YourSaskatoon Blogs

A big thank you to everyone who helped celebrate Brainsport's 25th Anniversary last week - it was a great evening! In celebration of the big year, we have a very cool "Product of the Week" to highlight this week at the end of this edition.   In this week's Q&A we're checking back in with Joey Lorer to get his thoughts on completing the Sinister 7 Ultra solo! But, before we get to that a reminder that Brainsport will be open during construction on the 600 Block of 10th Street East - it's expected to last three to four weeks. Now, on to our Q&A . . . Q&A with Joey LorerTara: Just a few years after committing yourself to running, you managed to successfully race the Sinister 7 solo, completing the 100 mile race in 27 hours 49 minutes and 23 seconds. What did it take physically, and mentally to get to the starting line?Joey: I found a training plan that was geared towards...

The big day is here! Today we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Brainsport! We look forward to seeing you all out at run club this evening, where the winner of the Brooks Rock Your Run contest will be announced! It's going to a packed evening of celebration with a dinner at the Cosmopolitan Senior Citizens Centre following run club (limited amount of tickets still available for the dinner).  Today we are also taking time to remember Ric Hanna; one of Saskatoon's greatest runner's, and a man who fought Huntington's Disease with an unrelenting spirit.  Ric's legacy will certainly be everlasting; and his name will continue to be honoured each year at Brainsport with the Ric Hanna Award, which is awarded to one runner who exemplifies outstanding leadership. Past recipients of the award are: Dave Stark, Peter Goode, Jan Sterling, Theresa Reid-Shea, Brian Breit, Audrey Mowchenko, and Oliver Eaton. In place of a Q&A this week, we have a tribute to Ric, with words...

Brainsport's 25th Anniversay celebration is fast approaching; and there's plenty to look forward to on July 13 as the fun gets underway - you're not going to want to miss it! Bit-by-bit some details have been released about the celebration, including the Brooks Rock Your Run Contest winner announcement, ticket availability, supper location, and catering. In this week's Q&A we get even more details from Brian.    Q&A Brian Michasiw Tara: The big day is almost here! What are your thoughts as you approach this milestone of 25 years in business? Brian: It makes me reflect on how far we've come. Looking back to when we started Brainsport it's now clear to me how little we knew about business. At the time my partner Debbie Harksen was 20-years-old and I was 21. We knew how to sell shoes, but that was about it. However, it's amazing what a positive attitude and a bit of hard work can accomplish. Tara:...

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 fist day of summer fell upon us this week, marking the continuation a robust racing season both in Saskatoon and beyond. Whether training to race competitively, or working toward your first-ever race, these summer days provide a beautiful backdrop to whatever adventure you may be on.  With the EY River Classic set for mid July, there is a great opportunity to transition your summer-morning runs into a summer-morning race. This is one of the province's premier racing events, hosted by the SRRA. In this week's Q&A we speak with race committee member, Neil MacKay, to learn more about the event.   Q&A Neil MacKay Tara: The EY River Run Classic is one of the province’s top road races. What goes into making this such a great event year in and year out? Neil: There is something for everyone as there are a variety of race distances - a 5K walk/run, a 10K and a...

A few special travelling-visitors passed through the store last week! On May 9, Stanley Barkman started walking from his home in Sioux Lookout, Ont. with the goal of reaching Fort McMurray by foot to raise funds for the fire evacuees. On that day the Walking for Fort McMurray campaign took to life. Along the way Stanley has been joined by his cousin David Barkman (in Ontario) as well as Fort McMurray evacuee, Nathan Walmsley, in Regina. On Friday morning the trio was at Brainsport where they were each given a new pair of shoes, along with a few pairs of socks to help them along their journey. Before sitting down for his fitting we caught up with Stanley to learn more about his venture.   Q&A Stanley Barkman Tara: What motivated you to walk from you home in Ontario, to Fort McMurray to raise money for the fire evacuees? Stanley: People are losing their houses - I want o do what...

Congratulations to all the participants and volunteers who took part in the 2016 Saskatchewan Marathon over this past weekend! There is a lot to celebrate; goals accomplished, fantastic performances, and the wonderful spirit of a community of runners, walkers, and volunteers coming together for a great event. On the heels of such a fabulous weekend, we've packed the Times with two Q&A's this week. First up, we're going to talk with Brian to get his take on his thrilling third-place performance in the marathon. Then, we'll have a chat with Joel Pedersen of J2J Fitness about the safety-awareness and self-defence session being held at Brainsport this Saturday.  There's a lot to cover, so let's get right to it! Brian Michasiw Tara: It's not very often you see a sprint right to the finish line in a marathon, but you and Seiji Yoshimura battled it out hard for third place all the way to the end. It was a cat and...

