Chantelle Erickson
Lethbridge, Alberta
Biography:
Chantelle aka “the mother runner” has been running happy for 15 years. She grew up in the GTA in Ontario and moved west after high school and has been a resident of both Saskatchewan and Alberta. She has experience in obstacle racing, 5k-full marathon, relay racing, 50-100k ultras and backyard format (The Lone Wolf, Fernie, BC). Like many runners she entered the sport of running searching for health and wellness.
She began as a treadmill runner and graduated to running the beautiful gravel country roads in Saskatchewan, becoming addicted to sunshine on her face and pushing through the elements. Chantelle learned that running was the key to her mental wellness and from her early start stuck with the sport because of the positive self-image it gave and the opportunity it afforded to set goals and do the hard work to achieve dreams. From the very beginning she has been encouraging and motivating those around her to discover the sport and enter races.
She became attached to following a structure and a plan and believes this has been her success to running consistently for over a decade. She made a promise to herself to complete her first half after her son was born and she accomplished this eight-months after she became a mom. Her personal mantra continues to be “If you can believe it you can achieve it.” She has raced in Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Canmore and Fernie.
Chantelle found her affinity for the ruggedness of the mountains when she backpacked 70 miles across the Bob Marshall Wilderness in 5 days with her overpacked 50lb pack! She believes this trip gave her a passion for summiting mountains and showed her what she was capable of through adversity. She volunteered at the Lost Soul Ultra (LSU) in 2016 and was instantly inspired to break into ultra racing.
She entered the world of ultra marathoning in 2017 completing her first 50k at LSU. Endurance is her cup of coffee. After making the podium in a couple of races (Coulee Cactus Crawl x 2 and LSU), she realized that showing up for your training plan every day pays off and that be coached is the secret to unlocking the key to become a smarter, more efficient runner.
Chantelle has overcome many good and bad experiences in racing and believes every run and race is an opportunity to learn and apply your experience to better yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. She has completed races pregnant, pushing a running stroller, in extreme windchills, heat and smoke and somehow still manages to bust a grin at every finish line. Chantelle has overcome injuries and learned the importance of strength training, physiotherapy and allowing your body to rest and recover. Running has been an outlet for overcoming some major setbacks and obstacles in Chantelle’s life.
When Chantelle is not busy running she is drinking her coffee black, instructing fitness classes (spin is her favourite), hiking, cycling, camping, creating healthy meals, reading, writing and spending time with her friends and family. She is currently working on establishing a non-profit for youth bridging her passion for running and cycling into a physical literacy mentorship program.
Education/Experience
- BA Youth Ministry (Hon.) Briercrest College
- Personal Peak Certified Running Coach
- Certified personal trainer (CanFit Pro)
- Certified spin instructor
- Certified Concept2 Row instructor
- Qualified TRX instructor
- Certified Merrithew Pilates Barre instructor
- Certified Pre and Postnatal Fitness Specialist (Fit4Two Canada): Additional courses in pelvic floor health, symphysis pubis dysfunction, abdominal separation, postural assessments, nutrition for the endurance athlete, periodization of nutrition
- Published columnist for Canadian Running Magazine
- Lethbridge Sport Council Board Member (Present)
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Alberta Insurance Council, Life Insurance & Accident/Sickness Insurance Agent
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2021 Top Fitness Instructor, Impact Magazine Canada
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Lethbridge Sport Council, Executive Member (Treasurer)
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St. Teresa of Calcutta, School Council Chair
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2 Runners Protein, Ambassador
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Currently enrolled in UESCA Run Coaching Certification