The Running Whys 2015 – Jason Kaulback
There is a perception among non-runners that running is agony. And even those first steps for many runners are not associated with bliss. Jason Kaulback was one of those who was initially skeptical. But unlike those who give up, he kept at it and over time become fully converted to running in his Nova Scotia home town, posting impressive results in events he took part in at various distances. Now a resident of Saint John, Jason is an example of the lengths one can go, thanks in large part to his participation in the Emera Marathon by the Sea.
Last year, he completed the full marathon and he is returning again this summer. Here is his Running Whys Story.
Enjoy
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by Jason Kaulback
“Try running”, they said, “You’ll love it”.
I hated it, every step of the way. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. That was four years ago, and things have changed.
After being active in sports during my teens and into university, life got busy and I was guilty of not taking the time to enjoy playing sports or living a healthy lifestyle. Ready for a change, I decided to try running as a way to lose weight and become active again.
I can still remember the first time I went running; I made it about 500m and wondered how I would ever be able to run for any distance without feeling like I was going to explode. About the same time, I heard about a new running group that was starting in my hometown of Dartmouth.
Check out our Running Whys features on other participants
in this year’s Emera Marathon by the Sea:
Jacqueline Boucher, Jennifer Payne, Mark Clinton,
Patty MacMillan, Haley Adams-Green, Dean Mercer,
Caitlin Stevens-Kelly, Carla Harris, Dave Horgan and Krista Sutton
As is very typical, I didn’t think I was good enough and convinced myself that once I got to be a better runner, then I might consider joining a group. Little did I realize at the time, but that is one of the biggest hurdles for new runners, feeling like they won’t measure up.
I was finally able to convince myself to join this running group to see if it may help. With some encouragement from fellow runners (not that I considered myself a runner), I signed up for my first 5K race.
Catch the regular registration fees before this weekend’s deadline.
Register for the 2015 Emera Marathon by the Sea
The race was an amazing experience and a chance to see the larger running community. The race was the first time that I had even run for 5km without stopping, and I was hooked.
When I started running, I had talked to my brother about it, and he started about the same time that I had. As kids, we had always got along great, but when we played sports together, we were very competitive with each other.
For us, running became something that we could enjoy together without competing against each other. Darren has become a great supporter, and we have run most of our first big races together (10K, half marathon, marathon, Boston).
Check out the results from 2014 here.
I moved to Saint John over three years ago, and have been involved in Marathon by the Sea each year, either as a racer or a pacer. It’s a great race and I am always happy to support a local race.
Being a newcomer to Saint John, the running community was a great way to meet people and I have been amazed at how supportive and encouraging the people are, always as happy for other people’s achievements as they are for their own.
Once again, I will be running the marathon at MTBS, looking for a chance to improve my time on a challenging course.
Check out the photo galley from
the 2014 Emera Marathon by the Sea
