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iRun because it reminds me that I am capable of so much more than I have doneJames Sauve, Ottawa, ON

iRun because it's cheaper than therapy Leah Boulter, Alberta

iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphinsLiliana Plava, Calgary, AB

iRun for the challenge to go faster and farther Steven Matejka, Alberta

iRun because it has saved my life John Marshall, Alberta

iRun because it reminds me of how strong I can be Monique Lavoie, Ontario

iRun because it’s cheaper than therapy Leah Boulter, Alberta

iRun so that I can live longer and stronger Derek MacPhail, Ontario

iRun to my happy place and some days it’s very Doreen May, Alberta

iRun because I never thought I would be able toGary Morris, Winnipeg, MB

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

iRun because of the peace and strength it brings meMichelle Jordan, Ottawa, ON

iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brainMarie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

iRun because otherwise I’m grumpy Alexandre Charest, Quebec

iRun because food tastes better afterwards Patrick Houston, Alberta

iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km Steph Mansell, Quebec

iRun away from the negative and towards the positive Teri Lepard, Alberta

iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn’t Peter Cicalo, Ontario

iRun see where my feet will take me todayMegan Dolinskas, New York

iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge Tim Nixon, British Columbia

iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentallyKathleen Keenan, Brampton, ON

iRun because I am not as clumsy I thought I was Hanna Baer, Quebec

iRun because somebody once told me I couldn’t Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan

iRun because I like buying running clothes Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun because when I run I feel most aliveMeghan Lynch, Ottawa, ON

iRun for my heart, so it runs for me! Cathy Brzoza, British Columbia

iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia

iRun to stay ahead of the weight gainMyra Abstreiter, Alberta

iRun therefore I amDuncan Walsh, Nottingham, UK

iRun slowly!Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun because my heart tells me to William Martin, Manitoba

iRun for the cool t-shirts! Pina Bevilacqua, Ontario

iRun to inspire my kids to tryGlen Johnston, Nunavut

iRun to inspire my children! Wendy Bowen, Manitoba

iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment Amber Moase, Nova Scotia

iRun to prove to myself I canLesley McGougan, Brampton, ON

iRun for meKiza Francis, Ottawa,ON

iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia

iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun to feel great Kathryn Rachar, Saskatchewan

iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state Tammy Rainville, Ontario

iRun because I like to be healthy Melanie Oickle, New Brunswick

iRun because it makes me feel powerful Sarah Kallaghan, Alberta

iRun for overall wellbeingTrish McCourt, Halifax, NS

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

iRun away from the abyss Charlene Thomas, Ontario

iRun because it makes me whole Denis Ladouceur, Quebec

iRun because I want to live to be 100! Colette DeJean, Ontario

iRun to kickstart my day Sharon Strueby, Saskatchewan

iRun because it gives my day a boost of energy Sara Campbell, Nova Scotia

iRun to correct years of sedentary living! Mike Scott, Ontario

iRun because endorphins are freeCassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun because iEat Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun because walking is too slow Barry Knapp, Ontario

iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't Peter Cicalo, Ontario

iRun because running is like breathing to Stephanie McEvoy, Ontario

iRun because I can’t dance Mario Javier, Ontario

iRun because it’s a great way to see the world Sherry Mahoney, British Columbia

iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live Pascale Synnott, Québec

iRun because it’s better than almost everything else Nathan Carey, Ontario

iRun for the individual pursuit Robert Pelletier, New Brunswick

iRun because I liveGeorges Schneller, Laval, QC

iRun because i love to Mirella Petriello, Ontario

iRun because there is no finish line Claire Kilgour, Ontario

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 because it makes me feel powerfulCarlene Paquette, Carp, ON

iRun because couch potatoes die young Cathy Andrew, Ontario

iRun because all the ladies are chasing my sexy runner’s bodyChris Baker, Etobicoke, ON

iRun because I’ve lost 80 lbs and running has become fun Cheryl Kelly, Ontario

iRun because it makes me a better person, a better wife, a better mother and a better friendNathalie Joncas-Caissie, St-Antoine, NB

iRun for health, i Run for life Pat Cheung, British Columbia

iRun because people around me inspire mePina Bevilacqua, Caledon, ON

iRun to eat Maureen Tritscher, Alberta

iRun because endorphins are free Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun all the livelong day Pierre Saint-Laurent, Québec

iRun for me! Judi Wearing, Saskatchewan

iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland

iRun because it sure beats the bus Robin Robbins, Alberta

iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sonsKeith Bradbury, Newfoundland

iRun because iLoves my man Beverly Huang, Alberta

iRun because I like buying running clothes Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun to unleash my inner athleteAdelle Densham, Avonmore, ON

