AN Ealing mum will be completing her first 50-mile ultra marathon this year as she continues her recovery from a broken back.

Melinda Marchal, 39, who has three children, discovered running after joining a Couch to 5k programme.

She realised that focusing on the children for so many years had caused her to lose part of her identity.

“So, quite by accident, running quickly filled that gap in my life and it became my hobby, my passion and my ‘me time’ all in one go,” she admitted.

Melinda, who lives at Northfields, pushed her training to 10k and then to half marathon.

With marathons and ultra-distances in her sights, a skiing accident just before lockdown fractured three of Melinda’s sacral vertebrae.

Her ultra goal, though, was undiminished, despite the setback. In fact, it galvanised her recovery goals.

When she was fully healed, Melinda had to restart the Couch to 5k programme while home-schooling two children and looking after a toddler at the same time.

“I’m back training and I’m better informed and more determined than ever,” she said. “Race To The King* has given me a goal to work towards and challenge myself.

“Women CAN have their own interests and passions outside of family life. I want to be a role model to show women and mothers what’s possible, so they have the confidence to try themselves.”

You can follow Melinda at https://www.instagram.com/wmUltrarunner

*Race To The King takes place this weekend (19-20) along the South Downs Way, finishing at Winchester Cathedral.

https://www.thresholdtrailseries.com/events/race-to-the-king/