Kath greets her children mid run during the marathon on a busy street full of runners

A PERSONAL BLOG BY KATH ROWE, CHORLTON RUNNER

”I ran my first ever marathon in Manchester on the 16th April 2023. I still can’t believe that I get to say that I am a runner, never mind a marathon runner. I was an occasional runner until 5 years ago when my 22 month old son was diagnosed with leukaemia. My husband Peter and I both started running as a way of finding some head space and we quickly joined Chorlton Runners, our local club. Under other circumstances I think I would have been too nervous to pretend to be a runner but now running seemed vital and the club welcomed us with open arms. Each time I went I met more lovely, friendly people and it quickly became a staple in our diary. I ran Manchester 10k with friends for Blood Cancer UK and was blown away by the buzz of running in our home city cheered on by thousands of people. I definitely had the bug.

Our little boy recovered and running stayed in our lives and got us through the pandemic. I felt so lucky that I had found an activity which allowed me to get out and talk to people and have a social life. Post-pandemic we both set goals and I completed several half marathons. I felt that this distance pushed me but that it was doable in amongst busy work and home life.

Then I supported Peter doing his London Marathon for Blood Cancer UK. It was completely and utterly overwhelming. The absolute thrum of the runner’s feet pounding the road. It felt like my heart was beating in time with theirs and the adrenaline surged through all of us. I was elated and so proud when he did a fantastic time.

I got to the point where I’d done about 5 halfs and the question started to enter my head, could I train for a marathon? Some lovely friends were going to do it and I thought I’d sign up and drop out if it wasn’t doable. I made a rough plan using Hal Higdon’s plans on friend’s advice. I struggled to do the cross training and the intervals but I did a lot of miles squeezing them in as work commutes and on my Fridays off. I ran with Chorlton Runners in and out of clubruns and with other mum runner friends. As an aside I think if you can bring yourself to run as a mum and it suits you it is a gift that keeps on giving whenever you can find a spare minute (or a running buggy!).

My mileage ramped up and then it was time to taper. We went on holiday and everything felt good. Then 5 days before the marathon I developed a fever. The fever went just in time but I still felt pretty rubbish. I decided to still give it a go.

I knew the advice was not to go out too fast but I was worried that no matter what I would struggle in the 2nd half. So, I went out too fast…. My first 2 10Ks were sub 9 minute miles. I saw my amazing family 3 times in the first half and each time I got a massive boost from seeing them that kept my pace up. The crowd were amazing too and the shouts of ‘come on Chorlton’ and hearing my own name pushed me too. Somewhere around mile 15 I started to have to put in huge amounts of effort and I worried that I wouldn’t finish. I focussed on remembering that I had done long runs multiple times in the last few months, I just had to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I kept reminding myself that it was supposed to be hard.

The last 10K was looming and I felt pretty terrible. I allowed myself to walk for a short time 3 times between mile 20 and mile 23 knowing that I wouldn’t want to walk in Chorlton. As I came into Chorlton the runner beside me said ‘it’s just a parkrun’. The love of the crowds in Chorlton combined with seeing multiple friends and my family again pushed me on. There was no way I was walking now. I may not have made sub 4 but I was definitely going to finish. On the final stretch I found something in my legs only because of the amazing support from the crowd. I somehow made it to the finish. At which point I immediately burst into tears. Shortly after I spotted my Peter in the crowds and sobbed some more.

We walked back to Chorlton, to our support team who were all going completely nuts that I had finished. The pride on my wee boy’s faces may have made me cry yet again. I am so chuffed that they got that this was a big deal for me.

I have not signed up to the next race next but I will. With a time of 4:08:15 there is some unfinished business too. Just like child birth the difficult parts of the race are fading and the joy of it remains with me, softly whispering…’when is the next time?’”