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The Woman and the Bay

by Christopher Redford

Hamilton’s Around the Bay Road Race, established in 1894, is the oldest road race in North America, three years older than the Boston Marathon. The race remained closed to women for 85 years, until Tersilla Komac came along. Born in Castelfranco Veneto, north of Venice, Tersilla had no time for running in Italy. She was too busy working on the farm. Coming to Canada in 1954 at the age of 22, she married Emil Komac and set about raising three children in Burlington.  Continue reading “The Woman and the Bay”

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Summer Running FAQ

by John Stanton

It’s summertime, and the living is easy—but a casual approach isn’t wise when it comes to exercising in hot weather conditions. To help you stay safe in the heat, here are my responses to common questions about summer running.

How much water do I need to drink?
As summer temperatures soar, proper hydration becomes a top priority. You need to drink frequently before, during and after exercise. Plan to drink at least two cups (500 mL) of water in the hour prior to your run. During your workout, sip (don’t gulp) water every 15 to 20 minutes, and be sure to re-hydrate once your run has concluded. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty, because at that point you may already be dehydrated. For normal fitness activities, plain water is your most effective drink. For workouts or races over three hours, a sports drink can help replace lost electrolytes. Continue reading “Summer Running FAQ”

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Are there any food choices that can supply some natural anti-inflammatory benefits for runners?

Exercise creates inflammation in the body, through the act of doing work and producing heat. Runners also have the effect of the impact of our feet striking the ground. In moderate amounts, inflammation a good thing, as it stimulates healthy immune responses in the body that actually make our cells stronger and more prepared to protect themselves. However, repeated long duration exercise, coupled with other environmental and internal stressors, can have the opposite effect and actually contribute to the breakdown of the body tissues Continue reading “Are there any food choices that can supply some natural anti-inflammatory benefits for runners?”

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Saucony | Running Room 5K Program: Michelle Carlesimo

Common Ground: A Running Room 5K Program Story

When the Ottawa Race Weekend descends on our capital city at the end of May, many runners will step to the start line of the 5K for the first time, adding an exciting new chapter to their running story. The stories will vary, but they will no doubt share some plot points with the journey of Michelle Carlesimo, a 5K program leader at our Slater Street store, and an Ottawa 5K veteran. In fact, it’s that unique bond between new runners that drives Michelle’s coaching, and sees her athletes to the finish line at the end of their ten weeks together. Continue reading “Saucony | Running Room 5K Program: Michelle Carlesimo”

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My Natural Medication

by Marjan Ashrafi

My depression and anxiety started back in 2004, when I lost my only sibling. My young and beautiful sister died in an accident. After her death, I began to notice myself worrying and overthinking everything. Crying became a daily part of living. I didn’t have any 
motivation for anything. I felt my medication wasn’t helping enough. I hated myself and my life.

Continue reading “My Natural Medication”