Make a Wish - Why this marathon training plan is different

Today I started my spring marathon training plan. This is the plan which is geared to get me ready to go after a Boston Qualifying time. It will be a difficult 23 weeks with a maximum weekly mileage of 85k (55mi) per week and two hard runs a week. Training for and running a marathon is an activity that can be lonely. There are a lot of miles spent on the road, or the treadmill, and with your own thoughts. A lot of people will tell you that the marathon is the reward for the training. And they are right. But I wanted to make my third marathon training cycle about more.

And so I decided that I'd train with a goal to qualify for that elusive and magical marathon: The Boston Marathon. But beyond achieving a random finish time as derived by the Boston Athletic Association, I wanted the training, the miles, the hours spent away from my family to mean much, much more than being qualified to run in one race. And so I decided to support Wishes for Olivia, and hopefully raise a ton of money, all in the name of Make-A-Wish Canada.

Olivia Grace White

Olivia Grace White, daughter of my friend, Jennifer White, went to sleep on Christmas Day 2012 and never woke up. She was 5 and a half. It was, of course, the most devastating thing that could happen to a family. To lose a child so suddenly, such a bright, shining light in their lives, has fundamentally changed who they are. Olivia was an amazing little girl. Anyone who knew her would tell you how very special she was. Not only was she beautiful and smart, but so very kind to everyone. She adored school and her friends, loved dressing up in skirts and dresses (pink and purple if possible), she loved her little sister Aurelia, but above all, she loved Disney. 

She really, really loved Disney. Really.

The White's were very lucky that they were able to take Olivia to Walt Disney World to visit her dear friends; the Princesses. She would have long conversations with Cinderella and Belle, hug Ariel, and curtsy with Merida. Disney was a dream come true for Olivia, and she talked about it endlessly. She would always say "Mumma? Do you remember when we went to Disney?" followed by her favourite memory; the fireworks, going to the Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Boutique, or throwing a coin into Cinderella's wishing well. She would make a wish and hope it would come true.

Olivia would have wanted other children to visit Disney. She would have wanted them to make their wish and have it come true. 

So, in her name, Wishes for Olivia was created.

Wishes for Olivia is a group dedicated to raising money for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada. As part of the legacy of Olivia Grace White, we strive to make wishes come true for children across Canada through fundraising, and attending and supporting group events. 

On Sunday May 4th, 2014 I will toe the line at the Mississauga Marathon, hoping to cross the finish in a time of 3 hours, 40 minutes or less. I will run that day and all 122 days before that for Olivia. If you can, I hope you support me. I hope you remember Olivia. And I hope we make some wishes come true. 

If you can donate, please CLICK HERE and follow the donation steps. 

I promise, I will run a little harder to justify every dollar donated.