Thank you for getting this far and I hope you will take a moment to read my story below.

2016 (and the end of 2015) was a pretty rubbish year for me.  I had a second diagnosis of breast cancer in September 2015 which meant that the next 15 months were taken up with the full  works as far as treatment goes: lumpectomies, chemotherapy and then double mastectomy with diep flap tissue reconstruction.  My world was turned upside down; all my certainties were challenged and my body image became a constantly changing landscape. There were some very dark lows but there were also some unexpected highs and running 10k just under a year after the 12 hour surgery marathon will be one way of celebrating those highs and affirming the strength I have gained from a hideous ordeal.  Some of those highs were provided by my amazing family and the extraordinary friends who supported me through it all in their various ways.  I hope they all know how much I love them and how their immeasurable  kindness has given me so much strength; some of them will be running with me and that will make it such a special and significant occasion for me.  

One of the biggest turning points for me was when I was referred to the Macmillan Cancer Support gym membership scheme.  I was linked up with the amazing Emma at Inspire gym in Luton. She is a personal trainer with additional qualification to understand the impact of cancer treatment on the body and so she devised a rehabiltation programme in the gym specifically for me .  Under the scheme I had 12 free sessions and could take a gym buddy (for gym plus therapeutic coffee and chat - thanks Claire!).  This really kick started my active recovery, which is medically recognised as having positive impact on the chances of recurrence but, almost more importantly, it helped my emotional recovery.  Finally, I was regaining some control over my body - something I had relinquished on the day of diagnosis. It gave me routine and goals and a growing sense of well being. Inevitably my energy levels improved and my perspective on life became more exciting again.  The first line of attack is of course all about drugs and scalpels to eliminate the cancer but it was the aftermath and emotional turmoil which took me by surprise and served up the unexpected challenge.  Through their gym scheme, Macmillan Cancer Support provided me with one way of coming to terms with what had just happened, both physically and emotionally.  I know that this is still an ongoing process, but I also know that I can always refer back to them for encouragement and that getting fit is a hugely positive thing to do - as well as eating cake occasionally.

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