Military master runs for Canada

“Being a runner means you are now free to win and lose and live life to its fullest.” – Bill Rodgers

Autumn is the season of remembrance and giving thanks. Whether it be giving thanks for family and friends, or for those who gave their lives – it is a fitting time for reflection.

Appropriately, this blog is about about a military officer. This army masters runner makes full use of his running gift, bringing home a bronze medal to Canada this fall.

Joseph Boland

Joe is a tall, strong runner who has the presence of a miler. He is a muscly thoroughbred who powers through middle distance track races.

For now, London, Ont. is where Joe calls home, although the army officer has moved around a lot. At 35, Joe is also a single dad to a 7-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy. At home, he is just dad and another runner on the streets. In uniform, he is Major Boland, a Canadian Army electrical mechanical engineer.

Running competitively since 2006, Joe has PBs of 1:53.02 for 800m, 2:28.06 for 1,000m and 3:52.67 for 1500m. This past summer, putting on the Canada singlet, Joe competed as a master on the world stage in Brazil.

“This was my first World Masters Competition. I won bronze in the 800m (1:56.41), silver in the 1500m (4:03.48) . The 1500m was run in near monsoon type conditions. It was pouring sheets of rain. There were gusting winds and puddles gathering on the track. There was a lightning strike just before the start gun was about to go off, knocking out the power to the official clock and forcing the runners to wait in the cold pouring rain for 25 minutes before the race actually began. In these conditions, no one wanted to take the lead so the pace was relatively slow. The leaders were all getting a little anxious, which lead to a blazing final 400m of 58 seconds. Lastly, the Canadian team also won a bronze in the 4x400m.”

Being a former military runner and knowing Joe, I decided to track him down.

Why did you start running?

I started running because I love to compete and I found running is a sport where you can continue to compete against others and yourself. I also love the camaraderie at the track, especially on days when the workouts would be near impossible to complete on your own.

What was the highlight of the World Masters Championships?

The highlight for me at the World Masters Championships was getting to see so many inspirational athletes competing into their 80s and beyond. In the small group that I lived with throughout the competition, I was fortunate to have athletes who competed at the highest levels in the past. Getting to eat all my meals, conduct training sessions between races and spend free time with a past Olympian (Paul Osland, a 1988 Olympian in the 800m and 4 x 400m relay), and other international level athletes was the greatest highlight for me. I came to this Championships without knowing anyone and I left with some long-term friendships.

What are your running goals for 2013-2014?

After my experience in Brazil, my motivation to continue to push myself has been rejuvenated. My goals in the next year are to improve on my results at the World Masters Indoor Championships in Budapest in March. Then to have a solid racing season in the summer with a goal of making the Canadian Forces CISM team heading to Seoul, Korea in 2015 for the World Military Games, which occur every four years.

It’s tough to live life to its fullest, but so important to push our limits and challenge ourselves – whether it be just getting out the door for a 5K run or stepping to the line at a World Championship race. Run on Joe, run on all.

See you on the roads or in the blogosphere.

Do you have a running story to tell?

runningwriter@hotmail.com