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

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

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

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 but not enoughMichael Shaw , New Westminister, BC

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

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

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

iRun therefore I amDuncan Walsh , Nottingham, UK

iRun because I liveGeorges Schneller , Laval, QC

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

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

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

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

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

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

iRun for meKiza Francis , Ottawa,ON

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

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

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

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

iRun to unleash my inner athleteAdelle Densham , Avonmore, ON

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

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

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 for relaxation and to motivate my two sonsKeith Bradbury , Newfoundland

iRun because endorphins are freeCassandra Chouinard , Ontario

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

iRun because couch potatoes die young Cathy Andrew , Ontario

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

iRun because I like buying running clothes Pamela Blaikie , Ontario

iRun slowly!Jason Hoffman , Manitoba

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

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

iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe , British Columbia

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

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

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iRun because not everyone can Olivia Harvey , New Brunswick

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

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

iRun because it makes me feel powerful Sarah Kallaghan , Alberta

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

iRun because there is no finish line Claire Kilgour , Ontario

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

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

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

iRun because my heart tells me to William Martin , Manitoba

iRun to prove to them that iCan Catherine Smith , Manitoba

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

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

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

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

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

iRun to inspire my kids to tryGlen Johnston , Nunavut

iRun so I can eat ice cream Sandy Bolan , Ontario

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

iRun because endorphins are free Cassandra Chouinard , Ontario

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

iRun because couch potatoes die young Cathy Andrew , Ontario

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

iRun because I like buying running clothes Pamela Blaikie , Ontario

iRun slowly! Jason Hoffman , Manitoba

iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe , British Columbia

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

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

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

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

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

iRun to inspire my children! Wendy Bowen , Manitoba

iRun because it sure beats the bus Robin Robbins , Alberta

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

iRun to kickstart my day Sharon Strueby , Saskatchewan

iRun for me! Judi Wearing , Saskatchewan

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

iRun because i love to Mirella Petriello , Ontario

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

iRun to eat Maureen Tritscher , Alberta

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

iRun away from the abyss Charlene Thomas , Ontario

iRun all the livelong day Pierre Saint-Laurent , Québec

iRun to challenge my perceived limitations Cassandra Williams , Ontario

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

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

iRun to feel great Kathryn Rachar , Saskatchewan

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

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

iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin Charlyn McGregor , Saskatchewan

iRun for the individual pursuit Robert Pelletier , New Brunswick

iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge Tim Nixon , British Columbia

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

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

iRun because walking is too slow Barry Knapp , Ontario

Amy Robitaille's Road to Boston

A few of my Favourite things…

January 26th, 2012

My road to Boston is going well.  So far.  I can’t say that it is because of one major thing or another.  It is because of a huge assortment of ‘favourite things’ that make for a perfect Boston training recipe.  I know, I know, it is so early in my training to be talking about how great everything is, (those super looonnngg runs haven’t taken over my optimism yet) but I have decided that I need to be grateful (in print) for all of those favourite things, in an attempt to make the universe feel like it should keep all of these things going for me.

First, I have to be grateful for the littlest of my children.  If I didn’t have this maternity leave, my training would suffer, as would the time I could spend with my family.  I have decided that when I do go back to work, (timely, right before Boston) we are just going to become one of those families with a messy house, and piles of laundry.  Running can’t take a back-burner, the kids can’t take a back-burner, dinner certainly can’t, so vacuuming and tidying will take the brunt of it, I suppose.  So what.  I think my children prefer a messy house.  That must be the reason they get so many toys out all at once, right?!

I also am grateful for my bestest running buddy, Michelle.  We can’t make it out together every day, but on the days we do, it is like a running vacation.  Lots of chatting, no boredom.  Even the cruelest, ugliest running weather is more bearable with her.  She really deserves a shout out here, as she has been joining me for interval/tempo workouts that Nicole Stevenson has created for me–it is so nice to suffer this pain with a partner.  There.  It is now in print, so hopefully she will continue to join me!

Of course, the hubs is one of my favourites also.  Although we don’t really get to run together, he is in this with me.  He is Superman.  Really.

I love all of my friends and family that tell me they are excited for me.  Friends that ask me how my training is going, etc.  Being able to feel good about a training run when someone asks makes the next training run that much easier to handle.  I guess people call this concept, “support”.  It is so nice!

I would be lying if I said there weren’t tangible, actual “things” that I am grateful for too.  For starters, I love my new Gore-tex jacket from Adidas.  With the rainy/snowy/windy weather this month has thrown at us, I have felt so lucky to have a nice shell to hide behind.  I am sure everyone in my neighbourhood will be sick of seeing me in it by spring.  Other things I love…

- The new cup sizes at Tim Horton’s.  Super-human-sized XL?! oh, yes!  Not recommended for the small-bladdered, this cup makes the old XL look like a kiddy cup.  I have mine full of green tea, and I LOVE it!

- Seat Warmers, and Keyless entry to my car.  Meeting up for a group run is so easy to drive to when I don’t have to carry my keys, and easy to drive home from with a toasty seat!

- Chap Stick and Kleenex–and pockets to put them in!

I know there will be hard times ahead in this training.  There will be days when I want to cry find the runs a bit challenging, there will be days when my family wishes I had a different hobby, like, say, floor-washing, lego-building, or gourmet-cooking.  I am looking forward to all of the days that lay ahead, knowing I have my ‘favourite things’ with me.

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One Response to “A few of my Favourite things…”
  1. Michelle Says:

    Oh no, you’ve gone n done it… I was happy being anonymous and not accountable for my participation in those tempo/hill runs with you?!! With exposure comes obligation!! Oh well, the way I see it… as I gasp away while you chat effortlessly climbing the water tower hill for the 6th time, I can take just a wee bit of credit for your stellar performance in your “goofy” races, lol!, and strong finish time in boston, right, right?! ;) … and at the same time I truly thank you for reminding me what its like to push my body and enjoy the burn, lol!!

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