The I Heart Running Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Daniel Leung was once a reluctant runner. That was in 2017. Then he started hitting the trails, and got lost in the woods. Literally. Now he's leading trail runs, and he makes sure that everyone has a good time, and of course doesn't get lost. In 2022, Daniel agreed to join me for one of the Squamish 50 orientation runs. Just for fun. He must have enjoyed himself so much that he decided to do the real thing this past weekend. Not only did Daniel complete the Squamish 50, he completed a strong race. I saw him myself at the Farside Aid Station, which is around the 40km mark. Daniel looked strong and focused, and he made the whole thing look so easy.

Maybe it was the Mult-Grind Challenge he did in June that set him up for success. Daniel completed 13 grinds that day--from 4am to 10pm, beating his namesake Daniel Sedin. Listen to hear about his first Ultra, and everything leading up to this day.

Links: https://www.instagram.com/mt.n.dan/

https://www.instagram.com/icecream_and_donut_runclub/

https://www.strava.com/clubs/461808

Anna Razzell is an ultramarathoner, a mother, and one of the co-founders of Ridge Meadows Run Crew. It is hard to believe that she only ran her first ultra, Diez Vistas, in 2019 considering her accomplishments, and her confidence on the trails. Like many runners, Anna is so humble, but is so encouraging of others, whether they are new to the sport, or an accomplished runner looking for the next challenge. Listen in to hear about Anna's running journey, her races, her first DNF in 2023 and how she overcame the mental aspects of this. Thank you for the words of wisdom, Anna! You can find Anna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runanna_/?hl=en You can follow Ridge Meadows Run Crew on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.strava.com/clubs/rmrc2018 https://www.facebook.com/groups/2073056373004419

Cassie Paul is guest #4 of the I Heart Running Podcast. Cassie started her running journey with a 10km race, and quickly fell in love with running. Her favourite running distance is the marathon, and she now has 9 marathons under her belt.

Cassie talks to us not only about her running journey, but her journey with her mental health and other struggles that she had to acknowledge and overcome. This was a deeply personal story for Cassie to tell, and I thank her for that as it may help someone out there suffering alone.

Lastly, Cassie talks to us about her role as a run leader, and what it means to be on our own running journeys. I hope you guys enjoy this episode as much as I did.

If you want to follow Cassie, you can find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cassiep.yoga.fitness/?hl=en and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cassiejopaul

Walter Downey is one of the most dedicated and passionate runners out there. You would NEVER know that he only started running at age 40, and even more incredible is the fact that he is now 60 and getting even better. He has completed 39 marathons so far, which includes all 6 World Marathon World Majors in 2019 (plus 4 more). If you follow Walter on Strava you will see that his achievements are not limited to just races, but in his daily life. He is challenged and motivated by new challenges and running with friends, and he has the most amazing and positive outlook on life. It is nothing short of contagious.  If you want to learn more about Walter follow him on Strava/Facebook. The late Dan Cummings also did a wonderful write-up on him, and if you would like to read it you can email Walter at WalterDowney@telus.net . Walter's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/17942112?oq=wa  Walter's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walter.downey Walter Downey Marathon Times   1. Penticton - 2001 3:50:46 2. Kelowna - 2001 3:25:35 3. Ottawa - 2002 3:17:02 4. Boston- 2003 3:46:29 5. Las Vegas - 2003 5:12:32 6. Victoria - 2003 3:30:56 7. Vancouver - 2003 3:27:15 8. Dublin - 2004 3:15:29 9. Boston - 2005 3:47:00 10. Victoria - 3:27:58 11. CIM - 2007 3:23:19 12. NY City - 2008 3:26:06 13. Eugene - 2009 3:18:18 14. Eugene - 2010 3:18:20 15. Vancouver - 2013 3:45:20 16. CIM - 2014 3:28:14 17. Eugene - 2015 3:25:27 18. Chicago - 2015 3:38:35 19. Boston - 2016 3:44:16 20. Berlin - 2016 3:44:53 21. Eugene - 2017 3:14:37 22. CIM - 2017 3:04:54 23. Vancouver - 2018 3:23:34 24. Tunnel - 2018 2:58:58 25. NY City - 2018 3:13:13 26. CIM - 2018 3:04:10 27. Tokyo - 2019 2:58:58 28. Boston - 2019 3:03:48 29. London - 2019 3:01:47 30. Tunnel - 2019 2:53:58  31. Revel Chill 2019 3:04:22 32. Berlin - 2019 3:02:10 33. Chicago - 2019 3:04:23 34. NY City - 2019 3:06:16 35. CIM - 2019 3:02:06 36. Last Chance - 2019 3:16:30 37. Napa - 2020 2:59:04 38. Boston - 2021 3:08:46 39. CIM - 2021 - 3:02:53

