YourRegina Blogs

We're talking CrossFit in today's Times. The Voodoo Fitness Festival takes place in September here in Saskatoon; and Brainsport is sponsoring the run portion of the event. The Voodoo Fitness Festival will draw more than 500 athletes from across Canada into Saskatoon for a weekend of competition.To get the scoop on this event we're speaking with organizing committee member and CrossFit Games athlete Laurie Meschishnick.So, let's get right to it! Q&A with Laurie MeschishnickTara: Some of our readers may be familiar with the Voodoo Fitness Festival, while others likely aren't. Tell us about the basic premise of this event? Laurie: The Voodoo Fitness Festival is in its ninth year (formerly the Bridge City Beatdown). It is the largest fitness festival in Canada being host to more than 500 athletes from all across Canada. Many of the attending athletes have competed at the regional level of CrossFit which is the last step to the Crossfit Games. This year's Voodoo...

With summer now underway it's time to start thinking about fall races. In Saskatchewan, we're fortunate to have a premier road racing event in both the spring and fall - the Saskatchewan Marathon in May and the Queen City Marathon in September.  When it comes to fall racing the Queen City Marathon in Regina is a top-notch event for those looking to stay close to home. In this week's Q&A we're going to talk the Queen City Marathon Race Director Shawn Weimer to learn all about what's on deck this year. For those of you planning a fall marathon, it's never too early to start practising race-day nutrition. Be sure to check out our "Product of the Week" featuring Tailwind Nutrition. It may just be the right formula for you! Before we get to our Q&A, it's worth noting we have another Learn to Run Course set to get underway at the...

We're coming into a few exciting days of events at the store, starting with the launch of On's Cloudace tomorrow evening! Then on Saturday morning, we have the Brainsport Coach's Summit, followed by the Broadway Fit Fest in the afternoon. Check out the details for Saturday's happenings in the "Upcoming Events" section of the Times!  Our Q&A this week is with On's Chris Bilick. Chris is going to give us the scoop on the launch of the Cloudace and how you can take part in On's Global Relay Run! Chris Bilick Tara: On Thursday evening Brainsport will be taking part in the launch of On's latest innovation - the Cloudace, which is being launched in a unique fashion with On's Global Relay Run. Would you tell us more about what the Global Relay Run is and how it works? Chris: In just under years, On has become a truly global brand....

It's tough to beat late spring/summer running in Saskatoon; the Bridge City really does have it all! And there's no better time to delve deeper into the sport, or pick it up as a beginner, than this time of year.  To help you get off on the right foot the Brainsport Running Academy is offering a Learn to Run Course this summer designed to get you ready for the Teen Challenge Freedom Run on August 19. Rilla Johnson and Tarrant Cross Child are coaching this course, which is sure to be a fun and informative time!  In this week's Q&A we're learning all about it in a conversation with Rilla, so let's get right to it! Rilla Johnson Tara: Before we get into talking about the Learn to Run Course itself, would you mind telling us a bit about your background as a runner and coach? Rilla: I only started running...

With the sun shining and warmer temperatures arriving now is a great time to explore the local triathlon scene. For those of you who have been curious about the sport and want to give it a try, the Saskatoon Triathlon Club is the place to start.In this week's Q&A we're going to focus on young triathletes in a conversation with Brainsport Kids of Steel Race Director, Tabetha Mason. There's still time to register for this event, which takes on June 16. Information for registration and volunteering is below in the Upcoming Events section of the Times.Now, let's get to it!Q&A with Tabetha MasonTara: Let's start with some basics about the Brainsport Kids of Steel Triathlon for those who aren't familiar with the event. What ages are welcome to participate in the triathlon? What are the distances for the swim, bike, and run? Do children need to have prior experience racing? Tabetha: This annual event is about kids coming out to have...

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Saskatchewan Marathon over the past weekend!  In this week'sTimes we're excited to be talking about our first-ever Brainsport Coach's Summit, which is being led by Jason Warick. Many of you are familiar with Jason both as a coach and runner, but for those of you who aren't so familiar - here's a brief bio:   Jason is a proud dad of young athletes Annie, 12, and Taras, 9. He began running at St. Augustine Elementary School and became the Sask. marathon record holder (2hrs19min), representing Canada in competitions around the world. Jason now coaches beginners and experienced athletes of all ages, including his kids’ X-country, relay and Marafun squads at Ecole Victoria. His priorities for all athletes, in order of importance, are health, fun, skill development and performance. Now, let's get to our Q&A with Jason and learn more about the summit!  Q&A with Jason Warick...

