Cathy Newman has competed in multiple marathons from Sydney to New York, but she says running the 42-kilometre course isn't the hardest part.
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"The event is easy compared to all of the training," Ms Newman said.
"It's the best feeling [when you complete one] after you spend months training for it."
In an average week, the Scullin resident would run for more than 70 kilometres, training for her next marathon or ironman triathlon.
That was until a fall while out shopping in 2015, just weeks out from her next race, which saw the keen runner rupture all of her hamstring tendons on her left leg.
"I knew something wasn't right, and I when I got home, I've never felt so sick or been in so much pain," Ms Newman said.
"I had surgery five weeks later and had several screws place on the bone where the hamstring tendons were reattached."
The surgery, followed by another operation on her right leg just 18 months later, put all of Ms Newman's running aspirations on hold.
She said there were many points where she questioned whether she would ever be able to run long distances again.
"I was told I would lose a lot of strength in my hamstrings, and I felt like I tried 50 times to try and run again but I couldn't do it," Ms Newman said.
"I said to my husband last year that I was going to retire from running as it had become impossible."
But early in 2018 Ms Newman decided to give it another go, at a slightly slower pace than her previous runs - and she's been back training since.
After doing regular park runs to boost motivation, Ms Newman is now setting her sights on her first Canberra Times Fun Run on November 10, where she will run the 10-kilometre course.
The event, she said, would be a stepping stone to next year's Canberra marathon, her 10th in the national capital and the first since her surgery four years ago.
Ms Newman said getting the mental strength to be able to come back after a serious injury was the most difficult part of the recovery.
"It was difficult to get back. I know what I used to be able to do, and I was putting pressure on myself to return to my former level," she said.
"Fighting my mental demons was hard. I'm a lot slower than I used to be but I am back running again."
As part of her training regime, Ms Newman is now running four days a week, doing up to 15 kilometres on some days.
She said taking part in this year's fun run represents more than just running 10 kilometres.
"It's sort of like its own achievement - I've worked so hard for it just to get to this point, and does take on more significance when you haven't been able to run for so long," she said.
"I'll just be focusing on completing it, and not finishing it in a certain time. I'm not going to be putting any pressure on myself."
- The Canberra Times Fun Run is on November 10, beginning at 7.45am with staggered starts for each distance.
- To register, visit canberratimesfunrun.com.au
- Standard pricing for the event will end this Thursday.
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
