race partners iRunNation.com

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

iRun for overall wellbeingTrish McCourt , Halifax, NS

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

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 gainMyra 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 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, 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

Dirt, Sweat & Trails

In Search of Adventure

April 6th, 2010

 

Always in search of a new adventure...Where will this trail lead me?

Always in search of a new adventure...Where will this trail lead me? photo credit: Bob Walker

Hi everyone – Thanks for tuning in for this first trail running blog post!

Not easy to figure out how to start this one…I  suppose I could kick things off with a question back to you…Why do you run trails?

Trail running has always been a passion of mine, but one that I could never pursue until about 10 years ago.  I spent a big chunk of my life ‘chasing the dream’ as an elite athlete in the sport of cross-country skiing, and as such, spent a lot of time during the ‘dryland’ training season, running on trails - I loved it.  I ran and raced as much as my coaches would allow, but ski training was always the priority.  In 2002, I hung up the boards, happy and ready to move on to the ‘real’ world.  It was time to run! 

Fresh from retirement and hungry for competition of a different style, I chased the World Mountain Running circuit for a few years, eventually realizing that I didn’t really want to train at this level again…Been there – done that.  It wasn’t the level that scared me, it was the structure required to get me there.  All these years of following such intense focus had drained me – I simply wanted to enjoy the sport and explore new trails.  And so that’s what I did.

A few years ago, a good friend of mine (Bob Walker), set on a mission to write a guide to Mountain Running in the Canadian Rockies.  Although I personally thought he was nuts for taking on this venture, I agreed to tag along on his first few ‘missions’, knowing full well that any run with Bob would turn into an adventure – and did they ever!  But what really got me hooked was that for the first time since moving to Canmore (in 1995), an entire new network of trails opened up right in my backyard.  How could I have missed this?  So close, yet I had never bothered to step into the backcountry.

From one sweet (sweet) singletrack to another - I was hooked.  This is what I had been dreaming about of all these years.  Of course, chasing the ultimate singletrack was not without an adventure or two, like the time our ’planned’ 3hr run turned into 8hrs!  Ouch.  But I’ll save those details for another time…

We all have our reasons to run…For me,  it’s the search of a new adventure – I suppose that this alone could lead to some interesting situations - I guess that’s where the ‘entertainment’ side of this blog will come from.  And along the way, I may even throw in some tidbits about training, racing and gear…although if you have any specific questions, by all means, fire away!

As for me, it’s time to go running again…I registered for this ’thing’ called the Death Race in August.  Not quite sure what I signed up for, but I figured it would be a good adventure ;)

Thanks for following.

pv

Share
3 Responses to “In Search of Adventure”
  1. Vicky and Grant Says:

    Wow, this is going to be a sweet blog.
    I’m a lover of trail running and I can’t wait to hear the details leading up the Death Race. I had a buddy who almost talked me into this race this year and I definitely hope to do it next year. I look forward to an inside look at it.

    In answer to the question. I run trails because I love the fresh air and the challenge. You have to focus and stay in the present moment.

    Grant

  2. Sylvie Says:

    Just checked out the site for the “Death Race”. The intensity is certainly communicated by their friendly logo! Curious to know how many parents are signing up their younglings for the “Kids Death Race”! Keep us posted on your progress!

  3. pvilleneuve Says:

    Grant – Thx for the comment! Glad to have some fellow trail fanatics on board – I must admit that I’m a bit nervous about DR since the longest I’ve ever run is around the 65k mark…125k seems so far away. Like I said, a good adventure!

    Vicky – Death Race does indeed have an ‘interesting’ marketing strategy, going for the shock effect on the visual side, but…It does seem to be working. Hey, it signed me up! The race has been increasing in popularity over the past few years and will host over 1,500 runners this year, that’s an increase of 500 runners! After your comment re: “Kids Death Race”, I was curious to see how many kids were entered in 2009…In total 250 kids entered, all aged under 15 (I think about 20 didn’t finish…) – That’s huge! As a race destination, runners are turning this into a family ‘vacation’…”Hey kids, let’s go watch mom/dad run the Death Race! And you can run too!”. Either way, I’m looking forward to the experience.

    Thx for following – pv

Queen City Marathon
Mississauga Marathon 2012
vrpro.ca seasonal events

Blue Nose Marathon
Poscasts on IRun