All the best to everyone taking part in the Saskatchewan Marathon this weekend! We hope everyone has a great day, whether you're racing, volunteering, or cheering along the sidelines.  In this week's Q&A we're speaking the Cary Snyder. Cary is the race director of a new fun run in the city called the Teen Challenge Freedom Run happening on August 19. This event is a great opportunity to get out with family and friends in support of an important cause, which Cary is going to tell us about!  Q&A with Cary Snyder Tara: What was the motivation behind starting the Teen Challenge Freedom Run? Cary: Teen Challenge is always interested in finding different ways to reach our community and spread the word about Teen Challenge. The Freedom Run is a fun way to bring people together to raise awareness & funds for Teen Challenge. Tara: For those not familiar, what is...

We're less than two weeks away from the Saskatchewan Marathon! On May 27 many of you will be taking to the streets to show your stuff after months of training.  In this week's Q&A we're talking to Brainsport Manager Lisette Schereman to get some advice on everything from nutrition to gear before the big day. So, let's get right to it!   Q&A with Lisette Schermann Tara: As the Saskatchewan Marathon fast approaches the store gets busy with runners making final preparations for the big day. One of the primary questions people have is around fueling. With so many different options out there, can you help break some it down? Lisette: It takes training to know how to eat and drink on the run. Hopefully, racers in the full and half marathon events have been incorporating it into their long runs for some time now. But, sometimes runners don’t think about nutrition until...

In this week's edition of the Brainsport Times we want to share with you a story about a pair of very special mocassins - and the evening surrounding the presentation of these mocassins to the owner of one of the largest shoe company's in the world. New Balance owner Jim Davis made his first-ever trip to Saskatchewan, along with a handful of other folks from the company, last month. Brian saw this as an opportunity to create a memorable and informative experience, with a focus on Saskatchewan's aboriginal community.  After a presentation featuring guest speakers, Jason Warick and Tarrant Cross Child, a smudge was lead by Derek Rope and a song and dance wasperformed by Marc Okihcihtaw. It was all capped off with the gifting of a pair of mocassins to Jim Davis, crafted by Cree artist Katelyn Paskemin - complete with the New Balance logo. Brian's here for this week's Q&A to talk to us more about the evening, so let's get...

Welcome to May everyone - the month of the Saskatchewan Marathon! One of the things that make the Saskatchewan Marathon such a fantastic event is everyone has the opportunity to participate - you don't have to be a marathoner to be a part of the Saskatchewan Marathon. Whether you're a volunteer, a sponsor, a fan cheering along the sidelines, or you're running in one of the many distance options - there's something for everyone! In today's Q&A we're going to learn more about the Saskatchewan Marathon Marafun; a program aimed at getting children active and interested in running. Here to tell us all about is Team New Balance's Tarrant Cross Child. This is Tarrant's second year serving as Marafun ambassador.Q&A with Tarrant Cross Child

Tara: Tell us, what drew you to become a part of the Saskatchewan Marathon's Marafun?

Tarrant: My sons ran in this event back in 2015 and 2016. I was able to see their progress leading up to the 2.2K race. They always looked forward to training. On race day I watched not only my kids run but hundreds of others. In 2017 I had the honor of being asked to be the Marafun ambassador, along with guest speaking at the Saskatchewan Marathon Pasta Dinner. Tara: What exactly do the students partake in during the months of training, and what does race day look like for them?

Tarrant: Thanks to Craven Sports Services, a training plan is written out for the parent or teacher who's leading the Marafun athletes at the school. During the weeks leading up to the Saskatchewan Marathon day, the Marafun athletes will have completed 40K with the final 2.2K to be completed on race day. They get a t-shirt and get to run across the famed Saskatchewan Marathon finish line. They also learn about nutrition, teamwork, and goal setting; plus meet new friends while getting in shape. 

Tarrant speaking with a group of Marafun participants - getting them excited about running. Photo supplied

Tara: Talk a bit about the growth in participation the Marafun has seen over the past few years. What makes this such a successful program?

