Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 76

30 Issue #76 March 2019 www.sportsenergynews.com

SHINES

THE

SPOTLIGHT ON
1397 Brookdale Ave.,

Cornwall OUR MEMBERS

Chantal Lalonde Talks Multisport

By Molly Kett and the desire to train for a half-
marathon again after over 10 years.
hirty-six-year-old Chantal I had a goal time in mind but I kept
TLalonde lives in South Glengarry it to myself and trained hard for
with her husband Kyle and their it. On race day, I crossed the finish
two “lazy” cats. Born and raised in line with the biggest smile on my
Cornwall, Lalonde graduated from face. Not only did I reach my goal
La Citadelle and moved out of town of completing another half-marathon
for five years to complete her studies but I beat my previous PB by more
in exercise science at the University than 10 minutes. I beat my 25-year-
of Ottawa. old self!” Photo Submitted
“Being active has always been a Since then, Lalonde has joined
big part of my life. From an early the Cornwall Cycling Club and set up my training plan for the year
age, my parents instilled in me a love is swimming full-time with the ahead and I’ve registered for a bunch
of physical activity through their Cornwall Sea Lions Masters. She of smaller races and local events to
encouragement and role modeling,” continues to participate in local runs keep me focused, including the St
says Lalonde. “We got to try all Photo Submitted and races as well as triathlons and Lawrence Marathon in April, Ottawa
different kinds of activities growing half marathons. Race Weekend in May, the Cornwall
up, from softball, cross country “What I love most about Triathlon in August, and then the big
and downhill skiing, gymnastics, multi-sport is the variety and the race in September. So, it should be
and swimming. Plus, we always people. Swimming and cycling are a jam-packed year of swimming,
spent lots of time outside riding our such good compliments to running biking, and running, and eating!
She joined a Learn to Run group That’s the secret fourth event of
bikes, playing in the forest behind that once you start, it’s hard to stop,”
our house, or running around the after this, and over the course of says Lalonde. “Plus, we have some triathlons, I think.”
12 months worked her way to of the most beautiful and scenic Lalonde says that Multisport is
neighbourhood. That love of being
active continued to grow and I completing her first half-marathon cycling and running routes, so the great for the community, because it
actually transformed it into a career. at Ottawa Race Weekend in May possibilities are endless. As for the provides a supportive network where
2005, followed by two more half- people can learn new skills, make
I work at the Eastern Ontario Health people in the multi-sport community,
Unit as a Health Promotion Specialist marathons over the next 12 months I can’t say enough. It’s a mosaic of friends, and be active.
before moving back to Cornwall in individuals with different abilities, “Plus, It’s motivating and
in physical activity. I spend my
days working to create communities late 2006 to start her career. experience, backgrounds, and what inspiring to see people of all ages
where being active is easy, and safe “When I moved here, I immediately not. They are generous with their time out walking, running, cycling, and
joined the Cornwall Multisport swimming, whether in a group,
for everyone.” and knowledge and so supportive and
What Lalonde calls her “love Club and went on to keep running encouraging.” on their own, or as a family,”
for several more years, completing While last year was all about says Lalonde. “The people in the
affair” with multisport began in May
2004, when she was on her way to plenty of 10km races, a couple of getting back into longer distance multisport community give a lot of
work in downtown Ottawa. sprint triathlons and even got into running and spending more time their time and their expertise to make
snowshoe running in the winter,” the sport available in our area. We’re
“Unbeknownst to me, it was Ottawa in the pool, this year Lalonde says
Race Weekend and the streets were says Lalonde. “My consistency with she will be focusing on challenging lucky because if these clubs and
running waxed and waned over the herself. events weren’t around, it would be
lined with spectators cheering for the
thousands of runners out grinding it last ten years. Different priorities, “I’m registered for my first half- harder to get into the sport. If you’re
on the pavement in the hot sun,” says such as life, love, more schooling, ironman distance triathlon. The race curious about getting into multisport,
work, and other activities, won my my advice is to not be intimidated.
Lalonde. “I can’t really explain it but consists of a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km
the whole scene just overwhelmed attention and running become more bike ride, and a 21.1 km run. I’m Everyone starts somewhere, and
sporadic. That changed just over 2 excited and a little nervous because you’ll never know unless you try
me. There was something about
seeing all these ordinary people years ago. I decided to re-dedicate although I know I can do each event it. Our community is full of people
pounding the pavement, smiling, myself to running by setting a goal. I on its own, putting them all together ready to lend you a hand, answer
did three 10km races over the course your questions, and encourage
and getting it done. I knew then and in a race is going to be a whole other
there that I wanted to be one of those of 12 months, each one faster than challenge,” says Lalonde. “I’ve you. Reach out to club members,
the last. That gave me the confidence come out to events, and give it a go!”
people.”