Laura & Randy are runners from Langley, BC. Randy started running in 2014, and just recently ran an amazing PB of 2:50:45 at CIM in December 2021. Randy is self-coached, and is on at least day 956 of his runstreak. His inspiration is his wife Laura, who originally started running in 2009 to lose weight, only 9 months after having her second child. They both now have 4 kids, and have run everything from 5ks to marathons. They are also fans of Parkrun! They make running look so fun, even on those early mornings when you rather stay in bed. Laura just got BCRPA certified as a fitness instructor, and is teaching fitness classes for women. You can find both of them on instagram, and follow along with their fitness and run journeys.

https://www.instagram.com/rj.runs/

https://www.instagram.com/laurav.runs/

https://www.instagram.com/press.on.performance/

Please remember to follow this podcast on Spotify and Itunes so you don't miss the next episode!

Linda is guest number 1! Mom of 2 little ones, and a fitness enthusiast who has competed in fitness competitions, Linda was mostly a lunch hour runner until after she had her second child. With many 10ks and park runs under her belt, and with races happening again, she is training for her first half marathon. In this episode we discuss her journey, how she gets it done despite some hiccups and challenges like injury or bad weather, and how she makes each run meaningful for her. You can follow her at https://instagram.com/_lin.wang_

So this is where it begins! Thank you for all the support ❤️ please follow and share this podcast so you can make sure you don’t miss my first interview!

Coach Carey Nelson's notable achievements are vast, but you would never know it. A humble runner and coach, Coach Carey has been running for over 44 years, and just completed his 6th world marathon major in Berlin. This accomplishment is just one of many, which include winning the Houston Marathon with a time of 2:12 in 1991, and qualifying for the Olympics 3 times, competing in the 5000m distance in Seoul Korea in 1988, and in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics for the marathon distance (Coach Carey had to withdraw from the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona due to injury). This is all before the era of Strava, smart watches, gels, and fancy carbon plated shoes. In fact, it was a shoeless runner who inspired Coach Carey at the age of 14, and from that day on, Coach Carey knew he wanted to compete in the Olympics one day.

Regardless of the long list of accomplishments, I think all runners will relate to Coach Carey's experience with injury, his passion for running as life long sport, and how something amazing can start with a big dream. On a related note: How many of you guys remember Body Break and ParticipAction with Hal Johnson and Joanne Mcleod? They are Canadian Icons who inspired me growing up, and funny how Coach Carey was inspired by them, too. I hope you enjoy this episode.

If you want to reach Coach Carey, you can email him at carey.nelson@forerunners.ca . (or find him at the Main Street Forerunners!).

Have you ever asked yourself whether it is possible to get better as a runner as you age? That is definitely something that Phil likes to talk about as he takes on new and loftier challenges with each year. Phil has been running since a senior in high school in a small town, and now he's one of the most well known runners in our community as a masters runner. He is definitely wiser, and faster, and not to mention stronger. He has a few ultras under his belt now, and not only partakes in races, but is coaching young athletes who may very well follow in his footsteps. I have personally known Phil for about 6 years now, and I love to pick his brain about anything running related--from stretching to training plans, and races to add to one's calendar. Phil has so much passion, knowledge, and inspiration to share. I hope you guys enjoy this episode!

If you want to follow Phil, you can find him on Strava and Instagram: https://www.strava.com/athletes/20563753 https://www.instagram.com/philfinlayson/?hl=en 

Jeannine is such an inspirational and relatable athlete that I had to share her story with you guys. Our podcast ended up being over an hour because she's that easy to talk to--whether it is about shenanigans on the trails, or serious talk about how to tackle the next Gary Robbins race. Jeannine is definitely a huge part of our local run community and it's no big surprise. From sharing her trials and tribulations to tips on the internet, Jeannine is so engaging! As some of you might know, Jeannine just tackled the Squamish 50k for the second time, and things did not end the way she had planned. Listen to hear more about her running journey, and what motivated this lady to go from couch to 3k to ultra! If you want to connect with Jeannine, you can find her on https://www.instagram.com/jeannineavelino/

Cover photo credit: Simon Richards (also a past guest!)