Every kilometre counts: Donna’s running story

These days, Donna is returning to running with an occasional mile or two. But ask what she is working towards next and there is a bigger distance on her mind.

“I think I’ve got another marathon in me.”

It is a thought that fits with what she enjoys about running: distance, endurance and a competitive streak she is happy to own.

A marathon in mind at 40

Donna had competed in cross country and the 1500 metres in her early twenties. At 40, she found herself thinking she would like to run a marathon.

When she looks back on her first few runs, the feeling she remembers is simple: “Feeling alive”. What kept her going was the pull of a longer distance, her love of endurance and, in her words, being “super competitive”.

London Marathon is the running moment she is most proud of. It is also her answer when asked to name the one run she will never forget.

Friends, fresh air and freedom

Friends are part of her running life, and she loves Running Woman for giving her a distance challenge.

Outside running, she enjoys the gym, hill walking, spending time with her girlfriends and healthy eating. Then there is travel, which she describes as “lots and lots and lots”.

Asked what running gives her that she does not get anywhere else, her answer is one word: “Freedom”.

Every kilometre counts

For now, Donna describes herself as returning to running. There are occasional one- or two-mile runs, with the possibility of another marathon still in mind.

Her advice to a woman who does not think she is a real runner is just as straightforward: get out there. Every kilometre counts.

And her reason for calling herself a Running Woman?

“I love to get outside and run.”