Inspired Soles

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Calvin Reimer is in his 3rd year of Kinesiology at the University of Manitoba and is part of the Bison’s track & field and cross country teams under the guidance of coach Claude Berubé. What struck us most about this fascinating interview is just how much the recreational adult runner can learn from an athlete like Calvin, who has lived and breathed running for a good chunk of his short life and is the product of a strong high school and club system. 

It can be challenging to impress upon recreational runners just how important the fundamentals are -- warm ups & cool downs, mobility and core work, form & technique drills, strength training, and running almost every day with most of those miles easy and some of them REALLY hard! -- and yet all of this is second nature to Calvin because it’s all he’s even known. And judging by his several shiny new PBs (800m in 1:56, 1000m in 2:28, and 1500m in 3:55), it seems to be working for him. 

From our vantage point, the future is looking pretty bright for Calvin. He has a strong work ethic, a genuine love of the sport, and an incredible support system - all of which will no doubt lift him to even greater heights.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: If you don’t put in the work someone else will
• Favourite Place to Run: On the Trans Canada Trail in Whiteshell Provincial Park (Falcon Lake)
• Bucket List Race: U Sports XC Championships
• Favourite Running Book: Running With The Buffaloes
• Favourite Post Run Indulgence: Booster Juice (if he PB’d), Dairy Queen Blizzard

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

It’s always fascinating to us how interconnected the running community is across space, time and genre.  While in Manitoba Kim kept hearing the name Gavin dropped whenever anyone talked about sourcing high quality and hard to find running gear and products in Canada. “You just need to check out Gavin’s store. They’ll have it.”  Over the years she has placed regular orders to SkiUphill RunUphill in Canmore and whenever she's in town it’s the first place she stops. In fact, the trail running store in any town is often the community hub, the first place out-of-town  runners stop for information, maps and last minute fuel as well as the place where locals meet up for epic adventures.

Gavin Harmacy works for Apple and is originally from Manitoba, while Joël Desgreniers is a physiotherapist and is originally from Quebec.  When they partnered up and opened their shop in Canmore, AB, they did so with a crystalline sense of purpose and passion. They both love the mountains and have built a business, a community, and a life centered around helping people get outside and do fun things year round.

In this episode we talk about what drew them to Canmore, what it’s like to be run and ski shop owners, how they choose the brands they stock, and of course given that Joël is a PT we had to talk about shoes!  We also discuss how backcountry skiing and running can complement each other seasonally, how the store has grown to be so much more than that, and their future plans for a thriving business.  Whether you are a roadrunner or a trail runner, you know how important your local running store is and we talk to two men who have a mission for community service disguised as a business.  Cue this one up, put in those ear buds and hit play as you run, because this one is inspiring!

Connect with SkiUphill RunUphill:

• Phone: 403.675.HILL
• Website: skiuphill.ca
• Facebook: RunUphill Trail Crew

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: You either ran today or you didn't (Gavin)
• Favourite Place to Run: Chamonix (Joel)
• Bucket List Race: UTMB (Gavin)
• Favourite Book: The Science of Running by Steve Magness (Joel) 
• Post-Run Indulgence: Having a beer with friends (Gavin)

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Brandy Adolphe is a dedicated amateur distance runner from Winnipeg in her mid-40s who has been absolutely crushing it lately. After spending a few years focused on the half marathon, in 2016 at the age of 40 she ran her first marathon in a time of 3:53:01 and has been chipping away at it ever since. In the 2021 Manitoba Marathon, she clocked in with a personal best time of 3:19:01 landing her first in her 45-49 age category and 4th female overall...not to mention exactly 34 minutes faster than her first crack at the distance five years ago. It’s not as though Brandy is a sponsored athlete (unless you count the pair of carbon plated shoes her Mom gave her as a gift!); she is just a regular runner with a family and a full time shift work job who loves the sport and is committed to the process of training and exploring her limits.

In this conversation we talk about: 

• How she fits it all in
• The highs and lows of training,
• Running by feel
• Dealing with race nerves, and 
• So much more. 

