Shaun Stephens-Whale's first time wearing the Maple Leaf was a positive one last month in Turkey.
Shaun competed for Team Canada at the world mountain running championships. He finished 41st out of 80 competitors hailing from more than 36 countries.
"I did alright, but I wasn't totally impressed with my performance," Shaun said. "I battled some stomach flu, which I got a few days before the race. By the time race day came, I still wasn't feeling 100 per cent. Representing Canada was quite the experience though. Wearing the Maple Leaf is a dream."
Shaun says he feels more prepared for international races and knows what he needs to do differently the next time he competes for Canada.
"It's great motivation knowing that I could have done better," he said. "I have lots to build on for next time."
Canadian coach Kelvin Broad said in an email to Shaun that he looks forward to having the 16-year-old Roberts Creek star on the team again soon.
"Shaun should be pleased given his age and his newness to the sport," said Broad. "Once he has some time to settle down, I hope he will chart a course for two really successful visits to Switzerland over the next two years. There is no reason at all that over the next few years as a junior that he can't walk into the top five or so in the world, given his current dedication and a true mountain running focus."
Last weekend Shaun competed in two events - the final event of the Five Peaks running series on Saturday and, less than 24 hours later, in the Grouse Grind Trail Mountain event in North Vancouver.
On Saturday, he finished second in the Five Peaks race, capturing the overall series title. The 13 km race was held at Buntzen Lake.
"I took lots of recovery food and I jumped in the lake so my legs and body could recover quicker," Shaun said. "It was a tough race, but I had to do it. I put a lot of time and energy into the series and I wasn't about to miss it."
On Sunday Shaun admitted he felt a bit tired finishing ninth overall at the Grouse Grind.
He was 11th overall last year, so he was happy he moved up a few places.
"I know it could have been better, but racing in two events that close together was pretty tough," he said.
Right now he's busy training for the upcoming high school cross country season with his team at Elphi. Following that, he plans to take time off after Christmas and will begin training for the new running season in January.
