Inspired to Make a Change

Darren Czech's relationship with the Blue Nose International Marathon isn't strictly sponsorship based. As a member of this year's Team Myles, Darren will be attempting not only The Chronicle Herald 10K Race, but use his participation as a catalyst for lifestyle change. "I knew it was time to make a change myself," Daren says candidly, "so a business relationship turned into an opportunity for me." Darren's involvement as a race participant is still in its infancy despite a relationship between Delta Hotels and the Blue Nose Marathon existing since the event's inception.

Darren's personal involvement has already sparked some major changes in his life. A frenetic schedule is the cost of his position as director of sales and marketing for "two extremely busy hotels in downtown Halifax." His day, which has always started at 5:00am, is now embraced by an early morning run along the Halifax waterfront. "And nothing's gone missing," he confirms, almost surprised at the ease of which physical activity has been incorporated into an already hectic schedule. But Darren's pride is bolstered by more than just early morning runs along the waterfront, "I knew that if I was going to embark on this, I needed to give up one of my passions and that was cigarettes."

Goals don't end with the finish line of the 10K race-though the prospect of running future marathons may be in doubt, one of Darren's goals is to use his relationship with Team Myles as a springboard to "maintain a type of lifestyle where I have activity in it, remain smoke free and I keep off the weight that I take off during this process." Like anyone who wishes to incorporate lifestyle change, Darren hasn't focused exclusively on fitness. He jokes about being the guy who used to put salt on potato chips and how the incorporation of easy, healthy meals has been a foundation to lifestyle change, "since [working with Team Myles lifestyle coach Fred Alyward] I have not added salt to anything!" He says with a laugh. In fact, Darren's training is going well enough that he's actually thinking of making an 11-kilometer leap in distance and running the half marathon-not bad for a guy whose former self would start feeling the fatigue of his busy day at around two in the afternoon.

For Darren, success in regards to his Blue Nose Marathon participation will be simply measured by crossing the finish line. He admits the bigger reward than the finish line is the lifestyle change he's already started to adopt. "I can already see what my face is going to look like-in my mind-when I cross that line." I ask him whether his vision features a smile of his face. "Yeah, oh yeah," he says beaming.