Inspired Soles – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today I sit down with I’ll Have Another creator and Sandyboy Productions founder Lindsey Hein to announce that Inspired Soles is officially joining the Sandyboy Productions podcast network. 

Lindsey interviews me about:

·      The mission behind Inspired Soles

·      What’s happening in Canadian distance running

·      Why runner storytelling matters

·      My background in coaching, physiotherapy & kinesiology

·      The importance of chasing your dreams (no matter your age)

• What Sandyboy x Inspired Soles collaboration means moving forward

If you love conversations about performance, coaching, and community, this episode is for you.

Connect with Lindsey

Instagram: @lindseyhein626
Sandyboy Productions: @sandyboyproductions
Website: https://sandyboyproductions.com

Connect with Inspired Soles & Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin
• Browse 260+ episodes in the archives
• Subscribe, rate & review to support the show

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 inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Kevin Smith is a 56-year-old masters runner and multiple Canadian record holder from Mississauga, Ontario. When he turned 55, Kevin set out on an audacious mission: to chase 12 Canadian road running records in 12 months. He achieved 6 of them — and “failed” at 6 — but Kevin doesn’t see that as a setback. For him, failure is simply the toll we pay for chasing big dreams. And nobody, he claims, has failed more than he has!

Kevin discovered his potential as a high school athlete under the guidance of a coach who helped him fall in love with the sport. But his journey has been far from linear. Kevin has battled more than his fair share of injuries over the years — any one of which could have ended his running career. A physiotherapist once told him he should have never taken up the sport in the first place! Instead, Kevin doubled down on understanding his body, created what he calls "exercise snacks," and learned the importance of the other 23 hours a day when he’s not running.

Those decades of perseverance have paid off. Kevin is now one of the top masters runners in North America… and even the world. Along the way he built a business — Marathon Dynamics Inc.— to help others train smarter, stay healthy, and keep chasing their own finish lines.

If you're an injury-prone runner or someone who feels like you’ve had more setbacks than successes, this episode will inspire you to keep going. Because with enough patience, curiosity, and grit, you too can become a “pretty old runner who runs pretty fast.”

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• How Kevin reignited his passion for running later in life
• The mindset behind his “12 records at 55” quest
• Why failure is a critical ingredient of success
• How he gamified Strava and embraced “exercise snacks”
• The key lifestyle habits that matter more than mileage
• His role as coach and founder of Marathon Dynamics
• Why it’s never too late to get faster

Kevin’s Canadian M55-59 Records

• 5 Mile - 27:51 - Waterloo Runway 5 Miler - Aug 2025
• 15K - 53:19 - (within the) Cherry Blossom 10 Mile (Wash/US) - Apr 2025
• 10 Mile - 57:29 - Cherry Blossom 10 Mile - Apr 2025 (had broken/set the record previously in Dec 2024 at the Boxing Day 10 Miler in Hamilton)
• Half Marathon - 1:15:42 - Toronto Waterfront Half - Oct 2024
• 30K - 1:54:02 - (within the) Toronto Waterfront Marathon - Oct 25

Connect with Kevin:

• Instagram: @marathondynamics 
• Website: marathondynamics.com

Connect with Inspired Soles & Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin
• Browse 250+ episodes in the archives
• Subscribe, rate & review to support the show

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 inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

This week I'm re-airing one of my most popular episodes from about this time last year—a powerful conversation with Landon Hildebrand, an Edmonton-based Registered Psychologist and trail runner who works extensively with athletes.

As co-owner of Approach Psychology, Landon helps his clients develop the mental tools they need to perform under pressure and enjoy their sport more fully. He’s also a familiar face in the local running community, often volunteering at ultramarathon aid stations alongside his wife, where their support extends well beyond physical needs.

In this episode, we cover:

• What mental resilience really is (and why it’s not just “positive thinking”)
• The importance of knowing your why
• How attachment style and self-talk influence our stress response
• How to tap into joy as a motivator
• Why the phrase “running is my therapy” makes Landon uneasy
• Practical ways to navigate taper tantrums, pre-race nerves, and tough race moments

Landon brings humour, clarity, and refreshing honesty to the often-intimidating topic of sports psychology. Whether you’re training for your first marathon or chasing a PB, this conversation will leave you with actionable strategies to elevate your mental game.

🎧 Tune in and let Landon’s advice guide you toward becoming a more resilient, joyful runner.

Connect with Landon:

• Instagram: @approachpsychology and @landon_ approachpsych
• Website: approachpsych.ca

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

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 inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Danny Morin is a 38 year old Clearance Diver with the Canadian Navy who was born in Quebec and now lives in Toronto. Accustomed to striving for high levels of fitness as part of his military training, he became curious back in 2016 to see if he could meet the standard for the Canadian Armed Forces National 5k Running competition in Ottawa. He debuted with an 18:20 5k at Around the Bay and since then has gone all-in on his running goals. November of this year even marks his one year anniversary of giving up alcohol in order to squeeze every last second out of running performance. Danny now holds personal bests of 15:45 (5k), 33:14 (10k), 1:12:24 (½ marathon), 2:45 (marathon). 

