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Written by Sophie Cartmell
Sophie is an illustrator, writer, health and skincare enthusiast and mum. She is training for her first marathon in April.
Sitting in the passenger seat of my car, I watch a runner jog breezily past the window and I feel a twinge of something that feels a bit like resignation. I’m approaching the age where things that once seemed possible, even if they were way down the line on the bucket list, are now starting to feel a little bit out of reach. In my early 20s, I was fairly confident I would one day complete my helicopter pilot’s licence and fly a pink helicopter. I was also certain I’d write and publish a book, that I’d travel far and wide to exciting places and life would just somehow turn out to be amazing no matter what; like something BIG would just happen, and all I had to do was wait for whatever it was to show up and knock me off my feet with its fabulousness.
The reality is, however, that I grew up, had kids, and my bucket list of ‘BIG EXCITING THINGS’ shrunk a bit. And whilst my ability to find the joys in the smaller things in life has grown, I still occasionally yearn for something more: to feel that that my life has still got something about it, and that there are still things to work towards and get fired up about.
“I’ll never run a marathon,” I said to my partner who was driving the car, watching as the runner disappeared into the distance. “I mean, honestly. Twenty-six miles? How does anyone do it? I used to be a good runner when I was a kid… I probably can’t even run to the end of the road now.”
And I wasn’t exaggerating either. I’d tried to run a few years ago and it did not go well. I downloaded an app, put on some trainers and wheezed my way around Belper a few times. But the truth was that it was hard. Like, really hard. Red-faced and sweaty, after about the tenth attempt, I got fed up and my determination started to fluctuate. It was too difficult and too much effort - I wasn’t a runner and that was simply that.
So you can imagine my surprise when, in April this year, I sat with a coffee watching the start of the London Marathon on the telly and felt the stirrings of inspiration inside me as I listened to all kinds of people tell the interviewers their stories and why they were running the marathon. I watched as people in costumes, wheelchairs, groups of friends in matching outfits, and people in a variety of charity t-shirts excitedly spoke about their journey to the start line and why they were there. My partner’s cousin was somewhere in that crowd, getting ready to run for the MS Society and, thinking of her, I began to wonder if maybe I could do the London Marathon too.
As I say, pre-April 2024, I was not a runner. I was adverse to running and actively wanted nothing whatsoever to do with it apart from that little blip back in 2019/2020. I’d accepted my limitations where the sport was concerned and resigned myself to being a “walker” instead.
Watching the marathon changed my mind though, and I didn’t want to be someone who couldn’t do something that so many others have proudly achieved… I really wanted to give it a go!
A good second hand pair of running trainers and the re-downloading of the running app later and I was ready. I reasoned that if I hated running as much as I was sure I did, then a second hand pair of sneakers was no one’s loss and if I failed, which was entirely possible, then it wouldn’t matter because I wouldn’t have spent a fortune on new gear.
Off I plodded. I decided to try and combat a couch to 5k to get the ball rolling, and I can tell you now that my first run was 26 minutes long, over a total distance of 2.9 kilometres and involved a grand total of 8 minutes of very painful, slow running.
But, despite my hatred of the running, whilst I was doing the it, after every attempt I felt oddly… amazing! I got up early, stuck to the workouts on my app, and each time I felt a wonderful sense of achievement. My mind felt clearer, my mood was happier and on running days, I tended to have an all-round better day - at work, with my kids and then a good night’s sleep to boot. I could see why people loved this sport, and I held on to that feeling when I was out having a run and inevitably wanting to shorten it, or worse yet, quit.
Waiting patiently for the ballot to be pulled for the London Marathon 2025, I had an idea that would make running a marathon even better and more worthwhile. In 2023, my mum was diagnosed with kidney failure - she fought bravely against chronic kidney disease (CKD) for a number of years and, in October 2023, had to undergo the massive life change to have peritoneal dialysis, which she does herself at home three times a day. It was a lot for her to have to deal with, and with the support from the wonderful care team at The Derby Royal Renal Unit, she learned how to do the exchange of fluids, keep a sterile environment and change her dressings so that she could have a shower. With my mum in mind, I decided to apply for a charity place to run the marathon with Kidney Care UK and was thrilled when I got offered a place… it meant my whim was going to become a reality - I am actually going to do it!
