🏃‍♀️ Halfway There: Running Through the Chaos for Something Bigger

I’m officially halfway through my marathon training plan—and I won’t lie, it’s been tough at times.

Training for a marathon is hard no matter what, but doing it while working more-than-full-time hours, being a mom of two small humans + two not so small dogs, and still trying to remember if I put the laundry in the dryer? That’s next-level chaos.

On weekends I wake up before the sun to squeeze in a run before the house is awake. Other days, I lace up after bedtime when I’d rather melt into the couch. I’ve run sore, tired, and mentally drained. I’ve missed runs and made others happen only because I told myself, just a few kilometres—and then somehow kept going. A year ago when I started training for my first half marathon postpartum I told myself that I would never be able to run a full marathon. Training to run 21.1km was hard enough- I thought there was no way I could train for double that- it would just be too hard.

And I was right- This isn’t easy. But I’m not doing it because it’s easy.

I’m doing it for my mom, Lynda.

I’m running this marathon to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Canada—a cause that’s deeply personal. My mom faced ovarian cancer with strength and courage that I still carry with me today. Every step I take, even the ugly ones, is for her. For her fight. For her legacy. And for all the other women and families who know this battle too well. Many of you may know that most years I fundraise by participating in the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope- but this year, for whatever reason, I decided to change it up. From a 5km walk to a 42.2km race.

The teal colour that I use for my website and branding at Well Balanced RD? Yes, it is a colour I love. But, it is also the colour that reminds me of my mom because it is the colour of the ovarian cancer ribbon.

There are moments I question if I can really keep up this pace—training 6 to 7 days a week, dealing with some injuries on top of chronic pain, and juggling everything else. But when I remember why I’m doing this, the doubt quiets- most of the time at least. My legs may be tired, but my purpose isn’t.

So here I am, halfway to race day. Still running. Still fundraising. Still showing up—even when it’s messy, imperfect, and fueled by too much coffee and not enough sleep. If you see me these days, just hand me a coffee and some carbs.

And I hope this might also serve as some encouragement to anyone who hasn’t pulled the trigger on setting a goal that seems too big or scary. I have about zero natural athletic ability. I have no business running a marathon. Bad knees, arthritis diagnosed before the age of 20, exercise-induced asthma. Yep, that’s me. But when I started running years ago—even just a couple of minutes at a time—it became a way to prove to myself that I can do hard things. It also gave me a positive outlet to calm and clear my mind. Over time, I’ve slowly and steadily set bigger and bigger goals. And now? I’m doing something I never thought I’d be capable of. So, I challenge you to picture that big, scary goal- and break it down all the way to the smallest version of that goal. Start there.

If you’d like to support this journey, please consider donating to my fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Canada using my fundraising page here. $1, $5, $20, or more- it all adds up each year, and has helped me fundraise thousands of dollars for Ovarian Cancer Canada over the years. Your support means more than I can put into words—and helps fuel not just me, but the research, advocacy, and hope that so many families need. It has turned one of the darkest chapters of my life into something that I can be proud of, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Thanks for being part of this. 💙
With sore legs and a full heart,
Shavonne