Warwick nurse beats coronavirus and completes first ever half marathon

Just three and a half months after being diagnosed with coronavirus, a nurse from Warwick has completed her first half marathon, following her recovery.

Asthma-suffering Lindsay Clarkson now wants to encourage others to ramp up their own exercise regimes, as the government has set out its strategy of improving the physical and mental well-being of the nation following lockdown.

The 50-year-old was one of the estimated 310,000 people in the UK who was hit by the virus at its peak, but is now the proud owner of a Leamington Spa Half Marathon medal, after completing the virtual event that Raceways organised following the enforced cancellation of the race on July 5.

Lindsay, a mum of two, was also one of the thousands of healthcare professionals who found themselves on the frontline, caring for the worst-affected in hospitals.

She said:"I was diagnosed on April 1, it was incredibly scary, and I had six weeks of isolating at home.

"I had no energy, I couldn’t really move and whenever I tried to do too much I found myself completely out of breath.

"It was horrible, but having worked in hospital earlier during the pandemic I do realise that it could have been so much more serious."

As her symptoms eased over a month Lindsay started to take steps back into the world of running - by plodding relentlessly up and down her garden path, inching her way back to fitness.

Lindsay said: "I’d been training for the Leamington Spa Half Marathon after a friend challenged me to do it this year, to coincide with me turning 50.

"I think you need challenges in life, and although the cancellation of the race in July was inevitable, I was delighted to see an email from Raceways saying we could complete the race virtually.

"That really spurred me on to get back out there as soon as possible, and starting out on the garden path was the easiest way to do it."

Lindsay achieved what was a landmark two miles in the middle of May, and then added a mile to her sessions gradually every week, building up to seven mile runs three times every seven days as she headed towards the 13.1-mile race distance.

She eventually completed her first ever half marathon on July 22, recording a time of 2 hours 45 minutes around the Warwickshire countryside.

"It was a great feeling to be able to contact the team at Raceways and tell them that I’d done it", said Lindsay. "I wasn’t a runner at school, and I only really started to run in the last couple of years alongside my gym routine.

"But I am hardly an athlete.

"Running, especially outside, gives me an escapism – it sounds simple, but running lets me connect back to nature, enjoy the flowers, hear the bees buzzing and generally enjoy the weather, especially if it’s warm,’ she said.

"I knew I could do it, although the progress at the start was so slow. It was like going back to the beginning, starting all over again. But you have to enjoy it, and look for ways to do that.

"I’d really love people to go out and do what I did, to really start to look after their physical and mental health.

"Running certainly helps me do that, and if I can do it - a 50-year-old, Asthma sufferer – then lots of people can do it too."

Christopher McShane, who heads Raceways, said: "Lindsay was a real inspiration to the Raceways community and her strong resolve is just what we all need to keep fit and healthy during Covid-19, and in the aftermath as the country gets back on its feet hopefully as quickly as possible."

A limited number of places are still available at Raceways’ three events later this year.

The Alcester 10km takes place on October 4 with the Leamington Spa Half Marathon going ‘On Tour’ at Warwick Racecourse on October 18.

The final race will be the Reindeer Run on November 29, and athletes can compete in all three for £65. For more details visit www.raceways.org.uk