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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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Hot On The Trail

In July, iRun runner-in-chief Ray Zahab and a small support crew followed Jen Segger as she embarked on the challenge of a lifetime - the 2008 Badwater Ultramarathon

By: Ray Zahab

JULY 12, 2008 -The thunderstorms were really unexpected. I mean, c'mon…we were in Death Valley, California. A true desert area not that far from the Nevada border, this is one of the hottest places on Earth.

One of my best friends and one of the greatest athletes I know, Jen Segger, was here with a unique mission - to become the youngest woman to complete the Badwater Ultramarathon. The grueling course consists of 135 miles (roughly 217k) of non-stop running from Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America) to the Mount Whitney portals, via a long corridor between mountain ranges known as Death Valley. The name suits the place - it can get up to 125 F, with ground temperatures even hotter. It reminded me of the Sahara.

What is Impossible2Possible?
Impossible2Possible is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring, educating and equipping a generation of global problem-solvers to achieve environmental and human sustainability. To this end, i2P hosts "adventures that inspire and educate young people to protect the planet and its people." Our goal is to use adventure to cultivate a generation of young leaders whose direct experience and training prepares them to lead sustainability initiatives.

It was Saturday. The race would start Monday morning at 10a.m. Between now and then, our support crew consisting of Jo, Cat, Bob, Norm and myself, had to be ready with two vans to go non-stop for the duration of the 30-odd hours it would take Jen to complete the event. Jen was ready. She had trained very, very hard, plus she was used to competition. As an accomplished ultrarunner, Jen has won many adventure races - her true passion. For this event, she chose to represent impossible2possible. Most of the runners indicate the charities or initiatives they support, and we were privileged to have Jen choose ours. We spent the weekend prepping while Jen rested. I had been here before in a support role - in 2006 I supported my friend Charlie Engle, who I would later run with across the Sahara.


JULY 14, 2008-With both vans loaded and our star runner rested, Team Segger was ready. Bob, Norm and I headed down to the start with Jen. Photos were taken, the US national anthem sung, and the runners were off!

For the first 17 miles Jen wasn't allowed a pace runner, but was allowed support from one of her support vehicles. Bob, Norm and I stopped every mile, to make sure she had ice tucked into a pocket sewn on the inside of her cap and a fresh hydration bottle in hand.

Jen was making it look easy, but I know how hard the heat can be on the body over the long haul. By the time we reached mile 18, we were joined by the second support vehicle, driven by Cat and Jo. Working seamlessly, we went mile after mile until we reached Stovepipe Wells - approximately the 40-mile mark.

Jen was still doing well, but I increased the amount of sodium in her bottles to help stave off serious dehydration. A section close to Stovepipe Wells is called the Devil's Cornfield. It's hot…really, really hot. Jen got through this area of hot wind gusts and beaming sun - but for a while it was touch and go.

She cruised into Stovepipe and the team went to work getting her ready for the "mountain sections" of the race. First came a major climb up Towne's Pass at 4,500ft., then down the other side. She went up again at Father Crowley's Pass, down and into rolling terrain until reaching Lone Pine. Here she would be faced with the last climb - half a marathon straight up Mount Whitney.

The support team rushed to get her fed. Cat tended to Jens feet, which were starting to blister, ice was re-stocked and drink formula was mixed. Then she was off. Jen ran into the night - with Bob, Norm and I taking turns pacing her.

In the weeks leading up to the race, Jen and I had discussed her race strategy several times. I had the honour of Jen's company during the Vancouver leg of Canada ONExONE, and seeing how strong she was that day I knew she would be amazing in Badwater. Stick to a pace of around 9k per hour, and the rest would take care of itself. Stay hydrated and above all, do your best NOT to stop.

Well…. she rarely stopped. Even during the lowest of the lows. She approached the van not far from Lone Pine and said she felt "really hot." Heat stroke was a real possibility. We pulled a large cooler we had filled with ice and dunked her whole body in. Her temperature dropped significantly, and we let her rest for five minutes. Then it was time to go!

My wife, Kathy, called us on the mobile phone to fill us in on where the competition was - along with so many others, she was tracking Jen's progress live on the Internet. The last leg up the mountain to the finish was a mixture of cheering and laughter. Neil Diamond blasting on the stereo for other runners to enjoy on their trek and pace runners constantly rotated to support Jen and cheer her on.

Jen crossed the finish line in just a little over 32 hours, which placed her in the top 10 overall. She became the youngest woman to ever complete this race - solidifying herself as one of Canada's greatest ultra runners.

The last time we spoke, she was on her way to another adventure race - just days after finishing the Badwater Ultramarathon. That's Jen…in a word, amazing!

 
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