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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

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

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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

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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

iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe , British Columbia

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iRun because the wall is meant to be broken Jonathan Bird , Ontario

iRun because it has saved my life John Marshall , Alberta

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

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iRun because I get foot rubs afterward Kate Howerton , British Columbia

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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

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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

The Shuffler

Weather or not to run

April 27th, 2010

Today’s post is brought to you by the freakish, bipolar weather swings in Ottawa this week.  To wit: Sunday’s run was sunny, warm, about 15°C.  Today, it snowed on and off, it rained and tonight, the temperature hovered in the single digits but with a windchill that brought the temperature below zero.  Unfortunately for me, I had a running date.  But fortunately for my health and self-esteem, I kept it (feel free to be impressed by this).  (Question: If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?  Answer: Pilgrims.   And now back to your regularly-scheduled blog.)

My Dad likes to say that there is no inclement weather, there is only inadequate preparation (he’s a golfer.  They’re a very particular breed of nuts.)  He does have a point in this though.  Tonight, I wore long pants, a long shirt, a reflective nylon jacket and a hat to keep the rain out of my eyes and I was fine.  Throughout the winter, Renée and I ran when it snowed and when the temperature dropped to -20°C.  I’ve also run slowly in minimal clothing with frequent walk breaks, guzzling water when the temperature hit +30°C.  I think my least favourite running weather has to be windy.  I remember doing an interval workout last fall when we foolishly set out with the wind at our backs and faced serious headwinds on the way home.  Unfortunately, the Garmin couldn’t tell that our pace had fallen off because of natural phenomena and kept beeping at us to hurry up.  Lesson learned: don’t set the Garmin to the “beep” setting.

I guess the point of this post is that you’d be surprised what kind of weather you can put up with when you give it a try.  Here’s my take on weather running rules:

  1. Dress accordingly.  The rule of thumb I’ve heard is to dress at though it’s 10°C warmer than it actually is.  You might be a bit chilly starting out but you’ll warm up.  Some websites even have handy applications that can tell you what to wear based on the weather .
  2. Avoid running in thunderstorms.  I don’t think this one needs clarification or explanation.
  3. Be extra careful around traffic when there’s been a snowfall or it is currently snowing or raining.
  4. Pay attention to your body.  If you’re feeling dizzy or tingly (and you’re not thinking about George Clooney or Halle Berry while running), it might be time to turn around and walk home.  If you’re in serious doubt, chicken out and live to run another day.
  5. Consider warming up indoors when it’s extra-cold or raining.  I find that I’m really reluctant to go from warm and dry to chilly and wet if it’s raining but if I’m already a bit sweaty and warm, I’m okay with it.

On the other hand, if you’re the kind of runner who heads for the treadmills at the first cloud or if you have a restrictive no-running-between-October-and-April policy, there’s no shame in that either.  Treadmills were invented, I think, for Canadian runners and we honour the inventor of the treadmill every time we use them.  (Upcoming post: Why I love treadmills).

Do you consider yourself a fair weather runner?  Do you loathe treadmills with such a passion that you’ll run in any condition?  Anyone else run in Ottawa yesterday?

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5 Responses to “Weather or not to run”
  1. EndorphinBuzz Says:

    Run, always! I did my interval workout despite the wind gusts. I figure it’s even better training when it’s more difficult.

  2. Kevin Haggerty Says:

    Agree with EndorphinBuzz, also did my interval workout yesterday in the wind / snow.

  3. Chelsea Says:

    You forgot to mention that running in inclement weather also scores serious brownie points with the running gods, valid for exchange in future when consuming actual brownies…

  4. Chelsea Says:

    Oh, and I ran (iRan?) for about all of two minutes yesterday – perhaps amounting to 1/8 of a brownie point. But in my defence, I am in Montreal, and it was wild!

  5. Elbows Says:

    Hmmm, I feel as though this post was particularly written with me in mind. Well, first bad weather run is over with for me! However, all that treadmill running transitioned nicely into outdoor running so I trust that most running can still be done inside November to March.

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