For every runner, from first start line to lifelong personal bests

What if this year you didn’t just train harder... but trained smarter, with clarity, confidence, and purpose?

The RVM Speaker Series powered by Westland Insurance is a six-part learning journey designed for runners of all backgrounds and abilities, whether you’re training for your first 5K or 8K, returning after time away, navigating life transitions, or preparing for a half marathon or full marathon.

Each session translates high-performance principles into clear, practical tools for real-world runners. No matter your pace, experience, or goals, you’ll walk away more informed, more resilient, and more confident in your running.

This isn’t about being elite. It’s about becoming a better version of the runner you already are.

You can also watch our previous sessions by scrolling further down the page.

2026 Sessions

Getting Started on the Right Foot w/ Bruce Deacon (Olympic Marathoner)

Monday, May 11 | 7:00 PM
Two-time Olympic marathoner Bruce Deacon shares his top 10 tips for a successful Royal Victoria Marathon run. This session focuses on the key elements of every great training program balancing work and rest, building endurance and speed through smart workouts, and staying healthy while training around a busy life schedule.

REGISTER FOR THIS SESSION
Understanding Your Body: Physiology, Pacing & Racing Smarter w/ Ollie Armstrong

Monday, June 15 | 7:00 PM
Break down key concepts like threshold, endurance, and recovery — and how to apply them based on your personal training goals. You'll learn how to pace smarter, train with intention, and execute sustainable running.
Plus:
Finding the Right Shoes for You
With Nick Walker (FrontRunners)
Learn how to choose footwear that supports your stride and prevents injury.

REGISTER FOR THIS SESSION
Strength, Mobility & Injury Prevention for Runners w/ Christian (Strength & Conditioning Coach)

Monday, July 13 | 7:00 PM
Build the strength and mobility that supports healthy, efficient movement. Learn the red flags that signal when to push and when to pull back.

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Nutrition & Race-Day Preparation w/ Chantal (Registered Nutritionist)

Monday, August 17 | 7:00 PM
Practical strategies for fueling your training and racing — including carb intake, hydration, and how to avoid common mistakes like GI issues or under-fueling.
Plus:
On-Course Nutrition & Caffeine Use ~ With Nick Kleban, Head of product and scientific projects at XACT
Get expert guidance on how to fuel effectively during your run, including caffeine strategies and on-course product planning.
Also:
Recovery Nutrition in the RVM Recovery Zone ~ Presented by Thrifty Foods
Learn what to eat post-race to accelerate recovery, replenish energy, and support long-term health.
On-Course Red Bull Energy Stations ~ Presented by
Red Bull will be available on course for marathon and half marathon participants, offering energy drinks to support focus, alertness, and sustained effort during race day.

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Mental Performance & Racing with Confidence w/ Geoff Harris (Olympian & High Performance Coach)

Monday, September 14 | 7:00 PM
Master the mental side of racing from handling nerves and pressure to building confidence that carries you through every mile.

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Final Preparations: Bringing It All Together w/ Cathy Noel, Mariah Kelly & Bruce Deacon

Monday, October 5 | 7:00 PM
This final session is your guide to race week: tapering, logistics, mindset, and more so you show up ready, not rushed.

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2025 Speaker Series Recordings

April 2025

SESSION ONE: Ready, Set, Go - Training Tips and Tools to Get You Started

Bruce Deacon, Run Fast Consulting

Bruce provided valuable insights into the importance of all aspects of training, including effective training plans, periodization, and pacing strategies.

WATCH APRIL RECORDING

May 2025

SESSION TWO: How to Stay Injury Free While You Train

Dr. Robert Hasegawa, Good to Go Sports Therapy

This excellent session with Rob was perfect in outlining some of the important steps you should be taking to prevent and/or recover from injuries as you train. We will post more of his demo videos shortly.

WATCH MAY RECORDING

27 Squats Demo - CLICK HERE
90 90 Thoracic Twist - CLICK HERE
Floor Sitting - CLICK HERE
Foot Exercises - CLICK HERE
Scorpion Mobility - CLICK HERE
Seated 90 90 Hip Mobility - CLICK HERE
Sofa Stretch - CLICK HERE
Wall Recovery Stretch - CLICK HERE

June 2025

SESSION THREE: Drills and Skills to Improve Your Running Performance

Mariah Kelly, Coach/Trainer & RVM Technical Director

This session focused on speed ladder drills and dribble-style running to develop quick feet, coordination, and efficient movement patterns. Click below for the recording plus all the drill examples.

