YourSaskatoon Blogs

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...

As January draws to a close and we welcome in February, there is perhaps a glimmer of hope in seeing an end to the winter season. If you haven't already, it's time to start thinking about spring training and what that may look like. In this week's Times we're going to explore a unique opportunity for our female readers (and for our male readers, who may have women in their lives interested in triathlon).Susan Hamilton and Liz Hoffman are co-coordinators of Just Tri-It. This is an all-female triathlon training course intended to bring women off all fitness levels, and experience into the sport.In our Q&A we're going to speak with Susan to learn all about this opportunity. Let's get to it!Q&A with Susan Hamilton Tara: Tell us what got you involved in triathlon, and how your experience inspired you to get other women involved in the sport? Susan: I wanted to make a healthy change and...

This week we're excited to bring you a conversation with Jason Warick about his recent trip to Eldoret, Kenya!Jason has been to Eldoret several times - each time bringing shoes from the Brainsport Shoe Donation Program along with him to give away. There's a lot to cover with Jason, so let's get right to it!Q&A with Jason Warick Tara: For those who are not familiar with your past visits to Kenya, would you mind sharing a brief history of your time there? Jason: I first went to Eldoret, Kenya in 2004 for three weeks of marathon training. I went this Christmas with my wife, our kids and her family. It was my fourth trip there as the links and partnerships with Saskatoon keep growing.Jason and his daughter Annie, with a group of shoe recipients. Photo supplied Tara: What motivated you to return for this most recent trip? Jason: I hadn't been back for...

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...

We have an exciting new addition to the Brainsport Run Club lineup! As of last week, we are now offering a Thursday morning group starting at 10 a.m. For those of you who can't make it out to Wednesday evening runs, this may be a great option. As with all of our Run Club sessions, all levels of runners are welcome, and it is free! Now on to our Q&A. This week we're speaking with Mike McKague. Mike is coaching the advanced marathon training course at the Brainsport Running Academy, which gets underway in February. This is an excellent opportunity for those of you looking to run a personal best time at the Saskatchewan Marathon this year! Q&A with Mike McKague Tara: Tell us a bit about your coaching background, and what brings you to the Brainsport Running Academy? Mike: Not too many people know this, but I was the second coach to help...

Happy new year to everyone! We're going to kick off the first edition of the Times this year with a look at a spring race you may want to get onto your calendar.  The Saskatoon Police Service Foundation Half Marathon is a great opportunity to check in on your fitness after a long winter, whether you're a competitive runner or someone who simply enjoys getting out for a run. To learn more we're going to speak with Sergeant Wade Bourassa, who founded this event and is passionate about the positive role running plays in the community.  Q&A with Sgt. Wade Bourassa Tara: Let's start off by getting the scoop on this year's Saskatoon Police Half Marathon. What can participants expect? Will it be similar to last year's event? Sgt. Bourassa: The 2018 edition of the Saskatoon Police Foundation Run is on April 29, and will be the same in format as...

Happy holidays to everyone! As we continue to make our way through this wonderful time of year, we thought it fitting to share a story that exemplifies the spirit of the holiday season. To do so, we're going to be speaking with Kim Gleim, a teacher at Nutana Collegiate. Kim is a runner, who has begun a running program for students at Nutana. Our colleague Colin Federow runs with Kim and brought this inspiring story to our attention. He also played a key role in getting the students into new shoes, along with help from Brainsport, Child of the Cross Running Clinics, and New Balance. Let's get right to our conversation with Kim! Q&A with Kim Gleim Tara: Start by telling us, what inspired you to get this running program going at Nutana Collegiate? Kim: The students definitely; their stories, their lives and the challenges. I had been thinking about it and then...

Thank you to everyone who came out to this year's BYOC (bring your own cookie) run on Saturday - it's always fun to celebrate the holiday season together. We were honoured to also present Brent Senger with the Ric Hanna Leadership Award on the weekend! We're going to speak with Brent in this week's Q&A to learn more about his story, as well as hear from Brian about presenting Brent with the award this year.  First though, an update on the sock drive we spoke with Jan Stirling about in last week's Times. Her goal was to collect 100 pairs of new socks for those in need by December 20. Well, she reached that goal and then some. All together, including infant, children's, men's and women's, the drive brought in 278 pairs of socks! Jan sends a big "thank you" to everyone who donated.   Now on to our Q&A with Brent 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...

As we get ready to say goodbye to November and welcome in December, the holiday season is upon us! In addition to all the fun festivities, family gatherings, and yummy holiday treats, there's likely some gift shopping to get to.  In this week's Q&A we're going to help you tackle your list with some great gift ideas for runners and non-runners alike on your holiday gift lists. Brainsport sales associate, Donna Galus, has plenty of ideas for you - so let's get to it!  Q&A with Donna Galus Tara: With the holiday season underway, gift hunting has begun. What are some the first items in-store that come to mind when you think of holiday gift ideas this year?  Donna: Winter running gear, such as reflective gear, and winter running shoes are always great choices! And if you're looking to splurge a bit there are the Quartz Co. jackets. They are so gorgeous and so...

