10 Questions

Shannon Penway, Mountain Runner

Shannon Penway, 32, of North Vancouver was a member of Team Canada at the Mountain Running World Championships in both 2012 (in Italy) and 2013 (in Poland). A Brooks athlete, Penway is a department manager for sports equipment with SportChek.

1 How did you get into running?

I always played a variety of sports growing up, but I found a passion for trail running when I was about 21. I had no watch and no trail running shoes. Eventually I took a “learn to trail run” clinic. The leaders and participants kept encouraging me to try racing, as I was regularly pulling ahead of the group.

2

What was it like to compete in the World Mountain Running Championships?

The first world championships I went to in 2012 was a total shock for me, as it was only the third trail race I had ever run. I didn’t know who all the big names of running were or even what was considered a fast time. It was very exciting to be part of a team to represent your country and amazing to get to meet people with shared passions from around the world.

3

Tell me about your dog, Cash. Do you always train together?

Yes. Cash and I are the best of training buddies. He’s been with me through every up and down ( both literally and figuratively) since he was a pup, back in 2015. It validated my choice of breed when I found out that U.S. ultrarunner Mike Wardian also had a vizsla, back in 2013.

My spouse, Luke Penner, is a talented outdoor athlete who mountain bikes, kiteboards and backcountry skis. We enjoy training together on run-bikes, where he rides his mountain bike and I run, and Cash has a hoot running between us.

4 What has the pandemic meant for your training?

I was off work from May to October, so it gave me tons of time to run and train. I was only signed up for one race (the Bigfoot 73 mile in Washington state) last summer. I am spoiled to live in North Vancouver, because even with the travel restrictions, we have access to hundreds of kilometres of trail from our back door.

5 What’s your favourite post-race meal?

Sushi and a hazy ipa – sometimes I even pick these up on my way home from training runs.

6 What are you proudest of as a runner?

My versatility. I can go fast or slow, hard or easy, short or long, f lat or steep, technical or smooth, solo or social, local or international.

7 Have you ever had a serious injury?

I had a severe concussion in 2017 that left me unable to run for months, due to visual impairments, such as tunnel vision and double vision. It taught me to be grateful for what is good in my life.

8 What advice do you have for new trail runners?

Before you leave the house, tell someone where you are going and make sure to pack the 10 essentials: a headlamp, water, food, a whistle, an emergency blanket, a first-aid kit, extra clothing, a map and compass, a knife and a cellphone or satellite phone.

9 If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? (Doesn’t have to be a runner!)

I would have dinner with a room full of dogs. If they could just take all the dogs from an animal shelter and I could feed them all food from the table, that would be awesome!

10 What are your goals for 2021?

Due to the pandemic, I won’t be setting any race goals. I’m focusing on tackling trails and summits on the North Shore that I haven’t explored before. I am also working on setting a 100-km route for a good run through the mountains this summer.— CR