Finish-line FAMILY

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This article was published 13/06/2011 (5447 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two of them ran across the finish line holding hands.

Another — who was about to quit during a race — regained momentum after one of the gang turned around and encouraged her to keep running.

It’s been over two years since a quartet of unlikely friends — Mona Bates, Sarah Pelland, Garry Kobylak and Caitlin Kaminsky — met at a marathon clinic at the Pembina Highway Running Room.

Their different generations, backgrounds and fitness levels don’t matter.

“We all have different time goals and reasons for doing the marathons. But we all really want each other to succeed,” says Pelland, 27, a social media specialist for a local hemp food company. “And (we) try to push each other along the way.

Three of the four friends plan to run the Manitoba Marathon June 19.

The fourth, Kaminsky, had to bow out because of a knee injury. But that won’t stop her from supporting her dear friends on race day.

“She’s going to put the medals on us when we come in. It’s going to be incredible,” says Bates, 40.

Need some inspiration?

Here are the stories of four Winnipeggers whose uphill training runs and crossing of race-day finish lines has solidified the bond they share:

Mona Bates

Age: 40

Occupation: Stay-at-home mother of three.

Reason she took up running: While living in Thompson in 2006, a friend challenged Bates to train with her for a half marathon. “She asked me, ‘Are you in?’ It’s those three little words… that hit me in the head that (made me realize I’ve) got to get moving.”

Fitness background: Fitness had always been important to Bates. But when the she had her kids (Cheyenne, 12, Hannah, 9, and Chad, 7) she neglected her diet and exercise regimen. “I felt that I was trapped in a body that wasn’t me.”

First-time running memory: During her debut three-mile run, she would give herself short goals, such as running to a tree or stop sign, then she would walk for the rest of the way. “I was too exhausted. (Taking walk breaks) was just a natural thing my body did.”

Why she signed up for a running clinic: She and her husband, Tyler, an RCMP inspector, moved to Winnipeg. Her running partner was back in Thompson and she needed running support in her new city.

Motivation: Her kids. “If I want them to grow up and be strong and have fitness as an important part of their lives, I needed to role model it for them. I couldn’t just tell them stories about things I used to do when I was younger.”

How her friends help: Bates’ legs gave out near the end of a race and she stopped running. “Garry and another guy we were running with came running back and said, ‘What are you doing?’ I said, ‘I’m just going to walk it.’ They said, ‘No you’re not.’ They just kind of pushed me to finish up. That’s what running with a group does. It keeps you going.”

How running has changed her life: “Once you accomplish the goal of completing a marathon it gives you a sense that you can do anything. It’s just a matter of breaking it down into little pieces.”

 

Sarah Pelland

 

Age: 27

Occupation: Social media and marketing co-ordinator for Manitoba Harvest Hemp Food and Oils

Fitness background: Pelland has run since age 12 and is a natural athlete. (She was a sprinter in junior high and was voted female athlete of the year at River East Collegiate).

Reason she took up marathon running: “I always had it on my bucket list of things I wanted be able to accomplish,” says Pelland, who wants to complete this year’s Manitoba Marathon in four hours. “Once I complete that, I’ll have a new time goal.”

Motivation: “I am motivated to push myself past my goals and to inspire others. I want people to see what you can do, what can be done. And I want people to follow in my footsteps.”

Favourite running memory: “I crossed the finish line holding hands with Caitlin in 2009. Garry and Mona came in shortly after us,” says Pelland, who stuck congratulatory signs in the grass to greet her friends.

Gruelling moment: Twenty-four miles into her first full marathon, she couldn’t bear the high humidity and intense 31 C heat. “We were barely running. I remember saying to Caitlin, ‘Everything on my body hurts but my eyeballs.” Sunday’s marathon will be her first full marathon attempt since then.

How running has changed her: She’s lost 30 pounds in the past couple of years through running and “eating clean.” To Pelland, that means munching on lean protein, whole grains, beans, vegetables and hemp products.

 

Garry Kobylak

 

Age: 64

Occupation: Retired Manitoba Liquor Control Commission statistics clerk

Fitness background: During his working days, Kobylak would often take the 25-minute walk to the office. When he retired a few years ago, Kobylak tried to get into shape on his home elliptical machine. After he wore out three machines, he took his workout outside and attempted running.

Why he joined a marathon running club: “People used to say, ‘When are you going to run a marathon?’ I got tired of them asking, so I signed up for one.”

What he loves about running: “It’s just the feeling you get when you’re finished and while you’re doing it. At first your heart rate gets up. It’s a bit tedious, I guess. Once you get going, I don’t know, there’s nothing like it.”

How running has changed his life: The divorced father to a grown daughter has lost 45 pounds since he took up running — and has kept it off for more than two years. “(Running) leads to good health and better eating habits. You realize that you’ve got to have fuel to run. It’s just a chain reaction.” The soft-spoken retiree says running has also made him “more sociable and (has) given me a better outlook on life.”

What he listens to on his MP3 player during a race: Gwen Stefani, James Blunt, the Kenny Loggins’ hit, Footloose.

On the friendships he’s built through running: “You’re running with these people every week for four months,” says Kobylak, who affectionately refers to Bates, Pelland and Kaminsky as “Garry’s Angels.” You get to know them. They get to know what’s going on in your life.”

 

Caitlin Kaminsky

 

Age: 21

Occupation: Caterer at the MTS Centre

Why she took up running: As a teenager, Kaminsky worked as a Manitoba Marathon volunteer. “It looked kind of cool. These people looked pretty fit. So I thought I would make a challenge for myself.”

Her inspiration: Her oldest running partner. “Garry, he is just an inspiration. None of us ever say we’re hurting or we’re sore. He’s just a machine. There’s really no excuse for someone in their 20s to say, ‘I can’t do this anymore.'”

Her injury: Kaminsky tore a knee ligament — probably during training — and will not run Sunday’s marathon.

Why she will be there on race day: “Before, my mom used to be there at the finish. She’s actually participating this year. So I’ll be there,” says Kaminsky, who will proudly look out for all her running friends at the finish line. She says she can hardly wait to place medals over their necks. “They know they are running towards that.”

 

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