Island Miles Podcast: for runners, by runners, celebrating running on Vancouver Island

Episode 23 – Blind runner James Kwinecki and his guide Mo Mannoe

James Kwinecki lost his vision 10 years ago, which meant basically re-learning many of life’s realities. For some, that might have been reason enough to stop reaching, but not for James, who has played blind baseball, rowed with the National team, and eventually, became a passionate runner. He has now run five marathons, including smashing Boston in 3:11. But he hasn’t done it alone, and on this episode James and his guide Mo Mannoe talk about their shared running journey and friendship. The Rundown - upcoming races and events:    July 11 - Devil’s Ladder - Cumberland – room left in the 30K! https://devilsladderultra.com/ [https://devilsladderultra.com/] July 28 - Buckin’ Hell - 35K/50K and 50K relay - North Vancouver - https://trailrunning.ca/race/buckin-hell/ [https://trailrunning.ca/race/buckin-hell/] Aug 15 – Island Trail Series - Cobble Hill 12/27K - https://www.islandtrailseries.ca/races/cobble-hill-cobble-hill-mt/ [https://www.islandtrailseries.ca/races/cobble-hill-cobble-hill-mt/] Sept 20 - Monster Marmot 5K/10K trail race at Mount Washington - https://raceroster.com/events/2026/138146/the-monster-marmot [https://raceroster.com/events/2026/138146/the-monster-marmot]   The Island Miles Podcast wants to hear from YOU! Got a topic idea? Know someone doing something cool that should be celebrated? Email us: islandmilespodcast@gmail.com [islandmilespodcast@gmail.com], or find us on Instagram: @islandmilespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/islandmilespodcast/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 22 – Christine Almond and the Cocodona 250

Imagine having the strength, mental toughness and sheer will to run 250 miles in the Arizona desert, with 12,000m of elevation gain over hot, dusty terrain. That’s what the Cocodona 250 from Phoenix to Flagstaff requires, and this past May, Nanaimo’s Christine Almond crossed the finish line after almost 92 hours, with the support of only her husband and dog. No pacers! Christine joined the show to talk about preparing for this insane event, taking “trail naps” when exhaustion hit, and how it felt to toe the start line with ultra legends, including new course record holder Rachel Entrekin. The Rundown - upcoming races and events:    Frontrunners Local Legends 5 segment challenge: https://bit.ly/FRLocalLegends [https://bit.ly/FRLocalLegends] July 5 - Island Trail Series - Ladysmith 10/20K - https://www.islandtrailseries.ca/races/ladysmith-transferbeach/ [https://www.islandtrailseries.ca/races/ladysmith-transferbeach/] July 11 - Devil’s Ladder - Cumberland (still room in the 30K!) - https://devilsladderultra.com/ [https://devilsladderultra.com/]   Chris Sundby’s Island Run 2.0 – jacobswell.ca/chrisruns [https://www.jacobswell.ca/chrisruns2]     The Island Miles Podcast wants to hear from YOU! Got a topic idea? Know someone doing something cool that should be celebrated? Email us: islandmilespodcast@gmail.com [islandmilespodcast@gmail.com], or find us on Instagram: @islandmilespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/islandmilespodcast/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 21 - Rob Holloway and the psychology of running

