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#LD-Runners
26 Plays4 months ago
For the second episode of Season 2, we’re hitting the pavement with #ld-runners! This time, I got the chance to sit down with the legendary Kalli Jones and Kemal Ahmed. We got into their running origin stories, our own running journeys, our favourite tips and tricks to stay motivated, and why pounding the pavement together hits different. Plus, some plugs for the SDM Run for Women (yes, there's still time to sign up. Check out #run-for-women-2025 for more information!)
Whether you’re a marathoner, a casual jogger, or just here for the vibes, this one’s for you.
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Transcript
Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:00:00
Speaker
Hello, everybody. Welcome back to The Commute. I'm your host, Noah Goldberg. My pronouns are he and him. um i hope everyone is enjoying their commute either on a lovely morning, afternoon. Welcome back to The Commute.
00:00:18
Speaker
I'm really excited. We kicked off our second season ah couple of weeks ago. it was a great podcast. And I'm actually really excited about this one because it's bringing me back to to an old hobby.
LDML Run Club Overview
00:00:29
Speaker
I used to have um with me are two lovely people. You could let everyone know who you are. Yeah, I'm Kamal pronouns he him. I'm with digital health as a senior software engineer.
00:00:41
Speaker
And I'm Callie. My pronouns are she and her and I'm a digital designer on PCO. Welcome to the commute, y'all. um So Funny enough, we're not here to talk about what you do at LDML.
00:00:55
Speaker
um We can, but that's for another podcast, okay? Cool? Yeah. Okay, Jacob, note, they're coming back on. um No, we're actually here to talk about running.
00:01:07
Speaker
Whoa. Yeah. um So you're both part of we have many people probably don't know this. I should start with that. Right. LDML has a run club.
00:01:19
Speaker
Yes. Right. um So like tell us about it. It's pretty
Running Routes and Dynamics
00:01:24
Speaker
informal. Like we have a Slack group and we try to do one or two runs every week. And we just go out and try to have a good time and um try and help each other out if we're having, trying to learn something or just giving tips and trying to be inclusive for the hobby.
00:01:42
Speaker
Love that. Yeah, it's called LD Runners. I think right now we have a maybe like 45 people, but it's very like drop-in focus. So whenever people are available, they kind of come out, especially when it's warmer, more people tend to come out.
00:01:54
Speaker
But yeah, definitely kind of ramping it up now. So on average, when you go, when you do an LD Run Club run, how many are coming out? Like ah recently, it's been a few, and maybe like Three to five. Three to five. but Wow. Well, let's compound the weather and yeah host this podcast.
00:02:10
Speaker
There you go. Yeah. It's taking off. You folks are going to be leading quite the pack. I hope so. hope. The more the merrier. We want to have more social runs, though, definitely, like more happy hour runs. I think kind of like inspiring people to get out more. Oh, that's fun. Yeah. That's fun. Yeah. Yeah. You could maybe like theme runs. Yeah. Yeah. Have you ever done one of those? Like run at night. dress up one.
00:02:30
Speaker
You ever done like a glow in the, like I did one a long time ago. was like a glow in the dark run. What's that called? Brita night run? A lot of people are doing that. Yeah. Yeah. Those are fun. um Cool. So obviously, so it's great that you have a cadence.
00:02:46
Speaker
um Yes. I would imagine as the weather gets better, um you'll have more people coming. um And i I would imagine the route
Personal Running Experiences
00:02:54
Speaker
is the same, right? You run along beautiful Lake Ontario.
00:02:58
Speaker
Oh, we've got different routes. Yeah. Like that's the main one we do, but we've even gone up to the well and like ran around through the well. It was a crazy. Yeah. Oh, okay. That's like subway. It's like outdoor, outdoor. guess that makes sense. It was really fun. Yeah. time oh yeah yeah But usually, yeah. Waterfront.
00:03:15
Speaker
Those runs are pretty, like if you do those when during busy times or those are, those are just annoying runs. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. For the most part, there's a lot of traffic, a lot of foot traffic.
00:03:26
Speaker
Yeah. I remember ah when I used to run, I made the mistake. I was in New York City and I was staying in Brooklyn and I made the mistake of I'm like, I'm in New York City in Brooklyn. I got to run the blue Brooklyn Bridge.
00:03:40
Speaker
Don't ever do that. Never again? No, because it's well, it's just ah there's a bunch of tourists on the bridge. So you can't run, you're literally dodging every two seconds. So I'd imagine that's what King Street is probably like. I think so.
00:03:52
Speaker
Yeah, like last week I tried a different run club outside of LD Runners and there was like maybe 200, 300 people and it was just like gridlock. so That's crazy. Yeah, if you want a more chill, easy, less compact run, then definitely join us his on LD Runners.
