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iRun to my happy place and some days it’s very Doreen May, Alberta

iRun iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge Tim Nixon, British Columbia

iRun because it’s fun when it’s done Sue Matte, Ontario

iRun iRun slowly! Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun because when I run I feel most aliveMeghan Lynch, Ottawa, ON

iRun because I cannot say no to a second slice of chocolate cakeEmily Shandruk, Vancouver, BC

iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing meTeresa Sterling, Ottawa , ON

iRun because running is like breathing to Stephanie McEvoy, Ontario

iRun because it makes me feel powerfulCarlene Paquette, Carp, ON

iRun because it’s a great way to see the world Sherry Mahoney, British Columbia

iRun iRun because endorphins are free Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun because it’s in meMichael Foley, Stittsville, ON

iRun iRun for me! Judi Wearing, Saskatchewan

iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn’t Peter Cicalo, Ontario

iRun because I can’t dance Mario Javier, Ontario

iRun slowly!Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun because it’s cheaper than therapy Leah Boulter, Alberta

iRun iRun because i love to Mirella Petriello, Ontario

iRun iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan

iRun for the moment when both feet are off the ground Catherine Anderson, British Columbia

iRun iRun away from the abyss Charlene Thomas, Ontario

iRun because I get foot rubs afterward Kate Howerton, British Columbia

iRun iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun because it makes me feel powerful Sarah Kallaghan, Alberta

iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sonsKeith Bradbury, Newfoundland

iRun to prove to them that iCan Catherine Smith, Manitoba

iRun because I’ve lost 80 lbs and running has become fun Cheryl Kelly, Ontario

iRun because food tastes better afterwards Patrick Houston, Alberta

iRun so I can eat ice cream Sandy Bolan, Ontario

iRun iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live Pascale Synnott, Québec

iRun iRun because it helps me see things more clearly Jennifer Pitts, Ontario

iRun because I want to live to be 100! Colette DeJean, Ontario

iRun because it’s better than almost everything else Nathan Carey, Ontario

iRun iRun because walking is too slow Barry Knapp, Ontario

iRun for the challenge to go faster and farther Steven Matejka, Alberta

iRun because I like buying running clothes Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun iRun to inspire my children! Wendy Bowen, Manitoba

iRun because I want to qualify for Boston and raise money for charities near and dear to my heartChristine Gracel, Calgary, AB

iRun because people around me inspire mePina Bevilacqua, Caledon, ON

iRun because it reminds me that I am capable of so much more than I have doneJames Sauve, Ottawa, ON

iRun to someday win the race Lindy Dunlop, Yukon

iRun iRun to kickstart my day Sharon Strueby, Saskatchewan

iRun to stay ahead of the weight gainMyra Abstreiter, Alberta

iRun because iLoves my man Beverly Huang, Alberta

iRun because not everyone can Olivia Harvey, New Brunswick

iRun because it gets my husband out there Tricia LaLonde, Alberta

iRun because I learn more about who I am with every kmSteph Mansell, Quebec

iRun see where my feet will take me todayMegan Dolinskas, New York

iRun because it gives my day a boost of energy Sara Campbell, Nova Scotia

iRun iRun because couch potatoes die young Cathy Andrew, Ontario

iRun to prove to myself I canLesley McGougan, Brampton, ON

iRun because it makes me whole Denis Ladouceur, Quebec

iRun because endorphins are freeCassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't Peter Cicalo, Ontario

iRun because I can and I’m gratefulTerry SanCartier, Gatineau, QC

iRun iRun for the individual pursuit Robert Pelletier, New Brunswick

iRun iRun so that I can live longer and stronger Derek MacPhail, Ontario

iRun iRun to challenge my perceived limitations Cassandra Williams, Ontario

iRun because it makes me a better person, a better wife, a better mother and a better friendNathalie Joncas-Caissie, St-Antoine, NB

iRun iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland

iRun because I love the solitude Janene Tailleur, British Columbia

iRun because it cleans up my life, because I drink more water, sleep better and eat healthier foodsRobin McIntyre, Ottawa, ON

iRun iRun to eat more, especially sweet potatoe fries Joanna Skomra, Ontario

iRun iRun because it's a great stress release Brooke McKenzie, Yukon

iRun because I am not as clumsy I thought I was Hanna Baer, Quebec

iRun for meKiza Francis, Ottawa,ON

iRun because there is no finish line Claire Kilgour, Ontario

iRun iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state Tammy Rainville, Ontario

iRun for the cool t-shirts! Pina Bevilacqua, Ontario

iRun iRun all the livelong day Pierre Saint-Laurent, Québec

iRun because somebody once told me I couldn’t Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan

iRun iRun because it sure beats the bus Robin Robbins, Alberta

iRun because of the peace and strength it brings meMichelle Jordan, Ottawa, ON

iRun for health, iRun for life Pat Cheung, British Columbia

iRun and run, and run, and run, and nobody can stop me Andrei Lucaciu, Ontario

iRun to inspire my kids to tryGlen Johnston, Nunavut

iRun away from the negative and towards the positive Teri Lepard, Alberta

iRun iRun to feel great Kathryn Rachar, Saskatchewan

iRun because I want to be a role model for our six kids Catherine Empey, British Columbia

iRun iRun because I like buying running clothes Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul Sonia Mendes, Ontario

iRun because my heart tells me to William Martin, Manitoba

iRun but not enoughMichael Shaw, New Westminister, BC

iRun because I liveGeorges Schneller, Laval, QC

iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brainMarie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

