Keeping busy, but keeping it classy

Kelly’s favourite season, Movember, is just around the corner. /image: Arthur Ward

Why one former Cougar “trotted” his way out west.

Article: Paige Kreutzwieser – Staff Writer

For one of the Cougars most legendary athletes, life is now all about “keeping busy, but keeping it classy” on the west coast of Canada.

At a quick glance, it sounds like little has changed in the routine of the former U of R cross country and track star Kelly Wiebe.

“I am training my rear off, working at a running store on occasion amongst four Olympians, taking a class at UBC to finish my Engineering degree, and working an engineering job part-time to keep in touch with my degree,” said Wiebe of his current schedule.

Although he is in a new province, the training is actually what is most different about his new life in Vancouver’s chic neighborhood, Kitsilano.

“I moved out here with the primary intention to train, and more specifically to train in a high performance group,” explained Wiebe, who added that he is currently training under one of the best coaches in Canada, Richard Lee.

Add to the list Dylan Wykes – one of several National team runners training with Wiebe – who was a 2012 Olympic marathoner, which is likely a great thing for Wiebe considering he would like to compete in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.

“The whole reason for the move was to get into a group that could really push me to the next level,” he said.

And Wiebe had Lee analyze all his prior training to do just that.

“He told me I can be good doing what I was doing, but if I wanted to be great I had to incorporate a few things into my regime,” Wiebe said. “It just comes down to training smarter and being more aware of my body.”

[pullquote]“I spend a lot of time at my favourite coffee shop, because I like coffee, but also because there is a cute girl there that I am pretty sure digs me.”[/pullquote]

It’s possible that no more Saskatchewan winter training might be a benefit for the regime as well.

When asked about the end of his University running career, Wiebe called it “bitter sweet.”

“From an outsider looking in one might say I had nothing to be ‘unsatisfied’ with, but there were a few things that I wished could have went better,” he said.

Wiebe was injured for both the Can West and CIS championships in track. Shin pains hindered his training for nationals, and he wasn’t able to achieve his personal goal of “obliterating” the CIS 3000 metre – even though he still got gold in the event.

However, it was the ones around him that made his time as a Cougar most memorable.

“I am very lucky to have had such great people beside me throughout University,” he said. “I will always be thankful for that. I have made lifelong friendships with many people in Regina.”

Now for Wiebe, it is about focusing on the future.

“I am glad to be done because I am pretty sure I look ten-years-older than some of these kids when I grow out my moustache,” said Wiebe about his return to Saskatchewan in August, where he was able to attend a Cougars training camp.

Wiebe is now directing his attention towards the Victoria half marathon and the National Cross Country Championships in November, with a mixture of local roads races throughout. But for the 2014-year, Wiebe’s plans include qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Wiebe says this is the type of routine he is going to keep grinding at until he is able to achieve is Olympic goals.

But in between training and a hectic work schedule, Wiebe makes time for the little things in life.
“I spend a lot of time at my favourite coffee shop, because I like coffee, but also because there is a cute girl there that I am pretty sure digs me.”

Staying classy as always.