iRunNation.com

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


Member Log In
 
Username:
Password:
 
Share/Save/Bookmark
Claim Your Free Subscription
  In This Issue
Back to Article

Team-Building Exercise: Tania Jones on building the right support network for running and everyday life

If you're going to improve as a runner while managing a household and a career, you're going to need some help. You don't have to do it all by yourself. As a competitive runner for over 20 years, I have had a career-threatening Achilles tendon injury, a serious illness and a chronic thyroid condition. Yet I have come back from each setback - while upholding my family and career responsibilities - with the help of a wide range of experts who have been instrumental in helping me get healthy, stay strong, and deliver high performance on the roads and in the office by creating more energy and time.

These experts possess knowledge and skills that I would otherwise have to acquire myself, so it saves me a lot of time. I don't have to do all the thinking and strategizing. Here are some of the resources that I've found invaluable, which are available to you as a runner as well as in your everyday life:

Personal

Along with getting a cleaning service and child care to free up more time, I have enlisted a chef to help me create a meal plan that allows me to make fast, healthy meals that nourish my family and provide the energy I need to support my training goals. The chef coached me on how to improve and streamline my cooking, while a nutritionist has helped me learn more about the fuel I need and how each member of my family has unique dietary needs.

Training

A personal trainer can help with injury prevention and strength training. For me, once a week is adequate extra work to improve the overall strength and fitness that supports my running - especially helping me to cover those final miles of the marathon. I have also had a trainer build a simple program that I can do on my own.

A running coach can design a specific running program for you that is tied to your goals. If you want to take your running to another level, a coach will be able to provide ongoing input during a training block to ensure you are on track to achieve your goals.

Performance enhancement and injury prevention

The number one thing to ensure success and pleasure in running is avoiding injury. Injuries are time-consuming and expensive to overcome.

I don't wait for aches and pains to show up. I have a team of experts that I work with to identify any potential weak areas to work on before a problem arises. This category includes everything from a good sports medicine physician to athletic therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors and even an orthotics expert.

I try to partner with a sports medicine physician who is experienced and innovative. My sports doctor has helped me develop plans for comebacks from pregnancy and childbirth as well as major illness.

Chiropractors who use Active Release Therapy, athletic therapists, and physiotherapists will help you with recovery from injuries.

It's not all about injuries. I also rely on these folks to help me on a weekly basis to fix the knots and pains from a hard week of training or sitting at a desk. These experts ensure that my movement is fluid so I get more out of each stride.

Recovery

It's really important to be thinking about recovery as part of your training program. I turn to massage therapists, yoga instructors and alternative medicine practitioners to help me with active regeneration. During heavy training, I may use massage therapy once a week. I also try to fit in a weekly yoga. My yoga instructor has helped me identify some key stretches that I build into my running warm-up. I've also given craniosacral, reikki and rolfing therapies a try.

Mental support

Your team is not just professionals you hire to support you, but the people who buy into what you're doing. This includes training partners, a friend who's also into sport, someone who's a good sounding board or anyone with different knowledge or experience from which you could benefit. I have a community of runners and supporters that keep me energized and motivated.

How do you find these valuable people?

Word of mouth is the best way to find a practioner who delivers results. Start with a recommendation from someone who has had a positive experience managing a similar problem.

Creating a multi-disciplinary support team has allowed me to achieve success as a runner, parent and professional. These people help me strike a balance and embrace challenges. I connect with a wide range of individuals who have knowledge or skills that I don't have. They often have creative solutions that I would never have discovered on my own. It would be impossible to have success without the ideas and support of these people.

More detailed information about my comeback from setbacks like Achilles tendonitis, thyroiditis or childbirth can be found on my website: www.taniajones.com

 
facebook twitter rss
Winsurance
Philadelphia Marathon
Salomon
Queen City Marathon
Poscasts on IRun

© 2008 Great River Media, Inc. All rights reserved.