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I always wanted to be a runner. Growing up, we were forced to run the Terry Fox Run every year and every year, I had to walk it. I had no athletic ability at all. I watched my friends play volleyball, basketball and do track and field. Every so often, I would ask a friend to go running with me. I would try. But I (wrongly) thought that I should be able to run for a long time and I wasn’t able to. I didn’t understand or know that I needed to build up to what my goals were. And I didn’t have the mental strength to push through. So, I stopped trying.
Then I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (at 19). And everything hurt. My pain is very focused in my legs. Being in constant pain can destroy you. And I let it for a while. Then, when I was in the pit of depression, I decided to fight. My naturopath told me that I was allowed to exercise, but I wasn’t allowed to run. I was stubborn. ‘Watch me’, I thought.
I’ve since built up my strength. I’ve gone through couch to 5K programs and I’ve run multiple 5k’s and 10k’s. I’m slow. I’ll always be a back of the pack runner. And that is absolutely okay.
In the last few months, I’ve started working out at an amazing gym in Toronto called Altitude Athletic. It is a gym that simulates altitude I’m often working out between 7500-9000ft. I’ve been working with an incredible coach and one day I said to him, ‘Hey, should I sign up for a half marathon?’. He looked me squarely in the eyes and said, ‘Why not?’.
I’ve signed up for the Princess Margaret Half-Marathon in Toronto on October 16th. And while you might assume that I’m going to raise money for fibromyalgia, I’m actually raising money for Alzheimer’s Research.
My Mom is my life. She is everything to me. My best friend. Travel buddy. Confidant. Biggest supporter. She is everything. And she is in the throes of Alzheimer’s.
I cannot even begin to explain how horrible of a disease this is. It’s heart wrenching watching the person you love the most in the world slowly disappear. Forget to eat. Wear the same clothes day in and day out. Having the same conversations every 5 minutes. Having to explain big life changes because she simply doesn’t remember. Thankfully, she’s still at home with my Dad. But soon she’ll be in a home. There’s only so much we can do. And it is… it’s the hardest journey of our lives.
As I train for my half marathon, I think of her. She doesn’t understand that she’s sick. It’s harder on us at this point than it is on her. She’s so strong. She’s the strongest woman I know. She doesn’t know she’s fighting this thing right now, but if she did understand it, I know she would take it head on. With strength, determination and grace. That’s how I’m going to run on Oct 16th.
If you are willing and able, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto at the link below. I’d like to raise $1000, all told, if at all possible.
Thank you in advance for the consideration. I carry you all with me as I train and my whole family appreciates your support. Much love and take good care.