An Unexpected Journey

Well, that didn’t go as expected.

I was hesitant about sharing this, but as I reflect on the experience, I realize it’s worth telling. Yesterday, we participated in the London (Hackney) Half Marathon, and it turned out to be so much more than I expected.

As a former athlete (basketball), I can run but running as a sport never held the same appeal for me. The thought of running 21km seemed daunting, and I had never gone beyond 11km before. However, when a couple of my Nosto teammates expressed their excitement about running together, like a true competitor I am, I couldn’t resist. In a heartbeat, I joined our little crew of five, signing up for the race and creating a WhatsApp group to train and support one another.

Through this training journey, I discovered the joy of trying new things, experimenting with different types of runs, and analyzing my progress through the Nike running app and my WHOOP bracelet. I got a running shoes recommendation from Melody Dadon whose partner just completed a marathon and made sure my dear friend Matthieu Genessay (avid Ironman participant) gave me his thoughts too. I even incorporated visualization into my daily meditation - thank you, Maxime Pasquier. What made it truly special was that we did it as a team, constantly checking on each other, sharing tips and advice, and lifting each other up when insecurities crept in. This team spirit, united towards a common goal, reminded me why I live for such moments.

Race day arrived before we knew it (and with a little less training than we'd hoped for. Haha!). The race atmosphere was electric, resembling a fun, summer music festival. It was a stunning day, and there were people—24,000 runners of all ages and athletic abilities everywhere I looked. Some ran to support cherished charities, others in memory of lost loved ones. There were survivors and individuals striving to break their personal bests and refine their techniques (well done to Rehang Jade Mawani, one of the female runners who did it in 1:15:03, half my time haha). As we nervously waited at the starting line, we were all united by a mix of excitement and nerves.

I won’t sugarcoat it—the race was challenging. The last 6km tested my endurance, and more training would have been beneficial. But amidst the struggle, the support I received from strangers, children with their parents watching the race, peers, and elders couples with flags, fresh fruits, and other goodies was overwhelmingly heartwarming. There was so much love and support in the air. Their cheers, as they read my name on the bib, gave me strength and put so many smiles on my face as I was running. I got goosebumps several times, and moments of deep emotion arose, remembering my mother’s battle with cancer during my teenage years and of course the charity I was running this for. Turning something difficult into something positive is the best feeling there is.

Today, I received a text from CRUK: “Well done Chloe! Thank you for taking on your challenge for Cancer Research UK (CRUK)! Together, we will beat cancer.” Damn right, we will. That message brought a smile to my face, warmth to my heart, and an unwavering motivation to continue the fight. I woke up with such a strong drive and desire to run another half marathon—to better my time, savor those last 6km, but more importantly, to be part of a diverse community fighting for beautiful causes.

This experience taught me invaluable lessons and reinforced what I already knew:

• You can accomplish anything you set your mind to with proper planning and training. The resilience of our minds and bodies far exceeds our expectations.
• Being part of something larger than oneself and joining a community for the right reasons empowers and strengthens us.
• Training with friends makes everything fun and doable and facilitates personal and collective growth.
• Events like these remind us that kindness and support are the foundations of a harmonious society.

I encourage you all to embrace similar challenges and find communities that nurture your aspirations. Let’s continue making a positive impact together.

Sending big love to my fellow runners Andrea Del Rio, Eve Rouse, Millicent Morgan, and Guy Little (I would have never done this without you all and I’m so proud of us) and to Melody Dadon and Emma Sarna who came to support and celebrate. Love you guys.

Ps: Maman, this one was for you!