WATCH JUNE RECORDING

Drills Dribble Video - CLICK HERE
Ladders Drills Video - CLICK HERE
Stair Drills Video - CLICK HERE

July 2025

SESSION FOUR: Time for Your Training Check-In

Nick Walker, Frontrunners Victoria

In this session, Nick answered everyone’s questions around their current training practices and offered tips and suggestions from fueling, to training drills, to when to switch out those shoes. Another awesome session!

WATCH JULY RECORDING

August 2025

SESSION FIVE: Nutrition and Fueling Strategies for Runners

Tiffany Rusch and Stephen Gurr

Learn how to fuel, hydrate, and recover effectively to get the most out of your training plan. This was a very informative session

WATCH AUGUST RECORDING

DOWNLOAD THE SLIDE DECK

September 2025

SESSION SIX: Preparing Your Mind and Body for Race Day

SPEAKER: Dr. John Coleman

This session explored how breathwork and meditation can be powerful tools for both preparing the body and mind before and optimizing recovery after your race.

WATCH SEPTEMBER RECORDING

DOWNLOAD PROTOCOL SHEET #1

DOWNLOAD PROTOCOL SHEET #2

October 2025

SESSION 7: Q&A - Final Preparations

Panel - Bruce Deacon, Cathy Noel, Lawrence Colsell

This insightful pre-race panel discussion provided invaluable insights on what to expect, key things to remember, and essential strategies for your optimal race-day preparation.

WATCH OCTOBER RECORDING

2024 Speaker Series Recordings

April 2024

SESSION ONE: RunStrong: Expert Training Insights

Bruce Deacon, Run Fast Consulting

Bruce shared his expertise on getting started with training for various race distances, including the 5K, 8K, half marathon, and full marathon.

WATCH APRIL RECORDING

May 2024

SESSION TWO: Unleash Your Running Potential: Drills

Mariah Kelly, The Track Club

Mariah provided a wealth of training methodologies, from plyometric exercises to low-equipment strength workouts and explosive movements, meticulously crafted to elevate your performance. Plus Mariah mentioned clinics for the summer - RunSport Clinics or Frontrunners Clinics.

WATCH MAY RECORDING

SPEED WORKOUT VIDEO

HILL WORKOUT VIDEO

AT HOME WORKOUT VIDEO

June 2024

SESSION THREE: Unlock the Secrets to Peak Performance

Nick Chapman, Nick Walker and Mathew Oakley

Dive into the World of VO2 Max Testing, DEXA Scans, and Garmin Watch Training Strategies with Nick and Mathew from Tall Tree Integrated Health and Nick from Frontrunners.

WATCH JUNE RECORDING

July 2024

SESSION FOUR: Optimizing Recovery: Strategies on a Budget

Trevor Millar, Motus Physiotherapy

Trevor presented a great session on maximizing recovery without breaking the bank. He provided practical tips and techniques for self-care, including trigger point therapy, self-massage, and effective stretching methods.

WATCH JULY RECORDING

FOAM ROLLING

STANDING ACTIVE HIP STRETCH

MANUAL FOOT MOBILIZATION

FOOT STRENGTHENING EXERCISE

August 2024

SESSION FIVE: Flowing Through the Miles: Navigating the Menstrual Cycle and Menopause in Running and Training

Dr. Sasha Gollish

Dr Sasha Gollish will delved into understanding and leveraging the nuances of female physiology in endurance training. She provided her slides and references below as well.

WATCH AUGUST RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

National Institute of Health’s new study on hormone replacement therapy - CLICK HERE

Meet Dr. Stacy Sims a leading researcher in women’s health, including supplementation (e.g., iron, magnesium, calcium, vit D, etc.) - CLICK HERE

September 2024

SESSION SIX: Mindset Mastery: Elevate Your Performance

Dr. John Coleman

Dr. John Coleman shared progressive insights and practical strategies to enhance your mental performance and overall well-being, helping you find the power of your mind to achieve peak performance.

WATCH SEPTEMBER RECORDING