The Shakeout Podcast

On September 11, 1976, 15-year-old Silvia Ruegger sat in her bedroom writing a note. It read: I will represent Canada at the Olympic Games. She then took the note and tucked it underneath the floorboards where no one else could see it. Eight years later at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Ruegger became one of fifty women to race at the very first women’s marathon of the Olympic Games and a pioneer of women’s running. On this week’s episode of The Shakeout, we look at how one of the greatest moments in Canadian running history started with a handwritten note hidden underneath the floor of an old farmhouse.

Over the next two weeks, we will be bringing you new podcasts on Wednesday December 27 and Wednesday January 3. Happy Holidays!

At the age of 16, Yves Sikubwabo boarded a plane for the first time, with only a backpack and $100 in his pocket. He was the only Rwandan to represent his country at the World Junior Championships in Moncton, New Brunswick. After a phone call to his aunt, he learns who had actually killed his parents when he was a year old, and that his life is in danger. Sikubwabo must choose between staying alone in this foreign country, or returning home to face violence.

The Santa Pur-suit in Waterloo, Ont. is now in its sixth year and as with other Santa-themed races, this one promotes a fun, festive, and inclusive event –as long as you are prepared to wear the whole five-piece Santa suit for the entire race. For me, this race is an annual tradition and this year I donned my Santa suit for the fourth year. On this week’s episode of the Shakeout, I share with you my bizarre holiday running tradition, which includes a fake beard, a love story, and hundred and hundreds of Santas.

On this week’s episode, Canadian Running editor Michael Doyle and staff writer Tim Huebsch chat with Canada’s favourite marathoner and fellow podcaster, Rob Watson. Following the 2016 London Marathon and falling short of the Olympic qualifying time Rob said that “this is the end of this chapter” –the end of high level training, and as it turns out, the end of iteration one of his very popular podcast The Rob Watson Show. But after a few months off, Rob is back. We discuss the return of his podcast, diving full-time into coaching, and his take on marathoning in Canada.

On this week's podcast we chat with 2:36 marathoner Tina Muir. Her social media posts about her experience with amenorrhea–when a woman's body shuts down her menstrual cycle–for nine years, drew widespread attention. Since then, she has focused on rest and recovery and is now pregnant. We talk about her pregnancy, her relationship with running, and her work with the Running for Real community.

We visit a running group that has been meeting every week at lunch at the University of Toronto since 1974.

On this week's episode of The Shakeout, we chat with NCAA distance runner Ben Flanagan. Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, Ben is now a fifth year student at the University of Michigan and is preparing to race at the NCAA Division One Cross-Championships. Ben shares his thoughts on coming back from an injury-laden 2016 season and his team and individual goals for the upcoming Championship race. We also find out more about his coaches, including multiple Canadian record holder Kevin Sullivan, what it's like to come from a family of runners, and his future plans.

On this week's episode of The Shakeout, a running podcast by Canadian Running Magazine, editor Michael Doyle and podcast producer Joan Chung look back at the history of the New York City Marathon. The race had remarkably humble beginnings, held within Central Park with just 127 on the start line, and only 55 finishers. Of course, the TCS New York City Marathon has evolved into a five-borough tour of the city and the single biggest marathon in the world, with over 51,000 runners. We tell you the fascinating history of this special race.

We chat with Olympic bronze medallist and former heptathlete Brianne Theisen-Eaton about running her first marathon (Chicago) and Michal Kapral about his Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon joggling fail.

A look back at Ed Whitlock's final marathon, at 85, in Toronto before he passed away in March 2017 at the age of 86. The owner of dozens of age-group world records, including on the track and on the roads, was an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of everyday runners across the world and helped popularize the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. We speak with his son, Neil Whitlock, elite runners, Rachel Hannah and Reid Coolsaet, Alan Brookes, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon race director, and sports scientist, Paul Vanderburgh, to reflect on the story of his 3:56:38 marathon as one of the greatest races in running history.

The inside look of what it's like for a clean athlete to run in one of the dirtiest races in Olympic history. Canadian Hilary Stellingwerff tells her story of the 2012 London Olympic 1,500m, where six of the 13 finalists were dopers. READ MORE: https://runningmagazine.ca/womens-1500m-final-2012-olympic-doping/ Music: Daphni, "Poly" and "Life is What You Make It" from the album Joli Mai: https://caribouband.bandcamp.com/album/joli-mai CFCF, "Colours of Life" https://1080pcollection.bandcamp.com/album/the-colours-of-life Yves Tumor, "Limerence" from Mono No Aware https://p-a-n.bandcamp.com/album/v-a-mono-no-aware

On this week's episode, Canadian Running editor Michael Doyle and podcast producer Joan Chung revisit the lingering question of gender equity in cross-country races in Canada. One year ago, this issue came to the foreground, particularly in the Canadian university scene, and currently there are still differences in distances between boys and girls, men and women, varying across provinces and federations. Several athletes and experts weigh in on the controversy, explore the reasons for the disparity, draw on personal experiences, and offer potential solutions to the on-going issue. And of course, our weekly recommendations. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ShakeoutPodcast Like us at Facebook.com/theshakeoutpodcast We're on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Google Play and TuneIn, so be sure to subscribe to the show

On this week's episode, Canadian Running web editor Sinead Mulhern speaks with Louise Green, author of Big Fit Girl, a body positive guide to motivate runners of all shapes and sizes.  Green, both a coach and an athlete, speaks about getting started, setting goals, and overcoming body image-related stereotypes. In the second segment, Canadian Running editor Michael Doyle and Sinead speak with iconic runner, Kathrine Switzer, as she prepares to run in this year's New York City Marathon. They speak about past and current challenges for women in running, the organization 261 Fearless, and her memories of racing in New York. And of course, our weekly recommendations. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ShakeoutPodcast Like us at Facebook.com/theshakeoutpodcast We're on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Google Play and TuneIn, so be sure to subscribe to the show

On this week's episode of the Shakeout Podcast, Canadian Running editor Michael Doyle and staff writer Tim Huebsch chat about the upcoming Berlin Marathon and the threat to the current marathon world record. They also provide their predictions for a winner. Following their discussion, Michael speaks with Martin Desmond Roe, director of "Breaking2", a National Geographic documentary about the attempt to break the 2-hour marathon barrier. And of course, our weekly recommendations. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ShakeoutPodcast Like us at Facebook.com/theshakeoutpodcast We're on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Google Play and TuneIn, so be sure to subscribe to the show