Catching up with Steve Osaduik. Here you can find out what Steve is up to and his training for a marathon this spring, as he attempts to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. And what's with all those Chihuahuas?

I meet up with Steve, on my lunch, for a 60 minute run on the oceanfront. We agree on meeting in Beacon Hill Park, which provides an open view of the snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. 21km of the Juan de Fuca Straight separates Canada from the US in a chasm of green-but mostly blue, gently rippling ocean; the wind is calm today.

I started off our second run of the week, resurrecting a conversation we failed to finish nearly a year ago. I ask him point blank, "have you got around to watching The Royal Tenenbaums?"

"Oh yeah, several times," he replies with a grin, "sure that and the Squid and the Whale." The conversation in question was about the Life Aquatic with Bill Murray, which launches us into a raucous verbal exchange about the film and it's characters, 'Stevesy' (Steve Zissou) played by Murray and Owen Wilson's character 'Ned (Kingsley) Plimpton'. Osaduik deadpans, "if you want to, you can call me Stevesy," imitating Murray, who in the movie was speaking to his long lost adult son, Ned.

Apparently we share an appreciation for all things deadpan and all things Wes Anderson. Mr. Anderson is writer and director of some epic movies, which typically contain scripts requiring delivery in the most...well...deadpan fashion. We eagerly await his next films, The Darjeeling Limited and the Fantastic Mr. Fox.

"Steve, I forget the name of your dog in that photo." "El Sanchez" he deadpans. How can you not like a guy who names his Mexican dog El Sanchez? I imagine training El Sanchez as my dog and helplessly breaking into a Cheech Marin accent, "seed down, maaang."

Steve prefers the west coast lifestyle however, has felt comfortable training at altitude, as he has in Arizona. His partner, Karen works on the mainland in Greater Vancouver, an area Steve frequents while maintaining a permanent residence on Gabriola Island, just south of Nanaimo. Between there and visits to Victoria, Steve gets around within his own territory.

Steve competed in the NCAA, Div 1 for Northern Arizona University, where he transferred in from Seton Hall in New Jersey. I got a taste of what University life was like for him later in the week when we went to a popular neighborhood establishment named the Monkey Tree Pub. A favorite for those who want a neighborhood style, yet bustling pub atmosphere and where only those seated at your table are privy to the conversation. Something about walking around in sleeping bags to get on a computer in the lab and keep it, so you can work through the night; cup of hot joe in hand.

Oh, the dog days (and nights) of university life. This kind of single-minded madness is partially what makes him the focused athlete he is. Osaduik grew up a competitive hockey player. He didn't take to running right away as he intimates, "I didn't really like it that much, my dad and aunt would take me for hour long runs, which was a long time to be out, for a 10 year old." It is refreshing hearing that from a guy who has trained upwards of 170 miles per week.

A few days later, I needed to get in some hill bounding, as I am in the hill phase of my own training program (ala Lydiard). Steve helped make clear a key point about doing these hills, using decent form. He displayed the patience I am sure he showed as a coach at Dover Bay High School in Nanaimo, where he graduated from. So after a few more runs I ask him:

CK: Steve, you appear to be most comfortable when leading in a race. On the local scene you are often way out in front or at the very least in with a small lead pack. What will happen when you find yourself in a field of international runners and you are in a chase pack for most of the race? How will this affect your tactics?

OS: I enjoy running in a group if the caliber is high. I would be content in a group knowing I am probably going to get a good time however, if I maintained a comfortable pace up with these runners, it wouldn't take long before I'd probably put in some surges and break the pack up.

CK: In the local Cobble Hill 10k, January 27th you came from behind to overtake Todd Howard for the lead and eventually the win. Whereas two weeks ago Howard managed to win quite handily, were either of these races tactical?

OS: No, two weeks ago I was not in any real shape, and now I am still not in any real good shape either, just better than two weeks ago. When I am able to get in consistent training I improve quickly. I can get to a certain point aerobically in little time. Then the real work begins.

CK: So, how far away are you from the 'real work' now?

OS: I would say 4-5 weeks before I am ready for high intensity work on a regular basis.

CK: The word is out that you are planning to race the ING National Capital Marathon in Ottawa, in late May. Spring marathon season provides many opportunities to run fast courses, such as Rotterdam, London, Boston, even Eugene and others. Why Ottawa?

OS: Well, I have gone to London twice and both times failed to finish. I would go back, but I don't think I would be welcomed, plus it is a very expensive trip. I looked at Rotterdam, but it is sold out. I don't have any contacts, so I don't think I could get in anyway. I also looked at Boston. I have a qualifying time, but it may be a tough one to get into as well. Ottawa, even though it is the last possible chance to qualify for Beijing, has fast guys up front and if training goes to plan, I have a chance to be up at the front and in a position to run around 2:11. Why not just do it in Canada on a character course? I don't think it is any slower or tougher than the Victoria marathon, so time wise I believe I can run well.

CK: Once Ottawa is done and let's say you run the qualifying time, what then? Do you have a specific recovery and training plan just for Beijing or are you keeping your eye on the immediate task of Ottawa?

