Running a Marathon with MS

Reflections on Challenges, Motivation and Gratitude

I laced up my first pair of running shoes in August 2015, a birthday gift from my husband (shoes, shorts, and a sports bra), all wrapped in very sweet encouragement. The first mile took three months of persistence, running three times a week, learning to find my breath, and perhaps reckoning with the 30 Gauloises I used to smoke in my twenties and thirties.

Then came 5K, a distance that once felt impossible. My first 10K? That happened by accident. I got lost, despite running close to home. I asked for directions three times but somehow still found myself wandering, until suddenly, I had completed 10 kilometers. I’ve long suspected MS affects my spatial memory, and that day, it helped me reach an unexpected milestone.

Since then, running has become part of my rhythm, except during the hot Algarve summers, when the heat forces me to either get up at 4.30 am or pause.

This year, I learned that Athletics England had 250 places for runners with disabilities. I applied, was accepted, and in April, I will run the London Marathon. My husband will be by my side as my support runner, and I am very grateful for his never ending encouragement. He is an amazing runner and will have to slow down dramatically to keep by my side.

The Challenges of Running with MS

MS affects each of us uniquely, so my journey will inevitably look different from someone else's. My fastest half marathon to date was in Lagos, Portugal, back in May 2019. I crossed the finish line in 2:19:04, despite the heat. I remember pouring water over my head at every opportunity to feel the coolness even for just a moment. Since that race, my times have plateaued, and over time, they've even declined. Yet, I don’t attribute this to MS alone. Age and menopause, like MS, bring their own challenges.

For me, though, the most important aspect of racing isn't the time on the clock but the joy of crossing the finish line with a smile. Even as the heat rises, and my body slows, I try to enjoy just being able to run.

The terrain beneath my feet also matters a lot. Soft ground, for instance, feels like it delays the messages between my foot and my brain, while uneven surfaces make it even worse. I prefer hard surfaces, the steadier path, where I can feel the support of the ground and get into a rhythm.

Yet, when I think of the London Marathon, I know that my greatest challenge won’t come from the heat or the terrain (although I was told there is a cobblestone section). It will be the sensory overload: the noise, the colours, the movements around me. My body can easily become overwhelmed by it all. But despite this apprehension, there’s something deeply compelling about the event. I want to be part of it, to feel that electric energy, that shared human experience. We always watch the London marathon on TV. In 2025, we will be there in person!

And perhaps, it won’t be as overwhelming as I imagine. Maybe, in the midst of the chaos, I’ll find a moment of calm, a space where my body and mind can simply be, moving through the crowd with joy and resilience. WIsh me luck!

Why I Run

Simply put, I run because I can and because it makes me feel better!

Research has shown that people with MS often have a lower VO2 max than the general population, and I’m committed to changing that. We know that running improves cardiovascular health, strengthens the heart and lungs, and plays a crucial role in enhancing VO2 max. At 58, with osteopenia, I’m also mindful of the need for strength training twice a week to ensure I don’t injure myself. I also do some specific breathwork to increase VO2max.

But personally, I find the mental benefits even more important than the physical ones. Running boosts my problem-solving and creativity. Some of my best ideas come at the end of long runs. It also improves my mood. Even when I’m tired, I always feel good about myself after a run. But running also tests mental resilience. When fatigue sets in, and self-doubt creeps in, the monologue starts: Why are you doing this? You have MS; stop! You’re tired… It becomes a battle to push through. The challenge of continuing despite that mental chatter is as difficult as overcoming the physical aches and pains. Yet, finding the strength to persevere in both areas is what makes running such a transformative experience for me.

Every run is a privilege. MS has taught me never to take running - or even standing- for granted. I know many people with MS who would love to run if they could. I think of them when the mental battle kicks in.

This marathon is also an opportunity to give back. My husband and I have chosen to raise funds for ReFood, a local charity providing meals for those in need. Their work is quiet, essential, and deeply humane. If you feel moved to contribute, we would be grateful. Here is the LINK.

And if a donation isn’t motivation enough, know this: we have an arsenal of truly terrible running jokes. If you’d rather not receive them, consider it a small price to pay ;-)

With gratitude,

Veronique