Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:33 <inaudible> It's again, I don't introduce our guests. I'll let them introduce themselves. Cause they'll always do a better job at it than I can. So on that note, Sarah, thank you for showing up today. Tell the people at home who you are, what you're about and
Speaker 1 00:00:59 Hi, I'm Bori and, uh, I'm a father of two and a husband. And, uh, yeah, I've been here in Fort McMurray Murray since, uh, 2012. Okay. And uh, yeah, just, just, I work from home. I'm one of the O G work from home, um, people in Fort McMurray. So, uh, and yeah, I, I do a lot of running running, man. I do like to explore the outdoors here. Right. And, uh, yeah. Other than that, that's your story.
Speaker 0 00:01:35 That's the intro to your story. That's a brief intro. So that's how I know you in regards to you are an avid
Speaker 1 00:01:42 Runner and
Speaker 0 00:01:44 You're a crazy runner for that matter. Like you are always out and about running in this community. It doesn't matter if it's super hot or super cold, you are out there. Right.
Speaker 1 00:01:53 So how did that start? How did this running journey of yours start? Well, I grew up as a competitive swimmer. Okay. And I swam for the U of a and after that, um, I guess I just had an identity crisis, so I just buried myself in work and I didn't do anything athletic for probably about, I want to say like five, six years. And, uh, Tracy got into triathlon, my wife. And, uh, from there I decided I would try and do an Ironman. So the year I came here, I signed up for Ironman Canada in Penticton, and I took about nine months to get ready for that. And did my first iron man. Yeah. How did it go? It was good. It was a good learning experience. And in swimming, I did more like mid distance. Right. So my races are, you know, we're talking about two minutes, one minute.
Speaker 1 00:02:58 Right. It's a different challenge. So it was fun in that way. Right. And, um, yeah, from there, I, since I work from home, I thought that joining the tribe club would be a good way of interacting with other people. And then from there, um, they needed a swim coach. So I became a community swim coach for the triathlon club. And, uh, you know, having kids, you know, from there, we started having kids and, you know, to get, to get onto the highway for the bike and clean your bike or, uh, to get down to the pool is just, it starts adding a little bit more time here and there sometimes it's just easier to lace up and, uh, and go for a run. Right.
Speaker 0 00:03:38 Okay. So that's how it started. That's how it started. And now, as far as running, like you are a part of a big running crew now, I don't know who started the running crew, if it was you or a group of people or you just joined in, but you guys do like weekly walks, runs, whatever, like explain to the people at home what they are. I've never joined, but I know my mother takes part in a lot of them. So what are you doing weekly in regards to running outside of your own ridiculous running schedule?
Speaker 1 00:04:05 Um, well, I first got involved with the wood Buffalo trail running series. So we used to, we tried to put on about three races a year and now with COVID it's, it's, it's on hold. Right. And we're trying to regroup. Um, but as a part of that, we wanted to introduce people to, to the trails. And we started kind of like a weekly thing before races, you know, kind of leading up to the races. So people feel a little bit more comfortable. Um, and then Jess came on, um, and said like, let's do this a little bit more frequently. And I said, I think that's a great idea. I host one on Sunday. We call it Sunday run day. And it's a little bit more, the way I put it is the train is not forgiving, but we're never going to leave anybody behind. So no matter what pace you are, we can always double back for you. Or, you know, we could take a rest on the top of the Hill and a big part of that is because everybody knows Birchwood trails. Um, but there's so much vast wilderness. That's just out the back door that, you know, a lot of people don't even know. Right.
Speaker 0 00:05:18 That's right. I know my mom, um, she's an avid runner. That's how I got started at a young age. My mom ran. And so like, you see what your parents do and you'd kind of gravitate to that. Um, and she moved here in 1977. So she's been in Fort McMurray for a long time and it, every Sunday she will call after going out with you guys. She said, Oh my God, we went to this new place. And I learned this and this, like, she's finding little treasures every time she goes out. And this is somebody who has been active and has seen the community. So it just goes to show how many things are out there that like, even when you live here, you don't know about it.
Speaker 1 00:05:54 I think Fort McMurray has a lot of gems like that. Like, you know, we're starting to re reconnect with the history passive with the running group that was here, the running club. And it's just amazing to see and like all the cool stories that are coming out of there. It's, uh, it's really amazing. We had some really like fast runners and, you know, and like we had big groups doing crazy. Like you call me crazy. I was like, that was a normal thing back in the day.
