iRun because I can’t dance – Mario Javier, Ontario
iRun iRun for the individual pursuit – Robert Pelletier, New Brunswick
iRun away from the negative and towards the positive – Teri Lepard, Alberta
iRun because it’s a great way to see the world – Sherry Mahoney, British Columbia
iRun iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan
iRun because not everyone can – Olivia Harvey, New Brunswick
iRun iRun for my heart, so it runs for me! – Cathy Brzoza, British Columbia
iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec
iRun iRun so that I can live longer and stronger – Derek MacPhail, Ontario
iRun iRun to eat – Maureen Tritscher, Alberta
iRun iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul – Sonia Mendes, Ontario
iRun iRun to inspire my children! – Wendy Bowen, Manitoba
iRun to prove to them that iCan – Catherine Smith, Manitoba
iRun iRun to eat more, especially sweet potatoe fries – Joanna Skomra, Ontario
iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland
iRun because running is like breathing to – Stephanie McEvoy, Ontario
iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba
iRun therefore I am – Duncan Walsh, Nottingham, UK
iRun iRun away from the abyss – Charlene Thomas, Ontario
iRun to stay ahead of the weight gain – Myra Abstreiter, Alberta
iRun because it has saved my life – John Marshall, Alberta
iRun because I live – Georges Schneller, Laval, QC
iRun because it reminds me of how strong I can be – Monique Lavoie, Ontario
iRun iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia
iRun because it makes me whole – Denis Ladouceur, Quebec
iRun iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live – Pascale Synnott, Québec
iRun so I don’t say never ever again – Linda Klaric, Manitoba
iRun because food tastes better afterwards – Patrick Houston, Alberta
iRun to someday win the race – Lindy Dunlop, Yukon
iRun because I never thought I would be able to – Gary Morris, Winnipeg, MB
iRun iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario
iRun to prove to myself I can – Lesley McGougan, Brampton, ON
iRun because I get foot rubs afterward – Kate Howerton, British Columbia
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 iRun to correct years of sedentary living! – Mike Scott, Ontario
iRun iRun to kickstart my day – Sharon Strueby, Saskatchewan
iRun iRun because i love to – Mirella Petriello, Ontario
iRun for me – Kiza Francis, Ottawa,ON
iRun iRun because it sure beats the bus – Robin Robbins, Alberta
iRun because it gets my husband out there – Tricia LaLonde, Alberta
iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia
iRun and run, and run, and run, and nobody can stop me – Andrei Lucaciu, Ontario
iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario
iRun iRun because I like to be healthy – Melanie Oickle, New Brunswick
iRun for the moment when both feet are off the ground – Catherine Anderson, British Columbia
iRun iRun because it helps me see things more clearly – Jennifer Pitts, Ontario
iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful country – Cheryl Carter, Clearwater , BC
iRun iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario
iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing me – Teresa Sterling, Ottawa , ON
iRun whenever I feel the need to escape – Iona Hillis, Ontario
iRun because it cleans up my life, because I drink more water, sleep better and eat healthier foods – Robin McIntyre, Ottawa, ON
iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentally – Kathleen Keenan, Brampton, ON
iRun iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin – Charlyn McGregor, Saskatchewan
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 all the ladies are chasing my sexy runner’s body – Chris Baker, Etobicoke, ON
iRun iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state – Tammy Rainville, Ontario
iRun because people around me inspire me – Pina Bevilacqua, Caledon, ON
iRun so I can eat ice cream – Sandy Bolan, Ontario
iRun because when I run I feel most alive – Meghan Lynch, Ottawa, ON
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 because I need it to soothe the soul, keep me in shape and for overall wellbeing – Beth Neil, Lombardy, ON
iRun iRun because walking is too slow – Barry Knapp, Ontario
iRun for overall wellbeing – Trish McCourt, Halifax, NS
iRun because I love the solitude – Janene Tailleur, British Columbia
iRun for health, iRun for life – Pat Cheung, British Columbia
iRun iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia
iRun because iLoves my man – Beverly Huang, Alberta
iRun because it’s like flying, only lower – Glenn Johnson, Ontario
iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario
iRun because I can and I’m grateful – Terry SanCartier, Gatineau, QC
iRun because I want to qualify for Boston and raise money for charities near and dear to my heart – Christine Gracel, Calgary, AB
iRun iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge – Tim Nixon, British Columbia
iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario
iRun because it’s fun when it’s done – Sue Matte, Ontario
iRun so my daughters know that they can, too – Shelley Kirkpatrick, New Brunswick
iRun because I want to live to be 100! – Colette DeJean, Ontario
iRun but not enough – Michael Shaw, New Westminister, BC
iRun because I cannot say no to a second slice of chocolate cake – Emily Shandruk, Vancouver, BC
iRun because somebody once told me I couldn’t – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan
iRun because there is no finish line – Claire Kilgour, Ontario
iRun for the cool t-shirts! – Pina Bevilacqua, Ontario
iRun iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec
iRun because my heart tells me to – William Martin, Manitoba
iRun because the wall is meant to be broken – Jonathan Bird, Ontario
iRun to inspire my kids to try – Glen Johnston, Nunavut
iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Sarah Kallaghan, Alberta
iRun iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland
iRun iRun because it's a great stress release – Brooke McKenzie, Yukon
iRun iRun for me! – Judi Wearing, Saskatchewan
iRun because I am not as clumsy I thought I was – Hanna Baer, Quebec
iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia
iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn’t – Peter Cicalo, Ontario
iRun because it reminds me that I am capable of so much more than I have done – James Sauve, Ottawa, ON
iRun iRun because it's better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario
iRun see where my feet will take me today – Megan Dolinskas, New York
iRun to my happy place and some days it’s very – Doreen May, Alberta
iRun because of the peace and strength it brings me – Michelle Jordan, Ottawa, ON
iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Carlene Paquette, Carp, ON
iRun to unleash my inner athlete – Adelle Densham, Avonmore, ON
iRun because it’s in me – Michael Foley, Stittsville, ON
iRun iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba
iRun iRun to challenge my perceived limitations – Cassandra Williams, Ontario
iRun iRun all the livelong day – Pierre Saint-Laurent, Québec
iRun for the challenge to go faster and farther – Steven Matejka, Alberta
iRun iRun because it's cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta
iRun iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't – Peter Cicalo, Ontario
iRun because it’s better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario
iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia
iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphins – Liliana Plava, Calgary, AB
iRun because it gives my day a boost of energy – Sara Campbell, Nova Scotia
iRun because I want to be a role model for our six kids – Catherine Empey, British Columbia
iRun iRun to feel great – Kathryn Rachar, Saskatchewan
iRun because it’s cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta
iRun because otherwise I’m grumpy – Alexandre Charest, Quebec
iRun iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia
iRun iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment – Amber Moase, Nova Scotia
iRun iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario

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The Facts
Running on Empty
I was reaching the end of a long run when I discovered a problem: I couldn't breathe
By Kate Chappell
It is one of the scariest feelings there is: struggling to take a breath, and when you finally do, discovering it does little to satisfy your need for oxygen.
Here's how I described it to my doctor when I finally decided I could ignore it no longer: it felt like I was inhaling through a tiny straw, and when I finally got oxygen into my lungs, it never seemed to be enough. So my muscles became leaden and I felt lightheaded. Sufferers of asthma know this feeling well. Especially those who run.
I was diagnosed with asthma just a few months ago - at age 31 - but when I look back, I see it has been a problem for several years. I didn't start out with respiratory problems. Throughout high school, I was a competitive synchronized swimmer and had no trouble with breathing. Then I began running and although I never broke any records, I built up my stamina and was free of any breathing difficulties.
That is, until a few years ago. I will never forget the first time I was afflicted by an attack. It's quite common on hot days, or days with smog warnings, for runners to find it more difficult to breathe. But this was more serious than just trying to inhale some soupy air. Near the end of a long run, I realized I could not inhale fully. As I laboured to breathe, I audibly gasped. My legs became heavy and I began to experience a "grey out." At that point, logic overpowered my stubbornness and I slowed from a run to a walk, something I had always avoided doing during a run.
As panic set in, I continued to walk and considered whether I should ask an approaching couple to call an ambulance. I decided against asking for help, and eventually, my breathing returned to normal. The attack passed and I was able to run home.
This happened several more times over the next few years and I never did anything about it. I always explained it away: there was a smog warning that day, I was particularly anxious, or allergens in the air were unusually bad. And while those are definitely exacerbating factors for asthma, I see now they were merely triggers.
I finally admitted it was a problem encroaching on my running regime when it began to regularly impede me and force me to walk more than run. It was ruining my long runs; instead of looking forward to them, I was finding them a source of anxiety before and even fear while I was running. It was a strange feeling of isolation as I trotted along amongst other runners, wondering what would happen if I had to walk the entire way home. Even my family and friends started to worry about my long runs
So I visited my doctor this past winter. After I described my symptoms, she said, "It's exercise asthma," and prescribed an inhaler with Salbutamol, a medication for providing immediate relief during an attack.
Its effects were minimal. Faced with the possible reality of having to stop running, I felt a sense of grief. If you've ever had an injury that threatened to stop your training indefinitely, you probably know
the feeling.
Meanwhile, I had promised a friend that I would join her in a half-marathon in May. It would be my second. But I was scared and uncertain. What would be the point if I had to walk most of it?
I told my doctor the inhaler didn't help and that I wanted to run the half-marathon. She prescribed an oral asthma and allergy medication, which is aimed at improving the condition of the airways. But she sternly warned me, "If you get an attack, you have to stop running."
That wouldn't be a problem. If I didn't stop when I had an attack, I would pass out.
Fortunately, the tiny pill has worked. As well, drawing on my experience with yoga, I have trained myself to breathe through my nose instead of my mouth. This is supposed to help because it tempers dry or cold air, making it less of a shock on your lungs. Now, a few months later, my asthma seems to be under control. I attribute it to the medication, as well as the end of pollen season, which definitely worsens symptoms.
And on May 25, I ran the half-marathon in Ottawa. It was one of the best runs I've ever had. The weather was perfect, I had no breathing problems, and the cheering crowds buoyed my mood. Not to mention the fact that I beat my previous time by four minutes.
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