Running "Yards" in memory of Aysha

In February of 2022, my family lost my sister, Aysha, to her addiction. 

Addiction affects us all in so many ways and is far more complex than just using or not using a substance. It can rear it's head in many forms, but it's always sneaky, deceptive, and often ruthless.

Too often, as with my sister's case, addicts will suffer alone. They don't don't believe themselves to be worthy of love, help or support. They are often blinded to the God given value that they possess. Addicts find themselves victims of addiction for countless reasons, many of which are outside of their own control. And once addiction has it's hooks in, it can be near impossible to break free.

Addiction is so often a battle of fear and self-doubt. If an addict could truly believe that they were capable of walking free, and could see their value and potential, then the path to freedom wouldn't be as difficult.

This is why it is imperative that those struggling against addiction do not suffer alone anymore. They need outside voices to encourage and support them in their journey. They need people who recognize their value, and can show them their true potential.

That's why I'm choosing a unique avenue to raise money for Adult & Teen Challenge Society of BC, whose mission is to help people overcome life-controlling issues through Christ and to put hope and freedom within reach of every person. 

Starting on April 28, I ran an ultramarathon called the BC Backyard Ultra. Aside from the pledge fund, I already run ultramarathons to help me show myself and others that we are capable of going much farther than our own perceived limits. This battle in the mind is something every addict faces when trying to overcome. 

Here's how it worked: 

• Every hour, on the hour, runners began a 6.71km loop.
•  Every runner has an hour to complete the loop. Easy right? You can take 30 minutes, 40, 55, or whatever. The only requirement is that you finish the lap within the hour, and that you start the next lap at the top of the next hour.
•  Runners continue to do this... until there is two runners remaining. Once the second last runner drops, the final runner completes one more lap and is crowned the winner. 

This could go on for 16, 24, 30, 70 hours, it all depends how physically and mentally fit the field is. 

As a way to encourage me to keep going when my mind tells me to stop, I asked donors to 

pledge a dollar amount per lap I complete.

The race is now over, and I managed to ride a roller coaster of highs and lows, supported by a selfless crew to complete 30 yards. I ran myself to the ground, until I could barely walk and couldn't take the pain or delirium anymore. I went to unfamiliar dark places  in my mind, which I know were only a fraction of what a struggling addict and their families have to deal with. But I proved to myself, that I can do hard things, that my perceived limits really are not my limits at all, and that there's always a way out.

I could not have done it without the support of my pledgers and donors, so thankyou all so much! 

I wanted to not only raise money for a program close to home and my heart, which sees countless individuals freed from the chains of addiction, but to also prove through my performance that we are all capable of so much more than we think we are. Thank you so much for helping me on this journey! And thankyou for your generosity!