iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentally – Kathleen Keenan, Brampton, ON
iRun for the moment when both feet are off the ground – Catherine Anderson, British Columbia
iRun so that I can live longer and stronger – Derek MacPhail, Ontario
iRun to prove to myself I can – Lesley McGougan, Brampton, ON
iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec
iRun to inspire my kids to try – Glen Johnston, Nunavut
iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario
iRun because it cleans up my life, because I drink more water, sleep better and eat healthier foods – Robin McIntyre, Ottawa, ON
iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn’t – Peter Cicalo, Ontario
iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba
iRun because it's better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario
iRun for my heart, so it runs for me! – Cathy Brzoza, British Columbia
iRun because people around me inspire me – Pina Bevilacqua, Caledon, ON
iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't – Peter Cicalo, Ontario
iRun because I need it to soothe the soul, keep me in shape and for overall wellbeing – Beth Neil, Lombardy, ON
iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Sarah Kallaghan, Alberta
iRun to feel great – Kathryn Rachar, Saskatchewan
iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan
iRun to eat more, especially sweet potatoe fries – Joanna Skomra, Ontario
iRun because walking is too slow – Barry Knapp, Ontario
iRun so my daughters know that they can, too – Shelley Kirkpatrick, New Brunswick
iRun because it's a great stress release – Brooke McKenzie, Yukon
iRun for the individual pursuit – Robert Pelletier, New Brunswick
iRun to inspire my children! – Wendy Bowen, Manitoba
iRun because it makes me whole – Denis Ladouceur, Quebec
iRun because it has saved my life – John Marshall, Alberta
iRun to get to know myself, my strength and my spirit – Lisa Groulx, Ontario
iRun because I’ve lost 80 lbs and running has become fun – Cheryl Kelly, Ontario
iRun for the challenge to go faster and farther – Steven Matejka, Alberta
iRun because food tastes better afterwards – Patrick Houston, Alberta
iRun because I am not as clumsy I thought I was – Hanna Baer, Quebec
iRun because it’s in me – Michael Foley, Stittsville, ON
iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario
iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state – Tammy Rainville, Ontario
iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia
iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario
iRun because it reminds me that I am capable of so much more than I have done – James Sauve, Ottawa, ON
iRun to someday win the race – Lindy Dunlop, Yukon
iRun because it makes me feel good, allows me to spend time with my friends and gives me a feeling of accomplishment – Helen Kolodziejzyk, Calgary, AB
iRun because it helps me see things more clearly – Jennifer Pitts, Ontario
iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia
iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live – Pascale Synnott, Québec
iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland
iRun to kickstart my day – Sharon Strueby, Saskatchewan
iRun because i love to – Mirella Petriello, Ontario
iRun all the livelong day – Pierre Saint-Laurent, Québec
iRun because I can and I’m grateful – Terry SanCartier, Gatineau, QC
iRun for health, i Run for life – Pat Cheung, British Columbia
iRun because I get foot rubs afterward – Kate Howerton, British Columbia
iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment – Amber Moase, Nova Scotia
iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia
iRun whenever I feel the need to escape – Iona Hillis, Ontario
iRun because it’s cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta
iRun because of the peace and strength it brings me – Michelle Jordan, Ottawa, ON
iRun see where my feet will take me today – Megan Dolinskas, New York
iRun because it’s like flying, only lower – Glenn Johnson, Ontario
iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec
iRun to challenge my perceived limitations – Cassandra Williams, Ontario
iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful country – Cheryl Carter, Clearwater , BC
iRun because it’s a great way to see the world – Sherry Mahoney, British Columbia
iRun because otherwise I’m grumpy – Alexandre Charest, Quebec
iRun because I can’t dance – Mario Javier, Ontario
iRun because I want to live to be 100! – Colette DeJean, Ontario
iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia
iRun because it’s better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario
iRun because it gives my day a boost of energy – Sara Campbell, Nova Scotia
iRun because I love the solitude – Janene Tailleur, British Columbia
iRun because iLoves my man – Beverly Huang, Alberta
iRun to unleash my inner athlete – Adelle Densham, Avonmore, ON
iRun because not everyone can – Olivia Harvey, New Brunswick
iRun to eat – Maureen Tritscher, Alberta
iRun but not enough – Michael Shaw, New Westminister, BC
iRun to my happy place and some days it’s very – Doreen May, Alberta
iRun because it’s fun when it’s done – Sue Matte, Ontario
iRun because it reminds me of how strong I can be – Monique Lavoie, Ontario
iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia
iRun because it makes me a better person, a better wife, a better mother and a better friend – Nathalie Joncas-Caissie, St-Antoine, NB
iRun because it's cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta
iRun for the cool t-shirts! – Pina Bevilacqua, Ontario
iRun therefore I am – Duncan Walsh, Nottingham, UK
iRun because I cannot say no to a second slice of chocolate cake – Emily Shandruk, Vancouver, BC
iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing me – Teresa Sterling, Ottawa , ON
iRun because all the ladies are chasing my sexy runner’s body – Chris Baker, Etobicoke, ON
iRun because my heart tells me to – William Martin, Manitoba
iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul – Sonia Mendes, Ontario
iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba
iRun to stay ahead of the weight gain – Myra Abstreiter, Alberta
iRun so I can eat ice cream – Sandy Bolan, Ontario
iRun away from the negative and towards the positive – Teri Lepard, Alberta
iRun because I want to qualify for Boston and raise money for charities near and dear to my heart – Christine Gracel, Calgary, AB
iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Carlene Paquette, Carp, ON
iRun because somebody once told me I couldn’t – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan
iRun because I like to be healthy – Melanie Oickle, New Brunswick
iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario
iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphins – Liliana Plava, Calgary, AB
iRun so I don’t say never ever again – Linda Klaric, Manitoba
iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin – Charlyn McGregor, Saskatchewan
iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario
iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia
iRun because there is no finish line – Claire Kilgour, Ontario
iRun because I want to be a role model for our six kids – Catherine Empey, British Columbia
iRun for me – Kiza Francis, Ottawa,ON
iRun because it sure beats the bus – Robin Robbins, Alberta
iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge – Tim Nixon, British Columbia
iRun for overall wellbeing – Trish McCourt, Halifax, NS
iRun away from the abyss – Charlene Thomas, Ontario
iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario
iRun and run, and run, and run, and nobody can stop me – Andrei Lucaciu, Ontario
iRun for me! – Judi Wearing, Saskatchewan
iRun because it gets my husband out there – Tricia LaLonde, Alberta
iRun because I live – Georges Schneller, Laval, QC
iRun to correct years of sedentary living! – Mike Scott, Ontario
iRun to prove to them that iCan – Catherine Smith, Manitoba
iRun because running is like breathing to – Stephanie McEvoy, Ontario
iRun because when I run I feel most alive – Meghan Lynch, Ottawa, ON
iRun because I never thought I would be able to – Gary Morris, Winnipeg, MB
iRun because the wall is meant to be broken – Jonathan Bird, Ontario
iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland
 
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July 2012 Back to Table of Contents Running is my greatest teacherWhen ultra-racer Ray Zahab closes his eyes, he can picture himself in the middle of a 330K event in Niger in 2004. “We were running out of a sandstorm. I remember looking around at the desert, at how remote and beautiful it was. I couldn’t believe I was experiencing what I had the opportunity to experience. And I remember realizing, ‘This is because of running.’” That revelation led Zahab, who lives in Chelsea QC with his wife Cathy and their two young children, into a life that offers others opportunities to welcome challenges, to push themselves and to accomplish great things so that they, too, can have those incredible experiences that running brings. As well as being an ultra-runner, Zahab is an ultra-volunteer. Through his non-profit, Impossible2Possible (i2P), he reaches young adventurers who travel with him on inspiring expeditions. i2P is made up of a team of 30 volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to the logistics of the expeditions so that youth can travel at no cost and so that thousands of students from around the world can follow along on the adventures with no cost to their school. Zahab also donates all his endorsements to the organization to help fund the student travel. Like Zahab, the other i2P volunteers believe in the importance of young people experiencing incredible adventures , learning about the capacity to be resilient and to thrive in all kinds of circumstances and sharing their stories and their learning with peers all over the world via satellite. “If lessons about exerting yourself at altitude or dealing with dehydration came from me, students would probably be interested,” says Zahab with his characteristic enthusiasm. “But when a group of 17-year-old Shackletons start talking about running 30K a day through extreme conditions, and describing what they saw, what they learned about themselves and who they met, the students connecting with us in their classrooms around the world really pay attention. It’s powerful peer-to-peer learning and we’re tapping into the amazing power of youth to accomplish it.” During each expedition, students in their classrooms can ask the youth ambassadors questions. “These questions are amazing and add so much to the expedition,” says Zahab remembering when students wanted to know how old the snow was that the team was running over and melting for drinking water on a Baffin Island expedition. “We found out that we were digging down into ancient snow, as old as the pharaohs,” says Zahab. “We were drinking pharaoh snow. That’s a question and an experience we wouldn’t have had without the connection with the students.” With its three mandates being to educate, to inspire and to empower, i2P’s reach extends far beyond the lucky travellers accompanying Zahab to locations like Rajasthan in India to study health; like Bolivia’s high altitude salt flats while studying chemisty; and like the Amazon Jungle where i2P ambassadors were inspired to fundraise for a school in a community they visited. During Expedition Amazon, 15,506 students at 116 schools followed the youth ambassadors’ journey. “We’ve developed a partnership with Simon Fraser University. They design curriculum for each expedition. After the expedition is over, the curriculum stays up on impossible2possible.com so that teachers can continue to access the material that is relevant to what they’re covering in class,” he explains. How does he inspire youth ambassadors to push beyond their perceived limits and truly experience all that running can teach them? “When the youth ambassadors feel frustrated or exhausted I tell them that we underestimate what we are capable of doing. I tell them that we've worked really hard to get here. And I tell them nothing is easy,” says Zahab. “Anything we do that is great isn't easy. The goal is to push ourselves till we can't anymore and learn something that only running can teach you.” “Enabling young people to learn through running by taking them on expeditions that require courage is my proudest professional accomplishment,” says Zahab. “When you find something you like you can’t put a price on it.” This fall, 8 youth ambassadors will travel with i2P to Botswana for an epic adventure and the opportunity to learn more about food security. “Alumni youth ambassadors are part of the selection committee who decide who—out of the many applicants—will be chosen for an i2P adventure. For Botswana, 7 or the 8 ambassadors selected are young women,” says Zahab. As well as leading two youth expeditions a year, Ray Zahab keeps his own ultra-racing fresh and exciting by heading off on his own adventures. “I’m going to Baffin Island for a training trip, to see if I can run across it in one go. In 24 hours,” he says. When the students crossed Baffin Island, it took them 8 days. Zahab has already run the Island in 27 hours, but he’s always up for a challenge and would like to best that time. Running Baffin Island in 24 hours will help Zahab train for his own upcoming Gobi Desert run—all 2300K of it. “We’re all capable of doing extraordinary things,” says Ray Zahab who wishes he knew that when he was 15 but is going the distance to spread exactly that message to as many young people as he can reach through i2P. |
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