How to get Race Ready for the Emera Blue Nose Marathon
Top Tips from Richard Van Horne, Disability Team Lead and Member of Team Myles
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on May 15, 2023
How to get Race Ready for the Emera Blue Nose Marathon
Top Tips from Richard Van Horne, Disability Team Lead and Member of Team Myles
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on May 15, 2023
Medavie Blue Cross is once again the proud sponsor of Half Marathon Sponsor of the Emera Blue Nose Marathon, the largest running and walking event in Atlantic Canada, set for May 21 in Halifax. In advance of the event, we invited Richard Van Horne, Team Lead in Medavie Blue Cross’s Case Management Services Department and a member of Team Myles, to share why he took up running, what he likes – and doesn’t like – about running and his top running tips.
Richard is based in Dartmouth, where he lives with his wife of 18 years, Jennifer, their children Carson, 14, and Charlea, 11, and their dog Leo. Though he studied science and engineering at university, Richard has spent his entire career in insurance, starting as an Independent Insurance Adjuster, working alongside his father, and later moving into the disability sector. Richard now leads a team of Disability Claims Specialists who manage claims for MBC’s group clients. Outside work, he coaches his daughter’s basketball team, plays hockey, golfs, mountain bikes and woodworks, and enjoys camping.
Q. Tell us about Team Myles. Who is on it?
A. There are about 30-35 people involved in Team Myles. Seven coaches were former participants in the program, and the rest wanted to participate in the Emera Blue Nose Marathon 5k or 10k. The purpose is to engage people into running and doing so in a group setting in hopes that it forms friendships to continue running beyond the Blue Nose. All experiences are welcome, from people who have run before to those who are running for the first time. That is one of the first things I noticed: there is absolutely no judgment, and the group is extremely encouraging and supportive of each other.
Q. Why did you decide to join this team?
A. I had wanted to get active again. I used to run quite a bit, but that was 8 to 10 years ago. COVID happened, and I became quite inactive and could feel it. Recent attempts at exercising didn’t work for me as I am the type of person that needs a goal. This ensures that I have to stick to the training to not embarrass myself.
Q. Tell us about Team Myles. Who is on it?
A. There are about 30-35 people involved in Team Myles. Seven coaches were former participants in the program, and the rest wanted to participate in the Emera Blue Nose Marathon 5k or 10k. The purpose is to engage people into running and doing so in a group setting in hopes that it forms friendships to continue running beyond the Blue Nose. All experiences are welcome, from people who have run before to those who are running for the first time. That is one of the first things I noticed: there is absolutely no judgment, and the group is extremely encouraging and supportive of each other.
Q. Why did you decide to join this team?
A. I had wanted to get active again. I used to run quite a bit, but that was 8 to 10 years ago. COVID happened, and I became quite inactive and could feel it. Recent attempts at exercising didn’t work for me as I am the type of person that needs a goal. This ensures that I have to stick to the training to not embarrass myself.
Q. When did you take up running and why?
A. I took up running in early 2007 when I was in my very early 30s. I had been athletic and into sports for most of my life, but that changed when those sports ended. A friend of mine encouraged me to run in the 2007 Blue Nose half marathon. I trained and completed, and it felt great to have a goal, work towards it and accomplish it.
Q. What do you like most – and least – about running?
A. What I like most is the feeling of being active, feeling more energetic, stronger, and now, setting an example of a healthier lifestyle for my kids.
What I like least is the initial struggle it takes to get in shape so that running is easier. It’s so tough to start, and I understand why people will quit, but once you get in good enough shape, running isn’t as exhausting/difficult as at the beginning.
Q. What, for you, are the biggest health benefits of running?
A. For me, it is weight control and blood pressure control. I tend to put on weight when I am inactive, and my blood pressure must be prescription controlled. That is not the case when I remain active.
Q. How many Blue Nose marathons have you participated in?
A. I ran the Blue Nose half marathon in 2007, 2008 and 2009. I then ran the full marathon in 2010 and the Boston Marathon in 2012 and 2014. That 2014 race was my last time truly dedicated to running, and it feels good, minus the pains, of course, to get back into it.
Q. What do you like best about the Emera Blue Nose Marathon?
A. It's great because it is local and so many people support it. It really is an event that seems to grow every year as they have events for everyone. Experienced runners can run the half or full, and anyone else can run the shorter distances offered. That is the really good thing about running: anyone can do it. Just go at your own pace; nobody in the running community judges. They are just happy to see you out there.
Q. How have you prepared for this year’s marathon?
A. In the new year, I changed my diet a touch, started walking my dog more and doing exercise routines to try to lose some weight. Running can be hard on my ankles and knees, so I have been running three times a week and cross-training two to three times a week. I do this to prevent injury as I can get tendonitis in my knees if all I do is run. I have also been mountain biking and doing some old P90x routines in conjunction with running.
Q. How many Blue Nose marathons have you participated in?
A. I ran the Blue Nose half marathon in 2007, 2008 and 2009. I then ran the full marathon in 2010 and the Boston Marathon in 2012 and 2014. That 2014 race was my last time truly dedicated to running, and it feels good, minus the pains, of course, to get back into it.
Q. What do you like best about the Emera Blue Nose Marathon?
A. It's great because it is local and so many people support it. It really is an event that seems to grow every year as they have events for everyone. Experienced runners can run the half or full, and anyone else can run the shorter distances offered. That is the really good thing about running: anyone can do it. Just go at your own pace; nobody in the running community judges. They are just happy to see you out there.
Q. How have you prepared for this year’s marathon?
A. In the new year, I changed my diet a touch, started walking my dog more and doing exercise routines to try to lose some weight. Running can be hard on my ankles and knees, so I have been running three times a week and cross-training two to three times a week. I do this to prevent injury as I can get tendonitis in my knees if all I do is run. I have also been mountain biking and doing some old P90x routines in conjunction with running.
Q. What are your top tips for getting race ready?
A. Slow and steady training. One does not become in “shape” in a week; it takes patience. I really promote cross-training as this ensures you don’t create muscle imbalance. With cross training, it allows for more frequent training and helps prevent injuries.
Q. What’s the one thing you would tell anyone who’s interested in taking up running?
A. Be okay with slow and steady progress. If you go out too hard at the beginning, you will likely find it very hard, injure yourself and even quit. Rather, set a goal. Get out there and be proud that you are taking this goal on, realizing it will take time and hard work to achieve. That feeling of constant improvement and attaining your goals is very fulfilling and makes you want to set another goal. Then, the more you do it, the better you feel, to the point that it simply becomes your lifestyle rather than something you “have” to do.
Q. What are your top tips for getting race ready?
A. Slow and steady training. One does not become in “shape” in a week; it takes patience. I really promote cross-training as this ensures you don’t create muscle imbalance. With cross training, it allows for more frequent training and helps prevent injuries.
Q. What’s the one thing you would tell anyone who’s interested in taking up running?
A. Be okay with slow and steady progress. If you go out too hard at the beginning, you will likely find it very hard, injure yourself and even quit. Rather, set a goal. Get out there and be proud that you are taking this goal on, realizing it will take time and hard work to achieve. That feeling of constant improvement and attaining your goals is very fulfilling and makes you want to set another goal. Then, the more you do it, the better you feel, to the point that it simply becomes your lifestyle rather than something you “have” to do.
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...