Run Canada Podcast Kirsten Parker

Chix Run the 6ix may have been born when the world was telling us to stay apart, but the heart of what they do is all about community. From the speaker stage at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, moderator and co-founder Amanda Richardson and her panel talk about how (as genuinely busy people) they find time and space to prioritize their own goals and how being part of the Chix helps to make it all happen. Chix are a super special crew: they focus on spreading the message that running is for everybody (say it again for the folks in the back!). They also highlight how you can have your own goals and make them important while at the same time supporting and cheerleading your fellow crew. Watch for them in the hot pink gear at a race near you and say hello!
Follow Chix Run @chixrunthe6ix
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EPISODE SPONSOR: Oasis ZooRun
Get ready to run on the wild side: registration for the Oasis ZooRun is now open! Taking place at the Toronto Zoo on September 14, this unique race brings together runners of all ages and abilities in support of wildlife conservation. Make this your next great adventure: register today at www.canadarunningseries.com 
 
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
 
 

Cheryl Zealand is smart, funny, kind, and one of the biggest boss ladies I know. If you live in Manitoba and are active, you probably already know her as the owner of Cranked Energy, producers of freshly made high protein energy bars that she spent years perfecting the recipe of. Since Cranked is celebrating its tenth anniversary this week, we talk all about business, fitness, and running and how they are so deeply connected in her life that you can't separate them. We also talk about how her running has evolved over the years. She may still run marathons on the reg, but her goals for what constitutes success for the training and execution have changed over the years. Cheryl is all about community: she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal for all her generosity and caring. Manitoba is a better place because this warm-hearted lady is part of it. 
Follow Cheryl on Instagram @cherylzealand
Follow Cranked Energy @crankedenergy
 
EPISODE SPONSOR: Oasis ZooRun
Get ready to run on the wild side: registration for the Oasis ZooRun is now open! Taking place at the Toronto Zoo on September 14, this unique race brings together runners of all ages and abilities in support of wildlife conservation. Make this your next great adventure: register today at www.canadarunningseries.com 
 
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade
 

We have reached the third installment of our chat with Emelyn Jade and we find her ten weeks out from her race. Things are heating up: she's swimming three days a week, getting in some brick sessions and long runs, and learning how to fuel herself properly through all of it to have successful outcomes. We also discuss what she's eating. Are eggs a good pairing with honey and/or peanut butter? What exactly makes the perfect banana? The journey continues...
 
EPISODE SPONSOR: Spring Run-Off, April 6, 2024 in person, April 1-30, 2024 virtually
Do you want to see your name cheering you on from your race bib? The deadline for personalized bibs for the Spring Run-Off is rapidly approaching: register by Tuesday, March 26 at 11:59 PM to lock it in. Don't miss out on this special touch to make your race day even more memorable. Register now at www.canadarunningseries.com 
 
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Theme song: Joseph McDade

If you don't already know Gaby Estrada, get ready to meet your new favourite boss. Gaby and I last spoke a year and a half ago when she had just officially taken on her new role as Executive Director of one of my favourite not-for-profit organizations, Fast & Female. Gaby and I caught up on what it's been like taking on this challenging role and all of the work she and her team have been busy doing to ensure that the charity is moving in the best direction possible. We also discussed Fast & Female's March initiative: Play Today, Lead Tomorrow. This campaign aims to raise $15,000 to support their REAL Role Models and grow their National Youth Advisory program. These programs help build girls up to become tomorrow's leaders, in sports and life. In-person and virtual events are happening all through the month. 
Follow Fast & Female @fastandfemale
Read more about Play Today, Lead Tomorrow: https://fastandfemale.com/playtodayleadtomorrow2024/ 
Register for the March 22 International Women's Day event at Sweat Society TO:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-womens-day-workout-fast-and-female-x-sweat-society-tickets-840717898867?aff=oddtdtcreator 
Get your tickets for Fast & Female Women in Sports Night with Toronto FC:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fast-and-female-x-tfc-women-and-girls-in-sports-night-tickets-852308516717?aff=oddtdtcreator
Get your Hillberg & Berk Always On Sparkle Hoops (20% of proceeds go to Fast & Female) https://hillbergandberk.com/products/always-on-sparkle-hoops
 
