Journeys of the Sole: Resilience, running and recovery
By Joelle Tomlinson Global News
March 22, 2024
Four years ago, Melissa Boisvenue took her first steps on a journey that would redefine her life. With an old pair of running shoes and a sense of determination, she ventured out for her first run in a decade.
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“I don’t even think I went a kilometer without stopping and gasping,” Boisvenue said.
Yet, amidst the struggle, she said she found solace. Running became her lifeline, a way to connect with nature and breathe in moments of openness.
Today, Boisvenue prepares for her third attempt at a 100-mile race in the Crowsnest Pass. Thirty hours of winding trails, intense temperatures and the encompassing darkness of night await her. But with each stride, she carries more than just her own weight.
“An ugly leg gets her trying harder, going for more. It’s pretty inspiring actually,” her husband Codey McIntyre shares.
Boisvenue’s journey into ultramarathon running was not born solely from a desire for physical challenge.
Four years ago, amidst the excitement of pregnancy, she received devastating news: her unborn daughter had a rare heart condition.
The loss of “Baby Goo Goo,” as Boisvenue’s daughter Indiana lovingly called her unborn sister, plunged the family into darkness.
“Everything was getting black. When she ran, it opened up that black space a little bit more,” McIntyre said.
Through the anguish of grief, Boisvenue found solace in running. It became a lifeline, a way to navigate the darkness and reconnect with her body.
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“It’s a time where it gives you such mental clarity to feel your grief in such an authentic, raw way,” Boisvenue said.
Since that fateful day, Boisvenue said she pushed herself to new limits, racing ultramarathons and carrying the memory of her lost daughter with her always.
“What a beautiful opportunity it is to have a strong capable body, mind, to carry me this far,” she said.
But her journey isn’t just about personal triumph. It’s about showing her two girls that they too can conquer mountains, not just with their legs but with their hearts.
“You just have to be brave enough to try,” said Boisvenue.
In every step, Boisvenue carries the weight of her grief and the strength of her love, proving that even in the darkest of times, there is light to be found in the rhythm of running.