We have a nice shift in gears in this edition of the Brainsport Times. In this week's Q&A we'll be speaking with Stephan Bourassa, a local occupational therapist, who's starting up a very important program here in Saskatoon for children with a wide range of challenges.  There's a lot to talk about, so let's get right to it!  Q&A with Stephan Bourassa Tara: As an occupational therapist you have worked with kids of many different ages and abilities. Can you give us a bit of background about your work? And, your running?  Stephan: You bet! After working with injured adults for 12 years, I needed a change. After seeing the magic of the growth and development of my own young children, I decided to step out on my own and established Milestones Occupational Therapy for Children, a private pediatric Occupational Therapy practice in Saskatoon. I work with children and youth with a...

Experienced runners and triathletes alike understand the importance of cross-training. Whether it's hitting the eliptical machine, pool, or bike there's plenty of options available. However, it's kind of nice to try something new every once in a while. There's an interesting opportunity to do just that - at Breathe Cycle Studio, which just opened here in Saskatoon.  In this week's Q&A we speak with Clay Sparks, Co-founder of Breath Cycle Studio, to learn more about this unique form of cross-training.  Q&A with Clay Sparks Tara: Let's start with what exactly Breathe Cycle Studio is all about. This is not your average spin class - would you mind telling use more about it?   Clay: Breathe exists primarily as a reminder to tap into the power deep within each of us. We've built a special room for you to reconnect with that power through movement. The tool we've chosen to use is a RealRyder "un-stationary" indoor-cycle....

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...

If you have ever thought about joining one of our Learn To Run courses, the Brainsport Running Academy is presenting an opportunity you won't want to miss — with coach Dave Stark. This course will provide an ideal environment for those who are looking to start their running journey, or maybe pick it up again after years away. Dave has a remarkable story of his own as a runner, which we'll learn more about in this week's Q&A. Q&A with Dave Stark Tara: You've been running for 34 years, and for 14 of those you've served on the Board of Directors for the Saskatoon Road Runners Association. You're very well known here in the running community, but I'm not sure people know a lot about your coaching experience. Would you mind telling us more about it? Dave: I was treated for prostate cancer nearly five years ago. As soon as possible...

Thanks to everyone who came out to run and volunteer at the Brainfreeze on Sunday — it was a beautiful day! Looking ahead at the 2016 racing schedule, there's a lot to get excited about, including the 38th Saskatchewan Marathon. This race is top of list for many runners in Saskatchewan and beyond. In this week's Q&A we speak with its race director, Kim Ali, to learn a bit more about the event. Q&A with Kim Ali Tara: For those who are perhaps new to Saskatchewan, or new to running, could you tell us more about the race's history and how it came to be such a marquee event?   Kim: We are runners and walkers and we volunteer at races! The dedicated race committee has a vision to improve every year through a strong community focus and ongoing communication with past participants. A small number of running enthusiasts started the...

Looking past today's not-so great weather, we have a beautiful forecast for the upcoming days, and hopefully much more to come! The warmer weather is getting everyone excited about our new spring arrivals. We're starting to get questions about what's coming in to the store. So this week, we thought it would be fun, and informative, to speak with Brainsport Manager, Lisette Schermann.Q&A with Lisette SchermannTara: Excitement is building as people anticipate getting outdoors more as spring arrives. Can you share some of what customers can expect to see coming into the store, and when new arrivals will land? Lisette: We don’t have any control over when spring arrives outside, but inside Brainsport, spring will be arriving in mid March. That’s for running clothes and accessories like Buffs, for shoes, many of the best spring styles are already here. Tara: Running shoes are constantly evolving. You are in a lot of meetings with the companies in...

Over the past few weeks there has been a great deal of discussion across the country about the school shooting in La Loche. Through the analysis, questions, and theorizing about why it happened, and how to prevent it from happening again, mental health has emerged as a primary focus of discussion.  It's very timely this week to have the opportunity to talk about mental health and physical activity with Sgt. Wade Bourassa of the Saskatoon Police Service. Sgt. Bourassa is currently in his 17th year of service with the Saskatoon Police Service. The father of two is also a big time runner, with 10 marathons behind him. His service to the city has been recognized publicly numerous times. He is the recipient of the Governor Generals Award for Bravery, has received the M.D. Ambulance lifesavers award and the Chiefs award for community service.   Q&A with Sgt. Wade Bourassa Tara: What impact...

