Runner Interview: Denise Bonin

I’m about to start a new series on this blog: Runner Interviews. I thought it would be good to have one inspirational runner each month or more often if I get a good response from folks. These are runners who inspire me, who are very dedicated, who are good people and who like to have fun.

I have crafted 13 questions that I will send to each of them and ask them to reply to all or some of them. I think it will be fun to learn about these awesome runners and to find out if they are way more intense than some of us or they are just perfectly normal (just what is normal, anyway?).

To kick the series off, I answered some of the questions myself, in other words, I interviewed myself to see if the questions would work. I think they did. Let me know what you think. And, hey, if you would like to be interviewed let me know.

Why do you run?
I mostly run to get outside and be with friends, but I also run to compete. I love how running has improved my fitness level and changed my shape for the better – I actually do have a waist. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been asked to lead a few running clinics for the Running Room, which I absolutely love doing. I get so much out of inspiring other runners and coaching them to better themselves. Competing is a fun way to test myself and to meet new people. It also takes me back to fond memories of competing in my youth. Plus, I believe a person is never too old to compete. I mean, just look at the popularity of road races, especially marathons and it is not just youngsters doing them!

What is your running history?
I used to run as a child – in track meets, etc. and then in high school I competed at the local, regional and provincial level. I was always very athletic and played lots of different kinds of sports. After I had my children, I didn’t run much on my own, although I always said that I was running after them, which was my justification for not doing “real” running. At the same time, I operated my own consulting business from home, which involved a lot of sitting at my desk (before standing desks were popular). By the time the children were teenagers, I was not running after them at all. It was a “sweet” comment from my daughter about my butt getting bigger that got me off of it and out the door. A running friend also helped me get going on a learn-to-run program. That was more than 10 years ago. However it was not until about a year and a half ago, after I left my consulting business that I started to seriously train and race more.

What type of training do you do?
I run between 35 and 40K per week at the moment that seems to be getting higher each week. Currently I’m following a half marathon training program, but I always seem to run further than what is on the schedule. When I’m outside running with friends and we are chatting, it is so much fun and easy to run more! I also love to run on the track – it takes me back to my high school days. And believe it or not, I don’t mind running hill repeats, but I’m usually more motivated doing that activity with others. There are so many great trails around Nanaimo that I love to run. My all-time go-to favourite trail running location is Newcastle Island; so many beautiful trails and wonderful vistas. Another favourite run/power hike in the Nanaimo area is Mt Benson (the running part is mostly coming downhill). I also take in 2-3 yoga classes per week at a studio or I do sessions on my own at home (outside on the deck, if possible). Yoga is fabulous for both strength, flexibility and mindfulness. I have also have been leading some outdoor boot camps which are terrific for overall strength and cardio conditioning.

Do you listen to music when you run?
I rarely run with music, mostly because I tend to run with others and we all love to talk. If I’m by myself, I love listening to the birds sing and the wind blow in the trees. I have occasionally run while listening to an audio book and I find that an excellent way to multi-tasks. However, I do this with only one ear bud in one ear so I can listen for cars or bikes or nature sounds. OK, one of my favourite running songs: Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run.

Do you have a running hero/ role model?
Although he is an ultra runner, which I am not, Adam Campbell is one of my heroes. He just loves running outdoors and what is not to like about that? Erin Burrett is a local runner, who scores big time on the national level. She is a wonderful role model for runners of all ages. I also admire any runners who are over 70 years old and are still rocking the races. I want to still be running at that age and older. Olga Kotelko was one of those runners, who was competing in track and fields events well into her 90s. My mother was a track and field athlete in her high school days and placed a respectable 3rd place in a track meet in Vancouver, back in her day. And in her 50s she was the fasted grandmother in a “So you think you are fit” competition. Her siblings were also athletic, as were her parents, so I guess it is in my DNA.

How do you relax, when you are not running?
I read a lot – blogs, magazines, newspapers, books, etc. I belong to a book club that meets monthly. I write this blog – Gottarun.ca. I also knit, garden, do sudoku and watch movies. I don’t watch a lot of TV although that has all changes with Netflix, hasn’t it? I love cooking and creating new recipes – both savoury and sweet. I have travelled to many cities in Canada and the US and have run (and been lost) in most of them. A couple of years ago I travelled to France and ran through Paris and several locations in Provence. I would do that again in a heartbeat. I’m always planning my next adventure!

Have you had any running setbacks?
A few years ago I fell off my bike and herniated a disk in my back causing the most excruciating sciatic nerve pain down my left leg. It took about 4 months to heal, during which time I was so frustrated not being able to run. I slowly recovered and got back into running and riding my bike. Now I am extra cautious about putting on the bike breaks at the top of a hill on a icy surface.

Do you have a coach?
I do not have a coach, but have been considering it. At the moment I’m following a half marathon training program, but augmenting it with additional runs, cross-training, etc. Actually most of my training seems pretty random, with crazy random distance trail runs twice a week, a weekly track speed work, strength training yoga at least twice a week, and through the Running Room clinic that I’m coaching, I’m getting in lots of hill and speed work weekly. I’m a certified BCRPA group fitness trainer so I think I should be able to coach myself, especially if I want to be a personal coach to others (my goal eventually – I’m working on it), but perhaps even coaches need coaching.

Do you have anything other nuggets of wisdom that you’d like to share?
Recently I heard a speaker say that we were all born to run. Well maybe not everyone, but I think a lot more people could run than currently do. Even walkers could pick up the pace and get so much more out of their fitness regime. I believe that human bodies were meant to move a lot, but with so many sitting jobs, we don’t. Even though we are not on the savannah being chased by lions and elephants, we should exercise like we were. It just makes you feel so darn good and will most certainly allow you to live longer with a much better quality of life!