Inspired Soles

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today we’re speaking with the Running Room founder, John Stanton, who back in 1981 was an out-of-shape 2-pack-a-day smoker that could barely run from one lamppost to the next. His now popular run:walk approach got him pretty darn fit, to the point that his first 19 marathons were all under 3-hrs and he even made it to the World Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii. In 1984 he opened a tiny store in Edmonton to service the needs of local runners, which has grown to become the largest running retailer we all know and love with over 100 outlets and 1300 employees throughout North America. But he’s perhaps best known for being the mascot of the Running Room. If you’ve attended a major road race in Canada we’ll bet you’ve stood in a long lineup to get your selfie with this legend, and Carolyn even opens with a story of her various meetings with him over the years. 

Close to 1 million people have gotten their start in the sport at a Running Room clinic, and that doesn’t include the millions more who have independently followed the advice in his 10 best-selling books. John has received numerous awards for his contribution to the health and fitness of our nation, he serves as an Honorary Col to an army unit in Edmonton, he is an inductee to the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame, he is regularly featured on national news and radio shows, and if that weren’t enough...he is a member of the Order of Canada. 

John Stanton is powerful but also incredibly humble, and as you’ll see in this interview he genuinely loves the sport of running and possesses a remarkable ability to help others fall in love with it as well. We are so grateful to him for sharing this hour with us, and we hope his words will add an extra spring in your step today. 

Connect with John:

Runningroom.com

Facebook 

Twitter

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: I am strong, I am fit, I’m a well trained athlete, I believe in myself and the people around me, I can do this.
• Favourite Place to Run: Kona, Hawaii
• Bucket List Run: World Ironman Championship, Kona, Hawaii
• Favourite Movie: Running Brave (story of Billy Mills)
• Post-Run Indulgence: Chocolate ice cream

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

Dave Proctor is a Canadian running legend, and is considered one of the top 10 ultramarathon runners in the world.  He is a 40 year old father of three from Okotoks AB, a massage therapist, and the Canadian record holder for the 24, 48 and 72 hour continuous run events. He has also held world records for the furthest distance run on a treadmill in 12 and 24 hours (260.4kms) as well as the fastest 100 mile time of 12:32.  In 2018 he founded Outrun Rare, and attempted to run across Canada in record time to raise funds for the Rare Disease Foundation, something he plans to reattempt in 2021. Most recently Dave has been making a name for himself with backyard ultras.  He placed 3rd at the 2019 Big’s Backyard Ultra in Tennessee where he ran 52 yards for a total of 348.9km. 

If you haven’t noticed already, runners are super cool people and even the most elite among us are just genuinely nice, solid people. Dave is no exception, and in this episode you will hear some of the wisdom he’s gained over the years not only about running, but about life. This conversation is not only exciting and inspiring, but also brutally honest and real.

Resources we discussed in the episode:
Outrun Rare
Dave's website
Chasing Tomorrow Podcast
IG: @daveoutrunsrare
Facebook
Twitter: @runproctor

Rapid Fire Questions:
Favourite Mantra: All day
Favourite Place to Run: Kenya
Bucket List Race: A marathon; Big's Backyard Ultra (Tennessee)
Favourite Book: Born to Run; In Search of Al Howie
Post-Run Indulgence: A&W onion rings

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 talking to Carolyn's husband, Johnny Coffin, who is a LCol in the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Chief Running Official for the Canadian Armed Forces. He grew up on a strawberry and raspberry farm on PEI and spent his childhood playing every sport imaginable while trying to keep up with his three older siblings. He came to running in his late 20s as a convenient way to stay fit while he was deployed all over the world. He got as far as he could using his “no pain no gain” mentality before seeking out the advice of a running coach, who happened to be Carolyn's brother Kevin Beatty. Johnny references Kevin several times during this episode so if you’d like to learn more about Coach Kevin, check out episode 3 where we interviewed him about his coaching philosophy. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including the story of how Carolyn & Johnny met, running slower to get faster, building mental toughness, and the importance of wind-proof underwear! 