Speaker 0 00:06:20 And that's, I remember when I was getting into running many, many years ago, um, forming Murray's running community was huge. And, uh, yeah, you sound like the mayor's 10 K and like the Turkey trot and all these different, um, races, and then somehow like, yeah. Kind of petered off, which was kind of strange, but then, um, that's how I think you and I got, well, I got reintroduced to running and yourself in regards to how the company, um, that I used to work for accurate awesome companies worked for accurate. And, uh, the trail series came and approached me as for some sponsorship. And I got very involved with actually like sponsoring and sending down, um, volunteers to help out with the races. Yeah. And so you guys have, since that time, and we're talking, that was at least eight years ago, plus now, um, have really like picked up what that trail running series was kind of turned it into a real big thing.
Speaker 1 00:07:14 I think, especially, I think, especially around the, you know, like with the fire as well, I think it, and that brought on Jess as well. I think it, uh, people were really looking for ways to kind of reconnect with, you know, the community and, you know, yeah. I think that was a great way of doing it.
Speaker 0 00:07:33 Yeah. So now in regards to running, we were talking to Jess a little bit about this last time she was here for everybody who doesn't know, we interviewed somebody, who's also a part of the running, uh, team here and she's running a ridiculous, uh, distance all the way to Fort Chippewan. Um, so we asked her a question that I'm definitely going to talk to you about, and I put on special running shoes today for this episode as well. Um, what kind of running shoes are you wearing?
Speaker 1 00:07:58 I think it really depends. Um, I do like ultras, which she's, she's an ambassador for. Um, I find if the show gets a little bit technical, um, because they let your toes splay a lot. Um, that also means if you're doing sharp turns or stuff like that, um, I find my feet slide a little bit in them. So I tend to go with something a little bit like a Solomon. Uh, they do squeeze your feet a little bit more. Um, but if you're doing turns and stuff like that, you don't really want your feet to slide in your shoes.
Speaker 0 00:08:31 Right. Right. So Solomon's or ultra is chairs. Are you like, this is the cool thing I like to talk about runners, uh, runners about their runners sneakers is that most runners are wearing tradition. People who run often, I should say, are not really wearing traditional runners, like a Nike or Adidas or a Reebok. I find that once you put in the kilometers, they gravitate to these like niche shoe companies.
Speaker 1 00:08:56 I think, I think it's neat to try out shoes. And I do have a pair of Nike. I have two pairs of Nike's. Yeah. Right. And, uh, they're, they're great. Um, and you know what, I've been more interested in maybe like trying them out for like a marathon and stuff like that road. Um, but for the trails, I feel like they're, they're kind of starting to get into the trail world of running. Um, and it's, you know, there's some established companies that aren't there. They're
Speaker 0 00:09:23 I try as well. Yeah. These are Nike's that I have on right now. And I love, I love the look of Nike, but I find like running in them, just doesn't for me, treadmill runner, like the running. And Nike's just don't work for me. Like I'm wearing Asics, but it's funny. What you said is completely opposite from my running experience in regards to cause I'm on a treadmill going straight, I don't need to worry about sharp turns. So I don't want my feet to be like loosey goosey in there. I need them to be tight and ready to go. So I like to talk to runners about their shoes. So, yeah. Sweet. So now in regards to, cause you've given me some grief over the years about me running inside as much as I do not venturing out, which I did do one, one of your races up in Gregoire one time. Um, what are the benefits that you find of running outside versus somebody like myself? Who's always on the treadmill.
Speaker 1 00:10:18 I find it just more enjoyable. I mean, like, I think if you ask me, like, what is the best thing about a wood Buffalo or Fort McMurray is it's just like the wilderness is your backyard, right? Like you are at most five kilometers, probably less than five kilometers from just an endless, endless trail systems of quads or like, you know, hunting trails and all that stuff. It like, I just like to go out and explore. Right. And just kind of see what's out there. Like that's, that's what Fort McMurray has to offer. That's different than say like Edmonton, because you'd have to drive out to correct. Who knows where. Right, right,
Speaker 0 00:11:02 Right. So the exploration component makes it awesome to run outside. Yeah. Now I didn't know this and this is what I love doing. This is why I love doing the show is you said you were like a competitive swimmer at the U of a, so this dovetails into why I think you're a lunatic in regards to your competitive swimming. It's nice and warm. You're in a pool now you've transitioned to running in the coldest of temperatures. Like every year we hit the coldest place in the world, we crushed Siberia for goodness sakes. So what does that transition like from doing like a warm sports transitioning to like, yeah. I'm going to run in Siberia and based temperatures.
