New Balance Canadian runner of the week: Krystol Bell

Krystol Bell loves exploring trail paths around her home in rural Nova Scotia. When she leaves her house for a run, she’s running anywhere from five to 18 kilometres on peaceful, quiet dirt paths. Her favourite route will take her past a small lake and along a canal nearby. She’s one of those runners who is lucky to be able to enjoy the trail all to herself– until she spots some wildlife.

“I have met a coyote right on the trail, and seen bears across the canal,” says Bell. “I regularly see coyote, bear, and bobcat tracks. But I run with a bear bell and my dog so I feel confident that I know how to stay safe.”

Bell is fairly new to running. She started in May of 2013 after doing two months of exercise videos at home. After having two children, the goal was to lose weight. Luckily the videos had her fit enough to run 4K right away at a slow, easy pace. But she’s stuck with it and worked her way up. The weight came off as she continued and Bell ended up losing 75 pounds. Her focus soon switched. Weight loss is no longer the motivator to get out of the house.

“Now I do it because it makes me feel confident, happy, part of a community, and I enjoy the challenges and races,” says Bell. “I love seeing my times improve, I love getting out on my own, or with my dog, or with friends, or at races.”

The focus switched to increasing distance and racing. In 2013, she signed up for her first races: Mud Hero and Run or Dye– a colour run. Last year, she raced a MEC series event, EPIC and ran her first half. Since this past October, Bell has run four half-marathons in total and has her sights set on completing the full eventually. Bell is also involved in running to inspire her two children, ages two and five. That’s something that is important to every mother.

“My kids love getting out to ‘races,'” says Bell. “They each have their own medal hook. I hope to inspire them to be life long runners.”

It’s been two years of running and what started out as a weight loss project has grown into a lifestyle for Bell. Had she not taken it up, so many things in her life would be different.

“I wouldn’t be as healthy or strong, I would be missing out on a lot of great things,” she says. “I really enjoy running and listening to audio books while I run. It’s taking some time to myself while still reaching goals and staying strong.”