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iRun because it has saved my life John Marshall, Alberta

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

iRun because endorphins are freeCassandra Chouinard, Ontario

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

iRun because food tastes better afterwards Patrick Houston, Alberta

iRun iRun because couch potatoes die young Cathy Andrew, Ontario

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

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

iRun because it makes me feel powerful Sarah Kallaghan, Alberta

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

iRun because not everyone can Olivia Harvey, New Brunswick

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

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

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

iRun because I love the solitude Janene Tailleur, British Columbia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

iRun iRun to challenge my perceived limitations Cassandra Williams, Ontario

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

iRun because there is no finish line Claire Kilgour, Ontario

iRun to someday win the race Lindy Dunlop, Yukon

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

iRun to prove to them that iCan Catherine Smith, Manitoba

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

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

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

iRun iRun because endorphins are free Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun because my heart tells me to William Martin, Manitoba

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

iRun because iLoves my man Beverly Huang, Alberta

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

iRun because it makes me whole Denis Ladouceur, Quebec

iRun iRun to kickstart my day Sharon Strueby, Saskatchewan

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

iRun therefore I amDuncan Walsh, Nottingham, UK

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

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

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 couch potatoes die young Cathy Andrew, Ontario

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

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

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

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

iRun iRun to feel great Kathryn Rachar, Saskatchewan

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

iRun iRun to eat Maureen Tritscher, Alberta

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

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

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

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

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

iRun to stay ahead of the weight gainMyra Abstreiter, Alberta

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

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

iRun because I like buying running clothes Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun to unleash my inner athleteAdelle Densham, Avonmore, ON

iRun because I liveGeorges Schneller, Laval, QC

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

iRun iRun for me! Judi Wearing, Saskatchewan

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

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

iRun but not enoughMichael Shaw, New Westminister, BC

iRun to inspire my kids to tryGlen Johnston, Nunavut

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

iRun for meKiza Francis, Ottawa,ON

iRun iRun because walking is too slow Barry Knapp, Ontario

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

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

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

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

iRun iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun iRun for the individual pursuit Robert Pelletier, New Brunswick

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

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

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

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

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

iRun so I can eat ice cream Sandy Bolan, Ontario

iRun iRun because i love to Mirella Petriello, Ontario

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

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

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

iRun iRun slowly! Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun because I can’t dance Mario Javier, Ontario

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

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

iRun because running is like breathing to Stephanie McEvoy, Ontario

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

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

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

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

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

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

iRun for overall wellbeingTrish McCourt, Halifax, NS

iRun iRun to inspire my children! Wendy Bowen, Manitoba

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

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

iRun slowly!Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun iRun away from the abyss Charlene Thomas, Ontario

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

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

iRun because otherwise I’m grumpy Alexandre Charest, Quebec


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Photo of Mark Sutcliffe's new book - Why I Run
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Revved and Ready

Gold medalist Simon Whitfield talks about ramping up for Beijing.

After starting out in first gear, Simon Whitfield has slowly and carefully built up his training regime. As the 2000 Olympic gold medalist begins the final countdown to competing in Beijing, he tells iRun how he keeps his balance and perspective.

My dad told me that when he was studying engineering, he would never study the night before an exam. He got the studying in well before that.

As I get ready for the Olympics in Beijing, my goal is to get to the week before the race with no question marks about what I should have done during training. I used to go into a race with these lists of what I would do next time. I don't want to do that. I want it to be: I'm in great shape, I'm ready to go, I've done everything I can.

But that doesn't mean I don't like to go hard the day before a race. At that time, my body is just so used to that level of intensity that if I took a day off, I might start enjoying the rest and want to keep doing it.

When I was training for the Olympics in 2004, I made the mistake of under-racing and we stretched out the preparation phase too long. The training component was just too long and I was just desperate to get out of it.

So now, I think you definitely want to get in a couple of races where you test your fitness and you go through the race day ritual.

But you don't want to do that too early. There are some people, especially young athletes, who have the classic problem of smashing it in January. They're pounding it in the winter. By eight weeks out from their race, they're thoroughly sick of it.

So now I look at the year leading up to my goal race differently. I start in first gear in December, about eight or nine months out. I make sure that I spread out my energy and I govern my energy from the beginning of the year all the way up to the goal race.

The whole key is to get into sixth gear in August, not in June or July.

And sixth gear is a careful balance. You don't want to use up your best effort in training. You're not looking for extra reps or panic training. You have to go for quality.

I try to spend very little time thinking about needing to win and instead thinking about needing to do the work that's required to be able to win. I can't be trying to prove to myself that I have it, because I should already know I have it. When you can find peace in that, that's when the best results come.

 

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