Running the 40km MCC exactly a year after I finished chemo.

We ran 40km with 2300m of ascent in snow and pouring rain

The MCC is a 40km trail running race, which is part of the UTMB series and takes place around the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. It’s a pretty prestigious event to be part of. And seemed like a perfect idea as a post cancer goal.

In my past life as an athlete, a 40km trail running race would have been no big deal.

I mean it’s a long run, for sure.

With quite a lot of vertical ascent (2300m).

Crossing two countries, from Switzerland into France.

But I’ve done lots of long runs. Up and down mountains.

It’s my thing.

So, when I was offered a free place - gold dust! - I grabbed it with both hands and held on firmly with my teeth. It seemed like the perfect way to make my cancer come back.

I thought it would be easy. I thought I would bounce back fast.

I mean, I know how to train. I figured I would be able to apply my pre cancer training strategies and smash it out, like I used to.

Not so much.

Drenched and slightly deranged at the finish line

Drenched and slightly deranged at the finish line. With my favourite fellow nutter, Andrea.

The experience was humbling. I did cross the finish line. In torrential rain and minus temperatures. For which I am very proud of and grateful to my body. Probably mainly thanks to my stubborn personality.

But it was a battle. Probably the hardest I’ve ever fought in a race. I came in a long way behind where I would have done in my past life. In a lot of pain.

For two days afterwards, I literally couldn’t walk. I needed crutches. It was almost funny. It turns out that running for 6 hours is too much for my hormone therapy ravaged feet.

It was a wake up call that made me realise that I am not the same as before. Cancer unfortunately means that long distance running is no longer something I can do. It’s taken a long time to come to terms with that.

Will I ever? I don’t know.

I don’t know if I want to.

I’m much less driven by racing that I used to be. I’m older and wiser. I don’t feel I need it to define my identity any more. And I think I prefer the less competitive, more relaxed version of me.

But who knows. Maybe I’ll get that competitive streak back again.

I mean, I’m turning 50 next year … that’s a new age group.

It would be very unlike me not to have a goal ;)

You can read the full account of my MCC experience here. With huge thanks to the Run the Alps team for your support.

If you have a post cancer fitness or race goal, I’d love to help! Get in touch and let’s make a plan. x

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Why I chose to have my ovaries removed after breast cancer.

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Radiotherapy. How was it for me? The mental and physical side effects.