Community Trail Running

“Our vision is that sports nutrition should taste amazing. Not that it should taste good. It should taste amazing. There's no reason why it shouldn't. And so we're on this quest to bring functional sports nutrition to folks and we're doing that in the realm of chocolate.”

Kristyn Carriere has spent her life working in chocolate. So when 7 Summits Snacks was launched, she knew what she was doing when it came to creating the product but selling the product was a whole new endeavor. How hard can it be to sell chocolate right?

Hard.

Like most things actually, it turned out to be much harder than anticipated. 200 stores from coast to coast in Canada later, Kristyn and the team are finding their way, but it’s been tougher than she expected. She’s a runner as well so the challenge of finding their way has been a welcome one, even if it’s more than she expected.

“The competition out there in both the chocolate and the nutrition space is huge so building a brand has been a lot harder than I thought and convincing folks that chocolate is actually a functional food or can be a functional food is also way harder than i expected it to be. So there's lessons every week when i'm just like “oh yeah I can't take it for granted that everyone's like me and just thinks that chocolate is the best thing on earth”. They'll eat chocolate flavored stuff. But the thought of having a chocolate bar is still a huge barrier for a lot of folks mentally. Just based on our programming as children and being told like, oh, this is only a treat. So we're trying to break down really deep belief systems for folks and just reeducate them that it can be a functional food as well.”

Kristyn was so much fun to chat with as I loved how open she was about competing in the space, especially after having such an emotional launching of the business. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did and you will think about chocolate a little different now that 7 Summit Snacks is changing the game!

#Naaksquad - Try it and get 15% off

I enjoy the Naak products, even if the sauces took a few tries to grow on me. They get the job done and they don’t give me any issues, and isn’t that the point? So I applied to be part of the squad to get a discount on the products I plan on using a bunch. Reach out to me if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer! They give me a referral code, so I’m including that today.

If you’re gonna check it out, click through this link (CTR15 for 15% off), I appreciate it.

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Music by Paolo Argentino from Pixabay

We’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!

If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :)

Jason Bahamundi and I are officially doing “Food Fight Friday at the Aid Station” twice a month now, and I’m going to post these segments properly on my side as well. The latest episode brings us together after Jason crewed 50 miles of Aum Gandhi’s Tahoe 200 and I just finished 9 laps of the Grouse Grind Challenge. So we were both a little punchy and probably in the perfect headspace for this conversation!

For those who haven’t caught it yet, Jason and I have to decide whether we will carry, toss, or eat three food choices.In today’s show, Jason presented Adam with these options:• French Toast with maple 🍁 syrup and powdered sugar that has to be eaten without utensils.• Two-day-old gas station sushi that has been sitting in the sun because the volunteer forgot to put it on ice.• A sloppy Joe that has been ‘spiced’ with a ghost pepper and there are no napkins to wipe your hands or mouth after you’ve eaten it.What are you choosing to eat, toss, or carry? Does it match our choices?Next week I get to turn it around on Jason and I’ll present him with three choices. I’ll be searching “Coast to Coast” up here in the great white north for my food options, maybe you have some ideas of your own?!

You will be able to download these as podcasts as well, so you can take this in through video or audio, whatever your preference. Check out Run Tri Bike Mag through this link and let us know if you are enjoying it and any other comments you may have!

Check out the previous episodes we’ve done so you’re all caught up:

“We go for the run and then I see them enjoying themselves and then they come back for another run and that's when I know like, okay, this was a good thing. And then I'm glad they stuck with us and I'm glad that we had this event to help draw new people. It's a great sport and everybody should give it a try sometime in a non-pressure situation.”

Jeannine and I have been friends since we worked together at CTV and if you asked us both about trail running when we first met at the station many years ago, I’m not sure we would have had much to say! We both got into the sport around the same time and it made our friendship grow, which I’m so grateful for! Not only did our friendship grow, but I got to see Jeannine find and create community in the sport, which has been so inspiring. It’s awesome we’ve both found a home in the sport, and to be able to work together to bring the Trail Running Film Festival to 5 different locations was an honour for me. It’s also an honour for me anytime I can get out and join a group that Jeannine has organized, which I got to do over the weekend with the Ice Cream and Donut Run Club. It was so fun to join so many people and know that Jeannine plays such a big role in it all. She just wants to share the sport and I love that.