Tarrant: A few years ago the number of Marafun participants was 700. Last year we had 1200 participants, and this year we set the goal at 1500 participant. With a month to go until race day, we have hit that number and then some. The race committee is amazing! It's comprised of energetic and fun people who work hard promoting the Marafun in all the schools in the area. Having Craven Sports Services tried-tested-and-proven programs has been a huge success. The participants have successes and victories in this program and come back each year bringing along friends. It's also important to note, the schools have wonderful volunteers who contribute a great deal to the success of the program.

Completing the final 2.2K of the Marafun program on Saskatchewan Marathon race day. Photo suppliedTara: What are your hopes for each of the participants?

Tarrant: My hope is that each participant has fun and accomplishes what they set out to do. I hope they meet new friends and realize running and sport can play a positive role in their lives. Thus, encouraging them to live a healthy, active lifestyle. 

Tara: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Tarrant: Thank you to the race committee for the opportunity to be the Marafun ambassador. Thank you to all the teachers and volunteers who give their time to train the Marafun athletes. If you haven't signed up for the Saskatchewan Marathon, they have a distance for you. It's not too late!
 

Upcoming Events Saskatchewan Marathon

The 40th Annual Saskatchewan Marathon event takes place on May 27! There's still plenty of time to get registered and train for your event, whether it be the 5K, 10K, half-marathon or marathon. This is sure to be an exciting weekend featuring a pasta dinner, race expo and some of the best road racing in the province! To learn more about the event, including how to volunteer go to http://saskmarathon.ca/.Sweat Science - at Brainsport

Join author Alex Hutchinson at Brainsport on May 4 at 6:30 p.m. as he discusses his new New York Times-bestselling book, ENDURE: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance, exploring the science of endurance and the surprising role of the brain in setting our physical limits.Alex Hutchinson (@sweatscience) is an award-winning science columnist for Outside, the Globe and Mail, and Canadian Running, and a former national-team long-distance runner.This event is free, but as space is limited please sign up through the link above or at the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sweat-science-at-brainsport-tickets-44725979609.

Brainsport Spring Run Off 

 Join us on Saturday, May 12 at Elbow for our annual Spring Run Off! Take the short drive to Elbow, or hop on the shuttle, and enjoy a 5K or 10K trail run on the beautiful and challenging Elbow Recreational Trail. Register here: raceroster.com/events/2018/15233/brainsport-spring-run-off.Saskatoon Triathlon Club - Volunteers There is several opportunities to delve into the triathlon scene this summer as a volunteer. The STCI is looking for volunteers for the following races:

- Bridge City Duathlon Saturday, May 5
- Sask Marathon water station Sunday, May 27
- Brainsport Kids of Steel Saturday, June 16
- Living Sky Triathlon Saturday, June 23 - Sunday, June 24
 

Canada Goose UltraThe Canada Goose Ultra is a timed distance running event for all levels of fitness. The race welcomes new ultra runners and offers a fast course for seasoned ultra runners. Choose from the 6-hour, 12-hour, or 24-hour event. All events are run on a certified 4K loop. The course is a flat, paved route through a beautiful urban park. This race is officially the 2018 Canadian 24-hour Championship. The race takes place on May 12 through 13. For more information and to register click here.

Yoga for Athletes - Instructor TrainingYoga for Athletes is the third training module of the FYI (Fitness Yoga Instructor) program. Yoga instructors looking to add athletic perspective to their current class offerings can participate in this training module and receive CEC's for SPRA and Yoga Alliance. BreathMoveBe will be offering this training on April 20-22 at Anytime Fitness Gym in Yorkton. If interested, move quick - there are only two spots still open. To register contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text Leanne at 306-251-2964.

SIGA’s Second Annual Good Food Run

On June 10, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) is hosting its second annual fun run in support of CHEP: Good Food Inc. Presented by SIGA’s Long Runners, participants can choose between a 1K, 5K or 10K run. There are finisher medals for all participants! Family entertainment, water stations, swag and after-race snacks and refreshments provided.Registration is now open! To register or donate go to http://www.siga.sk.ca/goodfoodrun.

Brainsport Running Academy Spring Courses

Join our interactive and fun-filled training courses with expert guest speakers presenting on healthy running technique and injury prevention specific to runners. Our high-quality coaches will prepare a program for you which will help you reach your personal running goals. #PatTrick Run Program: This is an on-going training group coached by Pat Sommerville. Participants can join at any time. Training will include preparation for the Saskatchewan Marathon, and Queen City Marathon. 
 