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Gingerbread Run over the weekend! It was another successful year raising funds for the Saskatchewan Abilities Council - and a lot of fun chasing down Gingy!  We look forward to seeing all of you out for the Brainsport Brainfreeze in March. On that note, we're proud to be offering Brainsport Running Academy courses to get you prepared for the Brainfreeze, or any other running goals you may have leading into 2018. In this week's Q&A we're speaking with Tarrant Cross Child, who's coaching the 10k course, starting on Nov. 27. Tarrant also recently returned from a great performance at the New York City Marathon, so we'll get his take on that experience as well.   Q&A with Tarrant Cross Child Tara: This is a 14-week course, which allows for plenty of time to train for a 10k race, whether a beginner or more advanced runner. Can you speak to...

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...

Looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit this year? Look no further than the Lighten Up! Fun Run, being held on December 17th.  This is a unique event, that will have you running the streets of Saskatoon like you've never run them before. In this week's Q&A we're going to speak with the run's organizer, Dave Butchner, to learn all about it! Q&A with Dave Buchner Tara: For those we are not familiar with the Lighten Up! Fun Run, can you explain what makes this run unique? Dave: What makes this run unique is that all the participants decorate their winter outfits/strollers/bikes/dogs with battery operated l.e.d. Lights. The run is a visual treat for both participant and spectator. Tara: Who is welcome to join in the event? All ages, and capabilities? Dave: Everyone is welcome to join the event. There is no registration, no fee, just show up, and...

Welcome to November, everyone. T'is the season to remember those who have served, and continue to serve our country in the Armed Forces. Each year the Saskatoon Road Runners Association hosts a Remembrance Day Run, which is a unique event sure to get your heart and mind working, as much as your legs. In this week's Q&A we're going to speak with Murray Gross, of the SRRA, to learn more about this event.  But, before we get to our interview we want to congratulate our co-worker, Jamie Epp, on being named Coach of the Year by Saskatchewan Athletics! Jamie is an assistant coach with the University of Saskatchewan Track and Cross Country Team and head coach with the Saskatoon Track and Field Club. Congratulations Jamie!  Now, onto our Q&A . . .  Q&A with Murray Gross Tara: What are the motivating factors for the SRRA to put on an annual Remembrance Day Run? Murray:...

With later sunrises and earlier sunsets, runners often find themselves running under dark skies and navigating slick terrain this time of year. Despite the shorter days and less than ideal weather conditions, the fall and winter seasons are still a beautiful time to run in Saskatoon. The key is to make sure you're taking proper measures to stay safe and injury free. In this week's Q&A we're going to speak with Brainsport manager Lisette Schermann to get the scoop on ways to help you run safe and stay healthy this season. Q&A with Lisette Schermann Tara: As the days getting shorter and shorter, runners often find themselves with no choice other than to put their miles in under the dark sky. What are some must-have accessories for staying safe on those dark runs? Lisette: We talk about visibility a lot. Without going into much detail, it refers to several things. There’s being visible to traffic and...

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...

You likely know him as a singer-song writer, musician and producer, but Luke Doucet is also a remarkable runner. On Thursday night he's performing at The Broadway Theatre with his wife Melissa McClelland. Together, this Canadian duo makes up the Juno Award-winning band Whitehorse.  There are only a few seats left for the show, so if you want to get in on the action visit The Broadway Theatre website for tickets. Luke was kind enough to jump in for an interview for this week's Q&A. So, let's get to know this speedster before he hits the stage tomorrow night! Q&A with Luke Doucet Tara: I'm quite certain a lot our readers are familiar with you as a musician, but I'm not so sure they will know you as a runner. Would you mind telling us a bit of your running history? Luke: I started running seven years ago, in reaction to an early mid-life...

We're thrilled to be partnering with New Balance Canada to help out Child of the Cross Running Clinics. New Balance will be donating one brand new pair of running shoes to the program - which was founded by Brainsport Running Academy coach, Tarrant Cross Child - for every one pair of New Balance shoes bought at Brainsport through the end of this month!  These shoes will go to the kids Tarrant and his team work with through the Child of the Cross Running Clinics; and are sure to bring a smile and many, many miles into the lives of these children. To learn more about this initiative, and about Child of the Cross Running Clinics, we're speaking with Tarrant in this week's Q&A. Before we get to our conversation if you're interested in learning more about Tarrant's inspiring story of how running has helped him through his recovery from alcohol and gambling addiction,...