Welcome to February everyone! Hopefully you all have been enjoying the warmer weather — and getting out for some nice runs! In this week's Times we're speaking to photographer Steve Gibb. Most of you are already familiar with his work, but may not realize it. Steve is responsible for taking the Times' stunning front-page photo. With a keen eye for capturing the beauty of Saskatoon's historic buildings, it's no surprise Brainsport caught his attention. Steve will be posting his photos of the store on his website gibbart.com in the next week or so. In the meantime let's get to know him! Q&A with Steve Gibb Tara: Let's start with a little bit of your photography background. Would you mind telling us more about yourself?   Steve: I retired in 2010 after 40 years in the newspaper business, with 35 of those in various editing roles, including the last 17 years as...

It's been a very busy time at Brainsport with our 25th Anniversary Sale last week. We had fun keeping up with all the action. Thank you to everyone who came out and kept us super busy! In this week's Q&A we're speaking with Mike McDonald, who's coaching the Brainsport Running Academy Half-Marathon course. We're very excited about all the courses being offered this year by the academy — be sure to check them all out on our website. There's also more information below in "Upcoming Events."Q&A with Mike McDonaldTara: We’ve been getting some background on the Brainsport Running Academy coaches over the past few weeks. Now it's your turn. Would you mind telling us about your experiences as a runner and coach? Mike: Well, to be honest, the reason I got into running was because of my mom. She has run for almost my whole life and has completed many marathons, half-marathons and 10K runs....

Tonight's Run Club is going to be huge! You may have heard Brian is announcing a contest that will "rock you." Coach, Jason Warick will also be making an exciting announcement about a special training opportunity with the Brainsport Running Academy. And, coach Tobi Rempel will be there to answer any questions you may have about her upcoming Beginner/Recreational Marathon course. In addition to all of this, Run Club alumni Ian and Selinda will also be dropping by! The store is going to be open until 9 p.m. with refreshments served after the running is done. It's a perfect evening to bring along some new people to Run Club. And, to take advantage of our 25th Anniversary Sale! In this week's Q&A we're talking to Jason Warick about the Performance Marathon course he's coaching at the Running Academy starting on January 28th. He also gives a tease about the big Running...

This is the last Times of 2015. Happy New Year everyone!  There's a lot to look forward to in 2016, as we celebrate Brainsport's 25th anniversary. As we enter this exciting new year, Brainsport continues to evolve, while still staying true to its founding principals. With  new ventures such as the Brainsport Running Academy, we're positive 2016 is going to be a great year! In this week's Q&A Brian is taking a look back at Brainsport over the years, as well as looking ahead at what's to come in 2016.   Brian Michasiw: Tara: What does it mean to you to be closing in on the 25th anniversary of Brainsport? Brian: It's a huge milestone. Two and half decades! It's especially meaningful because about half that time in business I didn't think we'd make it. There were lots of times when things were very challenging; and I didn't know if we would be able...

Merry Christmas everyone! This is our last edition of the Times before Christmas Day, so you all get an early greeting. This week we're speaking with Oliver Eaton, the 2015 recipient of the Ric Hanna Leadership Award. This award is inspired by a man who made a tremendously positive impact on the Saskatoon running community.Ric was an outstanding runner, who organized numerous running events throughout the years. He was also a long-time member of the Brainsport Run Club, who was always willing to step up to lead a group.In a display of his commitment, determination, and love of running, Ric managed to make it out to Run Club while battling through Huntington's Disease.Ric, number 28, in his glory days of racing.By 2007, the neurological disease had taken its toll, and Ric could no longer lead any of Run Club's groups. However, he didn't allow the disease to deter him from the club. He...

Christmas is nine days away! It's tough believe, being the weather has felt more like March than mid-December. Nonetheless, Christmas is certainly coming!  It's most likely many of you are still getting some of your final holiday baking and gift shopping done. Unfortunately, there's not much we can do to help you with the baking, but we may be helpful on the shopping front! In place of a Q&A this week, check out some of our Staff Holiday Gift Picks. And, don't forget we're open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Eve! Staff Holiday Gift Picks Lisette's pick this year is Ultimate Direction's Ultra Vesta because it holds lots of stuff, doesn't bounce around, and it's sized for women! Harvey's pick is the Salomon Spikecross. It keeps him feeling safe and secure on the ice. It's also very comfortable! Jaimie is going with the Saucony Run Mitt. Primarily, because it has...