Runner Stories - Shannon
Despite running from a young age, Shannon didn’t see herself as a ‘runner’. It wasn’t until she was forced to either quit running forever or undergo major surgery on both legs, that she realised how much it meant to her. Now every run is a celebration.
My earliest memories of running are from the age of about 11.
My Dad was a keen long distance runner, so he’d take me jogging and teach me important strategies, like how to control my breathing, how to time my eating and drinking to avoid a side stitch, and how to spit while running without it flying back on my face (I still haven’t mastered that one!).
23 years on, running is a huge part of my life.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think about running, talk about running or learn about running. (Am I obsessed? Maybe...).
But until about five years ago, I didn’t realise exactly how important running was to me.
Everything changed in 2014, when I was told I may have to quit running.
I was diagnosed with popliteal artery entrapment syndrome – a rare and painful condition where my calf muscles were pushing on the artery behind my knees and cutting off circulation to my calves and feet.
Running became incredibly painful. After just a few minutes, my feet would go numb and my calves would burn, like they were about to explode!
After many months of tests, I was given the choice: Undergo major surgery on both legs, or give up running (and most other active pursuits) forever.
To add insult to injury, the success rate of the surgery wasn’t great, so there was a chance I would have the surgery and still not be able to run.
The thought of never running a day again in my life literally reduced me to tears (on multiple occasions).
I still had so much to achieve, so many races to run! I couldn’t picture life without running to challenge me, focus me, cheer me up and calm me down.
Until then I hadn’t realised just how much I love running and how ingrained in my identity it had become.
I decided to have the surgery and endure 18 months of pain and frustration.
I had major surgery on each leg (completed one year apart), a total of four weeks off work, two weeks in hospital, around eight weeks on crutches, I paid sky-high medical bills and endured several months of rehab, all so I could run again.
Non-runners (and probably some runners) thought I was quite crazy!
But I’m so incredibly glad I chose running.
The surgeries were a success and I’m back at it!
Frustratingly, the past few years post-surgery have been plagued by more injuries, all of which have led to more time off running and more rehab.
But given I’ve had to rebuild sections of my calf muscles after they were removed in the surgeries, and my body has been forced to adapt to reduced strength and lower leg mobility, it’s not exactly surprising (although no less upsetting).
Since my return to running in 2017, I’ve managed to run two half marathons and several other shorter races. I’ve broken personal best times I set when I was in my early 20s.
Just years earlier, none of that seemed possible!
The whole experience has made me realise I’m a ‘runner’, I’m not just someone who runs.
I used to run alone, and not really talk to people about it, other than my family and a couple of close friends, but now I embrace it fully.
Last year I decided to find a coach – Chris at GoRun – and I started running with the GoRun group each week so I could meet people who share my love of running.
It was one of the best decisions! Making friends with others who are just as obsessed with running as me has been a real game-changer!
I’ve also started going to parkrun and talking about my running achievements with anyone who will listen, as well as reading books about running and listening to running podcasts constantly.
After all I’ve been through, I feel incredibly privileged to be able to run, even if it’s just an easy 5km.
Now when I lace up, it’s a chance to reflect on how far I’ve come, and celebrate how lucky I am to be able to run.