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 , 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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The Runner's Guide to Choosing a Yoga ClassDon't know your ashtanga from your elbow? Can't tell yin from yang? Don't worry. iRunNation is here to help.So, you've decided to take up yoga for its much-touted stretching and strengthening benefits. And while you could probably write a dissertation on the subtle differences between tempo runs and interval training, the sight of your local yoga studio schedule makes you a bit weak in the knees. Vinyasa? Isn't that a kind of bottled water? And isn't Yin a breed of dog that fits in your purse? To ease this confusion, some studios offer specialized 'yoga for runners' classes that blend different types of yoga practice most suited to our unique needs. However, there's no need to limit yourself to these classes alone - just use this handy guide to figure out the wide range of benefits different styles of yoga offer the average runner...as well as some of the unique challenges each may pose! YinYin yoga features a series of prolonged floor poses (help for upwards of 8-10 minutes a pose) that focus on lengthening muscles and stretching deep connective tissues. Rather than the active, 'yang' poses found in most other styles of yoga, which stretch and strengthen muscles by engaging them, yin is ostensibly passive insofar as muscles aren't engaged or contracted during the practice. Instead, yin emphasizes opening, loosening, and increasing flexibility in tendons and ligaments. What's in it for you?An impatient lot by nature, runners whose too-brief or non-existent stretching routines have left them tied up in knots will benefit from this extended opportunity to untangle themselves. The long duration of the poses also teaches mental discipline, as you'll have to keep a calm and focused mind as the "sensations" (yogi-ese for "pain, the good kind") start to build up by, oh, about the sixth or seventh minute of holding that damn pigeon pose. A bit of a stretch...An impatient lot by nature, runners tend to have too-brief or non-existent stretching routines because..well, let's face it, we're impatient. The idea of staying absolutely still in an ostensibly passive pose - on the floor, no less - for ten minutes might be a hard sell to some of the twitchiest of A-types. HathaAlthough hatha yoga, broadly speaking, is the origin of almost all styles of yoga featuring 'asanas' or held poses, a hatha yoga class typically features a range of mostly 'yang' or active postures held for a shorter period of time than yin poses, but for a longer duration than in more 'flow'-based vinyasa classes. Participants typically move through a series of standing postures, back-bends, abdominal twists, forward bends and inversions, with a focus on stretching but also improving muscular endurance. What's in it for you?This focus on active, sustained poses - the standing postures in particular - builds strength, flexibility, and endurance in all major muscle groups, a must-have for runners regardless of which distance you specialize in. Balancing postures will also engage and strengthen stabilizer muscles crucial to keeping you injury free during run training. A bit of a stretch...If you're just coming off a particularly long training run or a killer speed session, the muscle groups you're challenging (the quadriceps and hamstrings in particular) will probably protest, usually with some pretty visible shaking or trembling as you try to hold certain poses. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, since finding the discipline to maintain a pose despite muscle fatigue is excellent mental and physical training for runners. But those super-competitive types who can't help but compare themselves with others may find that pride takes a fall the minute they spot the hardcore yogi with Twizzler-like quads holding his tree pose with nary a tremble! VinyasaOften also referred to as 'Flow' or 'Power' yoga, vinyasa entails moving fluidly through a set series of yoga postures while striving to synchronize breathing with movement. Although the poses are derived from classical hatha, participants move more quickly through the postures than they do in classical hatha, 'flowing' from one posture into the next. As a result, vinyasa builds heat in the body and brings up the heart rate a little more than either yin or hatha. Vinyasa classes tend to be held in a warm room in order to further enhance flexibility, and are often taught without mirrors so as to encourage concentration. What's in it for you?Not only does vinyasa help build strength and flexibility in the entire body, its slightly faster-paced sequence of movements will likely appeal to those runners who can't stand to sit (or stand) still for long. Vinyasa also typically includes a series of sun salutations that engage runners' oft-neglected upper body and core muscles. A bit of a stretch...If you don't already have a good foundation in the standard hatha poses, it's easy to fall behind the 'flow' of the class and find yourself scrambling to catch up in a red-faced, decidely un-Zen-like fashion. The good news is, without mirrors, no one should be any the wiser! BikramPraticed in a very hot room, bikram yoga is a demanding series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises, with each posture intended to stretch and strengthen the specific muscles, ligaments and joints required for the next posture. Created by Bikram Choudhury of Beverly Hills, California, bikram yoga has been credited with everything from aiding weight loss to flushing out bodily toxins to slowing the effects of aging-definitely the least invasive procedure originating in Beverly Hills to make such claims! What's in it for you?If you're one of those runners who doesn't feel you've gotten a decent workout unless you've broken a sweat, bikram yoga is for you. The combination of effort and heat can quickly turn your sticky mat into a slip n' slide, so make sure you bring a towel. The heated room also facilitates your ability to move more deeply into postures. A bit of a stretch...If you're one of those runners who doesn't feel you've gotten a decent workout unless you've broken a sweat all by yourself, without the help of an amped-up hot room full of other sweaty people, than bikram yoga might not be for you. "Felt like cheating," grunted one hardcore runner when asked about how he felt sweating his way through a bikram class. I also suspect we as runners have a natural preference for our sweat to evaporate as we run, rather than gather in a pool at our feet. Ohhmmmm. |
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