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

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Toronto Marathon
October 19, 2008

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WEB EXTRA:
More on how Simon goes from "first gear" early in training to "sixth gear" on race day.
WEB EXTRA:
How getting just a little angry gives Simon his competitive edge.

Revved and Ready

Gold medalist Simon Whitfield talks about ramping up for Beijing.

After starting out in first gear, Simon Whitfield has slowly and carefully built up his training regime. As the 2000 Olympic gold medalist begins the final countdown to competing in Beijing, he tells iRun how he keeps his balance and perspective.

My dad told me that when he was studying engineering, he would never study the night before an exam. He got the studying in well before that.

As I get ready for the Olympics in Beijing, my goal is to get to the week before the race with no question marks about what I should have done during training. I used to go into a race with these lists of what I would do next time. I don't want to do that. I want it to be: I'm in great shape, I'm ready to go, I've done everything I can.

But that doesn't mean I don't like to go hard the day before a race. At that time, my body is just so used to that level of intensity that if I took a day off, I might start enjoying the rest and want to keep doing it.

When I was training for the Olympics in 2004, I made the mistake of under-racing and we stretched out the preparation phase too long. The training component was just too long and I was just desperate to get out of it.

So now, I think you definitely want to get in a couple of races where you test your fitness and you go through the race day ritual.

But you don't want to do that too early. There are some people, especially young athletes, who have the classic problem of smashing it in January. They're pounding it in the winter. By eight weeks out from their race, they're thoroughly sick of it.

So now I look at the year leading up to my goal race differently. I start in first gear in December, about eight or nine months out. I make sure that I spread out my energy and I govern my energy from the beginning of the year all the way up to the goal race.

The whole key is to get into sixth gear in August, not in June or July.

And sixth gear is a careful balance. You don't want to use up your best effort in training. You're not looking for extra reps or panic training. You have to go for quality.

I try to spend very little time thinking about needing to win and instead thinking about needing to do the work that's required to be able to win. I can't be trying to prove to myself that I have it, because I should already know I have it. When you can find peace in that, that's when the best results come.