Corrie Cavanagh a Runner and Her Journey
I met Corrie Cavanagh a few years back. Her enthusiastic energy was not only contagious but also her pure determination. Her heart for running shines and encourages others to tie up their running shoes and persue an adventure of their own. Local athletes like her are important to our community as it helps others feel confidant that they too can find their own journey and face obstacles head-on. We are thankful to Corrie for sharing her journey through running and are excited to share her interview.
Your joy for running shows through your smile. When you run hill repeats you always seem to make it look like you are in your happy place. Tell us a little how your journey and your love for running began?
I wasn’t an active kid, I didn’t play sports growing up and I hated gym class until I met my 7th-grade P.E teacher, Mrs. Hamm. Most of my distaste for PE was a lack of self-confidence and a fear of failing in front of my classmates. I started enjoying the short runs that we did in gym because I realized I wasn’t half bad at it and my teacher had started to instill some confidence in my abilities. I ran here and there but got more serious about running when I was 15 and my dad showed an interest in running as well. We started training for races like the Esquimalt 5k and TC10K, and we ran our first half marathon together in 2010. As soon as I started racing, I was absolutely hooked. I ran consistently, training for races as they came up, and then I ran my first marathon when I was 18 years old. It was my biggest accomplishment at that point in my life, and I couldn’t wait to run more.
Unfortunately, in about 2014 I started to face struggles with my mental health and found no interest in running anymore. I was overcome with depression, anxiety and PTSD. I had gained about 60lbs and was so incredibly unhappy. I started to face other health issues in addition to my mental health and realized I needed to make a change and get my life back on track. In 2017 I slowly started running again, registering for races to keep me motivated and ticking them off as they came. I started to feel a sense of purpose again, and the sense of accomplishment that came after finishing a run... running was now addictive. I can confidently say that running has saved my life.
Corrie Cavanagh
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right” Henry Ford
Over the last two years races were cancelled and many run clubs were on hold because of the pandemic. However, despite everything you raced both a virtual and a personal marathon. Share with us a little about those races and what kept you motivated?
** I actually only raced one virtual marathon but ran about 17 virtual races – 2x TC10k, 2 remaining races of the 2020 Island Race Series, all 8 of the 2021 virtual Island Race Series, Cape Breton Fiddlers half, and the RVM Royal Flush virtual series (Running the half in person, but the other 4 completed virtually)
Virtual racing is HARD! I am someone who feeds off of a racing environment and being with the running community, so heading out on your own or with a small group is definitely a lot different, and it’s hard for it to feel like an actual race, especially the shorter distances. I love that we have the option to complete virtual races, but I am so excited to be able to run in an in-person race again!
I do a lot of reflection and try to practice gratitude while running and it has gotten me through a lot of difficult runs, Corrie Cavanagh
I ran 17 virtual races since the pandemic shut down in person racing, distances ranging from 1 mile to a marathon. The most memorable of which would have to be the virtual RVM Royal Flush marathon. This was my fourth marathon, and I didn’t have a time goal in mind, however, I did have an approximate time range I was expecting to complete it. I was incredibly lucky to have my husband and my dad come along on their bikes with me to carry gear and provide support, as well as some friends join part of the way as well. The first half of the race went exceptionally well. I was hitting the paces I had expected and I was feeling relatively good mentally. Unfortunately, the latter half of the race fell apart and I definitely hit the wall. All I wanted to do was quit, each kilometer felt so long, but I dug deep and just kept going. While the support of my family and friends is a huge motivator for me, whenever I am struggling, I tell myself to do it for past me who often struggled to get out of bed and complete basic tasks, let alone run a single kilometer. I do a lot of reflection and try to practice gratitude while running and it has gotten me through a lot of difficult runs.
“Some days it just flows and I feel like I’m born to do this, other days it feels like I’m trudging through hell. Every day I make the choice to show up and see what I’ve got, and to try and be better. My advice: keep showing up”
Des Linden
Do you have any words of wisdom for those who want to try running for the first time?
Just go for it. Try your best. You’re probably not going to like it or enjoy it for the first little while. Don’t compare yourself to others – it is your journey and no one else’s! Find what works for you – running alone, with a friend, or join a running group. Ask for help if you need it – the running community will come through for you, I promise. And definitely don’t skimp on a good pair of shoes.
What’s your favourite running gear? (Feel free to give a shout out to any brands or possible sponsors)
How can our readers follow your running adventures?
Instagram: corrie cavanagh