iRun but not enoughMichael Shaw, New Westminister, BC

iRun to prove to them that iCan Catherine Smith, Manitoba

iRun because I cannot say no to a second slice of chocolate cakeEmily Shandruk, Vancouver, BC

iRun to get to know myself, my strength and my spirit Lisa Groulx, Ontario

iRun because I learn more about who I am with every kmSteph Mansell, Quebec

iRun because I can and I’m gratefulTerry SanCartier, Gatineau, QC

iRun because it’s like flying, only lower Glenn Johnson, Ontario

iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin Charlyn McGregor, Saskatchewan

iRun to eat more, especially sweet potatoe fries Joanna Skomra, Ontario

iRun slowly! Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful countryCheryl Carter, Clearwater , BC

iRun whenever I feel the need to escape Iona Hillis, Ontario

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

iRun because I want to be a role model for our six kids Catherine Empey, British Columbia

iRun because it helps me see things more clearly Jennifer Pitts, Ontario

iRun to challenge my perceived limitations Cassandra Williams, Ontario

iRun because it cleans up my life, because I drink more water, sleep better and eat healthier foodsRobin McIntyre, Ottawa, ON

iRun so I can eat ice cream Sandy Bolan, Ontario

iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul Sonia Mendes, Ontario

iRun because I love the solitude Janene Tailleur, British Columbia

iRun because it’s fun when it’s done Sue Matte, Ontario

iRun because it's a great stress release Brooke McKenzie, Yukon

iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing meTeresa Sterling, Ottawa , ON

iRun so my daughters know that they can, too Shelley Kirkpatrick, New Brunswick

iRun because I need it to soothe the soul, keep me in shape and for overall wellbeingBeth Neil, Lombardy, ON

iRun because it's better than almost everything else Nathan Carey, Ontario

iRun because I want to qualify for Boston and raise money for charities near and dear to my heartChristine Gracel, Calgary, AB

iRun for the moment when both feet are off the ground Catherine Anderson, British Columbia

iRun and run, and run, and run, and nobody can stop me Andrei Lucaciu, Ontario

iRun because it’s in meMichael Foley, Stittsville, ON

iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan

iRun because not everyone can Olivia Harvey, New Brunswick

iRun so I don’t say never ever again Linda Klaric, Manitoba

iRun because couch potatoes die young Cathy Andrew, Ontario

iRun to someday win the race Lindy Dunlop, Yukon

Cover photo from the current issue of iRun Magazine
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Photo of Mark Sutcliffe's new book - Why I Run
 

February 2011

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WEB EXTRA: Virtual destination racing

Running is supposed to be an inexpensive sport. But new shoes every year, GPS-enhanced sport watches and race registration fees in the triple digits can really take a chunk out of your budget, especially when that budget may not be so big to start off. Here are some simple, inexpensive and fun ways to recreate the experience of travelling to an exotic race location while giving your wallet a rest.

Listen to language tapes while running

Ever wanted to learn Spanish or German? Got a lot of time to kill on long runs? Berlitz Virtual Classroom ( berlitz.com) lets you learn a language anywhere. Upload the sessions of your choice to your portable music player and broaden your mind while muttering foreign phrases under your breath. Ex. “Dove è un buon ristorante per pasta?” (Italian) translates to “Where can I find a good restaurant for pasta?” in English. You’d swear you were actually running through the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Run through Chinatown

Or maybe Little Italy or Greek town. Pick an interesting ethnic neighbourhood in your city and map out a training run. You could even bring a few dollars for souvenirs.

Prepare an exotic post-run snack

Pick a foreign cuisine that interests you and look up recipes on the Internet or in cookbooks. Prepare yourself a tasty post-run snack and marvel at the unusual flavour combinations. Just make sure that it’s post-run and not pre-run in case your stomach isn’t as cosmopolitan as you are.

Watch a film with subtitles

Step 1: Set yourself up on a treadmill in front of a television, either at home or at the gym. Step 2: pick a movie or television show filmed in a foreign country. Consider Chocolat (France), Before Sunrise (Austria) or you could even try a travel program. Step 3: Picture yourself running through the streets of that enchanting location. For an extra challenge, pick a movie set in San Francisco and adjust the treadmill incline accordingly.

Go a short way out of town

Pick a race just slightly outside your city. For instance, if you live in Fredericton, run a race in St. John. If you’re in Calgary, look for races in Banff. Afterwards, play tourist and spend the afternoon scoping out the shops, restaurants and attractions. All the fun of destination racing without the hassle of travelling and sleeping on strange mattresses.

 
Next issue: June 10, 2013
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