The Runners' Chronicles

It was 9:30 p.m. on an October evening on Mount Royal. I was ticking off the miles in the dark, focused on my pace, when BAM — something slammed violently into the back of my head...

I’m sure we’ve all come across some iteration of the social media fitfluencer whose brand is built around the idea that, “you don’t ever have time to exercise, you make time”. While I’ve always taken issue with the overly preachy and simplistic delivery of this statement*,  past versions of myself have ultimately agreed with this message at its core.

Running is often seen as an individual sport—a test of one’s endurance, willpower, and strength. Some run purely for performance, others for meditation, and some as a way to connect with friends. Today, I want to highlight the importance of a running community.

by Claude Gagnon I've always loved to move and play. When I was a kid, hockey, baseball and basketball channeled my energy. But athletics, cycling and swimming didn't inspire me. This taste for play continued into adulthood. Squash became a natural part of my sporting life. Everything appealed to me: the tactical aspect, the finesse, the fair play, the physical fitness required. And always the fact of playing, the feeling of being a kid on the court. But after 25 years of chasing the little ball, my shoulder, elbow and back had had enough. A few of my playing partners...

by Sophie Bergeron I still remember my mom… She’s shivering and she’s in a hurry to take a hot bath. I still remember the smell of snow and cold as it floats through the house. You all know what smell I’m talking about and it’s one only runners can recognize (well, perhaps skiers too!). She’s coming back from a run. My parents got divorced when I was a little girl, and my mother had us full time. Running is what she did to relieve stress and to allow herself to be patient with us. And then, during the pandemic, I...