For more information on these courses, and to register go to www.brainsport.ca. Or call the store at 306-244-0955.RIKI Walkathon 50th Year CelebrationThe RIKI Walkathon is celebrating its 50th year on June 9. The entire family is welcome to come walk 22 miles along scenic Pike Lake. Gate fees are being waved for participants, and there will be refreshments and awards for the top fundraiser after the walk. All funds raised this year will go to the Riversdale Kiwanis Club. For more information about this event click here.Canada Beer Run

The Canada Beer run is going coast to cost this year, hitting eight cities across the country, including Saskatoon! On June 3 the run stops in Saskatoon! Run your way through 10K making stops at six breweries along the way!For more information about this event visit https://canadabeerrun.ca/products/saskatoon-beer-run.Product of the WeekNew Balance Fresh Foam Zante (kid's version)

The New Balance Fresh Foam Zante is one of New Balance's most popular running shoes for adults, and it makes no compromises for the kid's edition of the shoe. Whether it's for a local track meet, or an everyday-shoe for playing around - the kid's Zante provides cushion and protection for the foot without overly supporting their young, developing feet. This is a great choice for the young runner in your life!

Thanks for reading the Times.
Gotta run,
Tara

Just a little more than a week ago Olympian Krista Duchene captured the attention of the nation when she finished third at the Boston Marathon! At the age of 41, Krista is proving to still be one of the country's best distance runners. She also happens to be the guest speaker at this year's Saskatchewan Marathon Pasta Dinner, very cool!   In the spirit of masters athletes, we're going to speak with local masters athlete, Amanda Stalwick in this week's Q&A. Amanda is training for the 2018 World Masters Athletics Championships, being held in Malaga, Spain. Let's get right to our conversation with Amanda!  Q&A with Amanda Stalwick Tara: Tell us a bit about your running background. What brought you to this place of training for the World Masters Athletics Championships 2018? Amanda: I've actually come full circle in my running career. I ran high-performance track for five years in my youth competing at...

It's been a long winter, but rest assured those spring-like temperatures will eventually make their way to Saskatoon! In the spirit of the soon-to-come warmer weather, we're featuring the Spring Run Off in this week's edition of the Times.Just picture yourself running alongside beautiful Diefenbaker Lake with the warm sun touching down - it's a nice thought, right? Well, on May 12 the Spring Run Off is set to provide a wonderful experience for runners of all levels in Elbow, SK.There's a lot to look forward to at this year's Spring Run Off, so we're getting all the details from event organizer Carlie Letts in this week's Q&A.But we for we get to that, we're excited about the On Cloud Edge Launch Party happening tomorrow night at the store. This is going to be a fun evening with the chance to get in on On's latest in running shoe innovation, so be sure to check out the details...

Here at Brainsport we're pretty pumped On has selected us as one of only a handful of retail stores across the world to help launch their latest innovation in running shoes - the Cloud Edge! On April 19 you'll have the opportunity to be among the first to get your hands on this highly-anticipated shoe. In this week's Q&A we're getting the scoop on the Cloud Edge from On's National Director of Sales, Chris Bilick. Let's get right to it!  Q&A with Chris Bilick Tara: On is a fairly new company on the running scene here in Canada. For those who aren't familiar with the company would you mind talking a bit about what makes it a unique company? Chris: On is a Swiss company which has taken a new approach to running shoes. Engineering a unique cushioning system (Cloudtec) which addresses not only the vertical impact of running but also the horizontal force that...

Before we jump into this week's Q&A, a reminder to check out the Upcoming Events section of the Times for a few new events, including two very cool events happening in-store over the next couple of months!In this week's Q&A we're speaking with Marsha Crossman, a race director for the Canada Goose Ultra, being held next month in Regina. This is a 24-hour timed event that also serves as the Canadian 24-hour Championship. But don't let the championship title intimidate you, this event is suitable for all levels of runners.Marsha's going to fill us in on all the details. So let's get to it!Q&A with Marsha Crossman Tara: The Canada Goose Ultra is a unique racing opportunity where participants run for a designated amount of time, rather than distance. Tell us what's the draw of an event like this?Marsha: Being timed, as opposed to the more common distance race, provides a unique opportunity for participants to choose their...

