Life and Running

I started running in the running boom of the early 80’s, everyone was doing it to keep fit, the

Judith (213) running her first race in Towneley park Burnley (1984)

Judith (213) running her first race in Towneley park Burnley (1984)

London Marathon had brought the famous distance into everyone’s home with it’s TV coverage, I told Graham we should get fit and give it a go, we needed to do something both being smokers and couch potatoes.

At that time we lived in Burnley and I said it would be good for us to take the car to Towneley Park and for us to have a run in the park. Little did I know it would be such a painful experience! Graham showed his natural talent even from day one as he was leaning over the car bonnet smoking a cigarette as I managed to wheeze my way back to him. From that day on he didn’t smoke again and took up running with a passion. I, on the other hand, decided it was far too hard and too much effort and carried on smoking and supporting for 6 month’s when I was suddenly “blinded by the light” whilst bag carrying yet again. I decided I wanted to do this and be a part of the running scene, I chucked my ciggies and lighter in the nearest bin, handed Graham his bag as he crossed the finish and announced myself as a runner!!

I have to say it was always a long hard slog. I was the wrong shape, always overweight, with an awful running style, which wore shoes out at an alarming rate, but I loved it.

Judith 1st left, with Jacqueline Taylor, Kitty Garnett and Val Lawson (Jon Lawson's mum!!) at Liverpool women's only 10K (early 00s)

Judith 2nd right next to Graham with her mum and Jackie Bailey at the end of the Wolverhampton marathon (late 80s)

 We made many friends by joining Burnley runners and joggers and Clayton Harriers, although they were much more Graham’s standards than mine. I didn’t really train with them in all my years of running, though I wore my club vest with pride for many races over many years. I often felt that I was far too slow to fit in; maybe I should have joined the ‘Friendly Club’ whilst I was running! Anyway, we both continue to have many friends at Clayton and Burnley runners and joggers, who were an informal group who would meet each Monday and Wednesday, come rain or shine at the sports centre in Burnley, and Graham trained with Clayton on a Tuesday and Thursday. You could say our lives revolved around our love of running.  

I raced any distance from 5k up to the notorious Haworth Hobble, which as you know is a 33 mile fell race.

My first Marathon was the old Bolton Marathon in 5hours and 5 mins, (told you I was slow). I couldn’t stop crying from 24 mile’s; I was so overcome with emotion. My dear friend Jackie Bailey, who sadly is no longer with us, ran this with me. It was the first of many marathons we ran together over the years.

Finishing first ever marathon at Bolton, Judith on the right, with friend Jackie Bailey (mid 80s)

Judith on the embankment at the London marathon (early 90s)

As the years passed we travelled all over the country competing in various races, my favourites became Dentdale and Coniston. Of course my favourite marathon was London. We raced an off-road marathon – the Seven Sisters at Eastbourne, where we first made friends with people from Wesham.

Over the years my times reduced to 48 mins for 10k, 81 mins for 10 miles, 1 hour 48 mins for a Half Marathon and 4 hours and 4 mins for the Marathon; this being at London, which in my mind is the best place you could ever wish to run.

I last ran the London Marathon in 2003. Previous to that I last ran it in 1993, and it’s those 10 years and what’s happened since 2003 that has prompted me to write this article.

For a number of months leading up to London 1993 I had been experiencing problems with my back which resulted in me having a spinal fusion – 2 vertebrae fused around one very badly damaged disc. After the operation I soon bounced back and ran a 10k within 6 months, although I didn’t compete at any really long distance as I was always concerned as to how much damage I was putting on my fused back. 18 months after surgery I did the Great North Run - it was the one Half Marathon missing from my races and, after much discussion with my consultant, he gave me his blessing. After that I stuck to short runs and joined a gym; something I had never done in all the years I had been running. It was boring sitting on a bike or on a cross trainer but it was still exercising and the treadmill was much better for my back as it was softer than the road.

A new age had dawned. I didn’t race much, my Clayton vest was relegated to the bottom drawer, Burnley runners and joggers had long since been disbanded, although us key members still keep in touch. For the record, Graham is only one of a few founder members still running and achieving.

In April 2002 on the day of the London Marathon I went to the gym. To this day I still find it a very hard day, watching the Marathon either in London supporting Graham, or on TV. I would much rather be competing at any level. I have competed in 5 London’s and love it. Despite the pain and months of training it causes, I still wish I could take part. Anyway the last 6 miles of Paula Radcliffe’s run in 2002 I watched on the treadmill; obviously not covering 6 miles in the same time, it moved me to tears and I decided I had to give London another go. I was determined to gain a place for 2003, which I did. Graham wasn’t surprised although he thought I was mad, and what followed was mad.

