Hi, my name’s Claire and (I can’t believe I am saying this) I am running the London Marathon for Headway Derby in 2027. It’s going to be an amazing experience and something I never ever imagined I would do. So how did I get to this point?
Like many people I entered middle age never seeing myself as a runner. It all looked a bit too painful! And actually I had a strong belief I wasn’t physically able to be a runner because I had persistent back pain that I thought could only get worse if I aggravated it by pounding the pavements. I guess I have my friends to blame for finally getting bitten by the running bug. They persuaded me to give it a go alongside them with a local group called Little Eaton Runners. It was really friendly and catered for a range of abilities – nobody felt out of place. Surprisingly soon I was completely addicted, and going to join the club run on a Tuesday night became a non-negotiable part of my week. Far from getting worse my back actually got better as I increased my strength and mobility.
I met more friends at the running club and that definitely played a part in my family and I moving to Little Eaton a short while later. Running really can change your life! And from there it feels like I went from strength to strength. The thing about running is every new target feels intimidating but once you have done it you feel so proud. I went from running 5k, to 10k, to a half marathon. And I went from running on roads to running off-road in the beautiful countryside around Little Eaton and further afield. Little Eaton Runners disbanded when the run leader moved abroad during the pandemic and I persuaded my husband to get qualified as a running coach so he could keep the group going. It’s a brilliant community.
So now I’m starting my training for the London Marathon and I have to say I am petrified! It’s so much further than I have ever run before. I’m being as organised as I can and I’m putting a plan together to build up gradually so I get onto that start line without too many niggles and pains. I’ve been to watch the race in person and I try to catch it on the TV every year. It’s such an inspirational occasion and it is going to be amazing to be part of it.
It’s also really inspirational to be running for Headway Derby. I am an Occupational Therapist by background and I have first hand experience of the amazing work that Headway Derby do with people who have acquired brain injuries. It’s such a powerful motivation to keep my training and my race going, knowing that every step I am raising money to help Headway Derby carrying on making a massive difference. I know there’s a load of hard work ahead for me before I get onto that start line, and a fair amount of graft before I get from there to the finish line! I’m so grateful though to Headway Derby to give me this opportunity to accomplish something that I will remember until the end of my life.
Fun fact: This isn’t the first time I’ve taken on a challenge for Headway Derby! A few years ago, I jumped out of a plane and completed a sponsored tandem parachute jump to raise money for the charity. So perhaps taking on the London Marathon is just my next big leap!