EPISODE SPONSOR: Oasis ZooRun
Get ready to run on the wild side: registration for the Oasis ZooRun is now open! Taking place at the Toronto Zoo on September 14, this unique race brings together runners of all ages and abilities in support of wildlife conservation. Make this your next great adventure: register today at www.canadarunningseries.com 
 
THEME MUSIC: Joseph McDade

In the third installment of recordings from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon stage: Women in the Marathon. This event was the second live discussion held by Canada Running Series to examine women's challenges in getting to the start line, this time focusing on the marathon. Moderated by Michelle Kay with Sasha Gollish and Melanie Murzeau, the panel was a beautiful cross-section of female runners: Gaby Alcala, Cory Freedman, Allison Hill, Nattalyee Randall and Lauren Roberts. These amazing humans have both experienced their own challenges in getting to the start line AND helped others overcome their obstacles, so the discussion was honest and open. There is always more to talk about, but this was a great way to continue the conversation. 
Follow our panelists on Instagram:
Gaby Alcala @aztitlan
Cory Freedman @towomens_runs
Allison Hill @byallisonhill
Michelle Kay @yo_mk
Melanie Murzeau @blackrunnersofthegta
Nattalyee Randall @nattalyee
Lauren Roberts @the_running_physio
Canada Running Series @runcrs @runcrswest
 
EPISODE SPONSOR: Oasis ZooRun
Get ready to run on the wild side: registration for the Oasis ZooRun is now open! Taking place at the Toronto Zoo on September 14, this unique race brings together runners of all ages and abilities in support of wildlife conservation. Make this your next great adventure: register today at www.canadarunningseries.com
 

Lauren Mantha is deep in the midst of figuring out her path in life and trying a bunch of new things along the way. This is how running came to her: she likes to be active and fit and is open to new experiences. You will notice we talk a lot more about her career than usual on the show: she is shifting gears from working as a Registered Nurse to completing a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations. This seemed to be the common thread in her story: whatever Lauren does, she wants to feel passionately inspired by it. So when running became part of her lifestyle, she was motivated to try attending run clubs. This sparked a new passion and she created A Running List: a website that breaks down barriers to participation in run clubs and crews and is working to bring the running community closer together. Her website currently lists as many run clubs and crews as she could find in the GTA, but thanks to a feature in Canadian Running, she has connected with all kinds of new friends and has expanded to include cities all across Canada. Her interest in getting active feedback from the run community drives her to always look to do more and make the resource even more inclusive. Lauren is incredibly driven and giving: she does all of this work in her spare time and the site is free to anyone who wants the information. And that's pretty awesome if you ask me. 
Follow Lauren on Instagram @laurenmantha
A Running List can be found at @arunninglist and www.arunninglist.com 
Photo Credit: @johnwithlenses
 
Things we talk about in this episode:
Puppy yoga!!! https://doggos.ca/products/puppy-yoga-toronto
Run Clubs and sidewalk sharing in the GTA https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/running-club-toronto-sidewalks-1.7076506
 
EPISODE SPONSOR: Spring Run-Off
Wish winter a fond farewell by participating in the Spring Run-Off in person on April 6, 2024, at High Park or virtually wherever you are. With an 8K, 5K, and Kids Race, there's a distance for everyone. Participants receive a super cute participant shirt and medal or learn more about CRS' Green Bib program. Whether you are aiming for a personal best on this hilly course or just looking to enjoy the beauty of spring with fellow runners, this is your next start line. Register at www.canadarunningseries.com
 
Theme Music: Joseph McDade