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: WWCD - What would Carolyn do? I am a machine; Good
• Favourite Place to Run: Confederation Trail (PEI)
• Bucket List Run: Boston Marathon
• Favourite Book: Once a Runner
• Post-Run Indulgence: Tiger Woods fist pump or 30-sec pity party, post run party including a glass of cabernet sauvignon

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 talking with Deborah Halliday-Mills, who Carolyn met earlier this year when she snagged a spot on her charity team for the Chicago Marathon. Deb is the charity and event manager for an amazing global non-profit called 261 Fearless, whose mission is to empower women through running. Affectionately known as Fearless Deb, she describes how she found running at the age of 40 while going through a challenging time in her life. As a proud back-of-the packer who has now completed 17 half marathons and 8 full marathons, Deb shares how she came to work for 261 Fearless, the positive impact they’re having on women around the world, the small world connections she has with both Kim and Carolyn, and the story behind the scar on her face from an encounter with the great Meb Keflezighi! This episode absolutely encapsulates what so many of us know in our hearts to be true...that running really can change your life.

Resources we discussed in the episode:
261 Fearless
Favourite Mantra: It's all part of the adventure; Stand sure
Favourite Place to Run: Yosemite; Moraine Lake
Bucket List Race: An Ironman; Iceland Volcano Marathon; Easter Island Marathon
Favourite Book: Girl Runner
Post-Run Indulgence: A cold beer and a juicy burger!

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

Carlene Van Tongeren is an accomplished middle distance athlete. She discovered her natural talent for cross country and track in grade school in Victoria, BC, which eventually took her to Simon Fraser University. There she competed in everything from 800m to 3000m, with her specialty being the 1500m and DMRs. Carlene was fortunate to compete with and against several women who have gone on to represent Canada at the Olympics and other international competitions, but she credits her many outstanding coaches for helping to foster a love of the sport and inspiring her to actively give back to the next generation. Now 40, Carlene is running as strong as ever as a masters athlete, despite a very full life as a registered clinical counsellor in the Comox Valley, a wife, and a mother of two young children. Warning: This episode might just make you want to break out your track spikes and see how fast you can actually go!

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: Take what the body gives; Stick it in; Steady and strong; You've got this
• Favourite Place to Run: Trails (Cumberland, Seal Bay); any oceanside run
• Bucket List Run: World Masters Games 1500m; sub-5 mins in 5th Street Mile; attempt to break Canadian Master's Record for 4x800m relay
• Favourite Book/Movie: Let Your Mind Run, Without Limits  
• Post-Run Indulgence: Replaying the race

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

Mallory Richard is somewhat of a legend in the Manitoban trail and ultra running community, although she would be the last person to admit that. She runs for The North Face and has quite the incredible running resume. Notably she has won the Superior 100M four times and is the course women’s RECORD holder. She placed 11th at Western States in 2017 and represented Canada at the World Trail Running Championships in Portugal in 2016. In June of 2020 Mallory and her husband Shawn welcomed a baby girl into their household, which has meant some significant life changes for her amidst a global pandemic. Mallory is intense yet incredibly humble, and possibly the nicest person you’ll ever meet. This is a jam packed episode in which we talk about elite competition, her struggles with an eating disorder, and becoming a mother runner. Please enjoy our conversation with Mallory.

