Näak ambassador Erin Teschuk

Professional Road Runner

Canada, AB

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

I started running in track and field when I was in 9th grade, and primarily competed in the 800m and 1500m in high school. I went to NDSU on a partial track scholarship as a middle distance athlete. During my second year of University I tried the Steeplechase, and absolutely loved it. During my third year of University I started to train longer distances and made huge jumps with my times, starting with being the first ever athlete in NDSU history to qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championships, and going on to be a 7x All American and 3x National team qualifier. After University I moved to Greenville South Carolina where I trained with a pro group for two years. In 2018, after experiencing some over fatigue, and athletic induced asthma, I moved to Victoria, BC, to train with the Athletics Canada West Hub. Since then I’ve been healthy and gearing up to attempt to qualify for my second Olympic team!

I am a track and field athlete from Winnipeg, Manitoba. My main event is the 3000m Steeplechase, but I also love to compete in the 1500m, mile, 3k, and 5k. I competed and studied Psychology at North Dakota State University. While competing there I qualified for the Pan Am Games, World Championships, and 2016 Olympics. Since graduating in 2016 I have been pursuing a professional career in track and field in hopes of making my second Olympic team. Outside of training, I work at a running store, online coach, and love cooking and exploring my home on Vancouver Island!

My goals for 2021 :

Break the Canadian Steeplechase Record, Qualify for the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, Make the Olympic final in Tokyo, Run personal bests in the 1500m and 5k

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2016Olympian

20154th Pan Am Games

2015World Championships

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU EVERY DAY TO TRAIN?

I am motivated to know how good I can be. I know the only way I can really know this is if I give my all to my training and competing. I am also motivated to be able to inspire the next generation of runners, particularly young girls.

DO YOU HAVE A PERSON WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My role models are my coaches and training partners. There are many other athletes I look up to in this sport but I’m most inspired by the people in my life who I see every day doing all the little things to better themselves. I am also lucky to have had many coaches, including my current coach be experienced athletes themselves, and I admire the way they have dedicated their life to making this sport better.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUTRITION TIP TO SHARE ?

The healthiest diets are full of variety. Focus on getting lots of different delicious, healthy foods to fuel your body rather than restricting foods from your diet.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST RACING MEMORY?

My best racing memory is winning the Olympic trials in 2016. Going into the race, I didn’t know exactly what I would have to do to qualify. I knew that getting top 3 would give me a good shot at making the team but not 100% certainty, so my goal in the race was to be as competitive as I could be and race for the win. The race came down to a very close finish and winning that race and qualifying alongside two other competitors who I admire was definitely a highlight of my career.