Runner sweats in sweltering temperatures, freezes during winter workouts – Winnipeg Free Press

Life in the Royal Canadian Air Force Lt. Col. John Coffin across the country and around the world.

No matter where he is located or placed, his running shoes are always with him

Coffin, 42, who hails from Prince Edward Island but has lived in Winnipeg since 2018, was recently named the Manitoba Running Association (MRA) Male Runner of the Year.

It's no surprise, given that he doesn't let anything (including the dreaded Winnipeg winter) stop him from putting one foot in front of the other.

“A few years ago it was -50 C and I ran from home to work. It was so cold that I had to go behind the alley to warm up to continue because I was running with the wind to the north,” said Coffin, an aviation systems officer at 17 Wing Winnipeg.

“Then I took a hot shower as soon as I got to work. It was a bad idea. Then I bought some windproof underwear.'

With three deployments to Afghanistan, Coffin can describe what it's like to run in extreme heat. He once ran in 50-degree temperatures at a base in Kandahar.

“I don't think I've ever stopped sweating for a week,” said Coffin, who has traveled throughout Europe, including Romania and Lithuania, for longer.

“As a military leader, I try to lead by example and encourage people to work on physical education. When I run in these contexts, I do it to encourage others.”

In addition to modeling, Coffin is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and helps organize the National Cross Country Championships in Ottawa.

He is currently preparing for the international level as he is one of eight men who have qualified for the CAF running team that will compete in Bosnia later this month.

Coffin and his wife, Carolyn — who coaches him because his brother is one of the top marathoners in the country — have qualified for the Chicago Marathon in the fall and have previously run the Boston Marathon.

“I'm not as good as our Olympic-level athletes, but to make these teams, to place well in competitions and to be recognized by associations like MRA, it's certainly amazing and they're icing on the cake,” he said.

“A man over 40 is still getting better. He is a great person to be at events with because he always has a smile on his face. He's very funny, he encourages everyone around him and he's a very positive influence.”– MRA Executive Director Cathy Vince

“But for me, it's about trying to do better than the last time. When I race, it's good to race against other people because it pushes me to run faster, but I race against myself.”

John was singled out by MRA in a master class of about 250 runners (over 40). Despite all the options, MRA executive director Cathy Vince said it was an “easy choice” after posting the fastest times in the province.

“A man over 40 is still getting better. He is a great person to be at events with because he always has a smile on his face. He's so fun, he's so encouraging to everyone around him, and he's just such a positive influence,” Vince said.

“He works hard. When he's out there racing, he's very serious about what he's doing and leaves nothing on the road.”

Before settling in Winnipeg, Coffins and their children, Trevor and Elise, lived in Comox, BC.

After seven years in Manitoba's capital, they may soon get a call to move to another Canadian city. Wherever they are, they dive into the local running scene just like they did here.

“Whenever we move to another city, my wife and I immediately look for a running community,” John said.

“The running community in Winnipeg is very, very strong. Even outside the city, there are a lot of communities that have their own groups and usually we get together at race time and there are a lot of familiar faces, which is really nice.”

[email protected]

X: @TaylorAllen31

Taylor Allen
Reporter

Eighteen years old and still in high school, Taylor began working for the Free Press on June 1, 2011.

Read full bio