By Kelsea O'Brien
 
There are very few sports where athletes can perform at a high level into their forties, and very few athletes that are capable of doing so. 
 
Months removed from his 41st birthday, Reid Coolsaet has no intention of slowing down, and he credits staff at the David Braley Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre for helping make it all possible. 

Reid's connection to McMaster University formed long before he started using the physical therapy options available at the clinic in 2008 through Quest For Gold. Born and raised in Hamilton, Reid's introduction to the world of running began at age 7 when he attended McMaster's Sports Fitness School, a camp offered to Hamilton youth since 1977 and is still operating today. Of the more than 25 sports offered to attendees, Coolsaet participated in many, often attending back to back summer sessions, his energy and appetite for athletics unable to be fed. But it was running, specifically long distance, that Reid gravitated towards. "I would do well (in running) for my age," says Coolsaet " and as I got older, I would be pushing the pace on the counsellors who were leading the trail runs."
 
In the offseason, when not running in Kenya during the Canadian winters, Reid turns to McMaster Athletics RMT, Phil Hendriks for deep tissue massages, and the caring staff at the DBSMRC who are always available to assist in any and all of his physiotherapy needs. 
 
"A couple of years ago Reid came in with a repetitive strain injury that was limiting his ability to train and race" says Hendriks.

From there, a professional relationship was born. 

"We assessed some postural problems that needed to be addressed. Fixing the postural issues served two purposes; it reduced the symptoms that were limiting his training and improved his form which limited some of the impacts of an aging athlete."
 
"I'm not fast," Coolsaet admits when asked why he prefers long distance running "but I actually prefer the training for long distance running, a long run on the trails doesn't intimidate me at all." 
 
From age 7-13 Reid spent his summers with the Sports Fitness School, and when middle school approached, there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to join the cross country team. Entering high school at Westdale Secondary School, Reid stayed competitive in track and field, running his shortest distance at 1500 metres, but post-secondary school, first at University of Toronto, and later, the University of Guelph, his focus shifted to marathons, where it remains to this day. 
 
With 12 marathons under his belt, and 2 Olympic appearances, there has rarely been a week where Reid Coolsaet ran less than 150 kilometres. The most he's run over the span of a week is 240 kilometres, but will gear down to 140 kilometres weekly two weeks before a marathon, and 100 kilometres the week of a race. 
 
For someone who loves to run trails, Hamilton, where Coolsaet returned after living in Guelph, is the perfect place to be. 
 
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The David Braley Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre is a world-class facility located on the campus of McMaster University and is open to everyone – professional and amateur athletes, students, faculty, staff, community members and the general public. They combine extensive clinical expertise, advanced medical technology and a compassionate, caring treatment philosophy, and work in partnership with other health care providers to optimize performance and help everyone achieve their personal goals and improve well-being. 
 
To book an appointment, call today at (905) 525-9140 ext. 23575 or email macsportmed@mcmaster.ca