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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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January 2010

Back to Table of Contents

Treadmill_TOC.jpg

On the Spot

The Treadmill of your Dreams

Notice a correlation between the rapidly-dropping temperature and your dwindling desire to train outdoors? You’re not alone. As we head into the heart of winter, it doesn’t always feel like a wonderland from the runner’s perspective. And while the hard-core runners among us aren’t fazed by the biting winds, snow and icy conditions, it’s simply not always feasible to train outside.

The treadmill offers up the ideal, indoor alternative, but choosing the right one can seem daunting. After all, nobody wants to fork over a pile of hard-earned cash for the wrong piece of equipment; that just makes for a space-sucking, dust-gathering clothes rack. So before you buy, do your homework –
or better yet, let us do your homework for you.

Cushioning
One of the advantages offered by a well-built treadmill is a cushioning system, which can significantly reduce the impact on your joints compared with road running. To determine the level of cushioning you need, consider what type of running you’ll be doing. “If your training will include lots of distance, speed work, intervals or hills you may want to consider more cushioning,” advises Marla Brillinger, president and co-owner of Body & Soul, a personal training and lifestyle center located in Vancouver. Some treadmills even offer an adjustable cushioning system, so different users can choose the deck firmness/softness they like best.

Price

When push comes to shove, the price tag may play a big factor in determining which treadmill you choose. But like anything else, the pricing varies greatly. And while you can probably find an entry-level treadmill that comes in just under the $1,000 mark, keep that wise, old adage, ‘You get what you pay for,’ in the back of your mind. “Don’t go cheap,” says Brillinger.  “At the same time, you don’t usually need a commercial-grade model either.” Top-end treadmills can run you up to $3,000 or more, so you’ll need to decide what price range is realistic for you.
 
Tread belt (Running Surface)

Most treadmills on the market today offer two-ply tread belts, ranging in size between 14-24” wide and between 45-63” long. If you’re planning to do the majority of your training on the treadmill, you’ll want a larger belt – nothing smaller than 18” wide and 55” long.

Keep in mind that while a treadmill with a smaller belt might have a pleasingly small price tag, if the tread belt is undersized you will find yourself hitting your feet on the front or sides of the machine or even tripping – neither of which are terribly conducive to a good workout.

Programmable features
Before you shop, put some thought into what sort of features you require during your workout. Do you need a heart rate monitor? What about built-in programs, such as hill training and intervals? Is having a speed decline feature important to you? “People often get swayed by all the fancy bells and whistles,” cautions Brillinger. “But do you really want or need all of that?”

Horsepower
The treadmill motor, which delivers power to the tread belt system, usually falls in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 horsepower. But here comes the age-old question: does size really matter?

The answer is yes – and no. Bigger does not necessarily mean better – some manufacturers use bigger motors to power their treadmills because they have a poorly-designed tread belt and need a bigger motor to power it. That said, you’ll want to find a treadmill that offers at least two horsepower – anything less and you could have mechanical problems due to overheating or motor stress.

Continuous or Peak Duty Motor?
While you shop, you might find your head swimming with treadmill terminology, such as motor ratings that are continuous or peak duty. Fear not – these are actually terms that are thrown around interchangeably, and there’s no standardized motor rating in the industry (bottom line: don’t worry about it).


Benefits of Treadmill Running

iRun talked to Marla Brillinger, president and co-owner of Body & Soul, a Vancouver-based personal training and lifestyle center, about the main benefits of treadmill use:

> Great for beginner runners to build confidence and establish a foundation before venturing outside.
> Provides a more stable surface, which can minimize the chance of falling or injury.
> Offers runners the ability to control their environment (i.e.: temperature, wind, obstacles).
Provides a measurable pace and distance.

Ironically, some of these benefits can also be viewed as drawbacks.
While it’s great to build confidence on the treadmill as a new runner, “too much treadmill training does not prepare you physically or psychologically for the rigours of outdoor running,” cautions Brillinger.
And though it’s nice to know the treadmill offers a more stable surface, it brings into question whether indoor training allows your joints and muscles to strengthen and stabilize adequately in preparation for outdoor running.

At the end of the day, the treadmill simply provides a different experience than running outside.
“The perceived exertion felt on a treadmill can be quite different from running outdoors,” says Brillinger. “It’s generally recommended to combine the two methods and supplement your treadmill running with outdoor running, so you can take advantage and be prepared for the benefits that both have to offer.”

Boredom busters
>> To prevent boredom and encourage treadmill usage, incorporate training variables such as speed work, intervals and hills into your workout. 

“Try running backwards to challenge your body in a different way, and to use different muscle groups in different ways,” suggests Brillinger. “Incorporate strength training during a run – try doing two or three sets of resistance exercise, and then jump back on the treadmill for five minutes and repeat several times.”


 

 
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