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

iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphinsLiliana Plava , Calgary, AB

iRun because I want to qualify for Boston and raise money for charities near and dear to my heartChristine Gracel , Calgary, AB

iRun because it makes me feel good, allows me to spend time with my friends and gives me a feeling of accomplishmentHelen Kolodziejzyk , Calgary, AB

iRun but not enoughMichael Shaw , New Westminister, BC

iRun because I never thought I would be able toGary Morris , Winnipeg, MB

iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentallyKathleen Keenan , Brampton, ON

iRun because people around me inspire mePina Bevilacqua , Caledon, ON

iRun therefore I amDuncan Walsh , Nottingham, UK

iRun because I liveGeorges Schneller , Laval, QC

iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful countryCheryl Carter , Clearwater , BC

iRun for overall wellbeingTrish McCourt , Halifax, NS

iRun because it makes me a better person, a better wife, a better mother and a better friendNathalie Joncas-Caissie , St-Antoine, NB

iRun because it makes me feel powerfulCarlene Paquette , Carp, ON

iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing meTeresa Sterling , Ottawa , ON

iRun because it’s in meMichael Foley , Stittsville, ON

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

iRun for meKiza Francis , Ottawa,ON

iRun to prove to myself I canLesley McGougan , Brampton, ON

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

iRun because I can and I’m gratefulTerry SanCartier , Gatineau, QC

iRun because when I run I feel most aliveMeghan Lynch , Ottawa, ON

iRun to unleash my inner athleteAdelle Densham , Avonmore, ON

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

iRun because of the peace and strength it brings meMichelle Jordan , Ottawa, ON

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

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

iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sonsKeith Bradbury , Newfoundland

iRun because endorphins are freeCassandra 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 brainMarie-Claude Gregoire , Nova Scotia

iRun because I learn more about who I am with every kmSteph 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 gainMyra 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 todayMegan 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 tryGlen 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 , Québec

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 , Québec

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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June 2010

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seemommyrun.bmp

See Mommy Run

In my final months of pregnancy, to say I missed running was an understatement. Every time a runner blew by me on my daily waddle, I would let my mind wander back to my running days. More importantly, I would let my mind wander forward to the months ahead, where I had plans to take full advantage of my maternity leave to train and race like never before. Imagine, a full year where all I have to do is look after a baby and run! Looking back now, I can’t believe how naïve I was.

WHEN TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD
In those first few weeks post-baby, you may be too busy (and sleep deprived) to even remember that you miss running. Enjoy your baby-moon, since physically your body needs some time to recover from childbirth. Gaby Sabados, a Kitchener, ON-based marathoner and midwife, generally recommends to her clients that “two weeks after a normal delivery, you can get out of the house. After four weeks you can go for a walk with your baby, and after six weeks you can ease back into exercise.” If you have had a C-section or other complications, be sure to consult your healthcare professional before resuming exercise.

Even if you are physically ready, new motherhood involves a lot of mental changes that should not be underestimated. Just as you have heard, no two babies are alike, which means no two mothers are alike. Baby sleep patterns, whether or not you are breastfeeding, if you have a spouse on parental leave, and your baby’s health are just a few of the many factors that can affect your experience as a new mom. Personally, I felt that in my new routine of feeding the baby, changing the baby, getting the baby to sleep, and doing copious amounts of laundry, running became a fairly low priority for the first two months. If this is the case for you, don’t feel pressured to get back out there. Let yourself re-discover running when you are ready.

REALISTIC GOALS FOR NEW MOMS
When you are ready, set goals that are realistic for you. Resist the urge to add unnecessary pressure on yourself by judging your progress against other new moms. Some moms set a new marathon PB in the first year postpartum while others make it a goal of running 30k a month (or even a year). New mom Kiza Francis of Ottawa, Ontario, realized quickly that “it’s okay to drop back from my big goals, it is okay to not run sometimes, because running should make you feel good - not provide stress in your life.” Likewise, new mom Sabine Sasakura notes that her priorities have changed. “Previously, I ran for the thrill of the finish, and now I run for the thrill of the journey,” says Sasakura, who resides with her family in Vancouver, BC.

Colleen Belohorec is a marathoning mom of two, and also is a certified group instructor who runs “Babes with Babes” classes for new moms in Edmonton, Alberta. She advises new moms to set goals following the SMART acronym: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. “You are more likely to reach a goal if you have a plan. Having a baby to look after will force you to be more flexible,” she notes, ”but that doesn’t mean that running a marathon or doing a triathlon is out of reach. You just need to figure out what works for you.”

THE MEMORABLE (AND JIGGLY) FIRST STEPS
Those first few runs may seem strange, as you adjust to your new and most likely flabbier body. Before you resign yourself to only exercising under the cloak of darkness, remember that you just grew and gave birth to a baby. That is an awe-inspiring feat! Get fitted for a bra and clothing that fits the new you - even if your body goes back to pre-baby size, you need to feel comfortable now.

When out on those first runs, new moms may suffer from what I term “mommy-guilt.” If you are running alone, you are feeling guilty about leaving your baby, if you have your baby in the stroller, you feel guilty that you are not holding them or otherwise catering to their needs. As the old saying goes “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” In other words, sometimes you need to think about your needs, and exercising postpartum has been shown to have benefits to both physical and mental health. On Ann Chan’s first run after giving birth, the Richmond Hill, ON-based mom admits, “my baby flab jiggled and my legs felt heavy, but for 20 glorious minutes I was alone and taking care of my own needs. Not the baby’s, not the dog’s, only mine. I felt like myself again.” Savour those first steps, no matter how slow or awkward they feel.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Once you have gotten a taste of running again, the temptation may be there to jump right back where you left off. However, new mom Kristi MacGibbon of Brampton, Ontario, took it slowly. “I started with 1 and 1’s again post-baby and it was humbling, but I feel that it was necessary for me.” This approach paid off in a marathon PB when her son Timmy was a year old.

Colleen Belohorec advises new moms to listen to their bodies when starting back running. “If it hurts, stop. Pregnancy is hard on you, and it takes a while to regain the strength and stamina you had before.” She tells running moms to focus on core exercises as well. “Kegels are effective in tightening the pelvic floor, and help to reduce the bounce of the abdomen when running. Front planks and hip bridges are also excellent exercises to rebuild core stability.”

MOTHER, RUNNER, ROLE-MODEL
Whether you are training for a marathon, or just getting out for 10 minutes a few times a week, take pride that you are not only doing something good for yourself, you are also being a role model to your children. On days she needs motivation, Sabine Sasakura reminds herself “I am setting a really good example to my daughter by showing her that mommy exercises. And she is watching - I remember once, after puffing my way up a short, steep hill, my daughter looked up at me and started imitating my puffing sound! It was then that I realized the importance of getting out there.” So get out there and run, one day your child may thank you for it!

 


 

New! Mother of two, wife, student and runner Kaitlin Skinner shares her experience in keeping it all in balance in her blog ‘See Mommy Run’. Click here. Share. Read. Enjoy.

 
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