You guessed it. There IS something new on the horizon that has never been seen before, at least not in Canada. It is a new way to work out that looks to be much more fun than merely riding a bike. With all of the features of a standard elliptical machine, you can take this one for a ride around the block and beyond. It’s called, ‘Street-Strider’ and will propel you just about anywhere while you stay in the traditional, elliptical standing position.

Cross training can be the answer to getting you back on track to help you stay fit but with no impact on your joints or feet. The Street-Strider will be for those who prefer a total body workout in the great outdoors. It has three wheels, with two in the front. Long handles will work your arms while steering, while the pedals are designed to keep you standing up. With eight gears Street-Strider will get you over many of the most challenging hills.

Dr. David Kraus, an avid cyclist from California invented the Street- Strider in 2005 and in 2009 participants on the NBC’s reality program, “The Biggest Loser”, had successfully trained on the unique looking machine.

According to a study with the American Council of Research (ACE) (www.acefitness.org.) it was determined that, “In particular, that exercise using the Street-Strider burned an average of 423 calories for 30 minutes (that’s 14.1 kcals per minute) in men, while women burned an average of 276 calories (9.2 kcal/min). Average that all out and you’re looking at the Street-Strider burning approximately 12.7 percent more calories per minute than traditional elliptical machines.”

It is the full body machine that uses both the legs and upper body that combines biking, jogging and cross country skiing into one workout with no impact.

Lynn Kanuka (Canadian Olympic Bronze Medalist (1500 metres) 1984 LA Olympics) first heard about the Street-Strider recently and was impressed by what it can do for one’s whole body. Kanuka, notes, “I can only run two days per week these days and the Strider offers no impact.” She also adds, “I do my workouts on it such as a Fartlek session, hills for 20 minutes and I go as fast as 20-30 Km on it” I Love it. One can also do their errands too.”
She continues on, “Anybody can do it, kids love it, and there is no age limit.”
When this writer tried out the Street-Strider it felt like a sensation of flying, a gliding motion, and not feeling any impact whatsoever. I felt like a kid at play having fun and friendly smiles from others watching me while I was test striding at the Clement Track. Richmond resident, Katrine Mckinnon also test strided and she enjoyed it so much she decided to buy one. “It is different than from riding a bike. It is smooth and feels also like I am flying.”
Kanuka also has been getting positive feedback from others while she is training on it, commenting, “…the street strider is good on the trails, urban areas and it feels so natural to be on it and it is a wider than a bike. (see picture). “The Street-Strider is here to stay,” she says. So if you are tired of going to the gym or need something else to complement your running or simply want to have fun on a three wheeler, then put on your helmet and take a ride on the Street-Strider. See you on the trails!
The elliptical trainer on wheels
A fantastic new way to get movin’ outside
No impact, full body and super fun

Lynn Kanuka-Streetstrider.ca

I read an interesting article in the Vancouver Sun on February 28 by Karen Gram who wrote about “Allergies, asthma can be controlled.”  People who have these conditions can still train for the Sun Run or for any race if they know how to treat or control their allergies properly.  I didn’t know I had hayfever until I went to visit my doctor.  I really enjoy my runs and I am looking forward to race with the BMO 8k.

Here is one of my stories that I filed for my column in the Richmond News newspaper.  On a rainy day such as this, I was thinking that this movie will inspire you to run a marathon and/or to keep up with your running goal. Enjoy!

A RUNNER’S MIND

Thinking of running a
marathon, but need some
inspiration or motivation to
get started? The documentary
— Spirit of the Marathon
is an inspirational film on
the marathon journey.

Perhaps after viewing the
film you just might feel like
running right afterwards!

I had the opportunity to
interview the movie’s producer
Jon Dunham:

How did you come up
with the film title “Spirit of
the Marathon?”

“Spirit of the Marathon
relates to the power of the
human spirit that is exemplified
in the film. The
marathon is so much bigger
than simply an athletic
event. It is truly a transformative
experience and gives
those who complete in it an
incredible feeling of accomplishment.
Running a marathon
is something that stays
with you and empowers you
in other areas of your life.”

Why the interest in this
type of film? How did it
come about?

“I began pursuing a film
on the marathon because of
my own marathon running
experiences. I ran my first
in Los Angeles in 1993 and
it was a life changing experience
for me. I’ve always
been captivated by the scope
of runners/spectators, the
spectacle and incredible
energy around the event.
It’s something that’s very
personal to me.

I wanted to capture my
own feelings about the event
and show audiences on the
big screen the power of the
marathon.”

What do you want

people to get from viewing
this film?

“As a filmmaker, first
and foremost I want people
to be invested in the runners
in Spirit of the Marathon
and to be engaged in their
individual stories; to be
entertained by the progression
of these people and the
way their stories ultimately
play out. Beyond purely
entertainment, I believe it
is a powerful film that will
move audiences and inspire
them to be courageous in
their own lives and take on
big challenges whether or
not they’re related to running.”
Do you think the film
would generate such interest?
“I’ve always believed in
this project and as a marathon
runner myself I knew it
had a large and enthusiastic
built-in audience. That said,
I’ve never viewed this as
a niche runner’s film but
rather a journey that anyone
can enjoy.”

Who is in the film?

Spirit of the Marathon
stars six runners: four amateurs
and two world class
athletes all of varying abilities
and from different parts
of the world.

“There’s Lori O’Connor
and Leah Caille, who are
both first-time marathoners;
Ryan Bradley, who is
a seasoned marathoner and
attempting to qualify for
Boston and Jerry Meyers, a
70-year-old running his fifth
marathon.

“On the elite side there’s
Daniel Njenga, a Kenyan
living in Japan, who has
finished in the top three in
several Chicago Marathons
but never won the race and
Deena Kastor, who is an
Olympic Bronze Medalist
and American record holder
in the marathon. At the time
of filming, she had never

won a marathon.”

“The film also features
an incredible number of
legendary athletes including
Paula Radcliffe, Alberto
Salazar, Frank Shorter and
Grete Waitz.”

How long did it take you
to do the filming?

“The entire production
has taken about five years
from start to finish. It’s been
a marathon journey in and of
itself!”

Do you think more
people will want to run a
marathon after viewing the
film?

“We’ve heard from a
number of non-runners, who
went for a run the very night
after seeing the film! Will
there be more marathoners
as a result of Spirit of the
Marathon? I’m sure. The
marathon is an incredible
event!”

Spirit of the Marathon
appeals to both runners and
non-runners alike. It will be
playing in 52 Cineplex theatres
across Canada.

Christine Blanchette is an
avid runner who has competed
in a number of high-
profile events including the
Boston Marathon. She also
leads running clinics out of
the South Arm Community
Centre. She would be happy
to answer your running
questions by e-mailing her
at blanchec1@yahoo.ca.