COACH MORGAN’S RUNNING STORY

morgan5636
Jul 7
3 min read

I have always loved running. Back in the day, it was track and long-distance. I ran cross-country for my city, played field hockey and squash for my university, and squeezed in the odd 5k run here and there just for fun.

Fast forward 25 years for reasons unknown, I decided to run a half marathon out of the blue. No training plan, no coach — just a couple of 6–10K runs a week and one random 16K long run. Race day was fun and I loved every minute of it and finished in 1:54. However, I was so sick afterwards with chronic dehydration and diarrhea. Clearly winging it and not having a proper training program, was not the best strategy!

In 2017, I decided to start running again and joined the High Park Running Room to get fit, do something healthy and to meet new people. I wanted to reclaim a piece of myself.

This decision changed my life.

I went from a newly divorced, semi-depressed, red wine enthusiast on a slippery slope, to a fit, happy, motivated woman surrounded by an incredible running community.

In my first ever marathon the Toronto Goodlife in May 2017, I ran with an injury, as you do, and finished in 4:14 and took 8th place in my age category. It turns out I missed a Boston Qualifier (BQ) by just 4 minutes — and at the time, I had no idea what a BQ even was! That little oversight changed my life. And yes — I chased it, caught it, and eventually made it to the holy grail of marathons.

A huge shout out to the High Park Rogue Runners who carried me through some dark days and some unforgettable victories. HPRR will always have a piece of my heart, thank you.

THE UNTHINKABLE: Lung CANCER & THE COMEBACK

In November 2018, at a dinner party, I decided, to donate half my liver to my friend’s best friend. She was going to die if she did not get a new liver and on paper, I was a perfect match: O+, under 60, no history of cancer. The plan was to run Boston first and then do the liver transplant.

During pre-transplant testing, a CT scan picked up a tiny, suspicious mark on my upper right lung. A biopsy revealed stage 1 lung cancer! (non-small cell adenocarcinoma). Within three days, I was on an operating table having a lobectomy. The top half of my right lung was removed.

No chemo. No radiation. Just shock, grief and gratitude for early detection, I was absolutely devastated that I could not help my friend's best friend.

Five weeks later, I tried to run and could not even manage 100 meters. Every attempt felt like suffocating under saran wrap. I was weak, slow, and cried with frustration after nearly every effort.

The Boston dream was over, or so I thought! Coach Meghan wasn’t having it. “Of course you’ll run Boston,” she said. “The more you run, the more your lung will expand. You’ll get there.” I gave a massive eyeball roll and thought, she has absolutely no idea! But she believed in me — and eventually, I believed in me too.

7 months post lobectomy in October 2019 I ran the Chicago marathon and two years later, I re-qualified for Boston at the Erie Marathon! On my 60th birthday, April 18 2022, I ran down Boylston to the Boston finish line and completed this iconic race! Best birthday gift ever, especially since my boys and their girls, and friends were there cheering me on too. What an emotional day, I will never forget it and I am extremely grateful for the love and support that carried me there.

Running builds resilience. It sharpens your mind.

It transforms your spirit.