00:04:05
Speaker
Awesome. Outside of our run club, what about you know running on your own?
Motivations and Training for Running
00:04:12
Speaker
ah Do you, have you either you done any marathons, half marathons, sprints?
00:04:19
Speaker
haven't done any marathons before actually, but I've done a lot of running for like, I've been running since high school. So I did a lot of five K's and a lot, a few 10 K's and, um,
00:04:32
Speaker
Yeah, I really have been doing it for a while. Oh, yeah. And you've never done math. Have you ever known out of doing it? Now I am because so many of us are the camaraderie. Sick.
00:04:42
Speaker
It's like, yeah. The Kamala extremely fast. I will say that This man is insane. What's fast? He will, I look at this guy Strava. He will rock like with his backpack to work, like to and from work at like a 4.30 pace. Like this guy is crazy. He will, yeah, he's super fast. Okay, so what's your average pace?
00:05:02
Speaker
Um, like for base runs, like, yeah, 4.30 is fine for like a 10K. Oh, fuck. Put the backpack on. No, the backpack on. All's fast. oh Yeah.
00:05:12
Speaker
Wow. And that like a base run's what, like 5K to 10K? Yeah. Wow. You're really fast. He is our fastest guy. Wow. without evidenceing And Justin's really fast, too.
00:05:24
Speaker
I'm kind of sitting around like 5 to 5.10 for that's kind of. yeah there kind of So just so everyone understands what they're talking about when they're talking about four and a half and or five, 10, that is, you know, in Kelly's case, she runs five minutes and 10 seconds per kilometer.
00:05:42
Speaker
Right. So if she were to go and run, let's say a 10 K run, it would take her roughly about 50 minutes to do so. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. um And that's yeah so i Kelly, have you ever done a marathon? I've done two halves in one week.
00:05:59
Speaker
So I kind of consider it to be like a fake full halves in one week. yeah I did the Toronto followed by the Niagara in one week. So was kind of was like, kind of like a fake full marathon. Right. But definitely not a
Running Gear Advice
00:06:09
Speaker
full. I know Justin, he was training for a full last year. um Him and Stacy. So great on them for that. But for me, probably not. Probably will never do a full. I'm so jealous.
00:06:19
Speaker
I used to be an avid runner. you You wouldn't tell now. I get it. But I like, yeah, I'm jealous. But that's fun. You did. So you wait. You did. Hold on. You did. A half marathon, and then how many days later you did another half marathon? think it was six days later. So I was still within the one week, so I considered it, but I don't know. So what do you, did you mean train in between?
00:06:40
Speaker
No, I didn't run at all because I had an injury after the first one, but I ended up PR-ing on my second one, getting a personal record, which was- Injured? Injured, yeah, which was really good. My first pace for my first one was around 521, and for the second was 516. Wow. So it was- Let everyone know what PR stands for. Oh, personal record. There you go. There you go.
00:06:59
Speaker
Yeah, we're so used to using the lingo and the jury has to have like a bit of a, yeah. For sure. um Do you have any marathons coming up that you're going run?
00:07:10
Speaker
No, I just am looking forward to the Sporting Life 10K next weekend. a few of us are running it from the team. The famous downhill run. Famous downhill run. Yeah. please Maybe going for a PR, personal record.
00:07:21
Speaker
um But then, yeah, the Shoppers Run is coming up. Yeah, let's talk about that. So yeah just as important we have, like, it's awesome that we have a run club, knowing it's going to grow like it's May.
00:07:32
Speaker
um But I would imagine everyone in that club or for the majority are are participating in this. Why don't you want to tell us what it's all about? I'm really excited for this. There's a few distances. There's a 1, 5, 10, like different distance. And then there's also a walk.
00:07:51
Speaker
I'm excited personally registered for the 10K and I'm trying to get top 10 for the Toronto one. That's my goal. We'll see. but Okay. He can do it.
00:08:01
Speaker
Can he do it? I think so. That's what my watch says. So. Your watch says that you will be top 10? Well, estimating from last year. It's like a magic eight ball. It's like you will be top 10. So I looked at the times last year. If you are under 42 minutes, then you're in the top 10. OK. And my watch says that I probably can do that. So we'll see. That's my goal.
00:08:26
Speaker
All right. Yeah. well ah What's ah that's an awesome goal. um You know, you all don't see that Kelly is very bullish on that happening. um But let's talk about like what what running in those things are all about.
00:08:43
Speaker
Right. um You know, you set a goal um and you do whether you train or not, but there's so many factors
Staying Motivated to Run
00:08:51
Speaker
and variables. Like most people just think, oh, you get up, throw a pair of shoes on and go.
