Runner's World (UK)

‘ Within weeks of starting chemo, I went for a run’

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Jackie Scully, 37, Greenwich, London

‘I was born with a hip defect, which was finally fixed in my 20s, using metal to hold it together. When I reached my 30s, I hoped to finally get on with life. But at 32, just after becoming engaged to Duncan, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In February 2014 I had my right breast removed before starting chemothera­py.

‘ Within weeks of starting chemo, I went for a run with my dad. I’d never run before and started almost as an act of defiance against my body, as it seemed to be throwing serious health issues at me. I began running along a path around a park of exactly 209 steps; once I could cope with that, I did more laps of it.

‘Despite losing all my hair, I did my first 10K race in July 2014 before completing my treatment. I did a half marathon a year later, and then the London Marathon. After that, I came up with the idea of marrying Duncan on the same day as running London again, in 2017. We had our wedding ceremony on the Cutty Sark before I headed to the start line in my running wedding dress. It was a fantastic day. I know some people have a very different experience of surgery and chemothera­py, but I discovered running during that period.

‘I’ve turned unfortunat­e health events into a positive. I still often walk those 209 steps and think that was where I first got my body to run. I’m now celebratin­g five years of being clear of cancer with Breast Cancer Care fundraisin­g events, including my first ultramarat­hon. Running’s now part of who I am.’ * For informatio­n and support on exercise after breast cancer, download Breast Cancer Care’s BECCA app

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