Przebiegła swój pierwszy maraton w wieku 73 lat

A woman is running her first marathon at the age of 73. Sally Lumb couldn’t even run for a minute without getting out of breath when she applied for the London Marathon in a moment of madness last year - the only time she ran was if she was late for the bus. But this month she will take on the 26-mile challenge.   ‘My family were very worried for me and questioned whether it was a good idea when I signed up. They reminded me of my age and that I’d never really run and the marathon was a huge undertaking, but once they realised I was serious and determined to do it, they became incredibly supportive and encouraging, Sally says. She signed up for the ballot last year thinking she had a ‘one in a million’ chance to get a place. ‘I’ve never done anything like the London Marathon. Although I ran at school sports day when I was in my fifth year in the sixties. I thought “What’s the matter with you Sally, you silly person?” but once I got it into my head, that was it, I had to apply', she explains. Sally was shocked to see her name on the list of runners and immediately sought help from a professional. ‘I will be 73 on marathon day for heaven’s sake. It’s ridiculous. But I know I will be alright. Why shouldn’t I be able to do it at 73? I spoke to the guy who runs my chair fitness class down at the gym. I said ‘I know I’m probably slightly mad, but I’m considering running the London Marathon. Am I completely do-lally?’ He told me no, that running a marathon is about mental attitude and training,’ she explains. Sally, a retired nurse has a gritty can-do attitude and has been working hard ever since. She began with the Couch-to-5k programme and has been sticking to a strict training plan ‘come rain and shine’. Sally, from Weston-super-Mare, says: ‘I just have to respect the fact that if I get injured, because I’m older it’s going to take me longer to heal, so I’ve got to be prepared, listen to my body and do lots of stretches and strengthening.’ ‘Training is going really well. I’m very slow but I’m marginally quicker than I was at the start. My longest run was 21 miles on Easter Sunday, which was hard, especially as I got lost a few times. Thank goodness for tracking as my partner John and daughter came to my rescue. I’m pleased it’s now the taper ready for the big day, as I feel I’ve done all the hard work and have got the miles in my legs to see me through. ‘My toes get sore and are excruciating after a long run, but they’re getting better, especially now a couple of toenails have gone black and I’ve got thicker socks. My hips used to get painful after three miles but now they’re much better and just get sore. My knees can complain a bit but nothing too awful. I’m just extremely relieved I’ve had no injuries.’ Sally will be running to raise money for Marie Curie, who supported her mum, Sheila, who died in 2017. She adds: ‘I still think about her every single day. And I’ve also never forgotten the Marie Curie healthcare assistants. They were the one positive in a very negative experience. ‘It’s very stressful when somebody is dying – even if you know that’s the right thing and that’s what they want, it’s not easy. You accept it’s what’s going to happen, but you don’t want somebody to be in pain and suffering. ‘The GP organised Marie Curie to come on alternate nights. They were brilliant, a godsend. I cannot stress enough how wonderful they were. They were just amazing – so calm, so reassuring, so knowledgeable about what was needed. I will be forever grateful to them.’  Featuring: Sally Lumb When: 16 Apr 2024 Credit: Sally Lumb/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**