My conversation with Brigit Bartusevicius got deep. Real deep. Today’s trigger warnings include talking about cancer, dealing with feelings of inadequacy, what it’s like to come back from COVID, and DNF on your big goal race. Recently, Brigit participated in the New York City Marathon, which didn’t go as she’d hoped. We talk about all this and everything in between... because that is how running is. It’s never just about the miles. I hope you can connect to some of it and her thoughts on balancing short-term and long-term goals in the sport.

I told some of Canada’s favourite race directors that I was having the Executive Director of the Emera Blue Nose Marathon, Sherri Robbins, on the show. I asked them to give me some words to describe her. They said she was a doer, always willing to work on any job, no matter the size of the project, and that she always get it done. This is all very accurate, but my favourite was this: Sherri is a dependable problem-solving thought leader. She is a pillar of the race community, both on the east coast, and all across Canada. And she’s also just an incredible human to get to spend time with and has a lot of great thoughts on how to get a start in the race industry. 

Arden Young is an ultra trail running dentist who has been kicking around the trail scene for quite some time but is now taking it into high gear. After a lot of success in the Canadian women’s field, she has spent the last few years dipping into US and European races, including the Bandera 100K, the Javelina Jundred, and a couple of turns on the coveted Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc CCC in Chamonix, France. We talk about building up a well of both physical and emotional resilience, creating the ultimate trail mix, and the growth of women’s participation and success in the sport. 

Meet Victoria Coates: lover of cross country and, recently, first-time marathoner. This McMaster and Queens running alum has had the opportunity to represent Team Canada at a number of races, including the World Half Marathon championships, the Pan Am Cross Country Cup, and the World Cross Country Championships. She now trains under the great Reid Coolsaet and has had one jam-packed race year. Not only did she win Around the Bay, but she also competed in three national championships: the 10,000, the 10K road Championships, and of course, the Canadian Marathon Championships. Victoria is driven, focused, and committed to racing with grit to find how far her fitness can take her. 

Auntie Dione is here! Toronto’s Warm-Up Lady, and founder and Race Director of the Toronto Carnival Run, Dione Mason is a fantastic human. She brings the perfect balance of drive and big dreams, with a practical realism that keeps her grounded and getting things done. This award-winning fitness and lifestyle coach also started the Simunye Foundation: an organization that has both short and long-term goals to bring history and cultural awareness to the black diaspora in Canada. Dione has such a passion for bringing whole-body wellness and happiness to people, it fills my heart with joy, and I think you will feel it too. 

Vanessa Yu and I got to do one of the things us runners love most: sharing memories of a race we both participated in! We talk all things Chicago Marathon, but more importantly, she shares her perspective of being one half of a talented and dedicated running partnership, and how she and her husband John balance each other’s goals and priorities. She also has an adorable daughter to fit into the equation: Vanessa shares some of her experience as a pregnant runner and now as a full-time working mom. She has some important tips to share about finding a balance that feels fair and flexible and how her and her partner make it all happen.

Straight from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Speaker Series to your ears, it's the live recording of This is a Runner's Body. Co-hosted by Olympian Kate Van Buskirk, this panel featured Kirsty Beck, Melissa Doldron, and Melanie Murzeau. We talked about our behaviours around self-image, the role of social media in the conversation, and creating inclusive spaces where people can find their joy on the run. 

Carol LaFayette-Boyd is an 80-year-old sprinter who lives and trains in Regina, SK. She holds 15 world records, three of which she set this summer alone. In 2018 Carol was named the Female athlete of the year by World Masters Athletics, becoming the first African Canadian to ever receive that recognition. Carol is dedicated and fearless and plans to keep running until she is at least 106 years old so she can keep pace with some of her running heroes. She's already become my inspiration and she's about to become yours too. 

Heather Colasuonno is many things: she’s a runner, she’s a mom, she’s a coach, and a photographer. But most of all, she’s a great example of what can happen when you listen to your heart and follow what is in your heart and truly brings you joy. Heather is also the creator of the Run for Devon, an event that remembers Devon Freeman, an indigenous teenager who died by suicide while under the care of the Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton. Heather’s happiness is contagious, and I hope it encourages you to follow your joy too. 

Jazmine Lowther is the ultimate mountain athlete. This British Columbian recently became sponsored by The North Face, and is dark horse-ing the heck out of the ultra circuit: not only did she earn a Golden Ticket at Western States, she recently placed fourth at the UTMB CCC, which was her first ever European race. We talk about magical running moments, her job as a professional Agrologist and Field Biologist, and what might be next on her list of accomplishments. 

Photo cover credit: Mathias Dumas