Concerning Running & Beer, Boulder Athlete Sage Canaday Says Runners Can Drink, Too

By Kim Fuller 

Long-distance runner and ultramarathoner Sage Canaday now lives in Boulder and he’s originally from Oregon, so he is no stranger to craft beer. He says having a beer after a run is a “refreshing reward.” 

“Usually I am pretty thirsty, and a nice cold beer is a satisfying drink,” he said. “Of course, I also drink plenty of water and electrolyte fluid, but the beer is like a special treat that means I can finally relax and put my feet up.” 

In the Sage Running Podcast, Cannady stressed the importance to take time off to let the body recover. “You can’t be racing at 100 percent all year long,” he said.

After a mid-winter mental and physical break, “it’s better to come back slowly ... before you think about any serious races.”

Many runners will ski, swim and bike in the off season. It’s also a good time to hit the weights to add power to their legs. And stretching routines are needed throughout the year. 

In his peak training seasons, Canaday says he tries to run between 100 to 120 miles per week. 

“Most days I run twice a day,” he says. “When I’m training for a mountain-trail race or a hilly road race I run up and down a lot of the mountain trails in Boulder and do some high-altitude pushes.” 

Sage’s Running Tips

For those trying to break into the sport of running, Canaday has three main tips: 

— Make your easy days easy. Most miles are run comfortably so you can carry on a conversation. This reduces injury risk but also lets you focus on bigger (and harder) workout days when you should run a lot faster

— Be patient. The adaptations to training occur over weeks, months and even years of consistent training.

— Stay healthy. Health is No. 1, really, and this includes a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. It will influence your running.

Some of the biggest races Canaday has planned for this year include the Comrades ultramarathon in South Africa and the Pikes Peak Marathon here in Colorado.

And when it comes to beer, Canaday says he is a bit biased by his Avery Brewing sponsors, but he does have some favorite styles, including imperial IPAs (he says it’s hard to find an IPA that is too bitter for him), rum barrel-aged ales (like Avery’s Rumpkin), and “a really good” and authentic German style lager. 

“There is a special art in making great lagers and they are very refreshing,” says Canaday. 

Brewing companies like Avery Brewing sponsor running events and even some races. 

“There is also a certain social element to being able to share a special beverage with others after a race or a run,” explains Canaday. “It can help open up conversation. I like to kind of geek out and talk about all the different kinds of beer and my favorite flavors and I’ve had many great conversations with fellow runners who also share this passion.”

We’ll raise a glass to that. To follow Canaday’s running pursuits, visit sagecanaday.com. 

Contributor Kim Fuller is a magazine editor and writer based in Vail.