I was never very athletic as a kid. Playing outside with friends, a few years of trying out soccer, and summers spent in our home pool were the extent of my activity. I was always a bit overweight, but things got out of control into early adulthood. I started my career as a full time paramedic and part time 911 communication officer, I bought a house, and started a family.. it all seemed perfect really, except for my health. I wasn’t moving my body in any purposeful way, my
weight kept creeping up, and I was getting winded trying to climb stairs or while carrying and caring for my patients. I just didn’t want to feel like that anymore. I also wanted to be able to keep up with a busy toddler without feeling so wrecked and exhausted. That’s when I decided I wanted to live a long and healthy life, and for that to happen, something had to change. I didn’t want to be a statistic, or, become ill like some of people I was called to care
for. I also wanted my daughter to have a healthy parent, and positive role model.
Where do you start? For me, I decided to try running. It seemed to help so many ‘lose weight’, I saw it as something I could do right outside from my front door, alone and away from any gym crowds, so why not try?! I live in a rural setting, and we have a gas station 1.5km away. I decided to make that my running goal. I ran/walked, and ran/walk, and it honestly felt awful. During that time, a co-worker happened to plan an informal work 5km
run, wanting to share her experience and passion, while encouraging others to come out and have fun. With her help and encouragement, I did it, and that feeling of accomplishing something difficult felt amazing. This woman lit my fire for running and racing, and I haven’t stopped since. The small ripple that this coworker created with this first run experience turned out to be life saving. It gave me the confidence to continue, when I never believed I
could. Running lead to cycling, which then progressed to triathlon. Multiple marathons and 70.3’s later, I became a first time Ironman finisher in Lake Placid 2019.
After 20 years as a first responder, I truly believe that running and triathlon saved my life in many ways. These activities were not only a way to achieve physical health, but they ended up being the medication I turned to after being diagnosed with job related PTSD. They are how I found community, friendship and support. They are what gave life colour and flavour, when everything seemed so dark and bland. I truly believe that movement
is medicine, and we all need our daily dose.