“As a back-of-the-pack runner, mid-pack runner, I don't feel comfortable when people just go and never look back. It's like, why am I joining a club? So I like that that's a big part of our group runs so that everybody feels welcome and comfortable. We've had new people join us and thank us like, “oh wow, I've always hesitated joining clubs but I'm really glad I joined yours because like I feel welcomed and I'm still with you guys I'm still not I'm not lost in the woods.”

Check out more about ICDRC and follow Jeannine or her media page along while you’re at it. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. I always love chatting with Jeannine and to be able to record episode 100 with her is something I’m really pumped for! Let us know what you think and if the ICDRC is something you’d like to try!

#Naaksquad - Try it and get 15% off

I enjoy the Naak products, even if the sauces took a few tries to grow on me. They get the job done and they don’t give me any issues, and isn’t that the point? So I applied to be part of the squad to get a discount on the products I plan on using a bunch. Reach out to me if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer! They give me a referral code, so I’m including that today.

If you’re gonna check it out, click through this link (CTR15 for 15% off), I appreciate it.

Listen where you listen

Spotify: Click Here

Google Podcasts: Click Here

Apple Podcasts: Click Here

Music by Paolo Argentino from Pixabay

We’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!

If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :)

Words still to come as the Alberta tour has put us a bit behind. In the meantime, I wanted to share this great with Desirèe Houle and at least give you her website and IG links!

“It's going to be a challenge and yes, it's scary, but I know it's going to be a lot easier than being a race director. And I think it's important that runners know that and really appreciate race directors because it's a lot of hard work. And we're so lucky that there are so many races that we can now pick from.” - Susan Lowe-Wylde on running the Minotaur after directing it for many years

Susan and Ian Lowe-Wylde own spry in Blairmore, Alberta, which is in the Crowsnest Pass region of Alberta. With Rocky Mountains on one side and prairie land on the other, the couple of 40 years love the variety of terrain in the region. They are always looking for adventure as they love being the ones that know the spots nobody else does. This passion and drive for the outdoors is a big reason why they love calling the Crowsnest Pass region home. They’ve witnessed a lot of change and growth over the years and their proud they’ve been part of that growth. The pass is becoming more and more popular with trail runners which has been good for their shop, and the fact they are so involved in the community means runners and outdoor enthusiasts get many opportunities to interact with them. Susan and Ian wanted to make a difference for runners and their downtown with spry, and they had to trust the process to get there. It wasn’t easy in the beginning.

“Our mindset is that, yeah, you know what? (The store’s) probably not making money right now. We don't care. We're gonna make it great. So we just, we bought the right stuff and we did it the right way, even though there wasn't really a return on it for quite a few years. And I think now, now it is a really good, curated selection of stuff for running and, and hiking and climbing. And it's an interesting mix, it didn't just happen overnight.” - Ian Lowe-Wlyde

Susan and Ian were really fun to chat with. A couple that’s been together for 40 years knows each other so well and it was fun getting their history from both of them. They’re all about getting outdoors and sharing that love with others and we definitely benefit from having folks like this in our community! I hope you enjoy the chat as much as I did and it gets you excited for all the film festival dates this week! I’m so excited to partner with Sinister Sports in Crowsnest Pass and of course to get started with our shows Tuesday in Edmonton!

Alberta Trail Running Film Festival tickets available

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Edmonton (Garneau Theatre) $25

Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Calgary (Globe Cinema) $25

Thursday, June 6, 2024, Canmore (Partnering with artsPlace) $25 (members receive a discount)

Friday, June 7, 2024, Crowsnest Pass (Blairmore) (Frank Slide Interpretive Centre partnering with Sinister Sports) $25

#Naaksquad - Try it and get 15% off

I enjoy the Naak products, even if the sauces took a few tries to grow on me. They get the job done and they don’t give me any issues, and isn’t that the point? So I applied to be part of the squad to get a discount on the products I plan on using a bunch. Reach out to me if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer! They give me a referral code, so I’m including that today.

If you’re gonna check it out, click through this link (CTR15 for 15% off), I appreciate it.

Listen where you listen

Spotify: Click Here

Google Podcasts: Click Here

Apple Podcasts: Click Here

Music by Paolo Argentino from Pixabay

We’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!