00:08:55
Speaker
But it never works out the way you anticipate it to be. Right. I mean, starting off, like, there's a few things that I would recommend to people. I think that's what we're going for. Yeah. um Definitely go to like a proper running shop and get proper shoes.
00:09:14
Speaker
That's like the first absolute thing. And get them to help you find a pair of shoes because... Different shoes work for different types of feet and gaits and bodies. So that's the biggest. you go to Black Toe, it's really close to the office, Bathurst and Lakeshore office. You can get a foot analysis there and they'll actually like give you your, I guess, like your, what's it called?
00:09:34
Speaker
Like foot structure. Your foot structure and everything and tell you about your arch. And then there they can like kind of recommend a few pairs of shoes. That's the best thing to do. Cool. And then also you definitely shouldn't get those shoes right before you run as well.
00:09:47
Speaker
Right. Oh yeah. Like walk, walk around your house and then for a whole day and you'll actually love doing that. It'll feel weird, but it'll feel good. Cool.
00:09:58
Speaker
Yeah. And then it's not just about the shoes. It's also about, you know, what you wear as well. Yeah, check the weather. um I would say it's not really a science. It kind of is to each person. And so that's why a lot of people say they start off when it's hot hot outside.
00:10:15
Speaker
But for me, like I'm used, I have my own like sets of clothes, what I'll wear for different temperatures. So I'll even go to minus 15 and I know what to wear up until that.
00:10:28
Speaker
So and it just takes whatever you're comfortable with. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. For sure. um I remember when I ran, it was, I think it was my second marathon.
00:10:39
Speaker
And I always, like, i I, like the week leading up, I had trained in basically what I was going wear to feel comfortable. And then the day, like leading up to it, there was like a heat humidity warning.
00:10:54
Speaker
Big mistake. Oh, no. I should have changed my, I should have changed my, opening just say I was dressed for like fall weather. it was not fall weather. Yeah. Yeah, I was underdressed just because I know I'll get super, super hot, like on the road. Like normally I'll wear a sweater then just like discard it immediately once you're out the gate.
00:11:11
Speaker
Cool. So, um, you know, we're talking about all the ins and outs, right? But like, what made you get into it?
Running Tips and Favorites
00:11:19
Speaker
Right? Like, um, I remember what, like when I started and how addicting it was. Um, but what made you start and why do you keep doing it?
00:11:26
Speaker
For me, um my is actually I first started in high school because my brother, was just following everything he was doing, but um I fell out of habit. And recently I started again like two years ago because I have really bad gastritis.
00:11:46
Speaker
And the only way for me to like be able to eat properly like and not like be nauseous is to actually be working out. And so for me, I have to work out every day just in order to get by.
00:11:59
Speaker
So it's like I'm very motivated. Wow. Okay. yeah So that's like a... So it's both gastro-related and then you benefit from you know the the energy that you get from it. right Oh, yeah. So what do mean?
00:12:14
Speaker
Endorphins are real. I will say that. And I think you get the most out of running for sure. Yeah. Yeah. Hallie, what about you? What got you into it? For me, I used to do cross country also. Me and Kamal talked about that a lot. um Just on our runs, like doing it in elementary school and through high school. But then I took a huge break. And last year, my grandma actually passed away and she loved to like kind of watch me even virtually do my races during high school.
00:12:36
Speaker
So I just thought maybe I'll like pick this back up like in her memory. And then I did. And I was like, you know what? Let me set a goal. And that's when I did the half marathon for her, basically. Oh, that's weird. I would say the thing that helped me get back into it is like two things. One is starting easy, like don't have too high expectations of yourself. Just go easy, get into the habit and start to enjoy it.
00:12:59
Speaker
Pick some trails, which are fun. And then the second thing is if you can afford it to to bribe yourself. Yeah. So basically I would say, okay, if I can run twice a week for for three or four weeks in a row, then I'll buy myself a new pair of shoes or a watch or cute shirt.
00:13:21
Speaker
Yeah, shoes definitely. Because you end up beating them up, right? And you're like, I deserve new shoes now. I love that. Yeah. Oh, I love that. That's a great, that you know, yes, if you could afford it, but like you hold just, I guess the hard part is holding out to buy that that actual,
00:13:36
Speaker
It is. It's very hard. Yeah. Yeah. And I guess it doesn't have to be in buying something. It could just be a great meal. True. It's technically you're buying, but. It's like after a workout, you're like, I burned so many calories. I might as well, you know, get a cream or something. I deserve a funnel cake. Yeah. Right. Everyone knew you'd give it a funnel cake in their life, especially after a run.
00:13:55
Speaker
So speaking that, what's your favorite ah post run meal? Hmm. Hmm.