iRun iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment Amber Moase, Nova Scotia

iRun because I need it to soothe the soul, keep me in shape and for overall wellbeingBeth Neil, Lombardy, ON

iRun because all the ladies are chasing my sexy runner’s bodyChris Baker, Etobicoke, ON

iRun iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia

iRun for overall wellbeingTrish McCourt, Halifax, NS

iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun iRun to correct years of sedentary living! Mike Scott, Ontario

iRun iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin Charlyn McGregor, Saskatchewan

iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful countryCheryl Carter, Clearwater , BC

iRun because couch potatoes die young Cathy Andrew, Ontario

iRun iRun because it's cheaper than therapy Leah Boulter, Alberta

iRun to get to know myself, my strength and my spirit Lisa Groulx, Ontario

iRun iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

iRun because I never thought I would be able toGary Morris, Winnipeg, MB

iRun because it has saved my life John Marshall, Alberta

iRun iRun because it's better than almost everything else Nathan Carey, Ontario

iRun because otherwise I’m grumpy Alexandre Charest, Quebec

iRun whenever I feel the need to escape Iona Hillis, Ontario

iRun iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km Steph Mansell, Quebec

iRun iRun because I like to be healthy Melanie Oickle, New Brunswick

iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia

iRun so my daughters know that they can, too Shelley Kirkpatrick, New Brunswick

iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphinsLiliana Plava, Calgary, AB

iRun iRun to eat Maureen Tritscher, Alberta

iRun to unleash my inner athleteAdelle Densham, Avonmore, ON

iRun because it makes me feel good, allows me to spend time with my friends and gives me a feeling of accomplishmentHelen Kolodziejzyk, Calgary, AB

iRun because the wall is meant to be broken Jonathan Bird, Ontario

iRun because it reminds me of how strong I can be Monique Lavoie, Ontario

iRun therefore I amDuncan Walsh, Nottingham, UK

iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentallyKathleen Keenan, Brampton, ON

iRun because it’s like flying, only lower Glenn Johnson, Ontario

iRun so I don’t say never ever again Linda Klaric, Manitoba

iRun iRun for my heart, so it runs for me! Cathy Brzoza, British Columbia


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Photo of Mark Sutcliffe's new book - Why I Run
  In This Issue
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Addicted to running

Read the profiles of the eight men who ran Ottawa

David Gagnon
I came to Harvest House to change my life. I was going nowhere. I had no education; I owed money; my family had given up on me; most of my doors were closed. Then I heard of Harvest House, a place I could get sober and change my life. When I leave Harvest House, I expect to have my university done and start my career as a police officer.

Running the marathon is a challenge, like being sober for this long. It's something I've never done before, but I'm capable of both.

Josh Hambleton
I was down and out, willing to give up my life- that's when Jesus helped me. Harvest House gave me a second chance at life and I would like to help other addicts find a new way of living.

The marathon is a challenge because I've got very little intrinsic motivation. I committed to it to be part of the group. Teamwork and community are two new concepts which have become foundations in my life. Participating in the marathon is about struggling with the group to overcome, also known as recovery.

Eric Ruhl
I came to Harvest House to stop abusing drugs and alcohol and to start to live a meaningful life. I'm looking forward to working in a career that I am passionate about and living a full and happy life.

The marathon is a challenge because it's something that I never thought possible. I (will) look on it as an accomplishment that I took on and completed.

Brent McRann
I came to Harvest House because drug use made my life unmanageable. I wound up in hospital, jail, and separated from my family.

For me, the marathon is a challenge because I've never completed anything in my life, and this will be the first.

Trevor Struth
I came to Harvest House because I could not live a day to day life without using alcohol or drugs. When I leave, I'm looking forward to becoming an alcohol and drug counsellor. I'm also looking forward to becoming a responsible father to my six year old daughter.

The marathon is a challenge because it's not just running 42k, it's all the kilometres of training that you have to run before the big day. I'm looking forward to starting something and finishing it up.

Peter Bedard
I came to Harvest House to stop repeating the errors of my past, like using drugs, alcohol and people. I want to set my own way. I hope to get a job in the video game industry, have my own place, license and car.

Other than the 42 k, training for the marathon is also about the endurance of training, doing longer and longer runs; not eating what you want, when you want; and having to change my sleeping.

James Reynolds
I started my downward spiral when I was 12, rebelling against a life that I thought was not for me. At 12, I took my first smoke from my parents and stole a mickey from my dad's liquor cabinet. Later on, getting high was all I could think about. It consumed my every thought and took all of my time. I was completely lost- except for my sister, who took it on herself to save her brother's life. She got my ass into Harvest House and 2 years later, I'm a changed person. Scared to commit crime, healthy enough to run a marathon an intelligent enough to build a future around family and education.

I'm planning to start university, continue to manage the Harvest House kitchen, and become senior mentor that residents can look toward for guidance and advice. The torture of the high mileage on my knees have been a nightmare, but this struggle has opened part of me that has not been tested before. I know without a doubt that if I complete this goal, I will be prepared to do anything I put my mind to.

Tom Mekarski
I came to Harvest House because I needed help dealing with my drinking problem, which I wanted to put behind me. When I leave Harvest House, I am looking forward to maintaining a clean and sober life-style - more physical activity, a better relationship with God. I want to be once again a productive member of society and a good example for my boys.

The Marathon is a big challenge for me. In training, I am losing a bit of weight, which will help. My legs are getting stronger and I can run further. My challenge is to keep up with the regular training schedule, and it's been a pleasure to train with the other team members.

 

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