If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :)

“So Fitzy, of course, sleeps in. He's like, “hey, where's my ride, Houda?” I'm like, “it's already gone, Fitzy.” He's like, “how am I going to get there?” So long story short, Fitzy made his way from the bottom of the mountain, hiked to the very top. It's 12,500 feet, so it's cold, right? He didn't bring nothing but a onesie, right? A onesie. That's all he brought. Cowboy boots and cowboy hat.” - Houda

Kevin “Houda” McDonald and Michael “Fitzy” Fitzpatrick call Canmore, Alberta, home and have become great friends. A big part of that friendship is their mutual love of trail running. Houda is a race director for many races including the 5 Peaks Alberta races and the Transrockies races and Fitzy created Canmore Trail Culture. They are also a blast to chat with as they play off each other and their stories. It’s evident they’ve known each other for a while and shared some laughs along the way! It was entertaining chatting with them, to say the least, and it was also nice to hear a bit about why they enjoy the sport so much.

“In Canmore, there wasn't really anywhere to meet people. So I wanted to kind of create something that, somebody new to town could come and, get to know the trails and hopefully meet people. I think the community that we've created in the trail running community has been pretty special. For myself, some of my best friends I met through the group. That's what keeps me here is, just the people that I've met, and also the world class trails around this area.” - Fitzy

I’m really looking forward to our show in Canmore. The opportunity to partner with artsPlace is really cool and it’s gonna be great hanging out with trail runners in the Rockies! Our amazing sponsors also have some race entries up for grabs as we’re incredibly grateful for the support of 5 Peaks, Stoked Scramble, Stoked Ultra, and the Black Lung Ultra. There will be Näak for the first 12 people through the doors and a chance to win a Näak prize pack. Run Uphill/Ski Uphill have been kind enough to donate a few gift cards. And on top of all of that, Houda is also giving us entires to Golden Ultra and Moab Run the Rocks to giveaway. It’s gonna be a blast, get your tickets…

Alberta Trail Running Film Festival tickets available

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Edmonton (Garneau Theatre) $25

Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Calgary (Globe Cinema) $25

Thursday, June 6, 2024, Canmore (Partnering with artsPlace) $25 (members receive a discount)

Friday, June 7, 2024, Crowsnest Pass (Blairmore) (Frank Slide Interpretive Centre partnering with Sinister Sports) $25

#Naaksquad - Try it and get 15% off

I enjoy the Naak products, even if the sauces took a few tries to grow on me. They get the job done and they don’t give me any issues, and isn’t that the point? So I applied to be part of the squad to get a discount on the products I plan on using a bunch. Reach out to me if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer! They give me a referral code, so I’m including that today.

If you’re gonna check it out, click through this link (CTR15 for 15% off), I appreciate it.

Listen where you listen

Spotify: Click Here

Google Podcasts: Click Here

Apple Podcasts: Click Here

Music by Paolo Argentino from Pixabay

We’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!

If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :)

I've always kind of taken charge and tried to get everybody involved. I think it was an opportunity to be the first face that someone sees when they showed up in those early days and, reminding them that, you're welcome here. You don't have to be super fast. You don't have to be an accomplished runner. It's a privilege to give someone that opportunity and welcome them into a space because you'll see all the time people show up for the first time. And a year from then, they're starting their own running groups. They're hosting community events. It's utilizing the massive space to allow anyone to be a part of that community.

Seger Brown loves bringing the community together and celebrating the outdoors. This is why he is a run leader with YYC Run Crew and he loves the outdoors so much that he also advocates for protecting our wild spaces through POW Canada. Seger is an outdoor lover through and through. The way he speaks about what it means to him to be in the outdoors and sharing that with others makes it clear that it’s a big part of his life. They are labours of love for Seger and something he looks forward to, just as much as he looks forward to a day in the mountains. The mountains and wild areas of Alberta are special to Seger which is also why he wants to protect them.

“If there's one thing that Albertans love, it's our beautiful national parks. Those amazing mountain parks like Kananaskis, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, all the way down to the beautiful farmlands and trails of the south like Crowsnest Pass where all these amazing races are held. We just want to protect those spaces so that our kids and our grandkids can continue to do these awesome mountain activities.”

Seger was a great guest who was thoughtful and inspiring. I’m grateful he had the time to chat and I hope you enjoy the chat as much as I did!

