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Why I Run - Why I Run - Jessica Coll
Club: Phoenix, Montreal
I started running at the “Classique” in Ste-Annes at six or seven years old, where I used to run the1.6 km with my dad. Every year, he used to run the 10 km, and me, the 1.6 km. At that time, I just ran because my dad told me to, there was no training involved, it was just for fun. This once a year event kept coming back until I was about 12 or 13 when it was uncool to run with your dad.
In grade 8, there were the school Olympics and I registered in the longest race: the 1200 m. Everyone thought I was crazy, how could I possibly run 1200 m without stopping?! I told them I had experience with my 1.6 km races. At that race, I came in second overall… oh yeah, I forgot to mention that we were only three in total...Then in grade 11, I decided to choose physical education as an option course. We did cross country running for the first few weeks and we had to participate in the Regionals (4km). I remember training in the Arboretum, getting lost and not being able to pace myself. I finished the race second again, feeling like I was going to be sick at the finish. There were more than three people registered at this race though, and I was invited to go to the Provincials. Wow! I was competing against people with crampons and was very intimidated by their speed. I can’t remember what position I finished, but it is probably not worth mentioning!
When I entered John Abbott, I ran on my own to stay in shape. I ran no longer than 5 km in the Arboretum or around the college. Frank Lo Vasco was my Calculus 1 teacher. I went for help in his office one day and he told me that he had seen me running around the college and that I should try out the running club he was part of. I remember thinking “You really think I’m going to join the same running club as my math teacher?!” So I continued running on my own, had Frank again for Calculus II and finally tried out Boreal in 2003. What I found most impressive back then was the talent that everyone seemed to have: being able to talk (extensively) during a run. I was just letting out “yeah”, “ok”, but not much more. I got used to it very fast and now when I go running with friends, they are the ones asking me how I can do a monologue and not be out of breath.
I guess I’m the one who shows up to club runs only once in a while… but believe it or not, I still do run on my own. It’s not the same as running with the club, as you all know!! That’s why I plan to come more often this year. Basically, today I run to stay healthy and in shape. I like to hike up mountains without being the one completely out of breath. I enjoy the feeling I get when I drive home from a hard run: salty skin, wobbly legs and my lungs burning from the -20oC temperature outside.
And my puppy enjoys my salty skin.
Jessica Coll