"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.
"Runners World, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network 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.
"race in July 2014 before completing my treatment. I did a 10K Jackie Scully, 37, Greenwich, London half marathon When Im running I feel like Im with my Dad 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.
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"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
How running can help to reduce anxiety Health & Injuries, including my first ultramarathon. Running’s now part of who I am.’
Jackie Scully, 37, Greenwich, London
