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

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

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

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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iRun iRun away from the abyss Charlene Thomas , Ontario

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

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

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

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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

See Mommy Run

Growing Stronger

August 4th, 2010

From the back of the car, my four-year-old daughter’s, Leila, clear little voice sang, When I get older, I will be stronger…

I asked her how she knew that song, she told me she hears it on the radio and likes it. Now every time it plays, I think of her.

As I drove home last night from my running group, wipers smearing raindrops across the windshield, it played through the speakers.

When I get older, I will be stronger.

How quite literally true for a four year old. It’s a simple concept really, and one that she has never questioned (nor should she). She sat on the bathroom counter this morning, watching my husband shave.

You have big arms, Daddy, she told him, but mine are just little. Her told her one day she’d have bigger arms, too.
How come your bone sticks out funny like that? she asked, pointing to his bicep.
It’s the muscle, he explained to her,  see how it can move when you move your arm up and down?

When I get older, I will be stronger.

I’m not sure when  exactly we lose faith in ourselves, but we do. Maybe it’s not that we lose it, but that it becomes a challenge to believe in its existence. Leila’s innocent belief that she will be stronger is nothing more than sheer faith. But as we grow (perhaps more cynical), faith can be hard to come by. Unfulfilled goals and un-taken paths sometimes make us feel that we don’t have what it takes to truly maximize this life.

In so many ways, life is so beautifully simple. Some days I’m quite sure I have discovered the secret to happiness, and I keep it here, in my home. It is love. It is the innocence of children and the love of a good man and warm suppers on rainy nights and wine on the porch after the kids are in bed and parents who are two of my best friends. It is laying beside my two-year-old in her new bed as her eyes grow heavy with sleep and it is spending the day alone with my four-year-old and it is the way I feel after a run and the sheer joy that transcends so many aspects of my life. It is reverence for the magic of the universe and how it has incomprehensibly sent all of these blessings my way.

But it’s not always that simple, because life is also filled with death and divorce, confusion, challenges, pain, loneliness, war, abuse. And for those, I don’t know the answer. For those who don’t have a warm embrace to come home to, or who long for a child to hold but struggle to conceive. For those who’ve lost a child or a spouse. For those who are alone, utterly and completely.

In my innocence, I continue to whisper my thanks, to anyone who is listening. I try to pay it forward. I dig deep for patience and remind myself constantly to Judge Not. And through this journey, through running and raising children, I too believe that as I get older, I become stronger.

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One Response to “Growing Stronger”
  1. Mandeep Says:

    Like the post. Gotta keep faith. From now on my mantra will be that ” I WILL get stronger” ..its true anyway that as we age we do get stronger mentally if not physically :)

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