Misha never thought she’d be a runner. But during a difficult time in her life, it proved to be a lifeline she didn’t even know she needed.
She picked it up as a way to relieve stress after quitting smoking. She wanted to get out into nature more, doing something that was good for her body. But less than six months later, chronic knee pain forced her to stop. Her doctor recommended a break from running, and focusing on other exercises to strengthen the muscles around her knee. If she didn’t, she could do irreparable damage and might never run again.
Misha followed the advice and spent the winter months doing Pilates and yoga. By the time spring rolled around, she was strong enough to start running again. “I wasn’t in a good place in my life. I joke with my friends that running saved my life, but I really think it did,” said Misha. “It’s a big thing that I never saw myself doing.”
Eager to get serious again, she joined a local running group and started searching online for a race that would be right for her level. That’s when she discovered the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake – SL5K Virtual Challenge. Not only was it friendly for all skill levels, it was in support of her home hospital.
When she found out a friend of hers was participating too, in support of her mother receiving cancer treatment at Southlake, it was the push Misha needed to get out of her comfort zone and fundraise. “Southlake is my hospital, but it didn’t really click with me until recently how often I had used their services,” said Misha. Her own niece and nephews were born at Southlake, and Misha and her family have both depended on the hospital for different care her whole life. “It’s about time that I do something to give back.”
As Southlake’s largest annual fundraiser in support of the hospital’s most urgent priorities, Misha’s fundraising is helping to make sure that her family and friends have the best possible care when they need it most.
Join Misha today in supporting new and replacement medical tools, equipment and technology that is vital to patient care. Visit runforsouthlake.ca to donate to the event, or help any participant or team reach their fundraising goal.
“It’ll be nice to be out in the community doing something that I know is making a difference, and doing it with other people who have the same goal in mind.
Misha
Want to get involved? Register today at runforsouthlake.ca and join us September 23rd to 27th, 2020 for the SL5K Virtual Challenge – a virtual 5-day kilometre challenge to see just how much ground you can cover to support your local hospital. Fun for all ages and abilities, participate in ANY distance-based activity (run, walk, bike, row…whatever strikes your mood!) with ANY distance goal.
