Getting started

I started running in 2020, at the same time I began my studies here at the University of Bristol, in order to better understand myself and to work on my mental health. Despite all of the good things that happened in my first year of university, it was really hard for me to form close friendships. It was difficult to find people with a similar background to mine, or with similar shared experiences.

So I decided to run for my mental health. I didn’t know what I was doing, I was never the athletic type. I just had a pair of old converse shoes which I used for my first few months of running, and I just kept going! My logic was that it seemed like most people who had their life put together were running, and so I reasoned that I could do the reverse - try running in order to get my life together.

I slowly built the weekly mileage over time, running more and more after each week. I got injured here and there, but I learned how to persist. 30km this week, 35km next week, 40km the week after.

I really liked it, especially because it gave me the feeling that there was something inside me that was more capable than what I already was. It gave me a feeling of hope that things could change if I trusted myself and kept pushing on.

Long distance events

I ran the Great Bristol Half Marathon in September 2021 and my first full marathon, in April 2022. I remember crossing the finishing line and feeling so, so much emotion. I was proud of myself, and happy even though no one was there to physically congratulate me (everyone had already left for the holidays).

Third year, this year (2023), has been the best year of my life. I decided to finish this chapter of my life by running an ultramarathon. I wanted to have something to always look back on - that there was a time in my life when I was strong enough to do something I once thought was impossible for me to do.

Getting injured

In February I tore my left calf, and was about to call it off for the year. However, at this point my internal talk was so strong that I could not let myself slack, so I took a bit of time off, and spent March running on an injured leg with the hope that it would somehow fix itself in time. This meant that I missed the Greenman Ultramarathon. Thankfully, the Bristol Run Series was announced and I knew that this was the last chance I had to do it.

Completing the ultramarathon

In the lead up to the ultramarathon, I accumulated 3,200 kilometres in training, most of which were done along Bristol's harbourside, on the path towards the Clifton Suspension Bridge. 

The actual 16 hour run itself went by quickly. 100 kilometres felt unbearable, not impossible. Any serious runner will tell you that the actual race is the easy bit - on the day you, in theory, should be at your best physically. It doesn’t compare to the months of training, which are far longer and more mentally draining!

I submitted my dissertation in early May, completing my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, ran the ultramarathon 2 weeks after and now I am working as an intern in London, before I go and do my Master’s at the University of Oxford this October.

Reflections

I found the best version of myself here in Bristol, and I want to let others know that they have the power to change their circumstances, that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel - you just have to keep pushing and running towards it.

It's been a journey coming to Bristol and growing as a person here. I felt very welcomed, and I met wonderful people all around the world!