1) What inspired you to start running? 

September 10th 2022, I woke up at 5:30am out of nowhere which was not normal for me.  And for some reason I decided to go for a run.  I hadn’t gone for a run since I was 13 years old at this time.  But something compelled me to go for a run.  I was at a place in my life where I needed a change and running ended up being that change.  It lit a fire in me that has yet to go out.  It started a just a couple jogs around the block.  Then my first run goal of a doing a 5K in 40 minutes and just kept snowballing.  I ran my first Marathon just over 1 year later.  Running a 3:03 at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October 2023.  I have since run a total of 5 Marathons, my last being a 2:46 again at the TWM and am currently training for (hopefully) a 2:43 time at the Boston Marathon which will be my 2nd World Major, having run Chicago in 2024.

2) What lead you to join/start a Run group and what are you most proud of 

I began coaching runners at the start of 2025 and my friend asked me to coach her and also help lead the Clarington Run Club with her that same year.  I was very excited to help give back to other runners, and help them achieve similar success as me, if that’s their goal, or to simply find the same love for running that I have.  I try and bring my sense of “you can achieve any goal you have” mindset to the runners I work with and will them achieve things they didn’t think their body could achieve.  It’s a real passion for me and selfishly seeing them succeed brings me a lot of joy!

3) Anything unique about your running journey?

I would say everything about my running journey is unique.  I really was the farthest thing from a runner when I started.  I didn’t know anything and really ran my first Marathon not knowing much about fueling, training, really anything.  I had raced one other time, a 10K, before racing my first Marathon.  My journey is a testament to just showing up, everyday, and no matter what you skill level is at something, doing it every day, with intention and passion will lead to great things over time!

4) What advice would you give those beginner and intermediate level runners? 

For beginners it’s just about consistency and not trying to compare themselves to anyone else.  Too many runners think they are slow because they see people hit crazy paces on Stava or Instagram and get discouraged…almost how people get discouraged in the gym seeing people throwing around crazy weight.  Just know that even fast runners started somewhere too, they just stuck with it, and slowly got better over time and so can you.  Start slow and slowly build up you mileage over time to avoid injuries

For Intermediate runners, they need to focus on strength training.  The biggest thing I see holding people back from taking that next step is they keep battling injuries every time they try and jump up in mileage or intensity.  Strength training build that rock solid foundation where you can avoid injuries, stay consistent with your training and really seeing tremendous gains over time.

5) What’s your favourite route that you have run 

a) My favorite route I have run in Durham is Waterfront Trail system through Clarington from Bowmanville to Newcastle.  When logging 30km+ Long Runs you can almost stay off the roads completely, snake through Bowmanville then take in the scenario by the water then our through Wilmot Creek and again down by the water through Port of Newcastle.  It really is a beautiful route!

b) Running through the Newton Hills and then turning left on Boylston.  Will get to experience it in April 😊