My academics, running journey, and struggles with mental health
My Name is Andrew Hall. I am a two-time marathoner and I’m going into my third year of pharmacy school at UBC. I never considered pharmacy as a future profession, so beginning this program felt like a left turn in my life and a giant leap of faith in my academic abilities.
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I quickly began to feel overwhelmed with the course content and the sheer volume of information I had to take in. That lead to anxiety, imposter syndrome, and isolation. Running quickly became an outlet to push myself and channel my anxiety. I had ran cross country in elementary school, but I hadn’t ran much more than a few kilmeters around my neighbourhood since high school I steadily ran faster and further around campus, and within a few weeks, my passion for running grew. I got far too ahead of myself and thought about running a marathon. As I struggled with academics, I felt much more accomplished with my running. I felt like I was reaching my potential as a runner while I struggled to keep my head above water in school.
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In April of 2024, I made it through my first year of pharmacy school and I ran my first marathon. Both achievements really felt like their own marathons, but each experience taught me important lessons that made me a better runner and student. At times, those feelings of anxiety and isolation were unrelenting. My anxiety lasted through most of that first year. It took its toll on me. As I tried to rest up from the fallout of the year, I struggled to develop healthy coping skills to make myself more comfortable in future semesters.​​
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In the fall of 2024 I started my second year of pharmacy school and I was training for my second marathon. My goal was to run a sub-4 hour marathon, nearly a 30 minute PR. With only a few weeks left until the race, I realized that I had was nowhere close to that time goal. It was devastating and disappointing. I felt like all the hard work I had put in over the summer was for nothing. This wave of anxiety and isolation came over me. I felt like I had no one around me for support and the pressure from my academics and training was crippling. I didn’t think I was strong enough to keep moving forward and make it through another year feeling like this. I didn’t know where to get help and I considered suicide. It was a thought that only lasted for a few seconds but it was the scariest moment of my life. The strangest part about that experience was going to class the next day and trying to act fine the rest of the week. I felt like I was in a haze and I just tried to move on from it without acknowledging that it happened. I had assignments due, and lectures to attend. I didn’t even know how to approach it or lean on others for support.
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As I look back on that time, I’m not ashamed or embarrassed. I only stop and think about the countless othet people that are around me every day that silently struggle with similar emotions. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone, and I don’t want them to go through it alone and carry that burden the way I did. This is why I am training for my most ambitious and challenging run yet.​​​​​​​
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I am organizing this run in the hopes that I can show other people around me that even though they may struggle, it is not their defining trait. You may stumble and falter on your journey through life, but you can still do incredible things on your way to becoming the person you want to be. I also hope that this can serve as a reminder to myself that I am capable and I am strong, and even though I may struggle, I just need to put one foot in front of the other and continue moving forward.
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Fundrasing
I have chosen to fundraise for 2 foundations that I truly believe in.
The Canadian Mental Health Association - I recently learned about the Canadian Mental Health Association and their goals to support and develop mental health and substance use programs. I align with their values on accessible mental health resources, inclusivity, and improving social determinants of health to improve quality of life. I am someone who has benefitted greatly from comprehensive, tailored, and accessible therapy and counselling. When I first began struggling with anxiety during my undergrad, I had the privilege to access a counselling service through my mom’s health insurance that was provided through her work. I benefitted greatly from those sessions in a time where I felt lost and without coping skills. As a huge advocate for mental health programs, the Canadian Mental Health Association website makes it easy for people that need support to access public services.​
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The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation - For most of my life, I have been a huge Montreal Canadiens fan. This hockey team has given me so much entertainment and joy in times where I struggled, and it has given me so many chances to bond with friends and family. The greatest moment of my life was when I met the Montreal Canadiens Netminder and my favourite athlete of all time, Carey Price, in the winter of 2025. I was struggling with the pressure of school, my physical health was at an all-time low, and I had recently fallen into deep depression. I was about to go on a run with a run club in Vancouver when I saw Carey Price and his family walking down the street. Carey stopped and had a conversation with me and took a photo while they were on their way to dinner. He was so gracious with his time and kind to me. I don’t think I stopped smiling for 72 hours. I still think about it and get chills – I got to meet the greatest athlete I have ever had the pleasure of watching on a random Monday. With how much this organization has meant for me, I want to give back to them through the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation. Their initiatives are to get children physically active and provide resources for underprivileged children in sports. I really want to give back to this organization that has given me so much joy so that they can get kids excited about the sport of hockey and the team the way that I was when I was young.​​​​​​​​​​
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I am encouraging those with extra funds to donate! Every little bit is appreciated and makes a big difference. I understand that everyone is feeling the pressures of financial unpredictability, especially those in the pharmacy program after those tuition payments go through. Donating is not a requirement if you would like to participate in this run and enter to win some cool stuff!
Event Details
I am going to be running 100 km around the track at TRU. It's going to be a test of strength, discipline, courage, and will. When I'm done, this will be the longest run of my life. I have built some of my strongest relationships to date through the running community. Everyone is so kind and encouraging. I want to bring that community engagement to my run. Come out for a run at any distance, speed, and time for a chance to win some sweet sweet prizes!
Location: LOCATION CHANGE McArthur Island Park
Time: 5:30 am till 10:00 pm
Date: September 20th 2025
What to bring: A pair of shoes with good support, a banging playlist, and good vibes! (and maybe some water and carbs)​.
How to enter for prizes
On the day of the run I will provide a link to a google form. In the form you will need to include:
1. your first and last name
2. a way to contact you (email, phone number, Instagram account, facebook account)
3. A screen shot of your run/walk on Strava ( how to create a Strava account and upload an activity )
4. a song that you love to exercise to!
I hope to see so many people come out to get some exercise, whether they have ran ultras in the past or if they have to walk-run a kilometer.