While a road runner at heart, Brandy loves getting in the trails to shake things up and use her body differently. In other words, she's an ideal guest for this podcast and we're confident that you'll agree.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: This is what you came for
• Favourite Place to Run: Bird’s Hill Park, Duff Roblin Parkway
• Bucket List Race: Mickelson Trail Marathon (South Dakota); Missoula Marathon (Montana)
• Favourite Running Book: Don’t Tell Me You’re Afraid
• Favourite Post Run Indulgence: Chapman's lime green popsicle; hot shower; glass of pinot grigio 

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Brian Gallant is a full-time mountain trail race director from Crowsnest Pass, Alberta where he runs Sinister Sports, a growing operation that puts on trail races that many recognize and respect including the famous Sinister Triple: the Sinister 7 Ultra, Canadian Death Race, and the Black Spur Ultra.  Brian has been race directing for 20 years, and over that time he has developed a unique perspective on the sport, looking at it from an angle that, in his words, “nobody notices unless something goes wrong.” He shares why he does what he does, the core values with which he anchors his organization, and what it takes to remain sustainable in today’s trail racing climate. He highlights the racer experience as his number one priority and Kim has personally both cursed him and blessed him as she’s traversed his race courses. If you are a trail runner in western Canada, you’ve heard of Sinister Sports and no doubt have done or want to do one of Brian’s races. COVID has taught us that having the opportunity to race is a gift and not a given. We hope that you will aspire to something “sinister” in 2022 and sign up for one of the six tempting trail races offered by Brian and his crew at Sinister Sports.

Connect with Brian:

• Facebook: @SinisterSports (plus groups for each event)
• Instagram & Twitter: @sinister_sports 
• Website: sinistersports.ca

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: Racing is 90% mental and the rest is in your head
• Favourite Place to Run: Around Kimberley, BC
• Bucket list Race: Volunteer at Western States
• Favourite Running Resources: Race directing forums/articles
• Favourite Post Run Indulgence: Sleep! Watch a movie. Treat crew to a local restaurant.

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today we are celebrating our one year anniversary at Inspired Soles Podcast and we have a very special guest on the show, pro mountain runner Sally McrRae! Sally is a very busy and successful professional athlete, writer, coach, mom and wife.  She has had podium finishes all over the world and after over a decade of racing she doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all!  Sally joins us from southern California to talk about her recent Badwater 135 win, an impressive performance at what is considered the hottest and hardest race on the planet.  We also discuss what it’s like to be a pro-athlete and a mom of teenagers, how her life and race experiences have shaped her and the lessons she has learned along the way.  We talk about mindset, pain, loss, forgiveness, faith, grace, gratitude. She is open, honest and intense, while at the same time joyful and fun. Over the years Sally has been a huge inspiration to countless runners, and we are so honoured that she took the time to talk to us.  We thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and we know you will too!

Resources we discussed in this episode:

• Western Time | A Western States 100 Film 
• You Are Capable of Greater Things 

Connect with Sally on social:

• Instagram: @yellowrunner
• Facebook: YellowRunner
• Website: https://www.sallymcrae.com
• YouTube: SallyMcRae

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today we’re pleased to welcome Genevieve Groulx to the show. Originally from Montreal and based in Calgary AB, Gen is a Partner in tax services for a large professional services firm. She discovered running through a Run to Quit smoking cessation program offered by the Running Room in 2017, and while those first steps were tough and she didn’t have the right wardrobe, she eventually grew to love the sport...especially after learning about destination running in Hawaii! 

Carolyn has had the pleasure of coaching Gen since the spring of 2021 and can attest to the fact that she responds well to instructions and LOVES her spreadsheets! As a naturally bubbly and hilarious person, she routinely makes Carolyn laugh out loud each week as she sifts through her feedback notes. If this episode doesn’t convince you that middle-of-the-packers have more fun, I’m not sure what will.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: You’ve paid for this; Who’s idea was this?
• Favourite Place to Run: along the seawall in Vancouver or the river in Calgary
• Bucket List Race: A race in every Canadian province
• Favourite Running Book/Podcast: The Sports Gene; Women Run Canada
• Post-Run Indulgence: Coffee in a shop that caters to runners; in winter, a long, hot shower and a nap!; in summer, watermelon with a pinch of salt; Old Dutch Popcorn Twists

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

It’s time to welcome our third Couple of the Quarter, Brad Whitson and Jennifer Tackley, to the show!  They are a running couple from Winnipeg with decades of running experience together.  You would be hard pressed to find a race that they haven’t done in North America.  The range represented between the two of them is incredible, from shorter road runs to longer ultramarathons.

With races starting to happen again, many people are daring to dream, and starting to plan their race calendars for the remainder of this season and the next.  With that in mind, we thought it would be fun to ask Brad and Jenn to list their top 5 favourite road races and top 5 most recommended trail races.  They have a really interesting mix of events on their list from the Montreal Marathon and the Disney Dopey Challenge, to the Javelina 100-miler and the ET 51K.  We hope you enjoy this episode and maybe get some ideas for new places to explore!

