J Solle is an active member and former board member of Front Runners New York and now the Race Director of the iconic Front Runners New York City LGBT Pride Run: the largest pride run in the world, which welcomed over 10,000 runners to its start line last year. J’s spirit and actions mirror the aims of Front Runners and the Pride Run. They celebrate showing up authentically, creating inclusivity for everyone, and amplifying the powerful intersection of sport and community. In addition to bringing the joy of an inclusive start line to others, J is a highly talented runner, having made two appearances at the Boston Marathon.

From speaking at a United Nations event to being recognized as a 2025 Emerging Leader by Running USA to working as a coach helping others reach big goals, J is a light in our running community.

Follow J @jcsolle

Follow Front Runners New York @frontrunnersny

Follow the Front Runners New York City LGBT Pride Run @frnypriderun

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Episode Sponsor: Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K

Vancouver's premier half marathon experience, taking place June 22, 2025. This year, featuring a finisher medal made from recycled chopsticks created just for Canada Running Series by their partner Chop Value. Register with their Impact Bib program, and a portion of your registration fee will be donated in lieu of a race shirt! Join Western Canada's ONLY zero-waste designated race: choose from the half marathon, 5K or kids' race.

For more info and to register, visit www.canadarunningseries.com

After her first appearance on the show five years ago, Daryl Lang is back! Daryl is a vision-impaired runner who races with a guide and completes her training miles with her guide dog. Daryl and I love furry friends, so this episode ended up almost an ode to her two guide dogs, Jenny and Yasha.

Daryl takes us through Jenny's retirement, what it was like to change their relationship from working to companionship, and learning the ins and outs of her new coworker, Yasha (whom she trained with at Guiding Eyes for the Blind in New York).

Daryl also became published as a contributing author to the book Run for Your Life: Lessons Learned from Going the Distance, and she shares a bit about that process as well.

Yasha and Daryl may still be fine-tuning running together, but in the meantime, Daryl has entered a new space in her running era: nothing to prove to anyone (maybe the best journey yet). She may not be worried about how much she races or what her splits are anymore, but she still has some big goals on the horizon. I have my fingers crossed that I might get to greet her at the finish line sometime soon.

Find Daryl's blog at www.blindbeader.ca

Buy a copy of Run For Your Life: Lessons Learned from Going the Distance https://bit.ly/buyrunforyourlife

Donate to Guiding Eyes for the Blind: https://donate.guidingeyes.org/

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Episode Sponsor: Canada Running Series

The Beneva Spring Run Off may have already sprung, but Canada Running Series still has a ton of exciting races to help you find your next start line. Next up: The Under Armour Toronto 10K. With a medal inspired by the city itself, this year’s finish line prize features the iconic Toronto skyline—CN Tower and all—hung on waves of blue, a nod to the scenic waterfront route. Register to earn yours on June 15th: visit www.canadarunningseries.com

Theme music: Joseph McDade

Today, we are celebrating five years together at the Run Canada Podcast! And what better way to do it than telling our funniest, cringiest, most embarrassing running stories??

My friend Sarah Carroll (founder of Underdogs Coaching) and I read a selection of the submitted stories. We can all relate because this sport may be magical, but things get messy sometimes. Knowing we have all been there and can either say, "That happened to me too!" or at least empathize with the situation brings us closer together.

HEADS UP: Unlike every other episode I have EVER posted, this one contains swear words. So don't listen in your car with your four-year-old. Also, not sure your four-year-old wants to hear some of these stories anyway!

Thank you to everyone who hopped on the overshare train with us by sending in your stories: you make this community great. I look forward to drawing a name and sending out a fantastic prize pack from our friends at Canada Running Series and ASICS Canada.

Cheers to five years of fun and many more to come!

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Find Sarah Carroll @underdogs_coaching

Discover what movement will do for your mind @asicscanada

Find your next best race @runcrs and @runcrswest

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Theme music (since day one!): Joseph McDade