Connect with Mallory on Social
Instagram: @malloryrichard

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: This is what you came for
• Favourite Place to Run: Canadian/Pre-Cambrian Shield
• Bucket List Run: UTMB
• Favourite Book: The Sports Gene
• Post-Run Indulgence: A hot shower and 20 minutes under the covers

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 talking with Arielle Fitzgerald, who Carolyn met back in the fall of 2012 when she was just 18 years old. They trained together for parts of 2013/2014 where she routinely kicked Carolyn's butt in 5k road races. Since then Arielle has gone on to become an accomplished athlete with incredible range. She played many sports in high school but absolutely dominated in long and triple jump before becoming very sick for several years. After regaining her health, she ran one speedy road marathon at the age of 21 before finding her groove in ultra running and OCR. She holds two Guinness World Records,  the first for setting the fastest 50k on a treadmill in (3:51:25) on route to setting the fastest 100k on a treadmill (8:30:34). Amongst all of her incredibles highs there have also been many lows, which Arielle opens up about in this episode. It’s safe to say that this girl has lived many lifetimes in her short 26 years on the planet, and we can hardly wait to see what she gets up to next.

Connect with Arielle on Social
Instagram: @ariellefitz22

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. | Comparison is the thief of joy.
• Favourite Place to Run: Kananaskis (K Country)
• Bucket List Run: World Championships in Abu Dhabi
• Favourite Movie: McFarland, USA
• Favourite Book: Born to Run
• Post-Run Indulgence: Bunless burger and sweet potato fries

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

Lisa Betke is a born and bred Manitoban runner...which means she’s a no nonsense kind of girl, super adaptable and resilient (meaning running in -40 doesn’t phase her), and she’s also super fun to be around. Kim had the pleasure of coaching Lisa as she ventured into mountain ultra running, and since then she has continued to accomplish some amazing things on the trail.  Although she defines herself as a trail runner now, Lisa has completed a whopping 36 half marathons and 13 full marathons as well as numerous ultramarathons ranging in distance from 50-100K.  Lisa celebrated her 50th birthday this year and in this podcast she shares her running journey and secrets to thriving as you age.  We hope you enjoy this episode with Lisa Betke.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: This too shall pass
• Favourite Place to Run: Makawao Forest, Maui, Hawaii
• Bucket List Race: HURT 100
• Favourite Book: The Oxygen Advantage
• Post-Run Indulgence: Chips

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

Jeremy Welwood is a 38 year old trail runner from Winnipeg, MB. He is an Athletic Therapist and Personal Trainer as well as the proud father of 2 children, ages 3 and 5. He has a background in amateur boxing and triathlon and has completed 3 full Ironman events.  Five years ago Jeremy shifted into ultrarunning and has demonstrated he has the personality and grit to excel at really long events. On October 17, 2020 Jeremy competed for Team Canada in Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Championship in Kelowna, BC.  Since then we have eagerly been waiting to hear all about his experience at this very unique last-man-standing style event.

Connect with Jeremy on Social
Instagram: @jjwelwood

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: It never always gets worse
• Favourite Place to Run: Chamonix, France
• Bucket List Run: Big Dog's Backyard Ultra in Tennessee; Moab 240; Tor des Géants; Race around Mt. Fuji 
• Favourite Book: Eat and Run; Summits of my Life; Run or Die
• Post-Run Indulgence: A&W teen burger and onion rings; gelato; Mars Bar dark

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

Carolyn has had the pleasure of coaching Shawn Clarke since November of 2019. In the roughly 7 months prior to them meeting, Shawn had shed a whopping 135-pounds by experimenting with his diet and walking his new shepherd/husky named Friday. It didn’t take long before walks weren’t enough for Friday, and Shawn was forced to take up running for the first time in his mid-40s. 

He got hooked right out of the gates and started setting PRs almost every time he lined up to race. Despite being a runner for only two years, Shawn has improved his 5k from just over 27-mins in the spring of 2019 to 20:51 just one year later in the spring of 2020. 

Despite a challenging year of race cancellations, Shawn has managed to turn every disappointment into an opportunity to become an even more well-rounded athlete. We challenge you to not be inspired by this incredible story. 

Resources we discussed in the episode:
Favourite Mantra: It's supposed to feel like this
Favourite Place to Run: Greece
Bucket List Race: Boston Marathon, Disney Challenge Run
Favourite Book: Born to Run; Endure
Post-Run Indulgence: Pancakes and maple syrup or peanut butter toast

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].