In the 10 years from 1993 to 2003 I had undergone back and knee surgery and now was attempting to train and take part in a Marathon. The staff at the gym were fantastic; they helped me to put together a cross training plan. I don’t think any other marathon competitor will ever spend as much time in the gym as I did. I cycled, stepped, cross trained and even did my long runs on the treadmill.

I would turn up for my long run at 6am with my headphones. The staff would put on my favourite music channel and away I would go. I have friends and Graham to thank for support - anyone running on a treadmill knows how mind numbing it is, never mind building up to 20 miles!

My friends turned up at random times; they would run next to me offering encouragement. We would run and have a chat then, after a few miles, the friend would change and this carried on throughout my build-up from 6 miles on the treadmill to 20 miles.

The day of the Marathon dawned. Graham was running as well so we said our good byes and that was it. I did a PB, not personal best but Post Back. It has, and will remain, the only marathon I will ever do Post Back surgery - 4 hours 45mins. Not bad for an old crock. I loved it and was so emotional, although Graham did miss me finishing and was looking in the St Johns for me!

It was so much bigger and better than 1993. More of everything - people bands, glitz and razzmatazz. I didn’t want it to end despite the pain in my legs. I was still walking, talking and had escaped with no bad knees or back. All was well and life could get back to normal - or so I thought.

The next few years have inspired me to write this article. I think from personal experience, when we are running and running well, life is good. We take if for granted. Sometimes we can’t be bothered to train and it seems a bit of an effort to put on our shoes and get out, especially if it’s cold dark and miserable, but, what if the ability to run and do something you love is taken away from you? Not just by a niggle, or an injury that may keep you out for a while but you will eventually recover from, but something that means you can never run again! No training just for fun, no competing, no “I’ll just have a run round and enjoy it” - nothing!

Since the Marathon in 2003 I have not run much. Yes I did a bit of training and some aerobic classes; I did do the occasional 10k but I did feel a bit lost. I couldn’t run as I wanted to as my back was too fragile and I also underwent further knee surgery in 2004 which really stopped me doing any running of any distance although I did still run, but just for health and fitness. This was all taken away from me in 2007.

Since back since surgery in 1993 my back had been relatively stable, I had the odd bouts of “bad back” but nothing too bad, but during 2007 that all changed. Knowing my own back, I soon realised something major was wrong and the various hospital procedures, which I won’t bore you with, soon proved that my self diagnosis had been correct. My lumbar spine was, to quote a technical term “knackered.” All the discs had worn and I now had a curved lumbar spine - standing straight is a distant memory!

I struggled with any form of exercise through most of 2006/2007, and became despondent. I didn’t want to go to any races as they proved a reminder of what I now couldn’t do. Graham went on his own and I sulked at home with our dog. Even the gym and aerobic classes seemed out of the question.

I soon began to realise I had to find something to do. Being fit and healthy for so long I needed to fill the gap running and exercise had left in my life.

Very reluctantly I changed gyms, leaving behind friends and instructors who had helped me for so long but who couldn’t offer me anything I now needed. I joined another local gym that offered spinning classes. Some of you may be familiar with this type of exercise, on a bike with a group class, with an instructor leading the workout. I loved it and have been a member of my new gym since May 2007.

The staff are very aware of what I have had to come to terms with. I also take part in other classes, which I and they have modified to my advantage and, 2 years on, life is good. I have made many new friends and ‘yes’ there is a new life after running.

My consultant decided in 2007 that major surgery should be avoided and that I should change my life style. I have had to come to terms with being ‘pensioned off’ work due to ill health, losing some independence and a whole lot of changes to my life. Running now seems a distant memory. I am relieved I am still walking and taking part in any exercise, I have even dusted off my real outside bike! Although anything over 30mins is painful, but I do love it.

The only day of the year I now miss running is the day of the London Marathon. I lead a full life, albeit different to how it was 2 years ago, a life that I have built around my disability.

If you see me at a race, which I do now go to support Graham, as I also now enjoy running as a spectator, don’t be surprised if I have a smile on my face if you tell me you ‘have a niggle’, or you ‘can’t be bothered’, or you’ve ‘been too busy’ and you may have a bad run or in fact you have had a ‘bad run’. You are still running, I am not laughing at you but with you, as you are saying all the things and making all the excuses I used to make. Running is a fantastic sport and you should never underestimate that - imagine if you could never run again.

Enjoy your running and I wish you all the best. Never give it up unless you have to, and, if the time comes when you don’t enjoy it, then do something different for a while. Never make excuses as to why you can’t be bothered or why your times may be down. Unless you have a very valid reason, you will get no sympathy from me!

Written by: Judith Cunliffe

Submitted: 8^th December 2009

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor