The Game Changer.
Never, ever, ever, had I been athletic in my life. I would always get my mother to write me a sick note back in secondary school. 1500 meter run? Why would someone do that to themselves? Back then I was a chubby girl who just wanted to eat a lot of chocolate, see my friends and play video games. I’ve not really changed THAT MUCH since then to be honest, apart from the sport side.
It all started when I eventually got sucked into the gym lifestyle to lose some weight, one day I worked up to running 10KM. I felt wonderful! I then tried running outside, I was nervous and scared but I did it and hell, it was a lot harder but it was so freeing. I signed up to a 10k thinking that will be my furthest ever distance..nope! I then did half marathons. I thought to myself “half marathons are hard enough, I’ll never ever be able to do a marathon”. Then after 3 half marathons I thought, why not. I signed up to Manchester Marathon for April 2nd 2017 halfway through 2016. Little did I know the end of 2016/start of 2017, I would be struggling with my mental health.
I went through a really hard time in my life, I suffered severely with depression and anxiety, I was off sick from work, I was too scared to leave the house. It was the worst time of my life. How on earth was I going to complete a marathon?! To be brutally honest, I just didn’t want to exist.
Luckily my mum was very supportive, she encouraged me out the door to just “try” a little run. Once I was out the house, I was fine, I felt great in fact. I had a few complications with different medications which led me to nearly collapse, BUT I overcame this. I focused on fundraising for Diabetes UK due to having a family history of the disease and I was able to finally focus on my exercise programme. The weeks went by, I had a little niggle in my calf which I tried to look after, I focused on training and even did a 20 mile run. What an accomplishment! I felt really positive then all of a sudden, race day was here. I was in disbelief, it was actually here.
My partner and mother supported me on the day and came with me. I checked I had everything about 10 times. I thanked everyone who had donated to the charity, then I left Costa feeling tearful about the challenge I was about to face and how far I’ve come with my mental ill health. I wasn’t going to see anyone that I knew until after the race. Before I had even started, I felt proud of myself for persevering with training after being so poorly.
That was it! I ran it, I chatted to people, I enjoyed every minute of it even though it was hard work! I hit the wall, but I just remembered how much I managed to raise for charity and how I managed to get through the 17 week training programme. The last stretch was difficult but I did it. I never ever thought I would be able to complete a full marathon, I even shed a tear as I crossed the finish line. I was totally overwhelmed! I even managed to run it within a sub 4.30! My finish time was 04:24:27 which I'm pretty happy with for my first marathon.
SO, naturally, I’ve signed up to another marathon although I am dreading the stairs again afterwards. Walking backwards down the stairs is probably the best advice I’ve ever received!
I genuinely believe you can do anything you put your mind too. I run because I can, it makes me happy, I like to fundraise for charities and it helps my mental and physical health. Don’t overthink it, just go out there and run ! You will still be able to play video games afterwards!
Thanks to Sophie for sharing her story and we've no doubt many runners will resonate with her experience.
If you would like to write a blog for us, contact us via Twitter or email up as info@runr.co.uk.
Happy running.
Team runr.
