Holly goes through the marathon pain barrier in memory of special little boy
Holly Houghton said it was ‘by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do’ when she completed her first marathon yesterday (Sunday).
Holly, a director at The Grange Garden Centre at Asfordby Hill, said the support of her family kept her going as she took on the gruelling challenge of the Shakespeare Marathon, at Stratford-upon-Avon, to raise money for Leicestershire-based Rainbows Hospice for children and young people.
She wanted to support this vital charity because of the support it gave to the young son of one of her work colleagues who sadly passed away three years ago.
Holly told the Melton Times: “Rainbows has been a charity close to our hearts at The Grange since our manager, Kim, lost her son three years ago to a brain tumour, tragically and suddenly.
“The care rainbows provided and continues to provide for children and families is something you can’t put into words, it really is second to none but a charity that needs more awareness and donations to keep doing its amazing work.”
On her experiences of running the marathon and reaching the finish line in 5hrs 36mins, Holly added: “I hit ‘the wall’ really early on.
"I’m not sure why because I did so much training but I just had to ignore and keep running.
“Without my support, my dad, my step mum, my children, husband and family, I don’t think I would have crossed the finish line, it was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do – apart from childbirth.
"I’m proud of me for pushing through barriers I didn’t think I was able to.”
Holly, who has raised more than £3,300 for Rainbows, worked in her lengthy training runs alongside the demands of work and looking after her young family.
"My training has been tough as I've had to squeeze it in alongside running The Grange and looking after my three children, one of which is eight-months-old,” she added.
“I started marathon training when I was five months post-partum and I really have watched my body build its strength back from nothing.
“I've done most of my runs pushing Orlando – my youngest. Luckily, I've had help during long runs from both my parents, who are seriously fit.”
Go to www.justgiving.com/page/holly-houghton-2 to sponsor Holly and support Rainbows.