On October 29th 2023, Danny was one of four male and four female athletes who represented the Canadian military on the CISM International team at the first World Military Half Marathon Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland. They competed against 39 militaries from around the world and toed the start line with Olympic level athletes. In this conversation we learn all about these military events, which aim to promote friendship through sport, including Danny’s 1:12:50 half marathon performance at the Swiss City Half Marathon. Be sure to listen to the very end to hear an exciting goal that Danny has his sights set on over the next several years.

Resources we discussed in this episode:

• Learn more about CISM: https://www.milsport.one
• Our interview with Mike Mueller (CISM team  manager)
• Our interview with Michael Bergeron (CISM running coach + world record-holding joggler)

Connect with Danny:

• Instagram: @dannyshallrun

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

• Email us with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram
• Kim's Instagram
• Kim's Facebook
• Carolyn's Instagram
• Carolyn's Facebook
• Carolyn's website

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 inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today we’re taking you back to the Divide 200 mile race with ultra trail running best friends Jon Paradowski and Heidi Schmaltz from Saskatchewan, Alberta. The inaugural Divide 200 took place in September 2023 along the Continental Divide in southern Alberta. Jon & Heidi completed a large part of the race together and we wanted to hear about the race from their unique perspectives. They laughed a lot, ate a lot, hallucinated a lot, and supported each other through the highs and lows that a race this long inevitably brings. Jon and Heidi both speak about having gratitude for the opportunity and privilege of experiencing a race such as this, and their need to honour the time spent on the trail despite the outcome. They speak of intense appreciation for everything from great views and stunning lakes to beautiful small rocks they chose to fill their packs with and the pizza they consumed to give them the energy to carry on!  While these two are a load of laughs, they are also a team with a solid friendship that carried them for many miles.  

Connect with Jon & Heidi:

• Instagram: 
  • Jon: @dirtbagultrarunner
  • Heidi: @hIschmaltz
• Facebook:
  • Heidi:
  • Jon: 

Previous episodes on Inspired Soles:

• Jon: There's No Big Rush
• Heidi: Exploring Your Edges

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

• Email us with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram
• Kim's Instagram
• Kim's Facebook
• Carolyn's Instagram
• Carolyn's Facebook
• Carolyn's website

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 inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Instead of our regular “Couple of the Quarter” episode, we are bringing to you a “Duo of the Quarter.” On Sat, Oct 21 at 7am local time, the individual world championships of backyard ultra running commenced in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. The format sees racers run a 4.17-mile loop, called a “yard” in backyard ultrarunning, within a one-hour time limit, after which all finishers within the allotted time are tied for first place, and must present on the start line on the hour to go again. This continues until there is only one runner left standing, who must complete a solo yard to be awarded the win.  After completing 107 yards & hours and covering 446 miles/718km, Ukrainian-Canadian and past guest Ihor Verys was the last person to DNF, assisting Harvey Lewis to a world record win.  Racers were allowed only one person to crew and support them for the duration of the race, and he entrusted 52 year old friend and fellow ultrarunner Marina Striker with that task.  To say she delivered is an understatement, and during this conversation you will hear how instrumental Marina’s experience and support was in Ihor’s success.  You will also be treated with a few stories of things Ihor does not remember during the 5 days of running and you will get a glimpse into the militaristic discipline and mindset required by both crew and runner to keep moving for 107 hours straight. Dubbed “The Dream Team” on social media, these two athletes reveal what an unlimited mindset and unwavering belief can achieve.

Connect with Ihor & Marina:

• Ihor's Instagram: @ihorverys
• Marina's Instagram: @marinas_trailrunning_quests

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

• Email us with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram
• Kim's Instagram
• Kim's Facebook
• Carolyn's Instagram
• Carolyn's Facebook
• Carolyn's website

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 inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Ana Laura Fray is a 46 year old who lives North of Toronto now but was born in Mexico and spent the first 23 years of her life there. She also happens to be an exceptional marathon runner and earlier this month on Oct 1st, 2023 she broke her first tape by winning the P’tit Train du Nord Marathon in a blazing time of 2:47:41! P’tit Train is a breathtaking point-to-point course along a bicycle path starting in Val-David, Quebec, and finishing in Saint-Jérôme. 

In this episode Ana tells us: 

• Why she decided to return to this race for the 4th time
• How her training cycle went with new coach Marc Senneville
• The importance of believing in herself, and 
• What she and her partner Luke did to celebrate. 

Ana ran her first marathon at the age of 35, broke 3-hours for the first time at age 41, ran her PB of 2:46:40 (PTDN 2021, 4th place) at age 44, and is running as strong as ever at age 46. We had a fascinating discussion about elite standards in Canada (A, B, masters) as well as the pros & cons of some of the programs and championships aimed at age-groupers and sub-elites  (Athlete Foundation Program, American Development program, AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group Championships).

