Happen Triathlon, where you can show off your new skills. Registration is now open, and it always sells out! Learn more and register click here.
Brainsport Brainfreeze
The 9th Annual Brainfreeze, in support of the U of S Cross Country Team, is set for Sunday March 5, 2017! This year there will be the addition of a 5K race, along with the 10K and half-marathon distances. Start time is 10 a.m. in front of Brainsport (also the finish). Register by going to www.brainsport.ca.
Breath Move Be - Yoga for Runners
Drop-in is available for 2017 classes. Contact Leanne, below, for more information.
Breath Move Be is back with more yoga for runners in the new year. Join in this runner-specific yoga class starting January 10 through February 28. Classes will be held at Namaskar Yoga Studio on Tuesday nights from 6:05 to 7:05. For more information and to register email Leanne at
Triathlon Training
Transition Sport and Fitness is offering Distance Group, or Personalized Coaching for anyone wanting to take their swim, bike, or run training to the next level.
Visit www.transitionsportandfitness.cafor more info on all programs.
Start2Finish
Every week, at one of Saskatoon's community schools, volunteers and children come together for a running and reading program called Start2Finish. The program aims to break the cycle of poverty by providing ongoing educational support to Saskatoon's at-risk children. You run, read, and share a word of the day with the group of kids. Start2Finish not only allows you the opportunity to give back to the community, and gain a rewarding experience, but also allows you to help children grow in a positive way. If you are interested in giving a couple hours of your time email
Product of the Week
IceBug Speed Boots
If you're looking for a sweet pair of boots to keep you on the move through slick, cold conditions, you'll want to check out what IceBug has to offer. With built-in spikes and warm, lightweight materials this boot will give you solid traction on those icy streets and trails without weighing you down. Come check them out while we have them in stock!
Thanks for reading the Times this week . . gotta run . . .Tara