iRun because I cannot say no to a second slice of chocolate cake – Emily Shandruk , Vancouver, BC
iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphins – Liliana Plava , Calgary, AB
iRun because I want to qualify for Boston and raise money for charities near and dear to my heart – Christine Gracel , Calgary, AB
iRun because it makes me feel good, allows me to spend time with my friends and gives me a feeling of accomplishment – Helen Kolodziejzyk , Calgary, AB
iRun but not enough – Michael Shaw , New Westminister, BC
iRun because I never thought I would be able to – Gary Morris , Winnipeg, MB
iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentally – Kathleen Keenan , Brampton, ON
iRun because people around me inspire me – Pina Bevilacqua , Caledon, ON
iRun therefore I am – Duncan Walsh , Nottingham, UK
iRun because I live – Georges Schneller , Laval, QC
iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful country – Cheryl Carter , Clearwater , BC
iRun for overall wellbeing – Trish McCourt , Halifax, NS
iRun because it makes me a better person, a better wife, a better mother and a better friend – Nathalie Joncas-Caissie , St-Antoine, NB
iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Carlene Paquette , Carp, ON
iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing me – Teresa Sterling , Ottawa , ON
iRun because it’s in me – Michael Foley , Stittsville, ON
iRun because it reminds me that I am capable of so much more than I have done – James Sauve , Ottawa, ON
iRun for me – Kiza Francis , Ottawa,ON
iRun to prove to myself I can – Lesley McGougan , Brampton, ON
iRun because all the ladies are chasing my sexy runner’s body – Chris Baker , Etobicoke, ON
iRun because I can and I’m grateful – Terry SanCartier , Gatineau, QC
iRun because when I run I feel most alive – Meghan Lynch , Ottawa, ON
iRun to unleash my inner athlete – Adelle Densham , Avonmore, ON
iRun because it cleans up my life, because I drink more water, sleep better and eat healthier foods – Robin McIntyre , Ottawa, ON
iRun because of the peace and strength it brings me – Michelle Jordan , Ottawa, ON
iRun because I need it to soothe the soul, keep me in shape and for overall wellbeing – Beth Neil , Lombardy, ON
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 it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire , Nova Scotia
iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell , Quebec
iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe , British Columbia
iRun and run, and run, and run, and nobody can stop me – Andrei Lucaciu , Ontario
iRun because the wall is meant to be broken – Jonathan Bird , Ontario
iRun because it has saved my life – John Marshall , Alberta
iRun for the challenge to go faster and farther – Steven Matejka , Alberta
iRun to my happy place and some days it’s very – Doreen May , Alberta
iRun because food tastes better afterwards – Patrick Houston , Alberta
iRun because I can’t dance – Mario Javier , Ontario
iRun so I don’t say never ever again – Linda Klaric , Manitoba
iRun because it makes me whole – Denis Ladouceur , Quebec
iRun because it gets my husband out there – Tricia LaLonde , Alberta
iRun away from the negative and towards the positive – Teri Lepard , Alberta
iRun because running is like breathing to – Stephanie McEvoy , Ontario
iRun because I love the solitude – Janene Tailleur , British Columbia
iRun for the moment when both feet are off the ground – Catherine Anderson , British Columbia
iRun to someday win the race – Lindy Dunlop , Yukon
iRun to stay ahead of the weight gain – Myra Abstreiter , Alberta
iRun because otherwise I’m grumpy – Alexandre Charest , Quebec
iRun because I get foot rubs afterward – Kate Howerton , British Columbia
iRun because iLoves my man – Beverly Huang , Alberta
iRun because not everyone can – Olivia Harvey , New Brunswick
iRun to get to know myself, my strength and my spirit – Lisa Groulx , Ontario
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 today – Megan 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 try – Glen 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, iRun 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 iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou , British Columbia
iRun iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury , Newfoundland
iRun iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard , Ontario
iRun iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't – Heidi Abbey-Der , Saskatchewan
iRun iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew , Ontario
iRun iRun because it's cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter , Alberta
iRun iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie , Ontario
iRun iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman , Manitoba
iRun iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe , British Columbia
iRun iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell , Quebec
iRun iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire , Nova Scotia
iRun iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't – Peter Cicalo , Ontario
iRun iRun because it's better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey , Ontario
iRun iRun for my heart, so it runs for me! – Cathy Brzoza , British Columbia
iRun iRun to inspire my children! – Wendy Bowen , Manitoba
iRun iRun because it sure beats the bus – Robin Robbins , Alberta
iRun iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live – Pascale Synnott , Québec
iRun iRun to kickstart my day – Sharon Strueby , Saskatchewan
iRun iRun for me! – Judi Wearing , Saskatchewan
iRun iRun because it's a great stress release – Brooke McKenzie , Yukon
iRun iRun because i love to – Mirella Petriello , Ontario
iRun iRun because it helps me see things more clearly – Jennifer Pitts , Ontario
iRun iRun to eat – Maureen Tritscher , Alberta
iRun iRun to correct years of sedentary living! – Mike Scott , Ontario
iRun iRun away from the abyss – Charlene Thomas , Ontario
iRun iRun all the livelong day – Pierre Saint-Laurent , Québec
iRun iRun to challenge my perceived limitations – Cassandra Williams , Ontario
iRun iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state – Tammy Rainville , Ontario
iRun iRun so that I can live longer and stronger – Derek MacPhail , Ontario
iRun iRun to feel great – Kathryn Rachar , Saskatchewan
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 for the fresh air and adrenalin – Charlyn McGregor , Saskatchewan
iRun iRun for the individual pursuit – Robert Pelletier , New Brunswick
iRun iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge – Tim Nixon , British Columbia
iRun iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment – Amber Moase , Nova Scotia
iRun iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul – Sonia Mendes , Ontario
iRun iRun because walking is too slow – Barry Knapp , Ontario
March 31st, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Like you, pry my mp3 player out of my cold, dead hands!! However, I don’t get stitches from running to music! Music becomes part of the soundtrack to my life, gives me the ability to disengage from a stressful day, and promotes clear, relaxed thinking. In fact, I have solved many an issue while running thanks to music. During those unfortunate runs when my batteries died (ACK!), the run was tedious and no where near as relaxed and enjoyable. Purists be darned – running is a personal, individual sport – let me enjoy it!
