Mike Moore, Endurance Runner

I didn’t really start running until I moved to Fernie nine years ago and the main reason I started was to help me quit smoking. I was always athletic and reasonably fit but had smoked for five years before I accepted the fact that it was killing me. Quitting was not an easy task, so to fight off the cravings I would go for a run. It was horrible and made me realize just how bad smoking had been for me. As it got easier and easier, I became more fit and started to enjoy running.

I was purely a recreation runner until I met a little British bird who also loved the sport and it became something we enjoyed together. Whether we admit it or not, we silently compete against each other every time. Abi got me hooked on racing - first with the Fernie 1/2 Marathon and then doing other10-30km races. Our weekends away were filled with pasta dinners in hotels, energy gels followed by a celebratory pizza and beers or rushing home to refuel at Yamagoya. What a perfect combination of life, love, competition and gluttony.

As last summer came to an end I realized that I had improved to a point that I never thought I would, and knew that if I just kept running I would get better. 13 years of tree planting has given me the mental toughness I need for distance running and I know if I keep improving my fitness I’ll be able to run longer and longer. There is something animalistic about running through the mountains, covering ground, trees whipping by, pushing your body to the point of exhaustion, that I can’t get enough of. It’s so quiet and peaceful, your breathing and stride become so rhythmic that you don’t even notice them and you power on.

I’m now training for the Sinister 7, my first ultra marathon and the first thing that has ever frightened me athletically. It is an exciting challenge that is slowly taking over my life. In the past it was easy to fit running in but now that I have started my career with Teck it takes a lot more effort. Fitting in 100+ km’s a week, a12hr work day, proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, and still getting laps in at the ski hill has tested my determination, but so far so good. Fortunately the more I run the easier it gets and the shorter the recovery, making it easier to fit everything in.

1. What is it about competing you love? There is something about a race that brings out more in you than you ever thought you had. I think that’s what gets you hooked from the beginning. Whether it is a sense of accomplishment or pride, it is an addictive feeling that pushes you to train more, race more and simply just feel better about yourself. The cycle builds as you continue to ask, “What’s the limit?” I also like the camaraderie. Top finishers hang out to cheer you on when you cross the line, and people you pass and the ones that pass you always have friendly words of encouragement.

2. How do you prepare/train for your events? Run and run and run. I don’t do intervals or tempo runs, I’m not a professional and I don’t expect to win. I love to run and I love to run hills so that’s what I do. A nice side effect of hills is that they’re a great leg workout that increases speed, strengthens your heart, and builds your Vo2 max. So, even though I don’t do planned workouts I improve my fitness and strength without following a stringent schedule.

3. What are the events you are competing in this winter? No races unless someone comes out with a snowshoe race. This winter’s main focus is training for the biggest race of my life in July. The Sinister 7 is a 148km ultra marathon trail race in the Crowsnest Pass with over 5,250 meters of elevation gain. Building leg strength and increasing pain threshold is key as I am hoping to finish between 20 and 23hrs and need to be ready. Winter is a good time to build a solid base so when the trails open and the hills present another level of training I’ll be ready.

It can be tough at times, when everyone goes to the Griz for a beer after a day on the hill, I come home for a 20km run. But the days are getting longer as spring approaches bringing more sunlight, making it easier to fit in long runs after work leaving more of the weekends to enjoy all the other aspects of life and living in Fernie.

4. What are your main goals when competing? I tend to set realistic goals. Finishing is always number one but with running you know your training and fitness level long before you line up at the start so as long as you avoid any on course injury it’s easy to guess what your time will be. There is no one else standing in your way, you race against the clock and nothing else. I mainly want to finish strong knowing I couldn’t have run it any harder. I love training as much or more than the race so as long as I can justify the long hours and hard work spent preparing with my best time, I’m happy.

5. How do you think Fernie's recreational side has changed since you've lived here? There is so much more awareness and opportunity with the variety of events that keep popping up. It is inspiring to see the support from the community. Everything has grown - the Fernie 1/2 Marathon, PPP, TransRockies, Tears and Gears, Lungbuster, Toonie Races, and the list goes on and on. And now there is the tennis club, a running club, soccer leagues, ultimate games, frisbee golf… there is always something going on that anyone can join.

Have you ever heard anyone in Fernie say that they are bored? Or that there is nothing to do? No, and you never will.

For more information on the Sinister 7 visit their site. Go Mike!