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Our patient Kyleigh overcomes battle to conquer the London Marathon and shares her story with us:
Take a few monites to read this story as we know it will inspire and motivate you!
"Hi, me again.
I did it, I finally did it, I ran the London Marathon. All 26.2 miles of it!
Since I ran through the finish line after 5 and half hours of constant running, I have been reflecting
on my journey of how it started, the ups and downs throughout and how I finished with that medal
round my neck.
I don’t want to dwell too much on how it started, but I’ve explained before that in October 2020, I
was very low. I was trying to cope with the grief of losing my mum and also wondering how I was
going to get into shape. This is when I discovered running, probably more of a walk to start with, but
it gave me a mental boost, a positive step. So I crazily entered the 2021 London Marathon, via Brain
Research UK, to run in memory of my Mum.
With a few months to go to the 2021 London Marathon, I was given the scariest news of my life, I
was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in June 2021. At 34 years old I had no other option, than to have
a hysterectomy, which took some time to adjust to physically and mentally, but thanks to god and
the NHS, I was given the all clear later that year.
I had another chance to run the London Marathon, this time in 2022, and I wasn’t going to waste this
opportunity. Although I was terrified, I knew deep down this girl was going to complete this
somehow….for me, for my mum, for Brain Research UK, for victims of Cervical Cancer, for mental
health sufferers and for those curvy girls.
I put in hours of training, running early mornings before my family woke up, as I felt it gave me a
great start to the day. I never joined a running club or ran with others. I always ran alone, as I like to
be in my own thoughts, plus I knew this had to be my journey and experience, and when the London
Marathon came I would only have myself. (Although little did I know that the thousands of runners
and supporters on the day would get me through the tough miles.)
I managed to stay injury free on the build-up and that is thanks to The City Way Health Clinic and my
osteopath Tom Fuller, they were amazing and supported me throughout. Tom became a friend, who
also gave me lots of advice with regards to my body and the key to all exercise, which is stretching. I
now fully believe in stretching before and after all forms of exercise, and I am also a huge fan of
yoga.
The London Marathon, I honestly can’t put it into a few words, I wish I could’ve filmed the whole
day, as it really was one of the best days of my life. When previous London Marathon runners had
told me to enjoy the breath-taking day, I struggled to work out how, as I was terrified, but they were
right!
I remember the fear in my belly, as I was stood at the start line in Greenwich Park, but I knew there
was no escape, I couldn’t quit, I had spent too many hours training and fundraising. This sounds
crazy, but I can’t believe how the time flew. There was so many wonderful landmarks to view during
the run, such as the Cutty Sark, Houses of Parliament and The London Eye, but if I had to pick a
favourite moment, it would be Tower Bridge. It took my breath away, as I ran towards it at mile 12.
Then as I came to the end of Tower Bridge, I could hear the loudest of cheers from my biggest
supporters, some of my friends and family. It was as an emotional few moments, but it gave me a
huge lift, and was just what I needed at the half way mark.
The second half of the marathon flew past, and I continued to pace myself, eat my energy boosting
snacks, take in the landmarks, soak up the atmosphere and look out for my fan base. With only a
couple of miles to go, as I ran along the Embankment, stood my family and friends again, screaming
my name and waving me past. I couldn’t stop this time, as was worried I wouldn’t be able to get
going again. Off I trotted to The Mall. As I came across the Finish Line, I couldn’t believe I had
completed it. How? I felt like Superwoman. After all I had gone through, I had finally ran The London
Marathon. I truly felt like I earnt that beautiful black Marathon medal, and wore it with such
personal pride.
A couple of days after the Marathon, I had a sports massage by Chris Domoney, the Lead Sports
Therapist and I would highly recommend to all. So again thank you to Chris, Tom and all at City Way
Health Clinic, I am truly grateful for all of your pre and post marathon support.
The last thing for me to do regarding this London Marathon is to collect up the money I raised and
distribute this. I have raised around £6000 which is absolutely overwhelming. My target for Brain
Research UK was £2500, and as I have smashed this target, I can also make a donation to a Cervical
Cancer charity. I cannot thank all of my friends and family enough for all of their support and
donations. The money raised for Brain Research UK will help prevent families going through what my
family went through and the donation I will make to a Cervical Cancer charity will help to make more
success stories like mine, and to help prevent any women from losing their lives in future.
Lots of Love
Kyleigh xx"