Running in the Red Room

There are buses that shuttle government employees around Parliament Hill. Long hours of meetings and sittings are what face many on the hill, often behind the scenes. Most wouldn’t picture those who generally frequent the the hill slipping into running shoes, but this week’s blog is about a high-profile person who does.

Senator Paul McIntyre Born in Charlo, N.B., the now-senator started running in his 20s to keep his weight down. At first he started running bare foot on the beach or with an old pair of sneakers when running shoes were not as popular or as common.

When not running, Paul McIntyre is a lawyer and member of the Canadian Bar Association and New Brunswick Barristers’ Society. He was also the senior law partner at the McIntyre Law Firm in Dalhousie, N.B., until 2008. He was appointed federal Queen’s Counsel in 1993.

The accomplishments of the senator are impressive but he also seems proud when noting he thinks he is the only senator to have run 50 marathons during their tenure in office.

Marathon man Paul says that over the years he must have competed in over 200 5K, 10K and half-marathon races. He ran his first marathon in May 1982 in Montreal at the age of 37 with a time of 3:58 and then kept going. He has since run 50 marathons and has a 3:33 personal best.

Senator McIntyre ran his 50th marathon on May 25th, 2014 in Ottawa. Like many runners, Paul keeps a running diary and averages around 2000 kilometres per year, including cross-country skiing. The involvement in running however does not stop at the running shoes or just getting out for a few runs.

Paul has been organizing 5K and 10K road races in northern New Brunswick for the last 40 years. I managed to get hold of the busy senator’s office and ask some questions.

What does running mean to you?

“No pain, no gain. Exercise shaped my life and gave me the energy and strength to carry on. I believe in positive thinking and that running builds character. It helps one to be physically, mentally and spiritually well-balanced.

“I also love nature and love running in parks and in the woods, doing hill work, running along valleys and streams, brooks and rivers. I run regardless of the season. My running shoes go with me regardless of where I am.”

Thoughts on running? “Humans may let you down sometimes. Running will not. Running is a friend, a good friend, a friend that will never, ever let you down. It will always be there with you and for you. Now and for the rest of your life.”

Your most memorable run and personal bests? “My most memorable race was the Montreal International Marathon and my best marathon time is 3:33.”

I am always more interested in the people behind the titles and within the parties than the politics. We all may have different ideas but I like to look for the common ground among us. For many it is running that joins us together. Senator Paul McInityre is one of us, part of the Canadian running community.

Run on, sir. See you on the roads or in the blogosphere.

Do you have a good running story to share?

runningwriter@hotmail.com You can also follow me on my personal blog, on Twitter @NoelPaine or on my podcast.