Speaker 1 00:11:38 Um, well I think it kind of dovetails into trail running or ultra running. Right. Um, the way I like to kind of think of it is it's controlled stress. Like first problems, we live a pretty cushy life. Right. No doubt. So it's always kind of nice to kind of put yourself in, put yourself in an uncomfortable situation, but it's controlled, right? Like if you're in, um, ultra race, right. There's support there's aid. Right. And here, you know, at most you're probably five hours away from civilization. Right. So if you're really in a lot of trouble, you know, you have that safety net, but you're kind of putting yourself in uncomfortable situations and your body learns to adapt and, you know, thrive in that kind of situation.
Speaker 0 00:12:30 That's awesome. Okay. So for young runners, um, like I said, I started running at an extremely young age cause I saw my mom doing it and then her friend and her one, one day called me out Emily McDonald. That was that's my mom's friend. You probably know Emily. And my mom, I was just, I wasn't even a teenager yet. And I was very active. And then they said, Oh, I bet you can't beat us. That's the old ladies. And I said, Oh, crush you all ladies. And I went out and I did my first 10 kilometer run. And then I was hooked for years afterwards. Um, but not every child has a parent like mine, who's active in like really pushes them to do that. So if you are a child and you want to get engaged in running, um, what advice would you give them?
Speaker 2 00:13:14 Hmm.
Speaker 1 00:13:15 Uh, I think it goes for most athletics. Um, especially at a young age, um, don't be afraid to try new things and don't feel like you don't feel obliged to, you know, to stick with it, stick with it. Right. And just have fun. Right. Especially at a young age and, and people that are older getting into the sport and stuff like that. I mean, unless you're getting paid to do a sport, if it's no longer fun, then, you know, try something new or try something different. Right. Um, I think people put too much pressure, especially, you know, if there's a race or something like that, you know, more than anything, the biggest thing that you could do to improve is consistency. Right. So, you know, you don't want to push yourself to you get injured or you don't want to get push yourself until, you know, you hate the sport or, you know, like it's no longer fun. So just keep it fun, keep it light. And you know, um, your body usually knows what's best, right. Stress is stress. Right. So if you're stressed at home, if you're stressed at work, you don't need to add more stress by stressing over, you know, athletics.
Speaker 0 00:14:20 Right. Right. Cool. So just have fun. Just have fun. Yeah. There we go. All right. Well, we're at the part of the show. Uh, I call it Tanner's part of the show where, uh, we call the segment the Mac city minute. So Tanner has some questions for you over you're ready, Tanner hidden with the Mac city minute.
Speaker 2 00:14:36 First question for you today is what is one thing you do to train for a run that would surprise people? Hmm.
Speaker 1 00:14:45 What would I do that, that would surprise people. I probably don't do as much as people think, um, even to get prepared. Right. So even when I did the like most races, I would probably like if I have a big race, um, I try and keep it light. Right. So if, if I'm moving up to a race, I'll focus out on it for maybe nine at most nine months. Right. Any more than that, then, you know, people start to, I start, I start to burn out. Right, right.
Speaker 3 00:15:20 Question number two for you. What's something you grab when you want a snack.
Speaker 1 00:15:26 Um, any, anything? I actually, you know what, um, one thing that I do like is, um, syrup. So there is an endurance tap. So if you're ever out on a race, endurance tap is great. It's basically just a maple syrup, a little bit of ginger and a little bit of salt and, uh, you know, or, you know, in a race, a flat, flat pop in a longer race, black Coke. Great
Speaker 3 00:15:53 Question. Number three for you. What is your favorite place to go for a run?
Speaker 1 00:16:01 The mountains? I do like, um, in town, I love Amazon. Amazon has a couple of great loops. You can cross the horse and the hanging stone and it has a lot of work. So you have a lot of good climbing to do.
Speaker 3 00:16:17 Okay. Question number four for you. What is your favorite part of doing a triathlon?
