Just over a month after the Barry 10k, I lined up at the Porthcawl 10k — my first race running completely on my own since the crash. Kyle was running too, but separately this time. This felt like a big step for me: no safety net, no one to lean on mid-race, just me, my body, and my mind.
And honestly? It was a mental battle from start to finish. Not only am I still running through pain, but this week I found out I’m being made redundant after four years at an agency. That news knocked my confidence hard. I’ve been filled with self-doubt, questioning my worth, and feeling like I’m not good enough.
But something shifted during this race. Halfway through, when my legs were tired and my brain was spiralling, I decided to flip the script. I turned my anger, my hurt, and my fear into determination. I pushed, kilometre by kilometre, telling myself: I can do this. I am good enough.
Crossing the finish line at Porthcawl felt bigger than just another medal. It felt like proof that even when my mental health is in the gutter, I can still rise. That even with pain, uncertainty, and self-doubt, I can finish what I started.
This race taught me that running isn’t just physical. It’s a lifeline, a release, and a way to take back control when everything else feels out of my hands.
Here’s to using the hard moments as fuel — and reminding ourselves that we’re stronger than we think.