Deborah Ward-Johnstone, 46, from Ashford, Kent, will be running the Threshold Sports Race to the King in June to raise money for Cancer Research. This is a charity that is close to Deborah’s heart as she herself has battled cancer throughout her life. Now she’ll take part in a brand new challenge…
There are around 375,000 new cancer cases in the UK every year, that’s around 1,000 every day. 1 in 2 people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.
Deborah is participating in Threshold Sports’ trail ultra-marathon, Race to the King, on 15th June 2024. Threshold Sports has launched the Ultra 50:50 campaign, aiming for gender parity in their ultra-marathons and supporting women to help remove barriers to participation in these races.
What encouraged you to begin running?
Getting older, I know it is important to keep fit. Growing up, all of my exercise- swimming and sailing- was water-based – but that was because I lived somewhere warm! When my friend started running with her dog and told me how bonding it was, that tempted me to get involved. I realised that before I knew it, our trainer had put us through 5km, and it wasn’t that bad! That has been my running level for 7 years … until now!
Please can you tell us a little about your experiences with cancer and the impact that it has had on you?
I was first diagnosed with bowel cancer when I was 29 and again when I was 41. The journey has involved multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and life-changing outcomes. It may seem strange to say, but I found that both times I have been able to use the “bad news” as a reminder of how precious life is to ensure I prioritise what is really important such as family and friends and to also look after myself and take risks occasionally (I’m a sucker for throwing myself off buildings to abseil or off cliffs to zip line).
It has also, understandably, given me dark days and physical and emotional challenges that have been hard to overcome and sometimes I still experience, but I am determined to follow a path of positivity as much as I can. Physically, life with a stoma isn’t a barrel of laughs, but it is better than another cancer (cancers are due to a condition called Lynch Syndrome).
Why did you want to take part in an ultramarathon? Who were you inspired by?
When my 5 year all clear date was looming I knew I wanted to do something to challenge myself – but I wasn’t sure what… My husband runs marathons, and I’ve always been a great cheerleader but never interested. Until I watched the London Marathon and saw the features of Adele Roberts running with her stoma.
I try not to let my stoma dictate my life, but she inspires me emotionally. So much so that I entered the ballot and never told anyone. I didn’t get in and I thought “well, that is that” – until a chance conversation on a post on LinkedIn, where I happened to mention I was looking for a challenge took place.
Upon further research I wasn’t sure but the moment I realised I didn’t have to run it all, I was in! Since meeting the other Ambassadors, they have been my inspiration. Plus, anyone who gets up and pushes themselves.
Did you have any inhibitions / or anxieties when you signed up?
Yes – I am not what I think of as a “runner” – I don’t have any marathons – or half marathons under my belt, I’m a complete novice to this world of long distance running. I was (and am) worried about being slow and not finishing the line, but I am reassured by stories of ultra runners who tell me they walk during the route.
Do you think you’ll have any specific challenges during Race to the King that other runners might not have?
Gosh, an ileostomy has a mind of its own. I cannot control my stoma, so I am aware that I will have to carry a kit to ensure I can safely empty my stoma bag / change it if necessary. I’m very conscious that food is a trigger for my stoma, and I’ve heard there is lots of food!
What are you most looking forward to for your event?
The self-challenge element is showing myself that I can do something beyond my comfort level. This is not just the event day itself; it is about my time and dedication to training. I am hoping my body feels fitter and my mind clearer! I love that my husband, brother, sister-n-law, friend and canicross instructor are doing this with me too – what a feeling of support and I really look forward to the post ultra bottle of champagne!
You’re raising money for Cancer Research; what / who do you hope to inspire with your journey?
I have supported CRUK from my first cancer diagnosis, as I have directly benefited from the work that they do. I remember being very scared both times I heard the words “I’m sorry, you have cancer” – and alone. I hope to show other people on their own cancer journeys that the word is not always a death sentence, that there is hope after cancer, and that even when your life may change, for example, being given a stoma and having your botty sewn up (to much?!) that you can strive and join physical activities that perhaps in the day’s post surgery you never thought possible.
Deborah is taking part in Threshold Sports’ trail ultra-marathon, Race to the King, on 15th June 2024. Limited spaces are still available across the 50k and 100k routes. Threshold Sports has launched the Ultra 50:50 campaign, aiming for gender parity in their ultra-marathons and supporting women to help remove barriers to participation in these races.