A Special Award
Sometimes something wonderful comes along when you least expect it and starts a chain reaction of amazing events! Earlier this year I joined an amazing female running club called Solemother which is a group of supportive women in my area that get together to stay active, safe and social and it’s literally changed my life.
I joined the group back in March after running ‘Wonderful Me’ workshops for some of the ladies and junior members of the club. I was so inspired by their running activities, positive attitude and friendship that I signed myself up and started running.
I used to be a keen runner but when I lost all my hair to Alopecia in my mid-thirties it became too hot and uncomfortable to run wearing a wig so I found myself doing less and less running. However, with my new Solemother mentality, I laced up my trainers and started running again.
In a moment of madness, I found myself entering the Manchester Half Marathon and commenced training over the summer. With the warm temperatures rising, it soon became clear that if I was going to complete the half marathon, my wig would have to go, so one warm, sunny morning in August, I plucked up the courage to ditch my wig in the middle of one of my training runs, running the remaining 3 miles without it. I felt on top of the world! It was so empowering and liberating.
Shortly after the summer, I received a surprise nomination in the post for the Trafford ‘Changing Lifestyle’ Sports Award, which is awarded to a person that has changed their life for the better through a sporting activity.
I went on to win the category in the awards ceremony on Friday 4th October which was held at Hotel Football in Old Trafford. It was a wonderful night celebrating sports achievements and people doing amazing things in the community.
Solemother won the Community Initiative award and we both went through to the Greater Manchester Final at Lancashire Cricket Club in November where Solemother scooped the Greater Manchester Community Initiative Award. It was an amazing evening full of celebration and emotion. I was thrilled to be able to thank Solemother on stage for their amazing support.
We were even interviewed on BBC Greater Manchester radio ahead of the awards on the Breakfast Show with Chelsea Norris. Reporter Anna Jameson from the show joined us for a run live on air!
I proudly completed the Manchester Half Marathon on Sunday 13th October in 1 hour and 20 minutes, completely bald and smiling from ear to ear. I felt a huge sense of achievement in running such a long distance but raising awareness and inspiring others to be themselves has been the highlight of the whole experience.
My story was featured in the Metro News ‘Strong Women’ campaign and several weeks later I received the loveliest message on social media from a woman with Alopecia who was struggling with exercising with a wig but had read the article and been inspired, which is the best feeling in the world.
My story just goes to show that when you are brave enough to be your imperfect, flawed but authentic self…….wonderful things can happen.
