SHE BELIEVED SHE COULD…

This is my motto now!  I believe in myself, and if I believe I can, then I will!

I’ve overcome enough hurdles this last few years to know that!  

I originally started running in 2008.  I figured it would be a good way to lose weight!  And as I’d tried every other form of exercise and never stuck with it, I had nothing to lose. It was before C25K had been invented, so with my hubby’s advice I ran in between lampposts - once it was dark and no one could see me obviously & from that first outing I was hooked!

I signed up for our local Race of Life 5k and over the next few weeks I upped my training and I ran that first race in 37 minutes. The buzz I got from it was amazing, I cried when I finished - but I do cry easily so that’s not really any surprise!  

IT WAS SO EMOTIONAL KNOWING I’D STUCK WITH SOMETHING AND ACHIEVED WHAT I  WANTED TO DO.

Over the next few years I carried on running, mainly for the enjoyment of it but sometimes I’d enter a race - the bling was very addictive.   I ran a few 10k’s and one half.   My aim was always to run a marathon but the half was tough and I never got round to it.  

I took a few months off in 2015 as I needed a hernia operation, but I healed from it quite quickly and was soon back out there pounding the streets and the doctor said I healed quickly because I did run.

Fast forward to 2016.  Everything is rosy.  I’ve just ran another 10k, I’ve been out for a 40k bike ride, and a 20k walk over September and I felt fitter and healthier than I had in years! October arrives and I end up in hospital with what I thought was fluid retention.  It turned out I have Lupus which - for anyone who doesn’t know - is an autoimmune disease which causes my body to attack itself, and mine went for my kidney.   I spent 9 weeks in hospital, had 3 operations in 4 days, lost one of my kidneys, died a couple of times & numerous other things that could go wrong,  did.  None of which I will bore you with just now as this is about my passion for running. 

I came home on 23rd December 2016, just in time to spend Christmas with my family.   I could hardly walk, my muscles had all wasted away lying on my back for 9 weeks and I needed 2 walking sticks to get around the house.  

I’m a stubborn madam though and had no intention of giving in to this,  so I started walking.  Very slowly and very short distances and built myself up again.  3 months later I was back in work.

Now Lupus is an odd thing and saps my energy too so working full time was pretty much all I could do to begin with and that was ok for a while.   I did gradually get stronger though, with the help of counselling and enough meds to sink a ship,  but kept me alive,  I started getting itchy feet again!

2018 SUMMER I STARTED RUNNING AGAIN - THIS TIME WITH THE C25K AND BUILT MYSELF UP AGAIN AND ACTUALLY RAN A 10K.  

Different things pause my progress!  Mainly Lupus, and then recently COVID-19!  But I will always get back out there while I can!  Running to me is so very important.  It’s the most magical feeling being outside without a care in the world, listening to the birds tweeting, and smelling the fresh air, or sea if I make it to the front!  It’s my time when I’m normal, when I can do things like normal people. When I’m a woman who runs!  I’m not a wife, or a mum, or a daughter or a colleague!  And the best thing - I’m not a Lupie!  I’m just me!  It grounds me, and makes me feel invincible!  It’s given me my confidence back!  And for that hour or so, it’s the most perfect time!  I have to be sensible about it and I’m never going to run a marathon now,  I’m never going to be fast or consistent but I still run and that’s enough for me.   

I NEED RUNNING IN MY LIFE

I GOT MY BELIEF BACK, AND I WENT OUT AND DID IT

AND I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF FOR DOING IT!

AND A BIT OF BLING STILL MAKES ME SMILE!