Denise Martens continues to thrive in Marathons

While most people are still snuggled in the comfort of their bed, Denise Martens of Baldur is lacing up her runners and gearing up to hit the rolling country hills; the rhythmic sound of her footsteps crunching on the gravel and her Blue Heeler Shepherd cross dog her only companion.

One would assume that Denise had always been a runner, that it was something she took part in and excelled at during her high school years; but it is not, she never started lacing up her sneakers until mid life. She began running in her 40s, as a means of filling the gap left from becoming an empty nester. What started as a casual way to stay active soon turned into a passion. Motivated by the challenge and the peaceful solitude of the country roads, she decided to push herself further by entering the Treherne Run for the Hills marathon.

While many who begin running and join their first marathon opt to join in the half-maration (13 miles), Denise joined the full-marathon (26.2 miles). To her surprise and delight, she not only won her division but also qualified for the prestigious Boston Marathon. The achievement marked a turning point in her life, proving that new adventures and accomplishments can arise even after major life transitions.

“I was never really interested in running in a marathon, I guess I had never really thought about it when I began. But then I found myself intrigued by the challenge, so I entered the Treherne one in 2016,” she explained as she shared that being active and taking care of her physical and mental health was always her main goal.

Her accomplishments as a runner are nothing short of remarkable. With the exception of Boston, she has placed first in her age division in every marathon she has run. Just a week before competing in this year’s 20th annual Treherne Run for the Hills – where she placed first in her age category with a time of 3:40:08.4 – Denise was crowned with top honours in her division and placed 4th overall at the Regina Marathon. Her success doesn’t stop there. In 2017, she was crowned Overall Female Champion with a time of 3:34:38, finishing nearly an hour ahead of the second-place finisher (a mere 16 seconds).

Over the past eight years, Denise has completed eight marathons, including Boston’s in 2017. “Wow, the Boston Marathon was quite an experience. It truly is indescribable—the crowds were huge and so encouraging, it was amazing,” she said, excitement still evident in her voice. Although Denise has qualified for the Boston Marathon in every marathon she’s run, she has only participated once. “I’m so happy I did it, but I really enjoy trying different marathons, running on different terrains, and going to a variety of locations.”

While she has achieved so many pinnacles, her journey hasn’t been void of some struggles “One of my biggest obstacles is finding the time to put in the hours needed to train. The other is to find the mental strength to get out the door when the weather is not ideal.” She also had a few years when she could not run due to an injury.

Denise’s positive outlook is evident in everything she does. Despite the injury setback, she used her injury as a learning experience, gaining valuable insights into injury prevention. “I learned about the 80/20 rule, which has been a game changer for me,” she explained. “Eighty percent of the run should be at a slower, lower intensity, and twenty percent should be hard and high intensity. The rule has helped me remain injury-free and stay mindful to hold back when necessary.”

In addition to running, Denise incorporates strength training to build power and speed, which has been crucial to her success. She also enjoys mindful stretching and yoga classes to help her stay limber and maintain a connection with her body. “It’s not just about running—it’s about being in tune with what my body needs and making sure I’m supporting it with the right movements and recovery,” she said.

When asked what her most memorable marathon experience has been: she answered that every marathon is unique; even if in the same location; “How I feel that day, the weather, the crowds; they all create their own environment and special memory.”

It’s been said that a true runner will run despite the weather; rain or shine. Denise takes that to an entire new level as she runs year round and has run in temperatures of -34 during bitter cold winter months. “I don’t run as far in the winter if it is extremely cold but I do try to get in 30 miles a week in the winter and 50 miles in the warmer months.”

One would imagine winter runs in the windy, cold prairies would not be looked forward to however Denise shares that she truly loves them and a temperature of around -22 C, is her favourite as it is so crisp leaving her with such clearness and clarity.

But perhaps the most surprising thing is Denise’s laid-back approach. Whether she is running solo along a quiet country road or running along side others in a marathon she doesn’t obsess over her time. “When I’m in a marathon, I just have fun; whatever happens, happens,” she said with a laugh. “It doesn’t matter to me if my run is part of my training or if I’m in a marathon—I just run for the sheer pleasure of running!”

PHOTO CAPTION:  Denise Martens of Baldur finished two marathons this year as the fastest in her age category, placing 4th overall in Regina. PHOTO SUBMITTED