A blog from Army&You’s autumn 2024 edition by Rosie McEwan, SHAPE Community Liaison Officer
My first Make-A-Wish 24-hour run was in 2023 and I was smitten with the idea. Exercise, being outside and chatting are my favourite things! As well as taking part in the UK team, we joined some of those taking part as their own individual team. Their stories were so inspiring that I decided that in 2024, I would enter on my own.
As we all know military life, work, living abroad and having children in two different countries has its challenges, so there was little time for serious training. However, I kept up with gym sessions, half marathons and my fitness. After spending time in the States doing marathons and 50km ultras, I had an urge to run a 50-miler. However, the last time I did a long run was the Boston Marathon in April 2022 and so it had been over two years without any serious running.
When it came to entering my solo team, I received a message from one of my best friends telling me that her nephew Ollie needed to have his leg amputated due to a rare form of bone cancer. I have known Ollie since he was a baby and he’s such a great young man. As well as raising funds for Make-A-Wish, I thought it would be nice to raise money for him too.
I successfully completed all 24 hours dressed as Wonder Woman, running and walking, clocking up over 152km. It was an extraordinary experience and I was always with someone.
I never wanted to give up. Adrenalin was pumping and the time and miles went by so quickly! I only left the track four times and I ate and drank on the track. This consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Marmite sandwiches, granola bars, Tuc biscuits and sweets.
In the build-up to the event, I made sure I added extra hydration, strength work and fuel.
Ideally, I would have done longer training runs, but time didn’t permit it. It was great doing the distance again and knowing I could still do it.
Once the event finished, I was happy to have tea and toast, a soak in the bath and dippy eggs! An early night and nearly 12 hours sleep was wonderful! I woke the next morning managing stairs properly. Thankfully I only had one small blister and my body felt so good. I continued to stretch and go to the gym but had a few days off running.
A lot of people donated to support Ollie and I was overcome by everyone’s support. Hopefully it will inspire others to take on a challenge!