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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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March 2010

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The year's best and most crazily ambitious performances by a recreational marathoner

The Camrose Running Club’s Ian Blokland strung together a 2009 marathon season that easily represents one of the year’s best—and most crazily ambitious—performances by a recreational marathoner. The 33-year-old physics and mathematics professor ran 12 marathons in 2009, with a remarkable ten of them coming in under 3:00. This includes a 22-day stretch in which he ran five marathons under 3:04, as well as a season-ending personal best of 2:38:59 in Chicago.

#1 Boston Marathon, April 20 (2:59:10)
This one was, necessarily, planned half a year in advance. My initial goal was sub-3 to redeem myself for showing up in Boston out of shape in 2007. This goal then merged with an offer to pace Rick Ball for his world record attempt. (Eds. Note: Blokland succeeded on both counts.)

#2 Vancouver Marathon, May 3 (2:52:06)
My brother lives in Vancouver, so I try to make a trip out to the coast right after final exams at the university where I work. I was planning on a "moderate" effort there, say 2:55-ish, to see where my fitness was at. The result here was very encouraging.

#3 Red Deer Marathon, May 17 (2:57:11)
This was the "A race" where I hoped to go sub-2:50 for the first time. Everything went perfectly for 32K before an abdominal cramp forced me to shut it down. Nevertheless, this is still one of my favourite races.

#4 Lakeland Runaway, May 23 (2:54:16)
I had to hold off the other runner to defend last year's title. This is an awesome romp through grass trails and its Saturday scheduling makes it possible to pair it with other races like the Saskatchewan Marathon the next day.

#5 Saskatchewan Marathon, May 24 (3:03:54)
Rubber legs from the very first step on the second half of my first-ever attempt at a "double."

#6 Calgary Marathon, May 31 (2:48:04)
Not fully recovered from the previous weekend but I ran smart and was determined to grit out a PB anyway.

#7 Marathon de la Baie des Chaleurs, June 7 (2:51:38)
Snuck in this very scenic race between a couple of conferences in New Brunswick. Moderate effort.

#8 Fallen Four Marathon, June 21 (2:51:56)
Highway runni200x300_IanBockland.jpgg into a stiff monsoon, lots of character built, moderate effort.

#9 Powderface 42.2, July 11 (4:26:21)
Not a lot of actual running on this brutal terrain, but very scenic.

#10 Edmonton Marathon, August 16 (2:44:57)
Unexpected PB on my last tune-up race before the fall goal marathon.

#11 Queen City Marathon, September 13 (2:43:50)
Started out way too fast and suffered accordingly, but still had enough time banked for a small PB.

#12 Chicago Marathon, October 11 (2:38:59)
Just a fun vacation race, or so I thought, until I found myself with limitless energy in perfect cool conditions. I'm still kind of stunned by this one.

Race reflections: Every race has something great about it and that's why I do this. Chicago was a special experience, even aside from the result. My favourite course is Vermilion. The toughest races were Red Deer and Regina; it seems I don't have as much fun when I go into a race with high expectations. Instead, if I just keep plugging away at the training and learning from each race, the improvements happen on their own.

Scheduling: During the previous winter, I mapped out as many as 14 marathons that might be do-able and registered for the ones with deadlines, while waiting until the last few weeks for the others. I only go "all out" a few times per year, but sometimes 95% effort leads to a smarter race and an excellent time. The main thing is that I'm happy just to be out there. I haven't made next year's plans yet, but if I can stay healthy and motivated, another 8-12 marathons should be possible.

Costs: The biggest cost comes from the destination trips like Boston, Chicago, or NYC (2008). Everything else is just a few motel rooms, some gas, some race fees, and a lot of shoes.

Advice about multiple marathons: Different things will work for different people, but I attribute my success with multiple marathons to two things: building a big base of easy mileage over the winter and being willing to de-emphasize short-term time goals in favour of racing for fun and longer-term improvement. Also, I have some awesome running partners who add a lot of enjoyment and challenge to the training and to some of the road trips.

 
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