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 I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec
iRun to my happy place and some days it’s very – Doreen May, Alberta
iRun for overall wellbeing – Trish McCourt, Halifax, NS
iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia
iRun away from the abyss – Charlene Thomas, Ontario
iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live – Pascale Synnott, Québec
iRun because it reminds me that I am capable of so much more than I have done – James Sauve, Ottawa, ON
iRun because there is no finish line – Claire Kilgour, Ontario
iRun because of the peace and strength it brings me – Michelle Jordan, Ottawa, ON
iRun because running is like breathing to – Stephanie McEvoy, Ontario
iRun because it’s better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario
iRun to get to know myself, my strength and my spirit – Lisa Groulx, Ontario
iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge – Tim Nixon, British Columbia
iRun all the livelong day – Pierre Saint-Laurent, Québec
iRun because all the ladies are chasing my sexy runner’s body – Chris Baker, Etobicoke, ON
iRun because the wall is meant to be broken – Jonathan Bird, Ontario
iRun to unleash my inner athlete – Adelle Densham, Avonmore, ON
iRun because walking is too slow – Barry Knapp, Ontario
iRun to eat – Maureen Tritscher, Alberta
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 because I can and I’m grateful – Terry SanCartier, Gatineau, QC
iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec
iRun whenever I feel the need to escape – Iona Hillis, Ontario
iRun to prove to myself I can – Lesley McGougan, Brampton, ON
iRun because somebody once told me I couldn’t – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan
iRun because I am not as clumsy I thought I was – Hanna Baer, Quebec
iRun to someday win the race – Lindy Dunlop, Yukon
iRun because I like to be healthy – Melanie Oickle, New Brunswick
iRun because it reminds me of how strong I can be – Monique Lavoie, Ontario
iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin – Charlyn McGregor, Saskatchewan
iRun for me! – Judi Wearing, Saskatchewan
iRun because otherwise I’m grumpy – Alexandre Charest, Quebec
iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't – Peter Cicalo, Ontario
iRun to inspire my kids to try – Glen Johnston, Nunavut
iRun because it sure beats the bus – Robin Robbins, Alberta
iRun because I live – Georges Schneller, Laval, QC
iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment – Amber Moase, Nova Scotia
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 so my daughters know that they can, too – Shelley Kirkpatrick, New Brunswick
iRun because it’s cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta
iRun because food tastes better afterwards – Patrick Houston, Alberta
iRun because it's cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta
iRun therefore I am – Duncan Walsh, Nottingham, UK
iRun because when I run I feel most alive – Meghan Lynch, Ottawa, ON
iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia
iRun for the moment when both feet are off the ground – Catherine Anderson, British Columbia
iRun to feel great – Kathryn Rachar, Saskatchewan
iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful country – Cheryl Carter, Clearwater , BC
iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland
iRun because I can’t dance – Mario Javier, Ontario
iRun because it gives my day a boost of energy – Sara Campbell, Nova Scotia
iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia
iRun because it’s fun when it’s done – Sue Matte, Ontario
iRun because people around me inspire me – Pina Bevilacqua, Caledon, ON
iRun because it’s like flying, only lower – Glenn Johnson, Ontario
iRun to challenge my perceived limitations – Cassandra Williams, Ontario
iRun because I cannot say no to a second slice of chocolate cake – Emily Shandruk, Vancouver, BC
iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba
iRun to kickstart my day – Sharon Strueby, Saskatchewan
iRun because I never thought I would be able to – Gary Morris, Winnipeg, MB
iRun for the cool t-shirts! – Pina Bevilacqua, Ontario
iRun because I love the solitude – Janene Tailleur, British Columbia
iRun because my heart tells me to – William Martin, Manitoba
iRun so that I can live longer and stronger – Derek MacPhail, Ontario
iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario
iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan
iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentally – Kathleen Keenan, Brampton, ON
iRun because i love to – Mirella Petriello, Ontario
iRun to prove to them that iCan – Catherine Smith, Manitoba
iRun see where my feet will take me today – Megan Dolinskas, New York
iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario
iRun for the challenge to go faster and farther – Steven Matejka, Alberta
iRun for health, i Run for life – Pat Cheung, British Columbia
iRun away from the negative and towards the positive – Teri Lepard, Alberta
iRun because it's a great stress release – Brooke McKenzie, Yukon
iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Sarah Kallaghan, Alberta
iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphins – Liliana Plava, Calgary, AB
iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario
iRun to correct years of sedentary living! – Mike Scott, Ontario
iRun because it cleans up my life, because I drink more water, sleep better and eat healthier foods – Robin McIntyre, Ottawa, ON
iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario
iRun to inspire my children! – Wendy Bowen, Manitoba
iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia
iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario
iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario
iRun for the individual pursuit – Robert Pelletier, New Brunswick
iRun to eat more, especially sweet potatoe fries – Joanna Skomra, Ontario
iRun to stay ahead of the weight gain – Myra Abstreiter, Alberta
iRun because I want to be a role model for our six kids – Catherine Empey, British Columbia
iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state – Tammy Rainville, Ontario
iRun because not everyone can – Olivia Harvey, New Brunswick
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’s in me – Michael Foley, Stittsville, ON
iRun because it makes me whole – Denis Ladouceur, Quebec
iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba
iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland
iRun and run, and run, and run, and nobody can stop me – Andrei Lucaciu, Ontario
iRun for me – Kiza Francis, Ottawa,ON
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 iLoves my man – Beverly Huang, Alberta
iRun so I can eat ice cream – Sandy Bolan, Ontario
iRun because I get foot rubs afterward – Kate Howerton, British Columbia
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 pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing me – Teresa Sterling, Ottawa , ON
iRun but not enough – Michael Shaw, New Westminister, BC
iRun because it's better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario
iRun because it helps me see things more clearly – Jennifer Pitts, Ontario
iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul – Sonia Mendes, Ontario
iRun so I don’t say never ever again – Linda Klaric, Manitoba
iRun because it has saved my life – John Marshall, Alberta
iRun because it gets my husband out there – Tricia LaLonde, Alberta
iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Carlene Paquette, Carp, ON
iRun because I’ve lost 80 lbs and running has become fun – Cheryl Kelly, Ontario
iRun because it’s a great way to see the world – Sherry Mahoney, British Columbia
 
|
July 2012 Back to Table of Contents Next level running"iRun to stay strong. Mentally, physically, emotionally and in my relationships."Photos by Justin Van Leeuwen Julie Drury has always been athletic and active. She played varsity basketball in university and competed nationally in ultimate frisbee. “I like to play hard and run hard,” says Drury, whose career is in health policy. “Running was always part of what I did for my sport, but it wasn’t until my second child, Kate, was born that I began focusing seriously on running as a sport,” she says. Kate is four years old and Drury’s constant companion. In her first year, Kate became seriously and inexplicably ill. The family has been in and out of the hospital with Kate ever since. “She was suffering from a rare and undiagnosed disease that caused many medical conditions including acute illness, developmental delay and profound deafness. Kate’s doctors have always highly suspected mitochondrial disease – but testing had come back inconclusive,” says Drury. In the midst of the worry, the long hours at the hospital and the uncertainty of her daughter’s health, this powerful mom knew she needed to do something to maintain her own strength and take care of herself so she could continue to be the rock her family needed her to be. “I asked my friend Leslie—who was already an accomplished triathlete—to show me how to run,” says Drury. Passionate about purposeful training, Drury’s very first goal was to run a fast marathon. As the two women began training together, three other friends joined in the 6am, four times a week, runs. From the beginning, all five women agreed that although they would support and inspire each other, they were each running to train hard and achieve results. “Nobody gets left behind at the track,” says Drury. “And on our recovery days and our long runs we spend a lot of time chatting and catching up. But when it’s speed work, hills or a tempo run, we have an understanding: if you can’t keep up, you’re dropped. Each of us has brilliant days when we’re the fastest in the group and we’re able to pull the others along with our energy. And each of us has been dropped. I’ve walked home crying in the rain from a tempo run I couldn’t keep up with. It’s not easy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. These are athletic, competitive women I run with and we are all working towards goals.” Their first goal was to qualify for Boston. A goal all five women met. “As a group, we like to choose a race that we’ll all compete in and train towards,” explains Drury. “Our next race is the Canadian Triathlon in Ottawa on September 1. But we also talk about wanting to go on a girl’s getaway weekend to a destination race in Miami or California. We might sit on the beach or go shopping, but first we’d run a marathon.” Julie Drury’s house is the meeting place for their early morning runs. If her front hall light is on, she’s ready to run. If it’s off, something’s going on with Kate. “When the light’s off, the girls go for their run and circle back to the house around 8 to see where our family’s at,” Drury says. Her running partners check if a meal is needed, they take Julie’s son Jack to school and they are ready to help out in any capacity. “Last fall, after doing close to a year of extensive genetic testing on Kate, she was confirmed to have mito. Kate’s form of mito is a new form of the disease – she was the only one in the world with it. Since her disease discovery, there are now 9 confirmed cases worldwide,” says the marathon mom. “Mitochondrial disease is the new kid on the block. Advancements in science have helped to diagnose these kids and adults. Mito has no known treatment or cure and can have devastating effects.”
Using running as an outlet and a source of inspiration, Drury and her running partners—Leslie McLean, Sheila Hodges, Lisanne Brousseau and Anne Guildenhuys—began running for MitoCanada, a Calgary-based charity founded by families of people with mitochondrial disease that raises awareness and funds for research and support for affected families through adventure racing. Over a hundred runners— friends, family, friends of friends and people they didn’t know who heard about Kate’s story and wanted to do something—joined Drury and her running partners in running for MitoCanada at Tamarack Homes Ottawa Race Weekend in May. Not only did the group raise $18,000 for MitoCanada with Kate cheering them on, Drury hit a new PB of 3:36. “Yes it’s a Boston qualifying time, but I’m not planning on running Boston again just yet. I’d like to knock some more off that time and Boston isn’t the place to do it,” she says. Her new PB represents a shift in her athletic life and a realization of the depths of her personal motivation. “I’ve always been a team player and a lot of my motivation came from doing my best to make a pass, to be strong on defence for the team. Running is not a team sport. It’s a big shift and requires a lot of mental toughness to run. You can do the training together, but you are personally pushing yourself on race day,” says Drury whose new niche is running. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
