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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  Back to Table of ContentsGet Smart: Safe Running for WomenBy Lora Shinn Runners have many hazards to avoid, like wayward drivers, loose dogs and ankle-breaking cracks. But women face a few more hazards than the average runner - like creepy guys in long coats and slowly-cruising cars. Sheri Allain, a young mom from Toronto, knows all about those creepy guys, or at least one of them. As she ran solo at dusk in midtown Toronto, she saw a man standing in a trench coat - his personal parts waving in the wind. "It wasn't particularly scarring or scary, just gross," she recalls. "Luckily it was dusk, so I didn't have to see his glory in full light." Today, Allain runs alone only in the early morning. "My theory is that crazies come out at night," she says. Although runners frequently wave at one another when passing, she feels she's become wary of strangers' gestures. "Every young man is an unknown threat," she says. "It's sad but true." Flashers don't just limit themselves to twilight or urban landscapes, however, as Lori Baird can attest to. An avid runner from Montreal who leads female running groups, Baird was flashed, twice, on quiet Sunday mornings in a Montreal suburb. While the experiences didn't stop Baird from hitting the dirt in Mout Royal Park or on Montreal's back-country roads, it did make her more aware and take precautions for future runs. "I think running by oneself is just like any other safety issue as a woman - be smart, be aware, and have an exit plan or strategy." Here are a few safety running tips from fellow runners. SMART AND SAFE RUNSKNOW YOUR PATH.Check maps and seek fellow runners' advice for finding well-traveled paths. Do your research: Is the trail frequented by other users, such as runners, families on bikes or urban hikers? Are phones located anywhere along the route? Drive along new-to-you courses and assess any safety concerns, before hitting the dirt. Avoid deserted streets, garbage or weed-strewn trails, parked cars and shrubbery. 
TIME IT OUT.Skip the late-night runs; go for indoor tracks or the gym instead. Alter routes or time of day to throw off possible stalkers. BE AWARE."Trust your instincts," says Baird. If you size up an individual, group or situation and don't like what you see, cross the street, track back or run in a different direction. Baird is cautious about people asking for directions, because that's how her flasher approached her. "Don't get too close to the car, and be ready to run off," she suggests. Lisa May Huby of Barrie, ON, agrees. If something or someone makes her feel uncomfortable, she moves to a highly-visible spot. "The more public the place, the less chance there is of someone being brave enough to try anything," she says. USE HEADPHONES JUDICIOUSLY.With music pounding in your ears, you won't be able to hear a car or attacker approach. Take out the ear buds if you're on paths in remote areas, whether urban or city. Huby runs with music, but takes extra precautions. "I make sure I'm aware of what's going on around me - who's approaching, who's following and undue attention from anyone." If you must wear headphones, try wearing only one - leaving your other ear free for your environment. BUDDY UP.Run with a pal or pup, both for company and to deter people looking for easy targets. "Nobody bugged me when I had my big black lab," says Baird. If Baird isn't sprinting with a friend, she implements a clever idea, called "tagging" another runner - staying close enough to prevent being completely alone. STAY CONNECTED.Unlike some, Huby acknowledges fellow runners, because she feels it helps establish a safety support system. "You never know when you may need assistance during your run, and it's good to build camaraderie with other runners, even if it's just in passing," she says. Before heading out, call or text-message a friend with your running route. BE ASSERTIVE."My feeling is that people who seem fearful or unsure of themselves are more easily intimidated than those that have confidence and carry themselves well," says Huby. "Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving," agrees Lori O'Connell, a runner and third-degree black belt in Can-Ryu Jiu-jitsu who has taught self-defense in Vancouver, BC, for almost 15 years. Ignore verbal harassment, O'Connell adds, and don't give your harasser the luxury of your time. Instead, hold your head high and project poise. GET OUT YOUR GEAR.Bring a whistle, wear reflective clothing and stay visible. Bring your I.D., a cell phone or change for an emergency phone call. "A whistle can be useful for alerting people when a woman is in need of help," says O'Connell. "Whistles are much better than the expensive personal alarms. Personal alarms are often confused with car alarms, which we all know go off by accident most of the time." SIGN UP FOR SELF_DEFENSE.Learn how to protect yourself in a one-day defense workshop offered through a community centre or a longer martial arts class. The skills you pick up can be used wherever you are, whether that's on the trail or in parking garages. CALL THE POLICE.If you notice anyone acting suspicious or are assaulted, inform authorities immediately. "Be prepared to provide the best description of the suspect as you can," O'Connell says. This will help the police to prevent a flasher or attacker from hurting other women. STOPPING AGRESSORSRunning, shouting and striking frequently results in interrupted attacks, according to the Queen's Bench Foundations Project. If a woman is assaulted and needs to defend herself, O'Connell offers the following advice: MAKE NOISE
GET AWAY
ATTACK THE ATTACKER
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