iRunNation.com

iRun therefore I amDuncan Walsh, Nottingham, UK

iRun iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

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

iRun iRun because walking is too slow Barry Knapp, Ontario

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

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

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

iRun because food tastes better afterwards Patrick Houston, Alberta

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

iRun iRun because i love to Mirella Petriello, Ontario

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

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

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

iRun iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't Peter Cicalo, 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 to satisfy the irresistible urge Tim Nixon, British Columbia

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

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 for the individual pursuit Robert Pelletier, New Brunswick

iRun because it makes me feel powerful Sarah Kallaghan, Alberta

iRun because I liveGeorges Schneller, Laval, QC

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 iRun because endorphins are free Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario

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

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

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

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

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

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

iRun to someday win the race Lindy Dunlop, Yukon

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

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

iRun for overall wellbeingTrish McCourt, Halifax, NS

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

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

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

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

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

iRun because not everyone can Olivia Harvey, New Brunswick

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

iRun iRun to eat Maureen Tritscher, Alberta

iRun because I love the solitude Janene Tailleur, British Columbia

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

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

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

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

iRun because running is like breathing to Stephanie McEvoy, Ontario

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

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

iRun because there is no finish line Claire Kilgour, Ontario

iRun iRun to inspire my children! Wendy Bowen, Manitoba

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

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

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

iRun but not enoughMichael Shaw, New Westminister, BC

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

iRun because endorphins are freeCassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun iRun to feel great Kathryn Rachar, Saskatchewan

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

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

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

iRun to inspire my kids to tryGlen Johnston, Nunavut

iRun because I can’t dance Mario Javier, Ontario

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

iRun iRun because couch potatoes die young Cathy Andrew, Ontario

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

iRun slowly!Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

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

iRun because iLoves my man Beverly Huang, Alberta

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

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

iRun to prove to them that iCan Catherine Smith, Manitoba

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

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

iRun because I like buying running clothes Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun iRun for me! Judi Wearing, Saskatchewan

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

iRun iRun away from the abyss Charlene Thomas, Ontario

iRun iRun to challenge my perceived limitations Cassandra Williams, Ontario

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

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

iRun because it makes me whole Denis Ladouceur, Quebec

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

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

iRun iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state Tammy Rainville, 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 iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

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

iRun because otherwise I’m grumpy Alexandre Charest, Quebec

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

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

iRun because couch potatoes die young Cathy Andrew, Ontario

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

iRun because it has saved my life John Marshall, Alberta

iRun because my heart tells me to William Martin, Manitoba

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

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

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

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

iRun iRun slowly! Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

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

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

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

iRun for meKiza Francis, Ottawa,ON

iRun to stay ahead of the weight gainMyra Abstreiter, Alberta

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

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

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

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

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

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

iRun so I can eat ice cream Sandy Bolan, Ontario

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

iRun to unleash my inner athleteAdelle Densham, Avonmore, ON

iRun iRun to kickstart my day Sharon Strueby, Saskatchewan

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Photo of Mark Sutcliffe's new book - Why I Run
  Blogs

They came, they blogged and one of them conquered...

At long last, we are thrilled to announce the latest addition to the iRun.ca editorial team. The winner of our Running Blog Idol contest is (drumroll, please!)...Karen Karnis.

iRun.ca readers have enthusiastically followed Karen Karnis's running exploits, including the highs and lows of training and everything in between. Our cumulative tally of online hits has named Karen Karnis as our top writer - narrowly beating out our four other finalists.

Congratulations to Karen Karnis, who wins the incredible honour of being a low-paid blogger for iRun.ca for an entire year (not to mention being at the beck and call of our tyrannous editorial team)! We would also like to extend our thanks to all of the participants in our Running Blog Idol contest for their enthusiasm and contributions to our website. THANK YOU!


iRun Running Blog Idol Contestant #1
Karen Karnis

A runner for just over four years, Karen has already completed a marathon, two half marathons and a variety of 5k and 10k races. She describes her first marathon - the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon last September - as "a nightmare." However, she met a very interesting person in the process - a man named Sydney who was running his 152nd marathon! Although the race didn\'t go as well as planned for Karen or Sydney, he showed her that no matter how experienced a runner you are, you can still have a bad day. "Does that mean we shouldn\'t bother to prepare, or maybe just shouldn\'t bother at all? Of course not!" says Karen. "In the end, it is what we make it." We like her optimism!

RUNNER-UPS

iRun Running Blog Idol Contestant #3
Vicky & Grant

Self-described "running nerds," Vicky and Grant are co-workers who "spend their lunch hours at the nearest bookstore and will often be seen around the office getting excited about a new energy bar or running gadget." The duo captured our attention with their unique (double) take on Running Blog Idol, pledging to address a host of different topics including Canadian running heroes. Their submission to our contest even included a sample vlog (available at youtube.com/watch?v=oy4oDokN1Qo), which they promise is "but only a mere example of the lengths we are willing to go in order to share our experience, knowledge, research and general ramblings." Holy multimedia, Batman!

iRun Running Blog Idol Contestant #5
Terry McGillivray

A runner for almost two years, Terry recently had the mildly traumatic experience of trying to find a flattering pair of running pants ("Isn\'t running about pushing personal boundaries and just getting out there and moving? Except when you don\'t look in the least bit like Paula Radcliffe."). But although she may have been a bit embarrassed by "helpful handsome guy" at the store, she keeps a great perspective through her running experiences. Pushing through a number of injuries early in her running career, she got right back to training for her next race. "The feeling of elation when I crossed the finish line is unimaginable," says Terry. Sounds like she\'s hooked for good!

iRun Running Blog Idol Contestant #6
Dana Menard

Dana\'s first attempts at running started at age 15, prompted by the desire to impress a boy. "Thankfully, the boy in question appreciated her other charms and running was quickly abandoned," she says of her younger self. The habit finally stuck about two years ago, however, and she has since co-founded a two-person running team called "The Fighting Mongooses." Dana offers great advice in her blogs, such as to think twice about the Toronto Zoo 10k. "A strong whiff of elephant dung is not the reward you\'re looking for when you\'ve just crested yet another f-ing hill in the freezing cold," she advises. She also entertains with stories of, um, interesting people she met during races. "There was that guy in the short robe two years ago who invited us back to his house for pancakes after the race - we decided to keep running." Funny and smart is a winning combo in our books!

iRun Running Blog Idol Contestant #7
Tyler Chase

A banker by day, 35-year-old Tyler recently decided to train for a marathon. And by "decided," he means that "my wife has given me permission to train for the full." A dedicated family man with two young children (a three-year-old and a six-month-old), Tyler says it\'s a constant challenge to find more time to run. He says that his wife wants him to run because it\'s good for his heart, but he\'s slightly suspicious that the real reason might be because his body "was beginning to look more and more like a pear," and "she doesn\'t like pears." We wish him the best of luck in becoming the fruit of his wife\'s dreams!

 
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