Learning She Could Do Hard Things
STORY 01 | CHLOE
Running was never supposed to become such a huge part of Chloe’s life.
In fact, she never really classed herself as “sporty” at all.
Growing up, running just 100 metres felt difficult. The idea of races, run clubs, or marathons felt completely out of reach. But somewhere between grief, resilience, family support, and slowly learning to believe in herself, running became something much bigger than fitness.
It became confidence.
After losing her cousin Cameron to childhood cancer, Chloe watched her Mum and Auntie take on running challenges in his memory, pushing themselves both physically and mentally. Watching them inspired her, but also made her feel like running was something she simply wasn’t capable of.
“100m genuinely felt so tough for me to run”
When COVID happened, and with time on her hands, she finally decided to give it a go. With the support of her Mum and Auntie, she slowly started building herself up little by little.
“They spent weeks and weeks building me up with so much patience, but also the kind of tough love that only family could give.”
She would be the first to say that at the beginning, she didn’t love it.
There were difficult runs, emotional races, and moments where she questioned whether she was capable of doing it at all. Her first 10k race left her crying halfway through and wanting to quit. But standing at her side was her Mum, refusing to let her give up.
And that moment became a turning point.
Gradually, Chloe stopped focusing so heavily on pace and performance and instead began to fall in love with what running actually gave her - time outside, routine, community, confidence, and proof that she was capable of more than she thought.
“Putting myself through tough runs and races showed me I can do hard things.”
What started as something intimidating slowly became part of her identity.
Two years ago, Chloe joined a run club but was so anxious she could barely speak to anyone. Now, she’s one of the leaders helping introduce new runners to the community that changed her life.
Running has not only transformed her physically, but mentally too.
“I was such a different person before running. So shy and so lacking in confidence.”
Now, weekends are filled with parkruns, long Sunday runs, and a community of people who make the sport feel welcoming and supportive rather than intimidating. Through her online platforms, Chloe also shares the realities of running - not just the highlights.
Last year, during the London Marathon, things didn’t go to plan. But instead of allowing a difficult race to define her, she used it as a reminder that bad days are part of the process, too.
“It’s okay to have bad running days.”
It’s this honesty that has helped her connect with so many other women online. Her goal is simple: to be the support system for someone else, just like her Mum and Auntie were for her.
“I had people to help me, and I want to be that support figure to others who may not have their own.”
One of her proudest moments came recently this year at the Cathedral to Castle race -the same race that once felt impossible. Five years after first taking it on, Chloe returned and finished as second female, running over 40 minutes faster than her original time.
But for her, the achievement was about more than numbers.
It was proof of how much she had changed.
“Confidence, strength and mental grit has all grown so much in that time.”
And perhaps the most powerful part of Chloe’s story is that she still remembers exactly who she used to be.
“So I keep showing up for the old version of me who thought she couldn’t do hard things.”
For women thinking about starting sport, returning to it, or simply doubting themselves, her advice is simple:
Take your time. Don’t focus on pace or comparison. Learn to love the process, the people, and the feeling it gives you.
And most importantly…
