by Kevin Dunbar
Paula Wiltse is a Kingston working mom who is competitive at the highest levels of Canadian women’s distance running. Her return to the racing scene in 2006 after the birth of her second child, Josh, saw her reach a new level of excellence and recognition in road races across Canada.
Her personal bests show incredible range from 17:10 in the 5K through 1:17:40 in the ½ marathon and 2:51:06 for the full 26.1 miles. In addition to placing 3rd to win the Bronze Medal at the 2006 Canadian Marathon Championships, she won both the 2006 Prince Edward County Marathon and the 2006 Casino Niagara Half-Marathon. In between championship racing Paula placed well enough in the Montreal ½ Marathon, The Nissan Toronto 5K and the Toronto Zoo 10K to place 4th overall in the 2006 Canada Running Series.
She graciously took the time from her busy schedule to talk to us about some of those experiences and let us in on some of her plans for the upcoming season.
What did you do today (or yesterday) for training ?
4x 10min tempo pace (20 warm up/20 warm down).
What is tempo pace for you in that type of workout ?
Right now it’s about 3:40-3:45/km tempo pace.
How did you get into the sport of running races ?
After a long break of not running since grade 10. I began running again when I was 30 years old after having my first child Joah. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 weeks after I had Joah and there was a 10km (Nordion) race in Ottawa to raise money for Breast Cancer. I decided to train and raise money for that race. My mother never missed a race until she pass away in the summer of 2002. She is still one of my biggest inspirations.
How did last year’s Limestone 5K go for you ?
I didn’t run it. I was training for the Ottawa Marathon.
That is a famous story of your gutsy finish to hold on to a bronze medal at the National Marathon Championships in Ottawa. Can you describe what happened ?
I’m not sure that it was gutsy or just plain survival. The temperature started to soar in the last hour of the marathon. I made the common mistake of not taking in enough fluids and became extremely dehydrated. I probably hit the wall at about 35-36km and my body just basically started to shut down. With about 200 meters to go my legs didn’t want to hold me up anymore. About 20 meters from the finished I dropped. Spent what seemed like forever (60 seconds) trying to stand and finish then realized standing wasn’t an option. Then an Italian woman passed me. If I was going to finish crawling was the only way. So I ungracefully crawl over the line to hold on to my Canadian bronze medal
How did your last competitive season end up?
I had a good end to my season. I won the Picton Marathon in October and 3 weeks later won the Casino Niagara ½ Marathon with a p.b. time of 1:17:40.
Then on your recovery weeks between the two races you cruised to 4th place in a 10K in the Toronto Zoo just fast enough to claim 4th place overall in the 2006 Canada Running Series, didn’t you ?
Sort of, the 10km was 2 weeks after the marathon and a week before the ½ in Niagara Falls.
I think your total prize money over that 4 or 5 week period must have been something over $4000. What was the breakdown ?
Picton was $2000.00
Niagara ½ was $1500.00
Toronto Zoo run was $300.00 (+$750.00 for 4th place in the Canada Running Series)
What are your plans and goals for the next season ?
I turn masters (40 years old) this summer so my focus is shorter distances 5km, 10km and ½ marathon so I can race more. Next year will do a marathon or 2 again.
With the development of competitive Masters running as a prize money winning endeavour across North America, it must be exciting to be shooting down to the bottom of a new and competitive age group with all the benefits of youth combined with racing experience. What are some of the biggest events that you hope to participate in at that level? Any big cash prizes you have your eye on ?
To be completely honest I’m still figuring my races out. I don’t turn forty until July so the fall will be the time to make important race choices. There’s definitely a few in Northern New York this fall.
What factors do you take into account when planning a race or series of races ?
Timing and level of competition. I like competing in smaller races as well as larger races. I also try not to race back to back weekends (my body doesn’t recover as well now that I’m old). In the spring I’ll usually do 3 to 4 races and the fall tends to be a little fuller (5-7 races).
Why is running so important to you ? Or, how has being involved in the sport made a difference in your life ?
Running has become a lifestyle for me. It’s my hour or two a day for ME time. My husband and I are both active and I feel it’s important for our children to see us active and healthy. Not to mention the friendships I have made through running. We have a great running community in Kingston and I’m fortunate to train with a group of runners who are as dedicated as I’ve become. I also have probably the best coach in Canada giving me my workouts (Steve Boyd).
How did you get involved with Saucony Canada’s elite athlete sponsorship program?
Saucony has been my running shoe of choice pretty much since I started back running. In 2003 I decided to put together a running bio and apply for sponsorship. They took me on the first year I applied and I’ve been with them ever since (except when I was off in 2005 having my son Josh).
Who are some of the important supportive groups and people in your running life ?
My husband (Brock), my children (Joah & Josh), my training group (too many to list), Sue Joy, my dad and my in-laws and of course my coach Steve Boyd.
Any random running thoughts you had during today’s run that you would like to share?
Ya, this workout hurts but it feels great when it’s finished. Can’t wait for the nice weather!!
Thanks, Paula, for sharing this inspirational insight into life as a mom on the run. Below is Paula’s personal and running biography.
Paula Wiltse
Age:39
Date of birth: July 25th, 1967
Originally from Brockville (born and raised).
Lived in Kingston on and off for approximataley 10-12 years
Resides in downtown Kingston with a husband and 2 children.
Recently made a career change and is now a realtor with Prudential Towne Center Realty.
Before that helped manage Le Chien Noir Bistro at 69 Brock Street.
Sponsors:
Saucony, Canada
Rudy Project Eyewear
Coach : Steve Boyd
Personal Best Times:
5km………..17:10…….(2004-RocknRoll, Toronto)
8km……… 28:09……..(2004-Beat Bethoven,Kingston)
10km……...33:35……..(2004-SportingLife, Toronto)
½ marathon..1:17.40…..(2006-CasinoNiagara, Niagara Falls)
Marathon…..2:51.06…..(2006-ING Ottawa Marathon, Ottawa)
Accomplishments:
2006 Races
Canadian Running Series, 4th place female overall
Running Times Canadian Women Rankings, Top Ten Finish
Bronze Medal, Canadian Marathon Championship, Ottawa, ON
Canadian Over All Rankings: ½ marathon- Top Ten
October, 1st place PEC Marathon, Picton, ON 2:51.30
October, 1st place CasinoNiagara ½ mar, Niagara Falls, ON 1:17
May, 3rd place Canadian, ING Ottawa Marathon
National Championship,Ottawa, ON 2:51.06
2004 Canadian Overall Rankings: 5km- Top Ten
2003 Canadian Master’s Cross Country Champion, 8km, Toronto,ON