The psychology around running has always been fascinating – what does this repetitive activity unlock in our brains. What does it do for us, and is it always positive? Dr. Rob Holloway is uniquely qualified to dig into it with us – both as a registered psychologist who treats individuals, couples and families with mental health challenges, and as a dedicated runner with some big personal accomplishments, both on the road and in the trails. We hope you enjoy this conversation about the connection between mental health and running as much as we did! The Rundown - upcoming races and events:    June 12-13 - Run Saysutchun - Newcastle Island near Nanaimo – https://www.runsaysutshun.com/ [https://www.runsaysutshun.com/] Jun 20 - CFB Esquimalt Navy Run - 5K/10K - https://cfmws.ca/esquimalt/esquimalt-navy-run [https://cfmws.ca/esquimalt/esquimalt-navy-run] June 21 - Father’s Day Walk/Run for prostate cancer - Camosun’s Interurban Campus - https://islandprostatecentre.com/fathersdaywalkrun/ [https://islandprostatecentre.com/fathersdaywalkrun/]   Victoria Queer Run Club on IG: https://www.instagram.com/vicqueerrunclub/ [https://www.instagram.com/vicqueerrunclub/] The Island Miles Podcast wants to hear from YOU! Got a topic idea? Know someone doing something cool that should be celebrated? Email us: islandmilespodcast@gmail.com [islandmilespodcast@gmail.com], or find us on Instagram: @islandmilespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/islandmilespodcast/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 20 – Trail safety for new (and experienced) trail runners

If you’re thinking about taking on the trails for the first time, or even if you’re a seasoned vet, it’s always good to get a refresher on preparing for time in the trails and making sure you’re taking care of your own safety. Natalia Filip is an experienced trail runner that loves spending endless hours in Strathcona Park. But she’s also a volunteer with Nanaimo Search and Rescue and joined the show to give us some really valuable information on preparedness. The Rundown - upcoming races and events:    May 30 - Snowden Trail Race - put on by Foveo Running – 11k and 26k in Campbell River - https://raceroster.com/events/2026/112890/snowden-trail-race [https://raceroster.com/events/2026/112890/snowden-trail-race] May 30 - Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women – 5k and 10k at Elk Lake - https://raceroster.com/events/2026/106292/shoppers-drug-mart-run-for-women-victoria-2026 [https://raceroster.com/events/2026/106292/shoppers-drug-mart-run-for-women-victoria-2026] May 31 - Hardy Hustle - 10K and Half Marathon in Port Hardy - https://porthardy.ca/community/recreation/hardyhustle/ [https://porthardy.ca/community/recreation/hardyhustle/]   The Island Miles Podcast wants to hear from YOU! Got a topic idea? Know someone doing something cool that should be celebrated? Email us: islandmilespodcast@gmail.com [islandmilespodcast@gmail.com], or find us on Instagram: @islandmilespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/islandmilespodcast/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 19 – Pod on the Run!

We decided to mic up for an easy-paced run in the West Shore and talk about what’s going on in the running world, both on Vancouver Island and beyond! We talk about the cooker of a day at the BMO Vancouver Marathon, a historic Cocodona 250 finish, a new Island ParkRun and lots of other cool stuff. Jamie even shared his most embarrassing running story, which involved passing out mid-stream… The May 50k Challenge for MS – friend of the pod Lyall Chalmers’ wife was recently diagnosed with MS, and even though she’s not a runner in the least bit, she’s running 50k in May to raise money and awareness for MS – here’s a link to her fundraising page – way to go Amanda!! https://mssp.donordrive.com/participants/Amanda-Chalmers/donate [https://mssp.donordrive.com/participants/Amanda-Chalmers/donate]   The Rundown - upcoming races and events:    May 17 - Jay’s Hillbilly Hustle - Nanaimo - 17k, 35k, and 50k - https://www.hillbillyhustle50.com/ [https://www.hillbillyhustle50.com/] May 24 - Oak Bay Half Marathon and 10k – sold out but there’s a waitlist! https://oakbayhalf.com/ [https://oakbayhalf.com/] May 30 - Sooke Hills 25k and 50k - sold out but would love volunteers! https://sookehillsrunning.com/ [https://sookehillsrunning.com/] May 30 - Snowden Trail Race - put on by Foveo Running – 11k and 26k - https://raceroster.com/events/2026/112890/snowden-trail-race [https://raceroster.com/events/2026/112890/snowden-trail-race]   The Island Miles Podcast wants to hear from YOU! Got a topic idea? Know someone doing something cool that should be celebrated? Email us: islandmilespodcast@gmail.com [islandmilespodcast@gmail.com], or find us on Instagram: @islandmilespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/islandmilespodcast/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.