Connect with Ana:

• Instagram: @analau_77

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

• Email us with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram
• Kim's Instagram
• Kim's Facebook
• Carolyn's Instagram
• Carolyn's Facebook
• Carolyn's website

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 inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Have you ever noticed that runners have their own special language?  If you've been running a long time you may not even realize it, but if you are new to the sport or this podcast you know exactly what we mean.  You hear people speaking of workouts and zones, hitting the wall and negative splits.  Just when you think you’ve got the basic running terms figured out, you go on a trail run and discover you have no idea what anyone is saying when they talk about yoyos, FKTs, VKs and muling. There is another whole lexicon out there to learn! 

True to our mission of bringing road and trail runners together, we decided to discuss and hopefully decode some of the things runners say.  While we are no means experts, we have been around a while and may just save you from having to google something you hear either on the show or out on a run.  We had fun with this episode and we hope you do too!

Resources we discussed in this episode:

• Our episode with Ihor Verys (who did a "yoyo" of the Mantario Trail)
• Our episode on the Healthy Runner podcast with Duane Scotti (where Kim talked about "buffed-out single-track")
• Website to ratify an FKT
• Origin of the Borg RPE Scale (6-20)

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

• Email us with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram
• Kim's Instagram
• Kim's Facebook
• Carolyn's Instagram
• Carolyn's Facebook
• Carolyn's website

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 inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Scott Cooper is an ultra-trail runner from Toronto although he’s been living in Calgary for the last five years.  Prior to moving to Calgary, Scott had an accomplished triathlon career and even spent a year racing professionally.  Only three weeks after he moved west, Scott found himself on a Sinister 7 relay team and as he says, “the rest is history.”   He found himself both loving trail running and excelling in really long ultramarathons.  Scott has earned top podium spots in almost every race he has done including Sinister 7 100 Solo, Fat Dog 120,  Black Spur Ultra 108K, Rivers Edge Ultra 100k, and the Calgary Marathon 50K. 

Most recently Scott won the inaugural Sinister Sports Divide 200 mile race in southern Alberta, Canada’s first event of its kind. The 201 mile (324k) course runs along parts of the Great Divide Trail, climbing 12,335m in elevation with a time limit of 100 hours.  By crossing the finish line in first place, he established a new course record of 49h47m59s  - one that will be hard to beat.  In this episode we learn about Scott and his running background, but spend most of our time discussing everything to do with the Divide 200.  He talks about his preparation and strategy leading into the race, how he managed his nutrition, hydration, sleep and feet, and we finish up with some great advice for anyone thinking of tackling a 200 miler next year.

Two hundred miles is still a distance that is largely a mystery to most runners, however more and more people are becoming tempted to take on the challenge.  If you are curious to learn more about what this new level of craziness is all about and what it takes to excel in multi day continuous races, keep listening!

Resources we discussed in this episode:

• Our episode with Reinier Paauwe (Scott's pacer)
  • Ren's Toes Instagram: @rens.toes

Connect with Scott:

• Instagram: @scottcooperultra

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

• Email us with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram
• Kim's Instagram
• Kim's Facebook
• Carolyn's Instagram
• Carolyn's Facebook
• Carolyn's website

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 inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Brittany Moran is a Toronto-based chiropractor with The Runner’s Academy, a 2:33 marathoner, and the founder of StrideWise Running, a coaching service for runners of all levels. While undergoing a recent rebrand of The Runner’s Academy, Brittany and her team were asked to reflect on what was important to them and it kept coming back to community & running for joy. From there they created Tracktastic, a fun, family-friendly track meet where the winners of each event aren’t necessarily those who come across the line in first place. The winner of The Prediction Mile, for example, is the one closest to their estimated finish time without any feedback from a watch or clock. The winner of The Slowest 100m is the last person across the line! Their inaugural Tracktastic in June 2023 was a big success, but what Brittany and her team did not foresee was the desire for Tracktastic to be replicated by others outside of Toronto. 

From the moment Carolyn saw the advertising for Tracktastic she knew it was something that could fly in Winnipeg. Brittany was more than happy to pass along her notes & lessons learned to support Carolyn, the Manitoba Runners’ Association and Athletics Manitoba in hosting a similar event in August. Judging by the smiles on their participants' faces, we can safely say that Brittany and The Runner’s Academy team are fulfilling their mission of spreading the running joy.

At the time of this recording, Brittany was almost 20-weeks pregnant with her first child who is due in February 2024.

Connect with Brittany:

• Brittany's Instagram: @torunningchiro
• StrideWise Running Instagram: @stridewiserunning
• StrideWise Running Website
• The Runner's Academy Instagram: @therunnersacademy
• The Runner's Academy Website

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

• Email us with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram
• Kim's Instagram
• Kim's Facebook
• Carolyn's Instagram
• Carolyn's Facebook
• Carolyn's website

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 inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.