Read more about POW Canada

Learn about YYC Run Crew

I’m excited to see some folks from the YYC Run Crew at the Trail Running Film Festival screening on Wednesday, June 5 at Globe Cinema! Doors are at 6 pm and the show starts at 7 pm. We have Evan Birch and his crew from the Speed Project as our live guests, and we will screen his new documentary “Running Forward” as part of the evening too! Our amazing sponsors also have some race entries up for grabs as we’re incredibly grateful for the support of 5 Peaks, Stoked Scramble, Stoked Ultra, and the Black Lung Ultra. There will also be Näak for the first 24 people through the doors and a chance to win a Näak prize pack! It’s gonna be a blast get your tickets…

Alberta Trail Running Film Festival tickets available

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Edmonton (Garneau Theatre) $25

Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Calgary (Globe Cinema) $25

Thursday, June 6, 2024, Canmore (Partnering with artsPlace) $25 (members receive a discount)

Friday, June 7, 2024, Crowsnest Pass (Blairmore) (Frank Slide Interpretive Centre partnering with Sinister Sports) $25

#Naaksquad - Try it and get 15% off

I enjoy the Naak products, even if the sauces took a few tries to grow on me. They get the job done and they don’t give me any issues, and isn’t that the point? So I applied to be part of the squad to get a discount on the products I plan on using a bunch. Reach out to me if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer! They give me a referral code, so I’m including that today.

If you’re gonna check it out, click through this link (CTR15 for 15% off), I appreciate it.

Listen where you listen

Spotify: Click Here

Google Podcasts: Click Here

Apple Podcasts: Click Here

Music by Paolo Argentino from Pixabay

We’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!

If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :)

“There's a window of tolerance. All changes, whether they actually are physical changes to our muscles, or to the cells of our brain, all these changes kind of find that window of tolerance between mild and moderate levels of stress. That's the sweet spot for change. And so what I want to create for my clients is some distress, but mild to moderate levels of stress. Where they're going to have the greatest chance for change. Now I'm going to give them tools and support them in those things, so usually by the time we're ready to bridge that out, hopefully I've done my job and they're really ready and they want to, and it seems just like a natural process.”

Landon Hildebrand is a Registered Psychologist and trail runner living in Edmonton, Alberta, who loves his job and especially the opportunity to work with athletes. Being an athlete himself means that he’s able to relate with his competitive clients. Through relating and his experience, Landon knows how to help athletes get results.

Not only does he love working with athletes in his office, but he also loves volunteering at trail races, where Approach Psychology will often run aid stations. How cool is that?! An aid station with all the physical aid you need, with the added benefit of mental aid as well! I love that idea and it brings me joy just thinking about it. Joy is something Landon strives for with his athletes.

“Success should, in my mind, be both measured by how well they're doing in their races or activities, but also how much joy they're experiencing during it. That is the number one thing I'm looking at is I really want to increase the joy. Because being on the podium is cool, but only because it's fun. I don't think it actually proves anything in the world. The joy needs to be the number one factor for us.”

I really enjoyed the conversation with Landon and the insight he shared. The mental side of our sport is one I really enjoy hearing more about. It’s fascinating and doesn’t seem to be as explored as much as the physical side, which makes it all the more intriguing to me! I hope you enjoy the chat as much as I did and if you’re in Alberta and interested in working with Landon or anyone at Approach Psychology, reach out to them.

Alberta Trail Running Film Festival tickets available

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Edmonton (Garneau Theatre) $25

Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Calgary (Globe Cinema) $25

Thursday, June 6, 2024, Canmore (Partnering with artsPlace) $25 (members receive a discount)

Friday, June 7, 2024, Crowsnest Pass (Blairmore) (Frank Slide Interpretive Centre partnering with Sinister Sports) $25

#Naaksquad - Try it and get 15% off

I enjoy the Naak products, even if the sauces took a few tries to grow on me. They get the job done and they don’t give me any issues, and isn’t that the point? So I applied to be part of the squad to get a discount on the products I plan on using a bunch. Reach out to me if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer! They give me a referral code, so I’m including that today.

If you’re gonna check it out, click through this link (CTR15 for 15% off), I appreciate it.

Listen where you listen

Spotify: Click Here

Google Podcasts: Click Here

Apple Podcasts: Click Here

Music by Paolo Argentino from Pixabay

We’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!

If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :)

“It's a beautiful setting, great sense of pride in the local community. And we're in a time where people are more inclined to get outside test their boundaries and enjoy themselves. Sports and entertainment is a great way to attract a visitor who has a similar ethics to the one that the community already possesses there and that's why we feel it's a great fit for this region and this place.” - Nick Lade

The entire group putting together the Black Lung Ultra in Nordegg, Alberta, are excited about bringing people to the community through sport and entertainment. In fact, that’s their whole plan to bring tourists and people to the region, to highlight it through the lens of sport and entertainment. I love this idea and it’s awesome they’ve created an ultra-distance trail race as their first event in the region. Chatting with Nick Lade and Mike Williams about the race and what the area means to them was fun and insightful. They’re focused on creating a great event that showcases the area and want to ensure that runners leave satisfied and want to come back for more. They know it will be the runners that determine whether the event is a success or not.

