Finding Her Reason to Run

14 Trissy White

45, Toronto

In January, 2016, I completed my very first marathon at the Goofy Challenge at Disney. I was invited to run with a family I met through WhoIRun4. This family has a son, Garrett, 10, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

When we met in April, I was only running for the bling and not with any significant purpose. Garrett’s mom suggested I join their team Garrett’s Heroes, as part of the larger team Run for Our Sons, to help fundraise for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD). Money raised through Run for Our Sons helps to fund PPMD’s work to continue research, educate the community and fight for the care of all young men living with this fatal disease. After getting to know Garrett, how could I decline? Instead of running just the half with Garrett’s parents and grandfather, I decided on the Goofy Challenge — 39.3 miles over two days. I fought through fundraising challenges and running injury during training to get to that moment I will never forget. I crossed the finish line in tears yet energized and in disbelief that I had done it. Seeing Garrett and his family at the finish line as I crossed was extremely rewarding because I did all this for them. Garrett’s family asked how I was feeling and if I thought that they could run a marathon for Garrett. My response was that they could do anything with Garrett in their heart! So, in January 2017, we’re going back!

This time, we’ll be running the Dopey Challenge: all 4 races over 4 days. 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon = 48.6 miles. I have a higher fundraising goal of $2,500, which scares me more than the running. But I’m determined. After all, I am inspired by Garrett — a little boy who doesn’t let Duchenne’s stop him from being a happy boy with a big heart and big dreams to be a preacher when he grows up. I have created a GoFundMe Page to assist with my fundraising in the months to come. Last year I was just a small part of helping Run for our Sons raise more than $300,000 to help PPMD fund critical research. I run, because they can’t. I may not be able to save the world, but I can run trying to save a group. You will be amazed just how much more pep it puts in your step!