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, 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
May 20th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Well said !!! There are times when I am out training and see spent gel packets, empty water bottles…ok and the odd beer can….but for the most part, the trail I run is littered with “runners trash”….it’s sad that we can achieve so much personal growth from our sport, and at the same time, regress into a bunch of hapless litterbugs… I am getting down from my soapbox now…sorry if I offended anyone but the truth of the matter is, like was said in the blog, “You Are Littering.” .
May 21st, 2010 at 9:59 am
Well said!
May 21st, 2010 at 12:54 pm
I couldn’t agree more! I was actually shocked about the amount of gel packs and such that were lining the 21.1km that I was running.
I do have a question though…I know that at the beginning of a race people have on “throw away” clothes that are meant to keep the runner warm for the first few kms. The clothes are then discarded along the side of the street and donated. But does anyone know how long of a stretch of road people can and should discard their throw aways? I saw a lot of stray shirts well into the race and I’m not sure those were going to get picked up – anyone know?
Thanks
May 21st, 2010 at 2:22 pm
I agree! The runner originally had the gel pack in a pocket to begin with, they can put the empty wrapper back in when they’re finished with it! Littering is NOT cool!
May 21st, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Interesting. I don’t run with gel packs or other stuff, so I wouldn’t do that. But to be quite honest, I wouldn’t have thought of it as littering during a race. Now I will for sure — thanks for the note.
On the topic of etiquette, I get quite frustrated by groups of runners who don’t respect single runners or even traffic. I’ve encountered it running and driving way too often, living downtown.
May 21st, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Agreed. Keep your gel pack until you find a garbage.
Either that or we’ll all have to pay increased race fees so the city can pay to have 26.2 miles of road cleaned.
May 21st, 2010 at 3:20 pm
I do agree! I hate to litter so I always put my gel packaging in my little back pocket in my fuel belt, it’s out of the way and I get to throw it either in a trash can during the race or at the end, it’s not hard to do it. Ok, I’m not going for an Olympic berth on the marathon squad but nonetheless. Same goes with the ‘throw away’ clothes, come on! Even on cold days where I know I’m going to warm up fast I make sure to leave my surplus of clothing with someone I know who doesn’t race so that I don’t have to carry it the entire way so why don’t they do the same? Yes, it’s cold but you’ll warm up fast… I too am getting off my soap box.
May 21st, 2010 at 4:47 pm
In LA they were handing out full Gatorade (thanks NikeTown!) I couldn’t believe how many ended up on the ground after just one sip. I kept mine until empty and found a bin for it!
May 21st, 2010 at 5:03 pm
See, I KNEW it wasn’t anyone from iRunNation tossing the trash!!
Thanks for all the comments!
Girly Pink Shoes – thanks for asking that! Same goes for clothing – if you’re away from the start and still have your top layer, you can hand it to a kind spectator, or just hang on to it until a water station.
Phil – I hear you! It’s funny how “packs” of runners get so absorbed in whatever – conversation maybe? – that they just sort of seem to forget themselves. At best, it’s rude; and of course at worst, it’s dangerous.
EndorphinBuzz – wow! Messy AND a huge waste!
In a related story, someone was handing out bananas at Around the Bay and there were peels all over the ground – also not good because I slipped on one, just like in the cartoons!
May 21st, 2010 at 5:58 pm
I agree 100%. For all the amazing volunteers: Thank you so much. And for whoever put out the sliced oranges (both at Mississauga and ATB): I love you and you can have my place in heaven.
May 25th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
I 100% agree! In fact the races I have been to locally all had the same issue, litter everywhere! And before the races were even half over they had crews of kids and volunteers out picking up all the trash but that is a heck of a lot of ground for a crew to cover for cleanup! There really is no excuse. Shame on the litterbugs!