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

iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphins – Liliana Plava , Calgary, AB

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 good, allows me to spend time with my friends and gives me a feeling of accomplishment – Helen Kolodziejzyk , Calgary, AB

iRun but not enough – Michael Shaw , New Westminister, BC

iRun because I never thought I would be able to – Gary Morris , Winnipeg, MB

iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentally – Kathleen Keenan , Brampton, ON

iRun because people around me inspire me – Pina Bevilacqua , Caledon, ON

iRun therefore I am – Duncan Walsh , Nottingham, UK

iRun because I live – Georges Schneller , Laval, QC

iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful country – Cheryl Carter , Clearwater , BC

iRun for overall wellbeing – Trish McCourt , Halifax, NS

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 makes me feel powerful – Carlene Paquette , Carp, ON

iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing me – Teresa Sterling , Ottawa , ON

iRun because it’s in me – Michael Foley , Stittsville, ON

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

iRun for me – Kiza Francis , Ottawa,ON

iRun to prove to myself I can – Lesley McGougan , Brampton, ON

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

iRun because I can and I’m grateful – Terry SanCartier , Gatineau, QC

iRun because when I run I feel most alive – Meghan Lynch , Ottawa, ON

iRun to unleash my inner athlete – Adelle Densham , Avonmore, ON

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

iRun because of the peace and strength it brings me – Michelle Jordan , Ottawa, ON

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

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

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

iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra 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 brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire , Nova Scotia

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

iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe , British Columbia

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

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

iRun because it has saved my life – John Marshall , Alberta

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

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

iRun because food tastes better afterwards – Patrick Houston , Alberta

iRun because I can�t dance – Mario Javier , Ontario

iRun so I don�t say never ever again – Linda Klaric , Manitoba

iRun because it makes me whole – Denis Ladouceur , Quebec

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

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

iRun because running is like breathing to – Stephanie McEvoy , Ontario

iRun because I love the solitude – Janene Tailleur , British Columbia

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

iRun to someday win the race – Lindy Dunlop , Yukon

iRun to stay ahead of the weight gain – Myra Abstreiter , Alberta

iRun because otherwise I�m grumpy – Alexandre Charest , Quebec

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

iRun because iLoves my man – Beverly Huang , Alberta

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 today – Megan Dolinskas , New York

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

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

iRun to inspire my kids to try – Glen 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

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What's your bias?

Are you wondering why a training program that works for your friend isn't producing the same results for you? It could be that your body is biased, says Kevin Smith of Marathon Dynamics in Toronto. Based on your training, your experience and your physiology, you may be better suited to either speed or endurance. Depending on your goals, you may need to adjust your training program to compensate.

Endurance training focuses on your ability to finish the race. Strength is the training you do to ensure you can carry your desired pace. And speedwork is what improves your potential finishing time.

"Without all three of those done to a high degree," says Kevin Smith of Marathon Dynamics, "you're only as strong as your weakest link. All the work you've done in the other areas is for naught."

Endurance bias: "We call this the distance monger," says Smith. "You're a one-speed wonder." A distance monger can practically run the marathon on a whim but they can't improve their times. Some runners have endurance bias because they're so worried about being able to cover the distance, they go slow and long on every run. A key indicator of an endurance bias is if your pace is the same no matter what distance you're running. You'd be the kind of person to say, "It doesn't matter if I'm running a 10k or a marathon, I always run a six-minute kilometre."

Speed bias: "These are the speed freaks," says Smith. A typical runner with speed bias might run a surprisingly fast 5k, use a pace calculator to figure out the corresponding marathon time but then finish the race 20 to 30 minutes off that time because of a crushing second half. "We see people who can kill a speed workout but they are a few minutes off their projected time in the 10k and even worse at longer distances," says Smith.

What the ideal runner has is a strength bias. "This is the balance you want," says Smith. "It's the one in the middle. It's the people who can carry their pace as predicted by the calculators."

But if you have a speed or endurance bias, don't blame yourself. More than likely, says Smith, you inherited it. The percentage of slow-twitch verses fast-twitch fibers in your muscles will dictate whether your built for speed or distance. Men typically have a speed bias whereas women are more likely to be built for endurance. And while you can't change the composition of your muscles, you can adjust your program. If you have a speed bias, says Smith, it doesn't mean you can't run endurance events. "It's not that you always have to play to your strengths, it's just that you should know yourself," he says. "If above the neck, you're a marathoner, more power to you. If you've got marathonitis, and you want to pursue that, go for it."

The key is to know your bias and adjust your training accordingly. You may have to take a different approach to training - and even train more - than someone else without the same characteristics.

How to compensate

Endurance bias: "If we see someone with a high endurance bias," says Smith, "we're not going to spend half their training plan on endurance. We might limit it to a third. Shorten the endurance phase, keep the strength component to a minimum. But up to ten weeks on speedwork. Because they need it more than the average bear."

Speed bias: The benefit of having a speed bias is that you get to skip grueling speedwork. "If you have a naturally fast runner who is doing a marathon," says Smith, "we know the speed is there. Speedwork is painful to do. Why would you do a ton of speedwork if you're already faster than you're going to be able to train for in the marathon?" What speed demons need to do, he says, is make sure they can finish the distance and make sure they can carry their pace over a long distance. So get ready for more long runs.

RAY ZAHAB: ADVENTURES IN RUNNING
From the Sahara to Sudbury, Ray blogs from all over Canada and around the world, combining stories from his own amazing running experiences with helpful tips for everyday runners.

MARK SUTCLIFFE: MY RUNNING LIFE
Mark hosts an interactive blog offering feedback and stories from iRunNation and lets readers in on the ups and downs of his own training.

MARILYN ARSENAULT: RENAISSANCE WOMAN
Marilyn isn't just a top masters athlete and accomplished opera singer - she has also gone back to school at the University of Victoria and has joined the varsity track and cross-country team.

CASSIE HAWRYSH: TRAINING
Up-and-coming elite Canadian hurdler by day, journalist also by day, and no doubt an incredibly sound sleeper at night, Cassie blogs about her training and adventures through all those left-hand turns.