Steven Artemiw
Tuesday, November 07, 2017
Q.Who are you and what you do for a living?
My name is Steven Artemiw. I'm 36 from Toronto, Canada and the owner of Bond Running & Coffee (bondrunning.com). I'm also a co-founder of Parkdale Roadrunners (parkdaleroadrunners.com).
Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and your professional life?
I'm fortunate to work in a running store, so running is part of my work responsibilities. We host runs every single day. It's a new business so from time to time I do find it hard to balance my quality sessions because I spend a great deal of time running to encourage other people to run. But I'm getting better at that.
Q. When and why did you start running?
I started running in 2007 after suffering from a drug overdose. It was the only thing I could do to get my life back on track. It didn't cost money or need special equipment. It was something I could do with motivation and nothing else.
Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?
In the early days my motivation was just knowing that I needed to get out there in order to stay clean and get healthier. At this point, after running for 10 years if I really don't want to run I just listen to my body and I don't run. After a couple of injuries I'm a big proponent of listening to your body.
Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
I've run two marathons and that's definitely the furthest I've ever run. But running marathons, I've learned, just isn't for me. I prefer to run shorter distances. I really, really enjoy the 5K and recently the half marathon.
Q. What gives you the confidence to run in the streets?
I kind a get a kick out of running through rain and snow storms late on a Friday night and the looks that you get from people. I feel like there are two types of people that you encounter when you're out running on the street; those that either are or were runners and totally get it, and those that wish they were and are envious that you have the motivation to do it.
Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise?
As humans we come by laziness honestly. It's instinctual. If you don't need to chase your food, or run to avoid becoming another animals food, your brain will tell you to save your energy. But we can all benefit from a little physical activity.
Q. What was your best running experience?
I spent a couple days down in Death Valley at the end of 2016 and it was really enjoyable running down there. Tough, but so much fun running through the canyons, and camping. I'd say that was by far my best running experience
Q. What was your worst running experience?
I can't really think of something that I would classify as my worst running experience. Even my worst run ever was still better than any night I ever had as a drug addict.
Q. How do you push through the pain?
If we're talking about actual pain in training, I don't run if I'm actually hurt. If we're talking about the pain of a race and it's all mental and you know that race is gonna be over in 20 minutes or 90 minutes or whatever, I push those thoughts aside through breathing and mantras. But actual pain, I don't push through it. That's not worth it. Running isn't supposed to hurt like that.
Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
Legit, just start. If you're afraid of people seeing you, do it at night or early in the morning. Whatever your hangups are with it, avoid them until you're comfortable. But just start! If you've got the confidence, join a running group. There's nothing better you can do for yourself than joining a running group. But if you need to get out the door on your own, if you can't find a beginners group in your area, just do it on your time. Don't sweat it. Don't think about what the people looking at you are thinking. Just start. It will be the best thing you've ever done for yourself.
Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?
I'm on instagram as @stevenartemiw and @bondrunning.
#RunRevolution
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