T-minus 60 days until the running of the 40th Annual Saskatchewan Marathon! For some, this may still be enough time to get prepared for the full marathon event; for others, there's still plenty of time to get ready to run the 5K, 10K, or half-marathon. It's a big year for the Saskatchewan Marathon as it celebrates its 40th year putting on one of the premier road races in the country. In this week's Q&A we're speaking with Saskatchewan Marathon Race Director, Kim Ali to get the scoop on all the excitement surrounding this year's event!Q&A with Kim Ali Tara: This is an exciting year as the Saskatchewan Marathon marks its 40th year of existence. What does this milestone mean to the SRRA, and will there be any special celebrations at the event this year? Kim: Yes!  We’re planning “A Run Down Memory Lane” at the Race Expo. You can check out paraphernalia from past years and...

Welcome to spring everyone! Though we still have some time to wait until those warm late-spring mornings start welcoming us onto the streets and trails, one can dream a little, right? So, this week we're going to allow our minds to slip ahead to late spring to learn more about an opportunity to hit the streets with a bunch of fellow runners on June 10 at the Second Annual SIGA Good Food Run.  This event is held by the SIGA Long Runners to raise funds CHEP Good Food. For those not familiar with CHEP, its mission is to work with children, families and communities to improve access to good food and promote food security. In this week's Q&A we're speaking with Shannon Josdal, the president of SIGA Long Runners, to learn more. So, let's get to it! Q&A with Shannon Josdal Tara: This is the second year the Siga Runners Fitness Group is hosting...

Imagine, for a moment, running a marathon in full police uniform - that's not an easy undertaking. But for Weyburn Police Service Constable Jeff Bartsch, it's a way to help raise awareness and funds for mental health. The Saskatoon native is no stranger to Brainsport. While living here he was a regular participant of our Run Club and took part in the Brainsport Running Academy. He's now found a unique way to use his passion for running to help others. In this week's Q&A we're going to learn more about Cst. Bartsch's endeavours, including how he plans on representing Brainsport next month in a race in Los Angeles.  Q&A with Cst. Bartsch Tara: You’ve run more than 130 kilometres in full police uniform to raise awareness and funds for mental health. To date, you've raised more than $6,000. What motivates you to run for this cause? Cst. Bartsch: I run in police...

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Brainsport Brainfreeze over the weekend, and to all those who competed and volunteered at the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Track and Field Championship! In this week's Times we're going to be learning about an upcoming Brainsport Running Academy Course that is sure to help you, or perhaps someone you know, get well on their way to reaching their running goals. Kim Galus is coaching the Learn To Run course starting in April. This course will prepare you for the 5K event at the Saskatchewan Marathon on May 27, and also serves as a launching point for your future running goals, whether it be to race, or simply get out to run for fun and fitness. We're excited about what this course has to offer, so let's get right to our Q&A with Kim to learn more!Q&A with Kim Galus Tara: Let's start off by addressing some of the fears people...

We're excited to be hosting the Brainsport Running Academy Shopping and Learning Night this upcoming Monday! This is an opportunity for all former, or current participants of the academy to take advantage of some great deals on gear, as well as learn a few things along the way.  To get the scoop on this event we're going to speak with Brainsport's Harvey Mathies in this week's Q&A. But before we get to that we want to wish everyone who's participating in the Brainfreeze all the best this Sunday - have fun out there!  On that note, we're having a Brainfreeze sale this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. All in-stock Mizuno shoes will be 20 percent off. And buy one item of clothing at regular price and get the second item of clothing (equal or less value) for only five dollars! Alright, now let's get to our conversation with Harvey.  Q&A...

We're just a couple weeks away from the 2018 Brainsport Brainfreeze! If you're familiar with this event, or if you're interested in what's in store for this year, we have an interview with the U of S's Jaedyn Matsalla coming up.  As you'll read in our Q&A, the Brainfreeze is a major fundraising event for the U of S Cross Country Team, and has been so since 2011. This is a great event for anyone looking to get out into a racing environment prior to the spring, whether you're a competitive runner, or simply looking to have fun with your running friends. So, let's get right to it! Q&A with Jaedyn Matsalla Tara: Being the Brainsport Brainfreeze is a fundraising event for the University of Saskatchewan Cross Country Team, let's start by getting an update on the team. What were some of the highlights of 2017, and what are the team's hopes for...