Athlete of the Day
Shannon Ruisendaal from Ontario
May 28th, 2020
Get out there! Walk, run, jog, or roll.
Did you walk, jog or run this challenge?
I walked and ran this challenge.
How did you start running and why?
I started running after my girls were born. First, I wanted to lose weight! And second, I started running to help inspire my oldest daughter. She always seemed to give up on everything she tried if she wasn’t good at something right away. I was hoping to teach her that she doesn’t have to be good at something to enjoy it. It takes work and determination.
How often do you walk and run?
I walk my dog twice a day, usually 8-11 KM. I run 4 days a week, training for races.
What was your greatest obstacle while aiming to reach 1000KM?
My biggest obstacle to reach 1000KM was when Covid-19 reared its ugly face! It caused all the races I had signed up for to be cancelled. (motivational goals). I stopped walking and running for a week in mid-March.
How do you stay motivated and find the time to walk and run?
I became motivated again when I decided I was sabotaging all my hard work for the past few months and wasn’t going to let this virus take that away from me. I decided I wouldn’t let it cancel me!
What advice would you give someone to stay focused on reaching 1000KM in 2020?
We are all in this together. A good running friend wrote #cantcancelme and my running coach #solobutnotalone. Find a group to get involved with, even if you are not physically together. It is so motivating to post my running achievements even if I am running solo. I like that about this great Canadian running challenge. It brings everyone together across this beautiful country we call home.