Brainsport Times June. 29, 2016

Anyone who’s is a part of Saskatoon’s running community likely knows just how special it is. This is evidenced every week on Wednesday evenings, and Saturday mornings at the Brainsport Run Club; individuals gathering, each with a unique story of how they came to be a runner.

It seems fitting to take some time to get to know more about some of the remarkable individuals who make up Saskatoon’s running community.

If you’re a regular Run Club goer you likely know Joey Lorer. You may also know him as the lead vocalist of Old Joe and the Truth Hurts. Next month he's going to be running the Sinister 7 Ultra solo; just a few years after taking up running. In this week’s Q&A we learn more about Joey's journey.
 

Q&A Joey Lorer

Tara: With only a few years of running under your belt next month you'll be taking on 100 miles solo at the Sinister 7 Ultra in Alberta. What has been the driving force behind your journey to this point?

Joey: There's nothing too profound about it - I've just wanted to keep  getting a little better at something. Having a few years of life experience has given me the humility to seek advice instead of trying to make all the mistakes myself! Learning the 10 percent rule, proper running form, the right equipment to use, etc. has allowed me to keep moving up without much in the way of injury. A younger, more stubborn Joey would have had a tougher time of it all and that might have discouraged me from ever dedicating myself to running the way I have.

Tara: Endurance sports have always intrigued you. What is it about them that has motivated you?

Joey: Our lifestyles conceal a big secret - a lot of us don't really know where our limits are, but by watching the achievements of the masters, we get a peek at what the human body can do. That awakens a curiousity about oneself that you can only really answer one way.

Tara: Your first pair of self-described "adult running shoes" came from  Brainsport - can you tell us more about how the store has impacted  you/your running?

Joey: First off, the staff have been so helpful every time and I've always left with a good pair of shoes. The more important part, though, is the information about running that you usually pick up in the store. The odds are good that just going in the door will make you a better runner! As well, having not joined the Saturday morning run club, it's hard to imagine that I would be where I am today. The support and encouragement runners give each other really is something else.

Joey running last year's SInister 7 as part of a team. Supplied photo

Tara: You have said that running has helped you focus and commit yourself to something in life - can you elaborate on this a bit?

Joey: In any activity, every one of us has a natural aptitude. Some things come more easily than others and those are usually the things we, as  individuals, enjoy and pursue. Eventually, you'll hit a ceiling, and  if you want to get any better, you have to put in some real effort. But you will break through if you try! I realized last winter that I'd never pushed through any of my ceilings - there are some things I can do well, maybe even above average, but only as well as came naturally to me. I've never put in sustained effort at improvement, to really try to excel, so this is largely about proving to myself that I can  face a challenge, make a plan, fight through the hard days, keep at it, and hopefully get to the finish line. That's what entering  Sinister 7 is all about for me.

Tara: What are you looking forward to (past Sinister 7) as you continue to grow as a runner?

Joey: Lifelong health sounds pretty good and there's definitely a strong human/social element to running with others that I'll keep enjoying. No doubt I will learn a lot trying to run 100 miles, but I still won't know where my limits are, so I'm going to keep pushing them more and hopefully see some country along the way. There are races in the most  beautiful and the most inhospitable places on Earth. I'm hoping my shoes will take me to some of each.


UPCOMING EVENTS 

Brainsport 25th Anniversary Celebration

TIckets now on sale at Brainsport ($25 each)! Come celebrate Brainsport's 25th anniversary with a special edition of our Wednesday evening run club at 6 p.m. followed by supper at Cosmopolitan Senior Citizens Centre! Come for the last chance to enter our Rock Your Run contest presented by Brooks for your chance to win a trip to Las Vegas for the Rock n' Roll Marathon.

The draw for the contest will be held that evening on July 13 and you must be in attendance to win. Mark your calendars now so you can join us in the celebrations, we'll even have T-shirts available so you can remember this day with us! 

The Ultra Ethnography

Trail runners, here's an interesting opportunity! A graduate researcher out of Calgary, Ian MacNairn, is doing a study exploring the community of ultra-running. Our friend Ian Colvine brought this to our attention. The study has just moved into the online portion and would like your participation. To do so you will be guided through an online interview and questionnaire hosted through Survey Monkey. Ian (MacNairn) is hoping to have as many people as possible from the community participate and complete this online It takes approximately 1 hour to complete.

The link to the interview and questionnaire is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ultraethnographyemail. To learn more about Ian's project you can visit the website at: www.theultraculture.com.

If you are an ultrarunner, a retired ultrarunner, an aspiring ultrarunning, or participate by any other means in ultrarunning, e.g. as volunteer, race director, crew, pacer, fan, documentarian, etc. he would love to have you join!


Masters Sports Festival

Saskatoon's first Multi-sport Co-ed Masters Sports Festival is being held July 15 through 17! Events include a 4x5K walk/run relay, team golf, soccer, and pickleball. For more information go to: http://masterssportsfestival.ca/ 


Crown the King Openwater Swim Race

On September 5 a king will be crowned at Trippes Beach on Waskesiu Lake! Registration is through Registration Logics and the Prince Albert Triathlon Club.For more information visit the Crown The King Facebook page or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


Beaver Flat 50 - Ultra Trail Marathon

Saskatchewan's first ultra trail marathon will get underway on September 17 at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park. With more than 2500 metres of vertical gain across 50 kilometres, there's nothing really flat about this race! The Beaver Flat 50 is a tough get-your-feet-wet, wreck-your-shins, and roll-your-ankle kind of run. For more information click here.

Brainsport Free Stroller Walking Club

16th Annual Saskatchewan Credit Unions Queen City Marathon

The 16th Annual Saskatchewan Credit Unions Queen City Marathon takes place the weekend of September 10 & 11 in Regina. This event includes races for people of all paces. Runners and walkers are welcome in the 42.2K, 21.1K, 10K, Team Relay and 5K events. Kids, as young as three-years-old, are encouraged to participate in the Mini Marathon. For more information or to register please visit: http://runqcm.com.
 

Though we've featured the Brooks Cascadia in the past - it's a must-feature again this week as it's Joey's go-to shoe for the thousands of miles he's put in over the years. This durable, breathable, and extremly comfortable trail shoe will carry you nicely through your own off-road miles. Come check it out for yourself in-store!