David Lajeunesse: running with heart

“My mother called me to say that Marc was unconscious, that he was on the way to the hospital. My girlfriend was pregnant, and we were about to buy some ice cream...” He hurried to the hospital, but it was too late. Marc had passed away from a heart attack.  

Marc had experienced many symptoms: pain in his back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms. An ambulance had been called to his home but he refused to go anywhere, believing that everything would be fine. He decided to go to sleep instead but when he woke up, he felt even worse. He told his spouse it was time to go to the ER. He collapsed before he even set foot outside. 

For David, the shock was a brutal one. But it also represented a wake-up call. 

Since Marc died, David is more attuned to what his body is telling him. He takes the time to slow down when needed and he speaks openly about symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored. 

A year after his stepfather died, David decided to take part in one of the most demanding athletic challenges of the Bromont Ultra: a 55-km trail race with an elevation gain of 2,500 metres. 

The reason was two-fold. He has always loved pushing his personal boundaries. And he wanted to support the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation in honour of Marc. 

David gets up every morning at 5 or 5:30 a.m. to run on trails near his home in Lac-Brome. He trains hard, is careful about his diet, and adapts his daily routine to his training schedule. “I’ve always been athletic, but now I’ve really upped my game. Thanks to this challenge, I eat better and I’m more active.” 

While he is very disciplined about his training, he makes sure to take into account his life as a new father. Despite short nights, he always finds the time to run in the morning. He is, after all, greatly determined to see his challenge through. 

Trail running requires mental fortitude. “My goal is to run the race in 7 or 8 hours. I’m going to run, climb, breathe hard, but I’m going to keep going.” During long runs, David keeps Marc in his thoughts. That gives him the energy he needs to keep pushing. And David is convinced Marc would have been proud of him and that he would have been cheering him on right until the finish line. 

This year, David has chosen not only to run for Marc but to run for everyone who, just like him, has seen their life affected by heart disease. As such, he’s raising funds for the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation in support of the MHI’s cutting-edge projects in research, care, prevention, and education. He knows that every donation, no matter the amount, can help improve cardiovascular care. 

Taking on this challenge does not erase the sadness he still feels but it has given him a goal to focus on. It has helped him catch his breath. And thinking of someone he lost has given David the drive to keep putting one foot in front of the other.