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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

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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

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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

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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 makes me whole Denis Ladouceur , Quebec

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

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iRun because I love the solitude Janene Tailleur , British Columbia

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

The Shuffler

Propose a running experiment

March 29th, 2010

One of my favourite fitness blogs is called “The Great Fitness Experiment“.  Not only does the author have four kids and a job but she runs, she weight trains, she Zumbas, she Turbo Kicks and she yogas on a regular basis.  I am always inspired by the intensity of her exercise regimes.  Another thing I love about the blog is that Charlotte (the author) regularly takes on month-long fitness experiments, to shake up her routine and try new things.  It might be Karate one month, a Paleolithic-inspire diet the next… 

That’s one of the things that I love about blogging: it gives me the inspiration to go out and do crazy, different things so that I have blog fodder.  But the payoff can be more than I expected: discovering a fun new race, discovering I’m capable of more than I thought or realizing that as much as everyone else loves “X”, the thought of doing “X” again bores me/repulses me/fills me with terror. 

In the past, my experiments have been more on the “miniature” front – one-off things.  This time, I’d like to do something a bit longer or more involved.  That’s where you come in, faithful readers.  I’ve come up with a couple of ideas but I’m interested in your suggestions.  So far, I’ve got

- attempt to run every day for a month.  This would challenge me to find room in already scary schedule and prove to myself that it’s always possible to run, even if it’s just for 20 minutes.

- try running with a Running Room group.  Quite honestly, this fills me with terror.  I am convinced that I will be the slowest one there no matter what gorup I tried.  However, I’m pretty sure this would be a good growing experience.

Anyone have an idea for a longer running experiment?  I’m open to any running-related challenges, be they physical, spiritual or emotional.

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5 Responses to “Propose a running experiment”
  1. EndorphinBuzz Says:

    I like the camera running experiment. Take your camera with you and run until you have 7 pictures of dogs. Next time you need 3 pictures of blue station wagons. Pick whatever is somewhat likely to be among your route but still a bit rare, you don’t want to be out there forever or not long enough.

    Or you can try to find 10 different routes to do a 10k without looping? That should relieve the boredom.

  2. Chelsea Says:

    Don’t fear the Running Room groups – they can be fun! Running with a group can also get you through workouts you never thought you could complete on your own. For me, I need to do hills in a group, as I would be highly unlikely to do them on my own. If you found a group in Ottawa to do hills with, you could also pick their brains for vital information, like…where to find hills in Ottawa! (As a native Outaouais flatlander, I know of what I speak…)

    Also, maybe you could have someone prepare a scavenger hunt for you to complete on your route! A great way to get to know a city better and to direct your running towards a new goal (apart from greater distance, speed, or whatever).

  3. Renee Says:

    Run every day for a month! Preferrably at a time and place conducive to me tagging along (in some form).

    I also very much like the camera idea. Since you were going to do that to be all artistic-like anyway, it could be used to fun-up your mid-length runs.

  4. TreenaG Says:

    Running every day can be really good for a getting into the swing of it and great for your motivation – suggest you tell everyone so that you have some accountability and a really good reward will hope too. The camera idea is good, I’m always fascinated by curbside waste and try to make up stories for the stuff I see.
    Don’t fear the Running Room groups either, I’m very slow and pace lead a half marathon group – we focus on running slowly enough on the long runs and make sure that no one feels abandoned or left behind.
    You can also try different running groups across the city as a way to tour a new neighborhood. And later in the year the Beaver Chase trail runs start out in Kanata. Or try something really different like orienteering.
    Another good goal is Emilie’s Run in June, a women only 5km race which has everything from super speedy to walkers.

  5. Sylvie Says:

    Run every day for a month. You’ll definitely have some gritty stories for us after running through those April showers! Add “Eye of the Tiger” to your playlist for some inspiration – it’s my favourite song to listen to when I’m running in the rain!

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