00:14:04
Speaker
That's a great one. I love ice cream, honestly. I don't know, it just kind of like getting all that sugar back. I feel like it's great. Last week when I went on that run club, we had good behavior ice cream after and it was really good. Really, really good. Yeah.
00:14:16
Speaker
It's a good one. Nice. For me, it's all about the protein. So um like soy milk or I'm vegetarian. So like quinoa and like Indian food with tofu, all the good protein stuff. So no sugar. No, very different approaches to our post rice people.
00:14:34
Speaker
I can't eat a lot because of my stomach issues. So everything has to be like prioritized, condensed. Okay. All right. That's fair. um All right. Quick rapid fire.
00:14:45
Speaker
So we'll do one for each of you. Okay. All running. All running related, I would say. Okay. Okay. Callie, we'll start with you. Sure. ah Favorite pair of running shoes.
00:14:59
Speaker
Okay, I'm very like passionate about this. So when I first started running last year again, everyone told me buy hokas, buy hokas are the best thing. I see them everywhere. I buy hokas. I hate them. So I think, like I said, go to black toe, get your stuff measured and then do what's right for you. But I love a six
Rapid-fire Q&A on Running Preferences
00:15:15
Speaker
nimbus. Those are my number one.
00:15:16
Speaker
I love them. They're great. All right. Come on. ah Favorite running outfit. of shorts and t-shirts as little as possible more specific what t-shirt is it is it oh is it your favorite blue t-shirt i have one which says i'm being chased by angry beavers that's my favorite shirt to wear love it i love that love it have you done a pr on that is the question i have actually like for some tempo runs but back in high school awesome yeah awesome uh kelly favorite running tune
00:15:51
Speaker
Ooh, that's a good one. i listen to a lot of techno when I run. I just feel like it's really good at getting the BPM, the beats per minute up there. So yeah. Is there favorite song?
00:16:03
Speaker
actually don't think so. I just kind of like zone out anyway. So just like hearing it in the background, that's perfect for me. Awesome. Actually, Kamal, same for you. Do you will you listen to music when you run? I don't, but when I am working out or like I listen to music when I run on the treadmill, which isn't as frequent. And it's always like drum and bass.
00:16:22
Speaker
Cool. Cool. um Kamal, favorite route you've ever run? um Outside my childhood home, which is along the Credit River.
00:16:33
Speaker
um yeah I love the Credit River. Awesome. I will say... If you ever want a real fun run, um the Las Vegas trip early in the morning. who yeah Oh, if we're talking about international trails, would say I went to Cuba once and like literally part of the trail you had to jump underneath the fence and and you see like old grandmas and chickens and stuff and it was so fun.
00:16:59
Speaker
is is This is like running and like parkour as well. Is that what you're doing? Like jumping? A little bit. Climbing walls, jumping, the running routes.
Encouragement for New Runners
00:17:08
Speaker
I've seen an Aladdin where he's stealing all this stuff. That's what I'm picturing Kamal doing right now.
00:17:13
Speaker
Love it. Love it. um All right, folks. That was fun. um Anything else you want to plug for your run club? Anything you want people to know about? what's the Is there a channel? is I'm assuming it's just yeah LD allde Runners. LD Runners. Okay.
00:17:28
Speaker
I would say we're trying to be very inclusive. So like we're not trying to go all out and like burn everybody out. We're trying to just do easy runs together, get people interested in the hobby.
00:17:40
Speaker
And so like we're not trying to be intimidating at all. just out We're just very passionate, but like we're also We want to include people. and When I first started, I was very intimidated by Run Club. Like i could tell like Kamal, Justin, everyone was just like super driven. And I was like, how can I compare it to like these amazing runners, but really just like getting involved and dedicating yourself to it. I feel like it's the best way.
00:18:02
Speaker
hmm. Love that. Well, I would say yes, it definitely could be intimidating. Um, I'll volunteer you both that if someone it is intimidated just to join the channel, maybe DM either of you have shit questions.
00:18:16
Speaker
Um, you know, both confident runners and, uh, they'll, they'll give you a little kick. Oh, yes. Start with the Run for Women. It's an easy 5K. You can walk part of it. You can run all of it if you want. want to love our producer. There we go. Thanks, Jacob.
00:18:34
Speaker
What a plug. And I've checked our team. I think there's already like 30 people signed up. So like you will be around friends. And there's a really fun fundraiser. Awesome. Yeah, you can bring your friends too, even if they don't work here. It's open for all.
00:18:46
Speaker
Love it. All right, folks. Not folks. Folks. um Thank you. Everyone listening, hope you're enjoying your commute. And we'll see on the next one.
00:18:57
Speaker
Have a good one. Bye. All right, thanks.