January’s cover athlete: Lindsay Sullivan

Canadian Running: When and how did you first get into running?

Lindsay Sullivan: I used to run when I was in school; cross country, 800m and 3000m track. When I started modelling I ran a bit to keep fit, but really not much. When I moved to South Africa, I fell in love with the promenade here, and started running 3K/day which turned into 6K/day pretty quickly. Within 6 months I ran my first half, full, and ultra marathons!

After my first half, it made sense to me to run to create awareness for Muscular Dystrophy…I saw a lot of people running for causes, and it just resonated. I then got into trail running which is my passion, and I run 10-30K races in the South African mountains, ending up in the top 5 females a lot of the time. Guess I got pretty good at it!

CR: What sort of support have you received from the modelling industry towards your charitable running?

Lindsay Sullivan: That’s an interesting question. Not much to be honest. I think that it helps that I am a model…it’s probably easier to get interviews/write ups etc considering that I compete in such an extreme running style and am a model; it seems incongruent to a lot of people. The fashion world as a whole haven’t really been a support, aside from my agency here in Cape Town, Outlaws. They are very supportive!

For the most part, it is the running community who are incredibly supportive. I have fallen in love with them, their camaraderie, and open hearts…a lot of race organizers and companies have jumped on my #running4MD bandwagon, and I’m super appreciative! Like Stillwater sports, 32Gi, SauconySA, Wintergreen, BUC gym, Modern Athlete magazine, and now Canadian Running in my own country! Thanks guys!

CR: What does your average training week look like?

Lindsay Sullivan: It depends. I have been back in college studying, and working as a drama teacher, actress, and model, so I kinda have to fit it in. But typically I run between 30-60kms/week both road and trail, usually very early in the morning or late in the evening, and I strength train with a personal trainer 3x/week. I am extremely lucky to have been sponsored by the best (in my opinion) gym in Cape Town–BUC fitness club, and the biggest hearted trainer, Gareth Corbett. Gareth trains me between 3-5x/week at his own cost! Without these guys I wouldn’t be able to train like I have been to compete, and raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy.

CR: What advice would you give to people looking to raise awareness about a cause through running?

Lindsay Sullivan: I would say, as long as it’s a matter close to your own heart, there is no little amount you can raise, and no wrong way to go about it! My mom has Muscular Dystrophy, so I have seen the disease first hand my whole life…I know the horrors it means for those affected and their families. So it’s easy for me to run, and push past the pain in my legs…I say a sort of mantra, reminding myself that if those with MD had the muscles to run, they would. In other words, if you are passionate about it, the training and doing parts will be easy. Other than that, just get as many people involved with you as possible; friends, family, co-workers…make it fun! Dress up in silly costumes while running to create a buzz and inevitably more awareness! Set yourself a large goal and fundraise as much as you can at once. My goal for 2015 is a triple whammy: the two oceans ultra marathon (56K of road), African X (a 3 day stage race in the mountains, 30K each day!) and Xterra (an off-road triathlon) all within a month! My monetary goal is to raise $10,000.

CR: What is your best race memory?

Lindsay Sullivan: Definitely my third ever trail race. I did the Fishermans challenge; 25K from Hout Bay to Constantia over the mountains. I ended up placing as the 4th female after South Africa’s female running sensation, Landie Greyling, placed first. I was extremely proud of myself!