Running far from home

“In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect.” — Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton is not Canadian but I believe he has captured how Canada is a country of different languages, backgrounds, cultures and experiences — not necessarily blended to become something we call Canadian — but rather being Canadian is the mix of all those things.

One multi-cultural, vibrant city in Canada is Montreal. The French language ties many peoples across the world and allows immigrants who speak French to visit and live Quebec; Canada’s only predominantly French province. Quebec has its own culture uniqueness, its own running series and running stores.

I love Montreal. On one trip to the city this past December I grabbed Montreal’s great metro that runs underneath this vibrant city trying to escape a winter storm. The city in Canada’s belle province was in the midst of being pummeled by 45cm of snow and wind and I was trying to get onto rue St. Denis and to Boutique Endurance. Boutique Endurance is one of my favourite running shops and has been a pillar of the Montreal running community since 1981. The shop has recently renovated and now appears bigger and has even more running shoes.

Dusting off the snow from my tuque I bumped into a runner originally from France, now working in a Canadian running shop and about to marry a Canadian girl. I also found out he had passed my sorry, slow self this past summer on an ultramarathon (Festival Ultimate xc Kmag 58k) through the hills and mountains near Mount Tremblant, QC (St.Donat, QC).

This is his story.

Nicolas Lequeux

His name is Nicolas and he is a 32-year-old from Pessac which is near the city of Bordeaux, France. Nicolas switched from soccer to running after getting knee surgery at the age of 23. Nicolas went from running to stay fit, to triathlons and soon found himself doing a 50-mile trail ultramarathon just outside Paris in 2011. 2011 also marked the year that Nicolas left his family and friends in France and traveled across the Atlantic to Montreal, Quebec.

With his love of running and needing a job to pay the bills Nicolas found himself working at the popular Montreal running shop, Boutique Endurance in September 2011.

What do you think of Montreal, Canada and our winters?

“I fell in love with Montreal and Canada. I love the people, people are very nice and the life is relaxed. I think the quality of life is better in Canada than in France.”

“I love the winter; the cold is not a problem. I ran every day last winter to get to my job. I love running in the snow, it’s new for me and I become like a child. I think the most important is to enjoy the good sides of winter. I was fascinated by the snow storm on December 27th (in Montreal) and I took lot of pictures during that day. The days are shorter and the temperature is really cold sometimes, it’s a big difference with Bordeaux; I remember when I ask to my fiancé if people ever get used to winter! May be I am getting used to it a bit because last winter I wore tights under my pants but this winter, I have not worn them once.”

“In Montreal I am lucky as we have Mont Royal. I can practice trail running, skiing, snow shoes…I love to leave during a week-end and discover the new places, nature, lakes, and beautiful landscapes.”

What do you find different about running in Canada?

“Running in the snow and with cold conditions is different. On the trail races, there are fewer runners. But the feeling of community is still present. We often meet the same runners at different races. I also find different foods at race food/aid stations; I was surprise when I saw peanut butter at the Vermont 50-mile race“. In France we can find salami, ham, but never things like pretzels…sometimes we get wine in France like for the Medoc marathon.”

Running has not only led Nicolas to Canada but also to his fiancé, another Canadian runner. Together he says they have traveled and run to explore new places in Canada and the US. A love for running, a love for Canada and now a love in Canada has made Nicolas a happy new Canadian runner. Canadian is not about your passport but about where and who you are.

I believe a country, a province, city and town is defined by the people that live there. If you live there you become the community no matter your origin. Those around you and the place shape you but each new arrival adds to the flavour and to the community.

Run on Nicolas and welcome/bienvenue to the Canadian running community.

Do you have a running story you would like to share?

legsnlungs@hotmail.com

See you on the roads or in the blogosphere.