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

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

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

iRun iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard , Ontario

iRun iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't – Heidi Abbey-Der , Saskatchewan

iRun iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew , Ontario

iRun iRun because it's cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter , Alberta

iRun iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie , Ontario

iRun iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman , Manitoba

iRun iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe , British Columbia

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

iRun iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire , Nova Scotia

iRun iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't – Peter Cicalo , Ontario

iRun iRun because it's better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey , Ontario

iRun iRun for my heart, so it runs for me! – Cathy Brzoza , British Columbia

iRun iRun to inspire my children! – Wendy Bowen , Manitoba

iRun iRun because it sure beats the bus – Robin Robbins , Alberta

iRun iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live – Pascale Synnott , Qu�bec

iRun iRun to kickstart my day – Sharon Strueby , Saskatchewan

iRun iRun for me! – Judi Wearing , Saskatchewan

iRun iRun because it's a great stress release – Brooke McKenzie , Yukon

iRun iRun because i love to – Mirella Petriello , Ontario

iRun iRun because it helps me see things more clearly – Jennifer Pitts , Ontario

iRun iRun to eat – Maureen Tritscher , Alberta

iRun iRun to correct years of sedentary living! – Mike Scott , Ontario

iRun iRun away from the abyss – Charlene Thomas , Ontario

iRun iRun all the livelong day – Pierre Saint-Laurent , Qu�bec

iRun iRun to challenge my perceived limitations – Cassandra Williams , Ontario

iRun iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state – Tammy Rainville , Ontario

iRun iRun so that I can live longer and stronger – Derek MacPhail , Ontario

iRun iRun to feel great – Kathryn Rachar , Saskatchewan

iRun iRun because I like to be healthy – Melanie Oickle , New Brunswick

iRun iRun to eat more, especially sweet potatoe fries – Joanna Skomra , Ontario

iRun iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin – Charlyn McGregor , Saskatchewan

iRun iRun for the individual pursuit – Robert Pelletier , New Brunswick

iRun iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge – Tim Nixon , British Columbia

iRun iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment – Amber Moase , Nova Scotia

iRun iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul – Sonia Mendes , Ontario

iRun iRun because walking is too slow – Barry Knapp , Ontario

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January 2009

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Paul Franklin: iRun to see how far I have come.

In his own words, Master Corporal Paul Franklin tells iRunNation about his journey as a runner, before and after the bomb blast that changed his life

Under attack: “My truck jumped about 10 metres in the air”

I’ve had two tours in Afghanistan and I was on my second tour, five-and-a-half months into it. I was a medic. My other job was to be a driver. A lot of our role was diplomacy and moving diplomats around.

It was January 15th, 2006, and I was driving diplomat Glyn Berry. We were in a four-vehicle convoy and as we were driving into the city of Kandahar, we were attacked. He hit me on the right-rear of the vehicle. That detonated seven 122-milimetre rockets.
ahead of my leg.

“I knew I had to stay awake and I had to stay conscious.”

I was trying to prevent myself from going into shock. I knew I had to stay awake and I had to stay conscious. I hoped that someone would come and help me out. One of my colleagues, Jake Petton, put a tourniquet on me.

We would always teach each other skills and two days earlier, Jake had asked to learn how to do a tourniquet. We went over the skills. I guess you’d call it a refresher course. What saved my life was the fact that it was very current in his head.

The long road to recovery: “It doesn't matter how long it takes, one day I would like to walk my son to school.”

Part of what I was thinking when I was going through all the rehab was that it doesn’t matter how long it takes, one day I would like to walk my son to school. Even if it’s to college. My son Simon is eight years old now. I blew up in January and I walked for the first time in March.

On May 18, just after I got out of hospital, I walked my son to school. It took 45 minutes for 600 metres.

It was not a fast run but a good run. It was just as exhausting as a run.

In the military, everybody’s a runner. Most people don’t like it, but I do.

I’ve done a lot of long-distance running. I’ve been in one marathon and four Mountain Mans. In a Mountain Man, you start with a 35-pound pack and you run 32k. You carry sandbags, so it makes the weight 75 pounds. You do that for 3k. Then you hop in the canoe and you go 10k down the river. You get out of the canoe and it’s 7k back to the finish line. Your legs are all stiff because you’ve been in the canoe.

I ran the Dubai Marathon in 2005. I didn’t train for it. The first half was really, really good. The second half was really, really horrible.

The first 4k for me were always the toughest. After that there’s a sense of freedom with it. It was always a strange thing: this knowledge that you’re doing something more than other people can do. When you’ve finished it, you’ve accomplished something to be proud of. I remember the first time I ran 20k, I was so proud of myself. We took a week off and then the next week we ran 30k and I thought, 'I can do it.' And then we ran 40k, and I was ecstatic. I ran 40k. Only one per cent of the population ever runs 20k.

“The moment I realized that I could never run again was the moment I realized that the person I used to be was dead and gone.”

After I lost both legs, I wanted to run after I got out of the hospital. That was my goal. I had it in my head that I had to learn to run. I went to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I saw these young kids, 19 to 20 years old with the cheetah running legs. And I saw how much effort it took. I thought, 'you know what, I don’t think I’m going to be able to do it.'

I wanted to recover to the person I was. What I discovered was that person was dead. The moment I realized that I could never run again was the moment I realized that the person I used to be was dead and gone.

“I pick my challenges a little differently now.”

I had to change my attitude. I had to think, now I have to do other challenges. If I want to step up to the plate and do other things I have to do it in a wheelchair or with prosthetics. I pick my challenges a little differently now. I hand bike. I walk when I can.

Being a double-above-the-knee amputee, I’m in a very difficult position. I use my legs to do speeches and for transportation and special events. It’s not a big deal for me to not wear the legs every day. The wheelchair is part of my life. But I also have the prostheses. As a guy, it allows me to pee standing up, which is an amazing thing.

Anyone who’s disabled has a very, very hard time being fit. You’re basically taking in 3000 calories a day like any normal Westerner does. So you’ve got to burn that 3,000 calories or you’re in real trouble.

I noticed that my body began to change because I focused on the wheelchair stuff. Instead of having a runner’s body, I’ve got more of a wheelchair body.

“I definitely think of myself as a runner...I'll always be a runner.”

The Army Run was the first race. I’m not sure if I’ll do that again. Being in a wheelchair is training enough. There's so much strength needed to just get yourself around. It’s pretty shocking sometimes just how much effort this whole thing is.

For me it was nice to get back into running. Even though it’s in a wheelchair I still consider it running. It was a feeling that I was back into running. It felt like I was doing something productive. It was definitely worth the trip.

The whole idea of that crowd and how everybody is trying to be their best, whatever condition they have, whether it’s shin splints or no legs. It was neat to have people run for me and support the idea of wounded soldiers. It was very cool. It was very good to see that the Canadian Forces are giving something to all the guys.

I definitely think of myself as a runner. That allowed me to be the person I am today. My runner’s body, being fit, is what saved my life in Kandahar. If I had not been fit, I would not have been able to recover as quickly.

I’ll always be a runner. Whether it be (with) a wheelchair or a mountain bike, it will always be a piece of me.