Speaker 4 00:16:24 Hm.
Speaker 1 00:16:27 Can we get triathlon? Um, I'm obviously most comfortable in the water. I used to actually be the most uncomfortable running. I used to be a horrible runner. Um, but I would say, I would say, yeah, the swim, because I just feel most comfortable. Right.
Speaker 3 00:16:45 Alrighty. And question number five, if you could run any famous race, what race would that be?
Speaker 1 00:16:52 There's so many, uh, one that I would really like to do, that's kind of less under the radar in terms of most people is, uh, there's a race called Mount marathon in Stewart. It's uh, I think it's probably about five K about maybe just, but it's up a mountain. So it's, it's ridiculously hard. Um, some of the fastest runners mountain runners that are, have done it, they're taking about 45 minutes to do a five day. So, um, I think on average, the mountain slope is like almost like 45 degrees. So
Speaker 3 00:17:32 Will those have been your five questions?
Speaker 0 00:17:33 There you go. Yeah. Mountain running. I have never, uh, I've never tried mountain running. Uh, the uphill doesn't scare me as much as like the downhill component of it, because that's where it's fun. People don't think about this or I take it for granted, I guess, but running, you could get hurt running. You've got hurt running. So I've climbed a few mountains, but I've never ran a mountain. That would be, that'd be a challenge for sure.
Speaker 5 00:17:58 It'd be an uphill battle. <inaudible> okay. So
Speaker 0 00:18:04 Have you've done some mountain running, have you,
Speaker 1 00:18:06 Um, I mean, I've done well, some of the ultras are in mountain, so I've done a a hundred miler, um, down at crows nest path. And I think you end up climbing two or three mountains. It's funny. You're like, well, you know, not real a hundred miler.
Speaker 5 00:18:24 Okay.
Speaker 0 00:18:25 Uh, Tanner asked you about some, uh, food there. You chose to talk about food for the race, which I love. And I'm going to off camera talk to you about the Sierra thing that you're talking about, but I know I run and I've shared this with the people at home. I just love to eat food. And so like, I have a decent metabolism as it is, but I recognize to keep in the physical shape. I want, I got to put in some time, um, you run so much of you, your calorie intake must be like pretty high. I would assume I don't count actually, but, uh, but you, you can eat anything. I think based on the amount of running you do more or less, what's your guilty pleasure to eat like junk food. What are you going to fall?
Speaker 1 00:19:05 I'd probably have to say chips.
Speaker 0 00:19:06 Chips. Okay. What kind of chip?
Speaker 1 00:19:09 Any kind of chips, but even chips and salsa or like, um, yeah, just, just any bag of chips. I don't like those family packs.
Speaker 5 00:19:18 They go very fast. That's awesome. They don't realize my family is just me. Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:19:23 I'm on a chip kick right now. Miss Vickie's salt and vinegar chips. I could eat them every day. And unfortunately I went on a bender where I did for two weeks and I wasn't even a small bag, a chip bender, everybody at miss Vickie salt and vinegar chips two weeks. It was a problem I'm often now though. Yeah. So man, thank you very much. I appreciate you coming in today. This has been a great conversation. Um, please come back. I know you are such a big, uh, advocate of Fort McMurray, not just in running people know who you are. You stand out, you do so much good in the community. And I think the physical attributes that you bring, you're just like a happy guy. People gravitate to you and you promote something healthy, which is like physical activity. So anytime you want to come back on the show and talk about what you're doing, are you having any runs on the go, please, please, please feel free to come back in. Thank you. Thank you very much. So before I cut you loose though, um, I know you don't have like a business per se to plug, but if somebody wants to get involved with the running club, um, what you're doing, how can they get in contact with you?
Speaker 1 00:20:29 Um, search us on the Fort Murray, uh, Facebook group. It's, uh, Fort McMurray runners. Um, other than that, yeah. I mean, uh, that's probably the best way to reach us and uh, yeah. Keep in touch. We're going to try and bring some races back once COVID is over and uh, we'll how the season goes. That's
Speaker 0 00:20:48 Awesome. Awesome, man. Thank you very much. Okay. Fort McMurray and wood, Buffalo. Thank you very much for tuning in today. Really do appreciate it. And if you're outside of the region, I really appreciate you tuning in. So, uh, we'll see you tomorrow.