Why I am running for UCalgary Nursing in the Calgary Marathon

Stephanie Ng, director of development, Nursing Advancement Team

"Near summer’s end in 2020, I started taking intentional walks outside to deal with the overwhelming feeling of stress from the pandemic. The short walks around the block began extending to a little jog to the nearest major intersection and then to Fish Creek Park.

Since becoming a member of UCalgary Nursing in 2018, I have learned the value of the environment around me and appreciating that the physical is connected to the mental.

What did I learn from running? I focused not on my time or my speed, I was thankful for the deer grazing in the trees and the smell of the grass. So I am participating in this year’s Calgary Marathon in support of UCalgary Nursing’s Power in Numbers Fund. This undergraduate fund is available to nursing students who need emergency or temporary financial assistance.

I know personally that this fund provides students in need a chance to breathe, because there are things outside of our control that will impact our lives.  I hope you will join our nursing community in this walk and run!"

Marc Hall, research specialist, Nursing Research Office

"Before the pandemic, I would run, but not that frequently - maybe just a few times a summer. So, I certainly never considered myself a runner. A few months after the world shut down from COVID, I decided I needed to have a daily step count goal to get off the couch and get moving again. This eventually led me to running more often - maybe a couple of times a month.

When we started going back to the office, I realized I didn’t need to drive to work every day anymore. My new routine was to walk and take the c-train to the university and then run home afterwards, which is about a 7 km run. This has stuck and I do this now once or twice a week. I love it.

One day, last year, I went for a run and decided to just push to see how long I could go and I ended up doing 16 km. This has motivated me to want to run a half-marathon. I’m joining the Nursing team and doing the 10 km in the Calgary Marathon as my steppingstone to that half-marathon goal! I guess I am a runner now!"

Carla Ginn, associate professor, UCalgary Nursing

"I have been a runner for 25 years-just out by myself every other day, preferably on a trail, and have never participated in a formal run. On March 22, 2020, as pandemic restrictions were being enforced, I was running on Edworthy hill, slipped on an icy patch, stood up to walk home, a thoughtful stranger noticed my limping and drove me home.

I was diagnosed with a hematoma the next day, as I could weight-bear, and kept on walking/moving with crutches and experiencing quite a bit of pain. As pandemic restrictions lessened a couple of months later, I saw my physiotherapist who recommended an X-ray.

I was referred to an orthopedic surgeon when it was discovered I had fractured the neck of my left femur. I learned to enjoy daily long walks and have recently started running again. I didn’t realize how much I missed the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of running in solitude until I was unable to do so.

I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in this UCalgary Nursing’s Power in Numbers Fundraising race. I will be slow, but I will be there, my first race – and hope you will join our nursing community in this walk and/or run."