OS: If I qualified I would take a bit of a break, recover. Nothing specific right now but my coach (Al Johnston) and I would sit down and figure out exactly what I need to do to get recovered and back into training, and what races to get into to keep me focused for Beijing. I would imagine it would involve some good mileage and long workouts at or quicker than my current marathon pace. We would also need to figure out what kind of race Beijing will likely be and train for that. If it is a tactical race, I need to ask myself if I should go out at a specific pace to start and move through, after half way or decide on my options then. We need to look into the weather and pollution (which could play a huge role).

Steve takes a breath of pure, west coast ocean air and continues...I may need to head to a warm climate and get used to the heat and arrive in Beijing or an area close by, to get used to the conditions in advance of the games. Race wise I would like to get into a good 10k on the track and possibly a couple 5k races to work on my top-end speed.

CK: Do you have your eyes on a half marathon?

OS: I am planning on running the National half champs in April, in Montreal. This will be a good indicator as to where I am at and how training is going. I will be coming off a month long training stint at altitude, so I will be able to see if it (altitude camp) helped.

CK: I know you run well when training at altitude. You have spent some time in New Mexico as well as Arizona, where are you thinking of training 'at altitude' in preparation for Ottawa? Are there options available to you now?

OS: I am going back to Flagstaff Arizona. I did not like New Mexico. I have spent enough time in Flagstaff where I know the area and am comfortable in the town. There are miles and miles of trails and they all revolve around the University campus, so training can always be done nearby.

CK: We discussed the Japanese a bit and their training methods, using over-distance long runs, general high mileage and even many miles of walking. Also, many world class athletes are known to run high mileage and use over-distance long runs. Have you had the opportunity to turn up the mileage, how does that work for you?

OS: I get in some good long runs of 20-22 miles. I have also added another 20 miler mid-week in the past. This was at a time when I ran as much as 170 miles per week. It takes some getting used to and a long build up to get to that point, but it has its benefits.

CK: What kind of pace do you run 20 milers in? I assume the mid-week 20 miler is slower.

OS: I have run anywhere from 5:30-5:45 pace for my Sunday long runs, starting at a 7:00 minutes per mile and gradually picking it up until I average 5:30-5:45 mile pace. The mid-week 20 mile run goes dependent on how I feel at that time, anywhere from 6:00-7:00 pace.

CK: We have also talked about the Arthur Lydiard method of training. You mentioned that you train based on Lydiard principles and you own at least one of his books. There are those who train exactly the way Lydiard coached and those, like Ron Daws, Jon Brown, Rod Dixon or many Japanese athletes, who train based on his principles however, may not follow the method with exact precision. Would you say you are a Lydiard purest or do use the general methodology to train by?

OS: I use his methods as a base and I add things that have worked for me in the past. I think it is important to know what works for you as an individual and remember those things. I also think it is important to become flexible and to realize when a change may be in order.

CK's note: Nicely put, Lydiard was all about knowing thyself.

CK: Switching gears a little - getting back to the dogs - at one time I believe you have had a total of 9 Chihuahuas, I am sure all with creative names. Do you still have the 9 or have you pared this number down?

OS: I am down to 7 right now, with one going to my brother and grandparents. My sister is going to take another in March of this year leaving me with 6. This works because I am still guaranteed to see them all on a regular basis.

CK: What are all their names?

OS: Indie, El Sanchez, Royal, Kingsley, Linley, Nibbler, Cubby (Wolfey), Domino, and Shakey, which is short for: 'Maybe I is Shakey'.

CK's note: I laugh so hard, I knock my forehead into the laptop screen causing a flicker. Unsure if the flicker is the screen or my eyes, I take a moment to collect myself.

CK: Is all this apparent love for dogs a front for protection from larger beasts? It's a known fact that around here, if you train in the forest with a small dog, the cougars will take the dog. Is this really why you are running low on cougar bait with just 6 Chihuahuas remaining? I mean the family taking the dogs story sounds heart-warming and everything, but I don't know.

OS: Well I can tell you if we did get confronted the Chihuahuas would probably get me into some trouble, they don't seem to care what size you are if you get in between them and me they are going to take you out. The other side of that is, I would do all I could to protect each and every one of them.

CK's note: That's highly noble of him. I remain convinced, they are cougar bait. Back on track, pun intended.

CK: Qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games Marathon as a Canadian will not be an easy task for any marathon runner. Do you have an edge in that you have age on your side and may bounce back from Ottawa quicker therefore recover fully to get ready for the Olympics?

OS: I do recover quickly. It would not be a problem to run well at Ottawa and be back at it and ready to compete in Beijing.

CK: Do you have any BIG impending news to share with everyone, Steve?

OS: Yes Karen and I are expecting our first child sometime in July this year. I am very excited. This will definitely be the highlight of the year.

CK: Congratulations to both you and Karen on the expected arrival, dad! I assume with your creative talents in naming little ones, Karen will take ownership of this task? I somehow CAN imagine a little, Kingsley Plimpton Osaduik running around, fast.

Good luck in your efforts to be ready for ING National Capital in Ottawa in May this year and with the enviable task of preparing for Beijing.

*Photo: Bruce Stotesbury, Times Colonist.

Photo Credit: Rumon Carter, Photographer

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Contact Chris: chriskelsall@flocasts.org