“I mean, I don't think we get to determine that, right? It's the people running it that are going to give us that feedback, right? We've talked a lot about, you know, let's make sure we're well organized, nobody gets lost, nobody gets seriously injured, and people have a great time. I think that's going to be the biggest thing, make sure as many of the racers that we have come out this year come back and they tell their friends.” - Mike Williams

I had a fantastic time chatting with Nick and Mike. I’m really excited for them and their race, and I’m just as excited that Black Lung Ultra is sponsoring the Trail Running Film Festival screenings in Edmonton, Calgary, and Canmore. Yes, you can win a free entry to the race! You need to be at the film festival though, so get your tickets now!

Alberta Trail Running Film Festival tickets available

I’m incredibly excited to be able to hang out with more of you and share the film festival vibes. Our dates are:

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Edmonton (Garneau Theatre) $25

Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Calgary (Globe Cinema) $25

Thursday, June 6, 2024, Canmore (Partnering with artsPlace) $25 (members receive a discount)

Friday, June 7, 2024, Crowsnest Pass (Blairmore) (Frank Slide Interpretive Centre partnering with Sinister Sports) $25

#Naaksquad - Try it and get 15% off

I enjoy the Naak products, even if the sauces took a few tries to grow on me. They get the job done and they don’t give me any issues, and isn’t that the point? So I applied to be part of the squad to get a discount on the products I plan on using a bunch. Reach out to me if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer! They give me a referral code, so I’m including that today.

If you’re gonna check it out, click through this link (CTR15 for 15% off), I appreciate it.

Listen where you listen

Spotify: Click Here

Google Podcasts: Click Here

Apple Podcasts: Click Here

Music by Paolo Argentino from Pixabay

We’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!

Community Trail Running is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :)

ICYMI over the weekend I posted about the shows I’ve been on recently:

“The part that I enjoy the most about it is seeing athletes through from goal creation to looking at a year plan and then getting into the nitty gritty of individual workouts. What systems they're working on to develop aerobic and develop your muscular that you need for the demands of whatever your goal is. I love that whole process of it.”

Joedy Dalke and coaching have gone together quite naturally over the years. He’s coached various activities to different crowds and once he gained the knowledge and experience on the trails, coaching trail runners through Attitude over Altitude was another natural step. He loves the opportunity to connect and support athletes as they work towards their goals and he loves gathering groups and watching them progress. This is why he enjoys his “Pain Train” Thursday night runs so much. Pain Train hosts runners for various work outs and he loves watching runners get stronger over time. It’s a point of pride for the Calgary coach.

“I just see these athletes doing these workouts week by week, and I see the improvements, and often they don't really see it. But it's a really cool experience for me to be guiding them through the workouts and then seeing that fitness develop or the skill develop on technical trails or whatever it is and be able to let them know like, “hey, by the way, you're really improving.” And sometimes people just don't know until they're told.”

Joedy was a ton of fun to chat with. I loved hearing why he enjoys Calgary so much and how much joy it brings him to work with athletes. You can learn more about his coaching at the Attitude over Altitude website and see his YouTube channel here. I hope you enjoy the chat as much as I did, let us know what you think!

Alberta Trail Running Film Festival tickets available

I’m incredibly excited to be able to hang out with more of you and share the film festival vibes. Our dates are:

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Edmonton (Garneau Theatre) $25

Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Calgary (Globe Cinema) $25

Thursday, June 6, 2024, Canmore (Partnering with artsPlace) $25 (members receive a discount)

Friday, June 7, 2024, Crowsnest Pass (Blairmore) (Frank Slide Interpretive Centre partnering with Sinister Sports) $25

#Naaksquad - Try it and get 15% off

I enjoy the Naak products, even if the sauces took a few tries to grow on me. They get the job done and they don’t give me any issues, and isn’t that the point? So I applied to be part of the squad to get a discount on the products I plan on using a bunch. Reach out to me if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer! They give me a referral code, so I’m including that today.

If you’re gonna check it out, click through this link (CTR15 for 15% off), I appreciate it.

Listen where you listen

Spotify: Click Here

Google Podcasts: Click Here

Apple Podcasts: Click Here

Music by Paolo Argentino from Pixabay

We’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!

If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :)