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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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godaddygo.bmp

Go Daddy Go

NINE MONTHS.” As a new dad with designs on being a running dad, the words from our pediatrician were sourly disappointing. The experience was akin to being on a long run and looking forward to a nice thirst-quenching swig from a water fountain, only to find it’s out of order. I’m a long from way home and I’m really parched. THE SOURCE OF THIS DISTRESS? Nine months was the recommended length of time before I could safely use my running stroller with my newborn daughter Clara. The doctor mumbled something about having sufficient neck support but I tuned out. I just thought to myself, that’s a long time from now and I really want to run with her.

COUNTING DOWN TO BLAST OFF
Putting this into perspective, it’s important to know that from before Clara was even out of the womb, I’d planned ways to integrate my child with my passion for running. I spent hours on the web, visiting stores and speaking to other running parents, all in a quest to find the perfect running stroller. Big wheels - check. Dual-braking system - check. Easily collapsible - check. Red and flashy - check and check.

Truth be told, I spent more time reviewing specs for the stroller than I did preparing to buy my first home. Fortunately for me, the nine months passed quickly and I was ready to strap Clara in for her first ride. As expected, the day represented a new freedom for our little family unit. It was a perfect win-win-win. Clara could nap and enjoy some fresh air. My wife Erin would get a much deserved break. I would get my endorphin rush, spend time with my daughter, all while training for a marathon.

The running stroller represented the ultimate in freedom and a key to sanity in the early days of being a new parent. Others like Mike Shannon, a physical education teacher from Georgetown, Ontario, concurs and has even added speed work to his regular workouts with two-year-old Owen: "I’ve started doing some intervals with my son in the jogger. He loves the acceleration and deceleration of intervals. He thinks it’s a game - especially if I count down to blast off."

TEACHING KIDS A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Integrating running with your kids has the added benefit of teaching children the positive effects of exercise. Stephen Adler, a fundraiser from Toronto says, "I find that my two girls love to stretch, warm up and cool down with me and that has led to them being excited about their own fitness and understanding how important it is to live a healthy lifestyle."

For me, a half-hour jaunt while Clara napped in the jogger has evolved into an all-out excursion. A typical run now involves a 2k run to park, a half-hour stop at the playground, 10 minutes of convincing her to get back in the stroller and then another 6k to finish off my run. It takes me well over an hour to clear my 8k, but we both get the benefit of exercise, fresh air and invaluable father-daughter time.

ALL IN THE FAMILY
Of course, there are times when you simply can’t integrate kids into your workout and you need to adapt. Sunday long runs that started at 9:00am now begin at 6:00am so I can still have the whole day with the family. Solo tempo runs become nap time outings so I can be energized for the evening’s activities. Beyond the re-working of schedules though, Dylan Fedy, a Toronto marketing manager and father of a two-year-old knows the real reason he can pursue his running passion: "Show me a dad who runs, and I’ll show you a supportive wife!"

Indeed. My wife Erin has been the ultimate support system for my running pursuits all while being an awesome mom. Both mom and daughter attend many of my races, cheering on daddy when possible.

My proudest moment as a running dad came last October when Clara graduated from the running stroller to run her very first race. It was a 500 meter event at the local zoo and we were able to capture the perfect moment on video. Clara ran straight up to our camera and said, "I’m running!" in the cutest two-year-old voice you can imagine, and with a sparkling smile on her face.

She was running and I was right there by her side. The nine-month wait was worth it and my thirst was quenched.

WHEN IS BABY READY TO ROLL?

As our search for running stroller age guidelines revealed, it depends on the baby.

New moms and dads anxious to take their babies out for a quick 5k in the running stroller should wait until their pediatrician gives them the green light. That’s the conclusion after a search for clear
guidelines provided no clarity.

A simple internet search gave the typical variety of answers that you’d expect in a Google world. The advice from bloggers and running stroller manufacturers ranged from six-to-eight weeks to six months.

Checking in with Safe Kids Canada, affiliated directly with the Hospital for Sick Children and the Canadian Pediatric Society for something more formal came up empty. These institutions stated that either a clear position had not been articulated or that there was a lack of research on the topic. The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario said that because quality and designs of strollers vary widely, it would be “imprudent” for them to give a universal age guideline.

Since kids also come in all shapes and sizes and no running goal is more important than their health, stick to the recommendations of your pediatrician. They’ll have the best sense of your child’s neck strength and ability to handle a bumpy ride. Waiting a few extra weeks or months is fair trade-off for peace of mind and safety.

 
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