5 Road Races:

1. Montreal Marathon
2. Disney Dopey Challenge
3. Las Vegas Rock & Roll Marathon
4. Twin Cities Marathon
5. Nova Scotia Marathon

5 Trail Races:

1. Pemberton 50k / Javelina 100M
2. Superior 100M
3. ET 51k
4. Antelope 50M & 100M / Zion 50M & 100M
5. Black Hills 100M 

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: Get 'er done! (Brad)
• Favourite Place to Run: Black Canyon AZ (Jenn), Marquette (Brad)
• Bucket List Race: A 100-miler (Jenn), Western States (Brad)
• Favourite Movie: Unbreakable or Without Limits (Brad)
• Post-Run Indulgence: Burger & fries (Jenn), Burger & a beer (Brad)

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Ihor Verys is an energetic 26 year old up and coming trail runner whom we met in Manitoba, although he recently moved to Chilliwack, BC to be closer to the mountain trails. Although he has been running for the last 5 years, Ihor discovered his love of trail running more recently during the pandemic, and has found himself excelling at longer and longer distances where he thrives on exploring both the boundaries of his potential and the places the trails take him. 

Kim met Ihor the day before she supported him as he ran the first known out and back of the 63 km Mantario Trail and he made quite the impression on her. He currently holds the one way unsupported Fastest Known Time (FKT) of 7h37m0s in 2020, and he totally blew the running community away when he ran it twice in June, a total of 125km, in an astounding 18h13m43s. Those that have done the rugged and remote trail in any length of time know how significant that is and how hard that FKT will be to beat.

Ihor is a breath of fresh air. He is full of energy, enthusiasm, and passion for the trails and a sport that has him hooked. We talk about why he runs and what he loves about running, how his experience at mile 8 in his first half marathon changed him forever, and we try to tease out his secrets for nutrition and fueling for success. Ihor has some big dreams and we think you will be hearing a lot more about this young man as he makes a name for himself in the world of trail and ultra running. But remember...you heard it here first!

Connect with Ihor on social:

• Strava
• Instagram: @ihorverys
• Facebook

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: Run more; worry less
• Favourite Place to Run: Any trail
• Bucket List Race: Fat Dog 120, Hardrock, Leadville
• Favourite Book/Movie: Born to Run, Can’t Hurt Me, Where Dreams Go to Die: Gary Robbins and The Barkley Marathons 
• Post-Run Indulgence: Chocolate Milk, Alcohol-free beer

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today we’re pleased to welcome Carolyn’s husband’s big sister, Alana Cadieux, to the podcast. Alana is an Air Traffic Controller in the Royal Canadian Air Force and has been stationed in Cold Lake AB for the past 20+ years. Even though Alana excelled at running throughout her teens on PEI, she felt drawn to attend Dalhousie University where she played on their basketball team. For the past ten years she has proudly represented Canada all over the world in running, basketball and hockey competitions as part of the international military sports team, CISM, and in 2019 she was even named Female Athlete-of-the-Year for the RCAF. 

In this episode we zero in on three particularly memorable marathons, what made each one unique and the lessons she took away and now applies to her everyday life, her work, and the raising of her two children, Jayde and Jared. In this conversation we laugh, we cry and everything in between, but I’m sure by the end you’ll agree that Carolyn is pretty fortunate to have Alana as a sister-in-law.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: Slow down (at the start) and smile
• Favourite Place to Run: Lakeside Beach, PEI
• Bucket List Race: PEI Marathon, Cabot Trail
• Favourite Book/Podcast: Born to Run, Inspired Soles
• Post-Run Indulgence: Grilled chicken, sweet potato fries, red wine

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today co-host Kim Senechal breaks down her recent Sinister 7 50-mile race in Alberta, the first in-person race she’s run in almost two years. As if running 50 miles isn’t hard enough, this race was actually closer to 51.5 miles, it had over 9000 ft of elevation gain, and Kim completed this on the heels of moving two provinces over from the prairies, incurring crazy hail damage to her new house, starting a new job, and battling 38C degree heat! We get into what she did differently in her training to prepare for Sin 7, where her mindset was at going in, what was different re: COVID, what steps she took to avoid falling victim to the unusually high DNF rate, and how her recovery is going. It was really fun to have Kim on the other side of the mic this week answering questions and passing along the wisdom she’s gained through years of ultrarunning.

Connect with Kim on Social
Instagram: @flyingphalanges1
Facebook: @kim.senechal

Resources we discuss in the episode:

• Roar, by Dr. Stacy Sims
• Hyponatremia

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected].