The following is a guest post.

Hello. My name is Ian and I am a gastroenterologist or “bum” doctor. I’m the kind of doctor you see when you are over 50 or if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, to get a colonoscopy. During this procedure, I look for abnormalities in the colon called polyps- which are growths that could lead to colorectal cancer, if not removed.  

Unfortunately, I diagnose colorectal cancer in somebody new every month. But even more unfortunate – 95% of these cases could have been prevented had the guidelines for screening and prevention been followed.

Two of my grandparents had colorectal cancer. My grandmother was one of five children, and four of them had colorectal cancer. My parents, uncles and sister all had colonoscopies which identified polyps, which were consequently removed.

I founded the Bum Rum, a not-for-profit organization, to increase awareness in screening and prevention of colorectal cancer. As a physician and a father, my hope is that I don’t have to let yet another person know that he has colorectal and that my daughter will not be afraid that she will get the same disease as her great-grandparents. Ontario does not have to have the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world. In 95% of people who identify the early signs of colorectal cancer, they are totally cured.

This year the Bum Run is holding its first event – a 5 km walk/run on August 26th starting at Queen’s Park Circle.  All proceeds go to Colon Cancer Canada. We want this event to be highly visible – right in the heart of Toronto – so that we can increase awareness of colorectal cancer screening and prevention.

We encourage runners to join this event. It is a flat, looped and timed course, with km markers and prizes for overall and age-category winners. This is an opportunity to show your support for colorectal cancer prevention and push your body to its limits on this PB course.

Families are also welcome. Children under age 12 can participate free of charge.  All participants that cross the finish line- whether running or walking- will get a finisher’s medal.

Increase awareness of colorectal cancer screening and prevention. Help decrease rates of colorectal cancer deaths.

Go to www.bumrun.com to register and for more information.

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If you, or someone you know, is Running for a Reason, please send your story to webeditor@irun.ca and we might feature it right here on this blog!

Last fall, Steve and I went on a run to discover a new trail somewhere off the highway. We took the dog and hopped over roots and puddles. We don’t usually run together, except on trails. The relaxed feeling that is present in the woods lets us slow down, not worry about pace or distance and just enjoy each other.

At one point, we stumbled on a big, beautiful lake. We should come back for a swim next time! we said to each other. We continued on our run, eventually turning around and heading back out of the trail. We stopped again at the lake to throw some sticks for the dog.

Let’s do it, let’s just swim today! I said to Steve. But we don’t have suits, but what if someone comes, but, but, but… we both thought. And then we stripped down to our skivvies and hopped in.

Two weeks later, Steve was bumped up on the waiting list to have shoulder surgery and was in a sling for six weeks. We haven’t been back to that trail since.

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One of the things that I get really obsessive about when I start training for a specific race is my running schedule. I have pace per run goals and average pace goals and kilometres per week goals and spreadsheets outlining my running schedule and my weight training schedule and by the time the race rolls around I’m so sick of all my spreadsheets and anal-retentiveness that I look at the people who are at a race to enjoy the experience and wonder if I’ve maybe missed out on a key aspect of the whole experience.

While I do believe that in order to achieve personal bests (and honestly, every race I run, I run for a PB) you need to focus on pace and speed and km/week and maybe it’s even a good idea to write your training program out (or at least follow one that’s been written by someone else). On the other hand, it’s never the run when you’re obsessively checking your average pace that you get that…. feeling. That feeling of being free, of being strong, of being beautiful.

We don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s why life can be a huge bitch and an amazing chain of beautiful events at the same time.

Maybe obsessing about every run is a waste of energy. Maybe marathons should be all about the experience. That’s not to say I won’t be shooting for a PB in Montreal this fall, but maybe I’ll try to relax a little along the way.

By: Magi Scallion

With running season in full swing across Canada, we’re all trying to increase the volume and fend off injury that tends to walk hand in hand with mileage. Our bodies are pretty intricate machines and there are lots of tools to help – stretching is not the least of them.

Another great way to help prevent some imbalances and avoid injuries is to make sure your gluteus (butt) is functionally strong enough. Here are a few exercises that I love. You can do them anywhere, anytime – my favourite time is in the middle of a trail run on an easy day.

Exercise 1 – Activate!  Remind your gluteus that you’re targeting it.
Stand with one foot ahead of the other (about 1.5-2 feet apart) with the hand of your back foot reaching over your head.  Feel the stretch in your hip flexor by pushing your hips forward.  Now… Clench/pulse your gluteus muscle 15-20 times on the same side that your arm is raised/leg is back.  Switch & do other side.

Exercise 2 – Lunges
Lift on leg forward, bending the knee, as if you’re stepping onto a high bench.  Then step forward & land on that same leg/foot in a lunge position.   Return to neutral standing by pushing up, primarily from your heel.  Do 15-20 repetitions then switch sides.

Exercise 3 – Stairs
This is pretty straightforward and can be done on stairs or a bench.  Step up onto the stair, focusing on pushing from your heel into the stair.  Lift your other leg as if taking another big step before stepping back down.  Repeat 15-20 times, then switch sides.

Those three burners should get you started – ask a trainer for a few more when you’re ready.  Others may include one-leg dead lifts, backward lunges, and more.   You can also make the three above more difficult by adding weight, lunging downhill, or landing on uneven surfaces to activate the stabilizer muscles as well.

Enjoy these – outside is best!

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Born in Nova Scotia and emigrating to British Columbia via Ontario and Alberta, Magi has been running the entire way. Primarily defined as a cross country ski racer, Magi has competed nationally and internationally in that sport. The highlight of her career was competing in the World University Games and the World Cup races in Canada in 2007. Cross country skiers rely heavily on running for cross training and Magi has become an accomplished trail and mountain runner, representing Canada at the World Mountain Running Championships in 2005 and the winning numerous national championships medals.

Today Magi runs for fun… and it’s a lot of fun! Epic mountain runs, city cruises with friends, and more keep her happy and occupied outside of work and school.

The following is a guest post by Mike Hoehn, Founder, Coach and Lead Volunteer of ANNE’S TEAM

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iRun…for My Mom ~ Mike Hoehn

I ran my first marathon in 2007. I’d always wanted to run a marathon, and as I was living and working in NY at the time, I had one of the world’s greatest marathons right in my back yard.  Unfortunately I wasn’t quite fast enough to qualify back then, so to gain my spot, I committed to raise funds for charity.  In short, running 42.2K through the five boroughs of NY and crossing the finish line of the 2007 NY Marathon, knowing I’d run not only for myself but to help many others, was one of the most EXHILARATING feelings I’d ever experienced.

A few years later I arrived in Toronto, ready to take my philanthropic efforts to new heights.  Up to that point in my life, my charitable efforts had been limited to volunteering, making donations, attending charity galas –the things that many of you do today. It was now time for something BIGGER and something more PERSONAL.  Which brings me to my Mom…Anne Hoehn.

Though not a runner, she was someone who endured a long journey.  My mother suffered depression for many decades of her life.  The severity of her condition surfaced when she was in her mid-twenties, and I was just a little boy, as she attempted suicide two times.  Fortunately for me and all who knew her, she was able to stabilize, and through sheer will and perseverance, she was able to manage her depression and live for another thirty years.  During her life, she was a WONDERFUL wife, mother, sister, daughter – and a great friend to all who knew her.  Sadly, my mother died of suicide in 1999.  She was 54 years old.

Though depression surfaced in her early adult years, the roots of her issues lay in her childhood and adolescence. That’s why the focus of the Anne Hoehn Memorial Foundation – or ANNE’S TEAM – is to raise awareness and funds for partner programs in youth mental health.  Youth mental health is arguably the MOST neglected, LEAST understood, and MOST underfunded area of healthcare in young people today.  And it is my unflappable desire to help young people who face social, emotional, and psychological issues, just as my Mom faced when she was young.  Those young people who we can help will form an important part of ANNE’S legacy.

So what have I tried to create with ANNE’S TEAM?  Something rare in the local community. I’ve built an organization where runners hold the sport AND the cause in equally regard.  The Half and Full Marathoners on ANNE’S TEAM believe strongly in BOTH running for oneself AND for running for a cause that matters.  Some of us run very fast, some of us not so fast.  Some of us are beginners, some of us are marathon veterans.  Some of us come with a strong connection to the cause, some of us with only an open mind and a general belief that sound mental health is important for all.  What brings us together as a TEAM is our conviction in BOTH the sport of endurance running AND the spirit of charity.

The centrepiece of the ANNE’S TEAM experience is our 20-week Team Training program for Half and Full Marathoners, which culminates with our participation in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon event in mid-October.  We begin this year’s program on May 26, and welcome anyone to join us.  We offer anyone a two-week trial period with no obligation, so you can simply come out, join us for some runs, and see how you like it.  Though we accept new runners up to August 6, we encourage you to come out as soon as you can to take full advantage of everything our program offers.  Please visit our website and read about the many benefits you receive as an ANNE’S TEAM runner (benefit package, training program, guest speakers, sponsors, discounts, etc.).  Find us at www.annesteam.com and Like us on Facebook at ANNE’S TEAM – Promoting Mental Wellness

Finally, a few words about fundraising.  Fundraising? OMG OMG!!  Before you stop reading at the sight of the “F” word, please indulge me for a few more sentences.  I recognize that we ALL give generously to multiple causes and organizations, and going to our personal and professional networks to fundraise is sometimes not easy.  What I tell our runners is very simple.  My job is to give you the most rich and meaningful 20-week experience that I can.  Your job is to fundraise a minimum prescribed amount.  That’s our basic contract – think of it as a something we shake on.  I will set you up with a personalized online fundraising page, provide you a toolbox of fundraising resources, and do all I can to help you achieve success.  History shows that if you just try, you’ll likely reach your minimum – every ANNE’S TEAM participant at Scotiabank 2011 reached their minimum fundraise.

Now any funds that you raise beyond that minimum…well that’s up to you.  My philosophy is that fundraising runners often go well beyond the minimum IF they feel they’ve had a great experience.  In other words, they’re more likely to give back if they’ve had an experience that is valuable and meaningful to them.  That’s one reason I’m especially proud of the 48 fundraising runners on ANNE’S TEAM 2011, who raised an AVERAGE of over $1,100 per person!  Indeed, they were, and are, a special of group of people who went to great ends, but I would like to think their overachievement is at least partially a reflection of the experience they had and their desire to give back to it.

I hope you visit our website and learn more about us, and hopefully I’ll see you soon at one of our runs!

ANNE’S Team welcomes you to join us for some runs!  Please visit  www.annesteam.com or contact mike@annesteam.com

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If you, or someone you know, is Running for a Reason, please send your story to webeditor@irun.ca and we might feature it right here on this blog!