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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Six Ways to Control Asthma
The Facts Gasping for BreathBy Kate Chappell Exercise-induced asthma affects a growing number of runners. Even if you've never had breathing problems in the past, it could happen to you. Whether it's a race day or an easy 5k training run, proper breathing technique is non-negotiable. But for an increasing number of runners, it's even more challenging because of an extra, frustrating obstacle: asthma. According to Statistics Canada, 8.3 per cent of adults have asthma, which is defined as "a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult." Just because you've been breathing comfortably and problem-free for years doesn't mean you're immune - experts say asthma can develop at any age. And if you've had a bit of experience with shortness of breath on hot summer days and figure your symptoms are under control, take heed - the symptoms can get worse at any time. So, watch for the signs of asthma and be prepared to deal with them quickly if they surface. What is exercise-induced asthma?Runners experience a particular kind of ailment called exercise-induced asthma. The term is a bit controversial because exercise is not the root cause of the problem, but running can exacerbate the symptoms that make breathing difficult. When you breathe, the air travels into the bronchi, the large tubes leading from the trachea to the lungs. The bronchi are divided into branches which end in air sacs called alveoli. You have about 300 million alveoli, each of which contains blood vessels in its walls. The alveoli expand and contract like balloons and use the blood vessels to send oxygen-rich blood around the body. When a runner experiences an asthma attack, it's caused mostly by the increased rate of breathing. This is because the heightened air intake associated with exercise is a trigger for an attack. "The air moves in and out much faster, and the person has to breathe deeper," explains Chris Haromy, a respiratory therapist with the Lung Association of Ontario. "This cools and dries the airways out, and the effect of that is a tightening of the airways." 
During an attack, air flow is reduced when the airways constrict, and as a result, phlegm is produced. This causes further constriction, which in turn decreases the amount of oxygen the person can access during exercise. An attack usually comes on within 10 minutes of beginning exercise, peaks within 30 minutes, and resolves itself within three hours. Exercise makes breathing worseUnfortunately for runners who have been diagnosed with asthma, exercise can make it worse. But there is no need to admit defeat and give up your training regimen. Everyone should be able to exercise with very few limitations, but asthma needs to be under control," says Jan Haffner, a certified respiratory therapist and vice-president of health initiatives for the Lung Association of Saskatchewan. Asthma is a condition that, when managed properly, does not have to restrict your exercise regimen. In fact, there is no better proof of this than the female and male world record holders in the marathon- Paula Radcliffe and Haile Gebrselassie, as both suffer from asthma. However, more than half of asthma sufferers do not have it under control, says the Ontario Lung Associations' Haromy. "It's very possible to exercise and run normally, but you have to meet with health care professionals and physicians in order to understand (asthma) and get it under control," he says. Diagnosing asthmaThe signs and symptoms of asthma are difficult to ignore, so if you start suffering, you'll know. If you notice you are wheezing, coughing or have chest tightness or shortness of breath, whether you're exercising or not, you are likely experiencing asthma symptoms. See your doctor immediately. Based on your symptoms, a doctor can diagnose you and, with a spirometer test, can also determine how serious the constrictions in your airways are. A doctor may also test for allergies, test your blood and sputum, do a chest x-ray or perform "challenge" tests, which indicate how sensitive your lungs are to activity. The 30 Second TestIf you have been diagnosed with asthma and are treating it with medication, take this quick test to determine if your asthma is not sufficiently controlled.
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it is a sign you need additional medication and/or a better treatment plan. What can make it worseAllergens such as pollen, smog, pet dander and extreme hot or cold temperatures are triggers for an attack. Indeed, they may even prompt a runner without asthma to have a rough breathing day because they are irritants and therefore cause airways to constrict. So, try to plan your runs around ideal air conditions. Treatment and preventionThere are several different types of medication, including:
It can take a fair bit of experimentation and adjustment, in partnership with your doctor, to determine the right course of treatment. |
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