"I jumped over the finish line" - Boston woman completes charity run in memory of mum after challenging recovery from surgery
A Boston woman has honoured the memory of her mother and supported a worthy health cause by completing the Boston Running Festival – following a challenging recovery from major abdominal surgery.
Victoria Haw, 50, was among the 2,300-plus people to take part in the annual event last Sunday (April 12).
In doing so, she paid tribute to the memory of her mother Lorraine Butler-Brewster (‘Doris’), who sadly died last month, aged 66, four years after being diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer.
Victoria – a SEND teacher at a local school – ran the 5K route alongside her nephew's boyfriend, Lewis Emery, in support of the charity Target Ovarian Cancer.
Cheered on by family and friends, she completed the course in a time of 37 minutes and 13 seconds.
“Afterwards, I felt amazing,” she said. “I jumped over the finish line.”
The result represented a remarkable turnaround for Victoria.
In May of last year, she underwent a full hysterectomy. It had been recommended that Victoria undergo tests in light of her mother’s diagnosis; the results led to this step being taken as a precaution.
Having been ‘fairly active’ before the surgery, after the procedure, Victoria struggled.
“Recovery after surgery was very challenging,” she said. “In the first few weeks, I could only manage five-minute walks.
“Gradually, I built my strength back up through walking and swimming before returning to work. I then decided to try Couch to 5K. It felt incredibly tough at first, but I stuck with it.”
Seven months after the surgery, she completed her first 5K at Boston parkrun.
In addition to honouring her mother’s memory and raising funds for charity, Victoria said Sunday’s run was a chance to promote women’s health and raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
“Too often, symptoms affecting women can be overlooked, normalised or dismissed, which can delay diagnosis and treatment,” she said.
“Symptoms can include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, needing to wee more often, changes in bowel habits, unexplained tiredness and ongoing stomach symptoms.
“Anyone experiencing symptoms that are unusual or persistent is encouraged to seek medical advice.”
Summing up her achievement on Sunday, she said: “Today was about much more than finishing a run. It was about family, support, remembrance and hopefully helping others through raising awareness.”
To donate to Victoria’s fundraiser, visit: https://tinyurl.com/Doris5K
For more on the Boston Running Festival, turn to the sport pages.