I’m excited to introduce Shannon or Red Deer Foodie for those in the know on social media. With some new running goals in sight, Shannon will soon need a new medal rack!
Name:
Shannon Yacyshyn
Age:40
City:
Red Deer
Red Deer
Profession: Government of Alberta
Runner
Since: 2012
Since: 2012
1. Why did you start running? What pushes you to keep going?
I had taken a few running courses since between 2007 – 2010 but
nothing really got me excited about running. A good friend challenged me to run the Scotiabank Toronto
Waterfront (half) Marathon – I started training in July. I trained religiously that entire
summer and ran the race in October 2012; I’ve never looked back.
nothing really got me excited about running. A good friend challenged me to run the Scotiabank Toronto
Waterfront (half) Marathon – I started training in July. I trained religiously that entire
summer and ran the race in October 2012; I’ve never looked back.
2. What is your running/fitness routine for a typical week?
I haven’t run since October 20 – the Scotiabank Toronto
Waterfront Marathon. I returned to do the half again! I usually take about a month off after
a big race. Currently my fitness
routine is crossfit once a week, aquasize once a week and then some other
activity (this week was yoga at the Breathing Room).
Waterfront Marathon. I returned to do the half again! I usually take about a month off after
a big race. Currently my fitness
routine is crossfit once a week, aquasize once a week and then some other
activity (this week was yoga at the Breathing Room).
3. What is your favourite distance to run? Why?
Although I love the sense of accomplishment that comes after
running a 21.1km, I have to say that busting out a 10 km is one of my
favourites! It feels like a real
accomplishment for an hour or so worth of work and non-runners seem pretty
impressed that I burn those out on random weekdays 🙂
running a 21.1km, I have to say that busting out a 10 km is one of my
favourites! It feels like a real
accomplishment for an hour or so worth of work and non-runners seem pretty
impressed that I burn those out on random weekdays 🙂
4. Best running memory?
Without a doubt crossing the finish line at the 2013 Calgary
Half Marathon – I wasn’t prepared for coming into the Stampede Grandstand area
and having people cheering like that!! It was a PR for me and the best part was
hearing my friend Erin running over after the medal was put around my
neck!
Half Marathon – I wasn’t prepared for coming into the Stampede Grandstand area
and having people cheering like that!! It was a PR for me and the best part was
hearing my friend Erin running over after the medal was put around my
neck!
5. Do you run solo or with a group?
I usually run with friends.
6. What is your dream race?
I would really like to do one of the Disney races and work it
into a family vacation; it would be great to have my husband and kid waiting
for me at the finish line. I would
also love to hug a couple mascots while there!!
into a family vacation; it would be great to have my husband and kid waiting
for me at the finish line. I would
also love to hug a couple mascots while there!!
7.How many medals do you own? Where are they displayed ?
Right now, I only have three “real” medals which represent the three half marathons I’ve run. There are
a couple from little 5 km races put on by the Running Room, but I hope to have
lots more over the years. This
year I received a medal rack for my 40th birthday and my medals are
there!
a couple from little 5 km races put on by the Running Room, but I hope to have
lots more over the years. This
year I received a medal rack for my 40th birthday and my medals are
there!
8.
Do you have any current running goals?
Do you have any current running goals?
I would like to run a 30 km race if we would ever get a race of that
distance in Alberta. I’m still trying to mentally wrap my brain around
running a full marathon. If we
have a mild winter and I can stay injury free until next June, I might tackle
the Calgary Marathon and get that bedazzled belt-buckle medal!
distance in Alberta. I’m still trying to mentally wrap my brain around
running a full marathon. If we
have a mild winter and I can stay injury free until next June, I might tackle
the Calgary Marathon and get that bedazzled belt-buckle medal!
9. What is your worst running moment?
Definitely the half marathon this year in Toronto; although the
conditions were perfect, I started spazzing out at 13km – convinced myself that
I was about to die and basically blew the race – crossed the finish line at
2:28 and still feeling quite bad about it.
conditions were perfect, I started spazzing out at 13km – convinced myself that
I was about to die and basically blew the race – crossed the finish line at
2:28 and still feeling quite bad about it.
10.
If you could tell your younger (less experienced) running self something, what
would you say?
If you could tell your younger (less experienced) running self something, what
would you say?
Set a goal, follow a training program and don’t stray from
it! Don’t think you can run once
or twice a week and then kill it on a big race!
it! Don’t think you can run once
or twice a week and then kill it on a big race!
Great article – always fun to hear about other runners. Just wanted to let you know there is a 30km in Airdrie and the best part is it is free.
That sounds cool! When is it?
Shannon is awesome!
It is called the Back 9 in Airdrie, was in Sept. this year. There are distances of 5/10/20/30/40/50, I ran the 30 and enjoyed it.
You get a bib and it is timed, but there are no medals and I heard there is a great bruch afterwards. Overall a nice run with no pressure like the big races.