We began this journey because of an email from the Team in Training organization. The email was simple, want to sign up to raise money, get trained for free and compete in a half marathon? Janine automatically thought it was a fantastic idea. Still pregnant, I was skeptical and thought we were most likely wasting the organizers time by coming out and explaining the program. How could 10 busy moms commit to raising $30,000 and train their very out of shape bodies (in the dead of winter) to run a 1/2 marathon in just 6 months, all while working, raising children, and running their own businesses. That is just complete insanity. Somehow we managed to find 8 other mamas that are just as insane as us.
These ladies poured their hearts into fundraising. Almost every weekend we had an event planned to help us raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Canada. From Christmas Carnivals and bake sales, to scotch tastings and bottles drives. Each and every one of these mamas worked tirelessly to reach our fundraising goal. To date we have raised over $33,000. We managed to reach our goal a month in advance and still have fundraising money coming in. We could not have done it without the support of our amazing momstown community, generous Edmonton businesses and our incredible family and friends. Every dollar we raise is a step closer to finding a cure and improving treatments for those affected by these deadly blood cancers.
Training was so hard. Here in Edmonton we had an especially long and cold winter season. The very first 20 minute run felt like hours, heaving in and out trying to catch my breath in the cold winter air I swore this was the first and last time I'd be coming out to train. But I came out again, and so did everyone else. With each frigid winter run we grew stronger and more confident. We met every Tuesday night and Saturday morning only moving indoors if the temperature was below -20 (without the windchill). Every run was longer than the one before, hill training on Emily murphy hill was especially challenging. It was not easy, each and every week I had to talk myself into going and putting my body through more pain. But knowing a group of mamas and trainers were expecting me helped motivate me to keep pushing forward. 
Then came the marathon. Nerves were getting the best of us in the days before race. The anticipation was hard to bear, our confidence was a roller coaster of "I can do this" to "I just want to bail". We talked each other off the ledge more than a few times. Race day finally came after spending 2 gorgeous days in Vancouver. The race course was beautiful from Oceanside views, through Stanley Park to downtown Vancouver, we couldn't have asked for a more scenic route. 
The Team in Training organization provides participants with coaches to help you through the race, volunteers cheering on the sidelines and seeing a purple shirt in the crowd meant you were never alone. We pushed our bodies mile after mile in the beautiful BC heat, sweating, aching and shedding tears of joy and pain. We all drew strength remembering the heroes we were running for. They are our aunties, grandmas, fathers, mothers and friends; some who lost their battle with cancer and others are brave survivors. We truly were running for those who can't.
One by one we crossed that finish line with tears with pride and relief. We did it. We did the impossible. We pulled off the insane.
I can't explain what it feels like to accomplish something of this magnitude. We were 10 in over 16,000 runners that day but our team was stronger than ever. Without this team, our coaches and Team in Training I don't think any of us would have had the courage or made the time to do this. I am incredibly proud and grateful to the 8 amazing mamas who joined us on this crazy journey.Thank you for trusting us, thank you for braving the cold, and thank you for pouring your hearts into every moment.
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