Running has been part of my life for many years, but not in a dramatic or heroic way. It has always been something steady and grounding — a daily practice that helps me think, process, and reset. As a teacher, it’s one of the ways I take care of my own well-being so I can show up better for my students, my family, and the people around me.

Over the years, that love of movement has taken me on some longer adventures. I’ve completed more than fourteen ultramarathons across all four seasons. I’ve thru-hiked the 4,265-kilometre Pacific Crest Trail, cycled from Calgary to San Francisco, and spent time trekking through places like Iceland, Bolivia, Nepal, India, and Spain.

But the landscapes that have shaped me the most are here at home.

My family settled in Saskatchewan, but not in one place. I grew up with family stories and lived experiences from the far south, to the parkland, to the boreal forest and Canadian Shield in the north. Because of that, I’ve always carried a strong sense of place in this province. Different parts of Saskatchewan feel familiar to me in different ways, and I’ve always felt a quiet connection to the wide variety of landscapes that exist here.

My mom shared that same feeling of home.

She loved the land, the openness, and the sense of space that Saskatchewan offers. When I think about her, I often think about the landscapes she loved and the places that shaped our family’s story.

My mother passed away from leukemia at the age of 38 - the age I am turning this year.

Her life was cut short too soon, a story that is unfortunately familiar for many who have lost someone. Grief has a way of staying with you quietly over time, and this run is one way I’ve chosen to continue to move through that loss while also celebrating the life she lived.

Running the length of Saskatchewan is my way of honouring her. It’s a chance to move slowly through the landscapes that shaped our family, to spend long days outside, and to reflect on the places that have always felt like home.

It’s also an opportunity to celebrate parts of Saskatchewan that are sometimes overlooked or underappreciated - the long northern roads, the forests, the prairies, and the small communities that connect them all together.

This run is not just about distance. It’s about gratitude, remembrance, and connection.

It’s about taking small steps forward.

Across a province.
Through meaningful places.
And in memory of someone deeply loved.

And it’s not something I can do alone.

Along the way, I’m inviting others to be part of the journey, whether that means following the story, sharing the project, or contributing to the charity this run supports.

If this story resonates with you, I hope you’ll consider supporting the cause. This can be as simple as following the journey on social media, sharing this story and project with others, or through a larger commitment, like a personal donation.