Krista DuChene changing up training with new coach for 2017

Canadian distance runner, marathon star and Olympian Krista DuChene is wrapping up her 2016 with yet another career-defining move. And this one is definitely big news for the athlete. After working with her coach Rick Mannen for several years, she has decided to go in a different direction. In 2017, she will switch to training under Dave Scott-Thomas of Speed River track club instead.

After qualifying to run the women’s marathon in Rio, she spent much of this year focusing and training for the 42.2K on Brazilian soil. When she showed up at the start line in Rio, she was in ship-shape and ran strong among a tough field of some of the strongest marathon runners in the world. She placed 35th running a 2:35.29. Soon after, she decided to go for a fall marathon as well. On October 16th, she ran the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon finishing as top Canadian female which meant winning the Canadian Marathon Championships with a time of 2:33.59.

RELATED: Krista DuChene: “To beat six women that strong is nothing I take lightly.”

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It certainly has been a big year for DuChene. In fact, it’s comparable to her best year: 2013. Now, as the year wraps up and DuChene gets ready to enter her fortieth year, she answered some of our questions about her running going forward.

Canadian Running: How have these past few weeks of rest and recovery time been for you now that the big races are over?

Krista DuChene: Wonderful! After taking two weeks off, I was ready to start some easy running with no structure or plan. We’ve had a wonderful fall where I’ve really been able to really enjoy the leaves, the trails, and the mild temperatures while running for as long or as short as I feel. I’ve enjoyed a bit more time in the evening with my husband because I’m not going to bed at the same time as our kids anymore. And I’ve absolutely adored indulging in some Sweet’s Bakery pecan squares, the kids’ Halloween candy, some chocolate chip cookies, carrot cake and warm brownie and ice cream desserts.

CR: Why and when did you start thinking about working with Dave Scott-Thomas?

KD: I’d always thought that if I had to make a coaching change, I would ask Dave Scott-Thomas. When at the University of Guelph, part of me missed training and competing with the best runners in the country. I didn’t regret choosing hockey [in my younger years] but I often wondered how well I might have done with the Guelph [running] program. It’s exciting to return for that opportunity, twenty years later. My two most significant National Teams (i.e. Worlds, Olympics) included Dave as head coach so we shared that experience, which helped me further solidify my decision. His level of expertise is incredible yet I think he sees himself as an equal with his team members such as Margo Mountjoy and Trent Stellingwerff with whom I’ve also already built relationships. In fact, Trent and I used to compete in the same county, years ago when in high school.

CR: Do you have any specific hopes or plans for when you start working with him?

KD: I look forward to a thorough and comprehensive program, and to be more challenged and driven. As an experienced marathoner, I certainly won’t be starting from nothing but I’m excited to see how Dave can make adjustments and tweak a program that gets me out of my comfort zone to be my best. I hope he can see what I haven’t seen in myself.

CR: Reflect briefly on your 2013 and 2016 in regards to your running successes those years.

KD: 2013 was my breakthrough year in terms of setting PB’s in several distances: 5K: 15:58; 10K 32:52; half-marathon: 1:10:52; marathon: 2:28:32 .
2016 was what I’ve been calling my championship year: Olympian and National Champion.
I think many athletes fail to recognize and appreciate their success when in the midst of it. They assume they can and will do better. Later when they retire or they do not improve, they regret not savouring the moment. I am at that point right now. I realize this may be it so am still savouring it yet there’s still a passion inside me to be better. And that, I can’t and won’t ignore.

CR: Have you set a goal yet for 2017 and beyond?

KD: I’d like to do a spring marathon in 2017. As for the rest of 2017, I’m not sure. I see myself running competitively until at least 2020. It’s wonderful to not have any pressure or expectations. Our kids are in school full-time and my career is established as a dietitian, so I’m fully able to continue tackling marathoning as my career. As long as I still hop out of bed, excited to train and compete, I will. Commonwealth Games in 2018 would be incredible as would the opportunity to complete in the 5/6 marathon majors (I’ve already done Boston). Looking ahead to 2020, the Olympics in Tokyo and Masters World Championships in Toronto are two good options! But really, I’m just taking it one season at a time.

CR: Any thoughts on turning 40 on January 9th?

KD: I can’t wait! Age is no barrier. I can aim to set some masters records while still competing against people half my age.

CR: Reflect on why it’s important, as an athlete to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. 

KD: Just like a race, you must finish with no regrets. You must give everything you have to be your best. If you believe that requires change and there is an opportunity to do so, you must. I owed it to myself to change my current situation in order to give myself the opportunity to succeed. I did not want to look back and ask myself: “Why didn’t you just try something new while you could have?”

CR: Will you and Rick stay in touch?

KD: Oh, most definitely. We are both very active in our Brantford community. Nothing will ever replace those five incredible years we shared together. He would have liked to continue with me but was very supportive of my decision.

CR: Are they any Speed River athletes in particular who you are looking forward to running with/ getting to know?

KD: Hmmm. I know several of the men already, obviously including Reid and Eric, who have further made me feel part of the Guelph family over the years. In fact, when I achieved the Olympic standard in Rotterdam in 2015, several of the Speed River men also raced that day. Dave was there and I had dinner with them the evening after the race. It is a special memory. I anticipate I will meet several athletes whom I do not yet know.