Chronic illness to 13 mile race in 13 months

Photo by Alan Falzon

When I think back to what my life was like just over a year ago when I was chronically ill, I still find it hard to believe that by the time you read this, if all goes well, I’ll have completed a 13 mile race (the Malta Half Marathon).

Before I started DNRS just over a year ago, I would go to sleep wondering whether I would be well enough to get out of bed the next morning. (More about what my life was like back then here). 

So as I write this today I still can’t quite believe that I’ve prepared all my stuff to get up for a half marathon tomorrow!

In fact, when I set my goals as I started DNRS, a half marathon was the last thing on my mind.

Even though I was still extremely sceptical back then, I remember the first time it popped into my head that if DNRS could really deliver what it promised to, maybe – just maybe – one day I could try a short running race again. 

But a half marathon? No way! It literally never even crossed my mind.

And I still can’t quite believe that I’ve recovered so fully that I can run 21.1 km and I can’t wait to be back on the start of one of my favourite races after all this time.

So as I often say, I feel so grateful that although I was so sceptical, one day I decided to just give DNRS a try.

And I would encourage anyone suffering from a mysterious chronic illness to do the same.

Even if you don’t choose to run a half marathon down the line (I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea :) ), you’d be amazed in how many different ways DNRS can give you your life back.

This year’s half marathon will be a bit different for me because rather than aiming for a particular time, I’ll be running to raise funds for Hospice Malta as Murphy.

Photo on the right by Angie Conti

I must say that I was a bit upset when I realised that I wouldn’t be able to run at the pace I was training to run the race in - as you can imagine, being covered literally head to toe in pink makes things a bit challenging :)

But then I realised that knowing that I could be helping Hospice should cheer me up more than anything else.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this fundraising campaign or helping Murphy reach this year’s fundraising target, you can check it out here. 

Hospice Malta really makes all the difference at the most difficult times, so any amount that you can donate would help them continue to make this difference.

Thank you so much for your support and if you can't donate, even just sharing this or sharing the link would be really great.

Thanks! xx