Kathy’s Inspiring Run
On Sunday February 23rd I completed the 10k London Winter Run in 69 minutes! Together with my daughter Caitlin, we raised over £4,000 (including gift aid) for The Nightingale.
I’m familiar with this run, having taken part several times since 2018 when I joined the Trent Park Running Club as a veteran beginner but this year was a challenge.
Just 10 months previously I had been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer which had progressed to my lungs. I deteriorated quite quickly in the weeks following my diagnosis, experiencing frightening episodes of breathlessness, dizziness and exhaustion which, at times, left me unable to walk very far and scared to leave the house on my own.
Luckily my cancer was treatable and before too long, my weekly doses of chemotherapy and immunotherapy had made a considerable impact, reducing the tumours and easing the pressure on my lungs. My life was returning to some sort of normality but I was sure I wouldn’t be able to run again.
A short family holiday in Norfolk at the end of August last year was a kind of epiphany. I found myself able to cycle and walk quite long distances at pace without feeling winded.
My confidence grew and so, tentatively, in October of that year, I dusted off the running shoes and tested my legs in a short trot around Enfield Town Park.
I began to train two or three times a week, often combining short periods of running with longer intervals of fast walking, a technique called Jeffing that I had learned at the running club.
Slowly I built up stamina and fitness and just before Christmas I approached Lucy at The Nightingale with my plan to set up a running fundraiser.
Lucy was extremely enthusiastic and offered to help with planning, resources and of course ordering the all-important Nightingale running shirts!
On the same day, I discovered The Nightingale Coffee Morning and I really enjoyed meeting and chatting to some of the other clients who were on a similar journey to myself. It happened to be the last meet before Christmas and the room was alive with music, laughter, much cake and a selection of raucous pass the parcel games.
Who could resist returning for more of this? Not me! A week later I found myself back at the centre booked in for my first ever reflexology session and enjoying every minute of it.
I chose to run for The Nightingale because they are a local charity and because they had been incredibly supportive of me during my primary cancer diagnosis.
Much of my treatment took place during Covid so although the centre was shut they phoned regularly to check I was doing OK.
When they reopened I was lucky to get a place on the “Look Good, Feel Better” workshop. I would recommend this wonderful session of sheer indulgence to anybody with a recent cancer diagnosis. Not only do you find yourself in the company of other lovely people in a similar situation to yourself but there are many useful tips for how to keep skin looking good and hydrated whilst enduring various toxic treatment regimes.
I felt a million dollars walking home that day with a fully made up face, including eyebrows that weren’t actually wonky, and a goody bag containing an eye watering array of premium branded gifts.
Kathy’s London Winter Run Just Giving Page Success!
The Nightingale has been a beacon of hope to so many people in Enfield facing their cancer journeys. It is a warm, welcoming hub offering free information and advice, opportunities for social gatherings as well as an array of short and long courses from massage to mindfulness, dance to art therapy.
There’s something to suit everyone and it’s all completely free.
Embarking on my running fundraiser gave me a sense of purpose in the dark days following my secondary cancer diagnosis, a chance to give something back and a reason to push myself further than I thought I was capable.
I look forward to becoming a regular face at our wonderful Nightingale in the year ahead.
Who could resist?