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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

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

iRun, iRead: The Runners' Book Club

Reader’s Blues? Cure Them With a Red Shirt!

May 25th, 2010

“One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards.”
Oscar Wilde

VICKY: And the winners of the first week of the contest are….

GRANT: To be announced during this blog?

VICKY: Of course. We want our readers to actually read the blog and not skip ahead to see who won the beautiful iRun T-Shirts.

GRANT: You seem to be in a better mood. Wow, were you ever in the dumps today.  Exhausted from the long weekend?

VICKY: I ran a 16K long run yesterday with my BF on beautiful Beach Boulevard that runs along Lake Ontario from Hamilton to Burlington. By the way, might I add that Burlington, Ontario is #3 on Money Sense’s list of Canada’s best places to live. Along the way, we also stopped to watch the fascinating Burlington Canal Lift Bridge in action as this massive cargo ship from Quebec sailed into the Hamilton Port. It was just an amazing run and I didn’t want to drive back to Ottawa after that. But that’s not it, that’s not why I’m in the dumps today.  I think I’ve got the reading blues.

GRANT: What is that?

VICKY: Well, you know what happens after running a race? Many runners get the running blues and they just can’t bring themselves to run again for a while?  I get that after I’ve read a book.  All the emotional energy just gets sucked out.  At the end of it all the last thing you want to do is pick up another book.

GRANT: What are you saying?  You haven’t finished PRE yet?  I lent you my copy 2 weeks ago.

VICKY: No (sigh).  I’m only in the first chapter.  So far it’s really interesting but I just can’t get into reading any books at all.  I mean for the goodness sake I can’t even bring myself to read my vampire romance novels!!

GRANT: Holy Crow Batman!  You have to start reading again.  Listen, I have already finished Running With The Buffaloes and am part way through Bowerman and the Men of Oregon.

VICKY: Yeah but you’re a reading machine. I even took your advice and cancelled my cable so I wouldn’t have any excuses. Anyways, I’m failing miserably but don’t worry, I’ll get back on the reading wagon. So those books you’re reading, what are they about?

GRANT: Well, before I answer that I would like to announce that Regan has won our first T-Shirt! Regan wins because she is our first official fan and member of the book club.  She comments all the time.  The rest of you could learn a lesson from her!  Now to answer your question, Running With the Buffaloes follows the University of Colorado’s 1998 men’s cross country team.  There are so many parallels to PRE.  They even watch the movie “Without Limits” about Prefontaine during the book.  Tragically they also experience the death of one of the athletes during the year.  It is a very unique look inside the training habits and tribulations of a university running team.    Now I’m on to Bowerman.

VICKY: Cool.  Well you’re clearly not experiencing the reading blues.

GRANT: Definetly not.  In fact it was a challenge to get on here and work on the blog.  So much reading to do.  I love to sit in my sunroom and relax with a book.  Paradise.

VICKY: Ok Mr. I have an awesome fantastic sunroom/perfect reading area, let’s not rub it in. And with that let’s announce the second winner…. (drum roll please)…. Sylvie!  Because lets face it, if you read the previous blog you’ll know she needs a shirt. Watch out for those hydrants Sylvie :)

GRANT: Congrats to all our entrants.  Still one more shirt to be given away this week.  And more items to come.  Just leave a comment below!

VICKY: For example, tell us your experiences in cross country running.  Did you run in high school or university?  Or just tell us why you need a shirt.

GRANT: Yeah, I liked Arlene’s story.  She almost won.

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5 Responses to “Reader’s Blues? Cure Them With a Red Shirt!”
  1. Kevin Haggerty Says:

    I ran cross country in elementary school, or was it junior high? Regardless, it was a LONG time ago. Not sure why I stopped, but it may have been because of my running nemesis. I just couldn’t beat this guy! I think maybe after a while I just stopped trying, but like I said, it was a long time ago so who knows…

    I started running again a few years back, maybe 5 or 6 year by now, and guess what? I’ve run against my nemesis in a few races. He’s still beating me – but I’m getting closer! The last timed race we ran in together (a half marathon), he only beat me by 7 seconds!

    The next race we’re running together? The Perth Kilt run – it’s only 8K and I’m planning on beating him! Of course I always plan on beating him so… :)

    Oh and just as an aside, and maybe a crazy coincidence, his name is Grant. (The only Grant I’ve ever known until I stumbled across this blog)

  2. Regan Says:

    Thanx! I’m so excited! iRead “What I Talk about when I Talk about Running” on the weekend (short book). It was different – not so much about running really – but had some gems. 1) He ran the Athens – Marathon route for an article once (by himself with a road crew driving beside him) – it was incredably hot (to the point of blisters) – it’s off my list. 2) He just up and ran a 62 mile ultra but probably wouldn’t do it again – still on my list but I have a long meticulous plan for getting there (which involves several exit plans along the way!) and I’m thinking of starting small like 25K (yes, apparently that can still be considered an ultra!)

    As for running history, I’m a newbie. Did a bit of track sprint stuff in school which I was okay at but never pursued (didn’t really have a program). My sister was doing half marathons and finally convinced me a couple of years ago to give it a try – I told her all the way to the finish line that there was no way I was going to finish!!

  3. kristen Says:

    In grade 7, if we wanted to be on a sports team, we HAD to run cross country. I was definitely not a runner and had to face the humiliation of going to the cross country races and finishing LAST. Sure, someone has to be last, but it still sucked.

  4. Sylvie Says:

    Yay! Thank you! I never would have thought that something good would have come from that embarrassing experience!

    I’m also glad that Grant brought up “Without Limits” – I’ve been looking for a copy of the film to rent but haven’t had any luck. Do you happen to know where I can track it down?

  5. Laura (hoodieruns) Says:

    Dear Grant and Vicky,

    This weekend is is the Ottawa Race Weekend and temperatures are expected to hover around ‘obscenely hot’ all weekend. Since I’m a fair-faced freckled kid, I’m probably going to turn bright red with sunburns and I’d really like a matching red iRun t-shirt!

    I am currently not allowed to read fun books until my exam is done in early June but Pre is at the top of my list :o )

    My cross-country experience was the seed at the root of my running. I had a wonderful (and very fast 2:30 marathoner) coach that instilled a love of running, regardless of what speed we ran at. I ran with him at Christmas a couple years ago and even though he’s in his sixties, he runs with boundless enthusiasm. Just the kind of runner I want to be. Plus he’s an English teacher… doesn’t that dovetail well with the literary bent of this blog??!

    Have a great weekend!
    Love,
    Hoodie

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