March 31st, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Headphones are glued to my ears during runs. But it’s not just the music that keeps me going. Creating playlists for a speed workout or a long Sunday run is part of the experience too!
March 31st, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I use headphones about 50% of the time in training, but never race with them. I dont care what you say, but even with low volumes you are not totally aware of your surroundings. In training, its a risk I take.
In a race, if the organzier bans the use of headphones, people not obeying this rule should be pulled off the course and / or have their results removed from the official standings. The JFK 50 miler does this and no one was running with headphones. My issue is with races that ban them but then dont enforce the rule.
March 31st, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Great article. (By the way, Dolly Parton is STILL actively involved in child literacy. Every child under 5 in Sevier County, TN receives a book from Dolly every month.)
I’m in general, anti-headphones – FOR ME. Mostly because they don’t stay in my ears and usually make me push too hard. But I’m all for people doing what works for them. I happen to enjoy a lot of the sounds around me when I run – that doesn’t mean that everyone who runs has to enjoy them too.
What people on both sides of the debate so often miss is that listening to music (or podcasts) while you run can both be just what you need to get going – or keep going – or whatever, and STILL be dangerous in some situations. Sometimes it’s fine to use headphones with appropriate precautions. Sometimes it’s not. Personally, I only take them out on shorter runs when I’m very familiar with the environment and comfortable with the level of safety of potentially not hearing something come up behind me.
The big rift is really in races where they are banned. Lots of people get all defiant and run with them anyway. Which is fine, as long as they take responsibility for this action and don’t get bent out of shape if/when they are disqualified. (Or, in a worst case scenario, injured or killed due to not hearing a warning or similar instruction!)
@Chris: I’m with you on that regarding ANY rule that races (or other “authorities”) establish but don’t enforce. It’s especially infuriating when you’re being the “good” one and respecting the rule and seeing others defy it without repercussion or guilt.
March 31st, 2010 at 5:36 pm
An accidental trip to the gym without my iPod or at least headphones causes mild panic.
April 1st, 2010 at 6:01 am
Headphones are generally not an issue as long as they are not worn during races. Wearing headphones during races is dangerous. Kind of like drunk drivers or people who talk on cellphones while they are driving you can spot these people a mile away. They are cutting people off and inconsiderately not paying any attention to those around them.
April 1st, 2010 at 6:04 am
I should mention that this is Grant by the way. I know for a fact that Vicky runs around with headphones singing during races.
April 1st, 2010 at 8:29 am
I am a no headphones type of guy. When I first started running I did listen to music because I felt it made the time go faster. That all changed when it became too much of a pain in the a$$ to change the songs on my iPod. After that I stopped running with head phones, cold turkey, and I started to enjoy my runs even more than I could have imagined.
I don’t begrudge anyone who chooses to listen to music while running. My biggest annoyance during a run, especially a race, is the walkers who are four abreast and force people to pass them in a live lane. Pay Attention Chilly Half Marathon Walkers I’m talking about you!
Jason
April 1st, 2010 at 8:40 am
I love my headphones too, and I have to question whether there are data to support headphones in a race being a hazard.
As for music and side stitches, I find I get stitches when I vary my pace during a run. Can I propose that different songs make one speed up or slow down, depending on the tempo of the song, and perhaps this could be the cause of your stitches? Just a thought…
April 1st, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Music while training but NOT at races, it’s just too dangerous and rude.
I couldn’t believe an ad I saw for a Portland promoting itself as mp3 friendly race, I think it’s just rude to other runners!
April 3rd, 2010 at 11:40 am
Well this is timely — I just signed up for my first ever 1/2 marathon, and am now dreading it b/c I realized after the fact there are no headphones allowed. You are my running soul mate, shuffler! I too am too slow to be competitive, and rely on music and podcasts to keep me motivated. Gym Boredom or Run Reluctance is often cured by burning a new playlist!
April 4th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
I actually run with headphones sometimes and without sometimes. I like to mix it up. However I do usually listen to music..Im now curious to try a run with a podcast!
April 5th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Headphones are dangerous during a race? Really? Are you worried about tripping over an earbud? If it’s the fact that people might be less able to hear someone passing them, then I assume you are a firm believer in banning all hearing impaired people from running?
I think the whole “banning mp3 players” is just a bunch of people who’ve never used one (what’s the average age of a race official?) trying to enforce their views on everyone else.