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
![]() ![]() PICK UP YOUR FREE ISSUE OF iRun:At all Running Room and Runner's Den And at Toronto Marathon |
Young RunsHelping your kids put their Best foot forwardLike it or not, parents are key role models for their children. Of course, no parent is perfect, and though we might not always exhibit our best habits and behaviour, when it comes to running we believe that we're showing our little people a great way to achieve physical and mental health for a lifetime. And while some children haven't wanted anything to do with a planned run since they hopped out of the jogging stroller for the last time, others may want to lace up and hit the sidewalks just like mom or dad. But is it safe for kids to run the same way adult recreational runners do? How much is too much? Should we be encouraging it at all? Hugh Conlin, head coach and director of development for Athletics Canada, says children can absolutely run and have fun, as they do naturally, but serious training runs are out for kids under the age of 16. "In terms of safety, we're looking at keeping it safe in terms of not interfering with growth and development patterns," he says. "A child can run and have fun - even a 2k competition for exercise wouldn't be harmful because they are running within their own abilities. But what we wouldn't want to see them doing is heavy-duty training." An eight-year-old running 5k three times a week "may not be terribly bad," Conlin says, but he'd prefer children that age not focus so much on any one fitness component. Under the age of eight, children should not be doing as much as three regular runs a week, he suggests. Here are a few "Dos" &"Don'ts" Do:
Don't:
Running Through the Ages 0-6 Boys & Girls
6-9 Boys 6-8 Girls
9-12 Boys 8-11 Girls
Boys 12-16 Girls 11-15
Boys 16-18 Girls 15-17
Girls on the Run Girls ages 8-12 are finding confidence, self-esteem and a healthy body through an after-school, girls-only running program that's popping up across the country. The U.S.-based "Girls on the Run" program is now in 22 Canadian schools, with 600 girls participating each year. More than 50,000 North American girls went through the program last year alone. Our goal is to empower these girls with life skills to improve self-esteem, dealing with cliques and all the challenges they face," says Rina De Donato, council director for Girls on the Run in York Region and the Greater Toronto Area. "As they become physically stronger, they become mentally stronger too." The clubs meet twice a week after school for nine weeks, working their way up from no running at all to running a 5k distance at a celebration at the school. "It's non-competitive," says De Donato. "We attract the athletes, but also those children who would never go out for sports and stand at the back of the gym." Each session starts off with the girls talking about a critical issue in all of their lives, such as gossip, then uses games like broken-telephone to work the topic into a physical challenge, involving running and walking. "These girls just transform before your eyes," she says. For more information, go to girlsontherun.ca To find the Long Term Athlete Development Program, go to athleticscanada.com and click on "Coaching. One family's StoryRunning is a mental and emotional oasis for Lesley Wuls, 40, of Toronto, and something she hoped her son would one day make a part of his life. "I can go into a full meditative state when I'm running; it's a huge release for me," says Wuls. "I wanted my son to have something where he could do some of that releasing. We all have it in us and we've got to find a way to release it. There are lots of negative ways to do it, but this is a positive way." Despite her desire to have him become a runner, Wuls' son started running quite by accident. She needed to work a run into her busy schedule, so she started running with her baby daughter in the jogger to daycare, with Shane rollerblading beside her. "Then one day (when he was eight) he asked, 'why can't I run with you?'" she says. And that's just what they did. Now 12 years old and in the sixth grade, Shane runs with his mom two or three times a week, for a distance of 3-4k. "I like running," he says. "I feel like I'm in a different world. People think it's a lot of work, but it's actually relaxing." Shane says the runs with his mom give him mental and physical strength going into his soccer and hockey games. |
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