2025 is a big year for me for a few reasons… firstly, on January the 2nd, I’ll be celebrating my 5-year sober-versary. 5 whole years without a glass of wine, or a pint at the pub. Growing up in Edinburgh in the 90s meant that I liked a good night out, but in the New Year of 2020, it kind of stopped being… well, fun. I looked at myself in the mirror and I wanted to be healthier and happier, and cutting out alcohol felt like an obvious place to start. So I did. (I could write a whole separate article on the many health benefits connected to cutting alcohol out of your life and if you’re reading this and doing dry January, good for you! It’s a wonderful gift to give yourself.)
I’m also going to be 40 in 2025, which is often a time of reflection - looking back at where you’ve been and thinking more seriously about what might come next. Twenty years ago, I had no idea where life would take me but I’m pleased to be here, in pretty good health and focussing on something that will not only benefit me, but will also help people who are going through what my mum’s been through over the the past few years.
There are over 7 million people living with CKD in the UK and over 70,000 of them, like my mum, are living with kidney failure. Our kidneys are so important - they are constantly filtering toxins from our blood to keep our organs working, and unlike many parts of our body, they don’t regenerate when they start to go wrong. A statistic came out via Kidney Care UK this year that you can lose 90% of your kidney function without even realising. If you want to learn more about your own kidney function, you can try the 5 minute kidney health checker to see where you’re at in terms of your own kidney health. Scan the QR code below or click here.
Remember, health is wealth, and looking after ourselves is the biggest act of self-care we can do. I’ve generally prided myself on being someone who keeps themselves reasonably healthy; I eat well and do a bit of exercise - between a busy working life and bringing up my two kids, that’s as much as anyone can fit in… or so I thought.
What training for the London Marathon has taught me is that absolutely anyone can run. Your pace doesn’t matter - one foot in front of the other is all that counts. You can work on your pace and distance as you improve. Just take it slowly - your training’s not a race, and building strength and mileage will happen naturally as you work towards your goal. If you’re new to running like I was, having a goal can be really beneficial in getting you out and over the door, particularly when you’re not in the mood or the weather’s not looking too great. Running in a bit of light rain is my favourite though - it keeps me cool when I get too hot, which is usually after about 5 minutes! I’m less keen on the dark though, so I make sure I have a light on and my reflective jacket if I go out in the evenings. Rest is crucial too, as is eating well and keeping hydrated. I initially wanted to lose some weight when embarking on my marathon training plan, but quickly learned that weight loss wasn’t going to happen as my body became more muscular. I’ve really noticed a change in my body shape though, and some clothes which had been stubbornly tight began to feel a bit more comfortable which feels wonderful.
Strength training is also key to avoiding injury and looking after your all-over body health. I joined Gymophobics in Belper in July, who have been unwaveringly supportive, and have created me a plan to build my strength and get me marathon-ready alongside my run training. I can’t thank the team at Gymophobics enough - I go there on my lunch break 3 times a week, and I love it. It’s manageable in my busy life schedule and I know it’s helped to refine my strength and body shape too. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
I also decided to join a local running group on a Monday night which has been fantastic. Initially worried that I’d be too slow to run with others and hold everyone else back, I’ve discovered camaraderie, support and friendship from everyone who runs with me, and I feel more confident in running in a group now too. Again, I’d highly recommend joining us on Monday evenings - all abilities and experience are welcome, so there’s nothing to worry about. We meet at Belper Leisure Centre at 6:50 pm, have a warm-up, run for about 40 minutes and then have a little cool-down. It’s an incredibly friendly and caring group - perfect if you’re looking for some company and motivation in January.
Admittedly, training for a marathon is extreme, and I had no idea how much the training was going to consume my life when I decided to take it on. As we approach these dark, post-Christmas weeks in January, it might feel daunting to start a new fitness regime, especially after the indulgences of the holiday season. But if you do decide to start running, think of me and know that if I can do it, you can too – even if you don't think you can!
Anyone can run – just keep consistent, keep getting out and over that door, and you will progress in time and feel the benefits that being outside in the fresh air and moving your body will bring. Remember that every journey starts with a single step, and I’m so happy I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and try to do something that had once seemed unachievable. I’m nervous and excited for the marathon in equal measures, but I’ll think of my mum and how brave she’s been through her experience of CKD, and that’ll see me through until the finish line!
Sponsor Sophie as she runs to raise money for Kidney Care UK here
Find out more about Kidney Care UK here
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