Melinda Marchal lives in Northfields and ran a non-stop 50-mile ultramarathon along the South Downs Way. Credit: Melinda Marchal
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Ealing mother of three Melinda Marchal has run her first ultramarathon just one year after multiple vertebrae fractures.
39-year-old Ms Marchal fractured three of her sacral vertebrae during a skiing accident while on holiday with her family just before the pandemic.
However, she didn’t realise the extent of her injuries straight away and thought her back was just badly bruised.
Ms Marchal was previously running five days a week and described herself as very fit and active while “running around” after her three children.
Staying motivated
Ms Marchal says it took her 6 months to recover from her injury. She says that during this time, having something to work towards, and a goal in mind was really helpful.
She recommends that if you physically can’t get started on a goal, there are many other ways to work towards it.
“You can start preparing and educate yourself on how you’re going to do it when you can.”
Training for the Ultramarathon
Ms Marchal says that after her injury, she had to start again “from scratch” to prepare for the ‘Race To The King’ ultramarathon.
She began by power walking and restarted the Couch to 5K programme, which she had previously undertaken before her accident.
While she enjoyed running at school, it was 18 years before Ms Marchal rediscovered her passion for running – around a year before her accident.
“I had an epiphany when I started running. I realised that I had completely lost all sense of my own identity. I was this mother who was just spending all her time looking after the kids and sorting out the house and I didn’t have a hobby other than watching TV.”
She says that running became a hobby, passion, and “me-time” all rolled into one.
“It suddenly dawned on me that I can have my own interests and make time for myself as well as being a mum.”
Reaching the finish line
Ms Marchal finished the 50-mile race at 6th place out of 325 women, and 57th overall of 873 people.
“It went surprisingly well. I knew that I had put the work in. I knew that I was fitter and faster than I had been.”
Ms Marchal ran her ultramarathon this weekend which finished at Winchester Cathedral. Credit: Melinda Marchal
She says she was blown away by her time of 9 hours and 38 minutes.
“I was secretly hoping for a good time of under 10 hours, but because I had never run that distance before, I hadn’t dared hoped. It was my own secret goal.”
She also says she wants to see more women sign up for marathons, because of the “underrepresentation” of women in endurance sports.
Melinda and her husband, who is a swimmer and cyclist, have signed up together for an ultra-endurance event in Malta and Gozo. She says it will involve running, swimming, kayaking and cycling and will take place in October 2022.
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HeadlineMeet the woman who broke her back and ran an ultramarathon
Short HeadlineWoman who broke her back runs ultramarathon
StandfirstEaling mother Melinda Marchal says she feels fitter and faster than before her injury.
Ealing mother of three Melinda Marchal has run her first ultramarathon just one year after multiple vertebrae fractures.
39-year-old Ms Marchal fractured three of her sacral vertebrae during a skiing accident while on holiday with her family just before the pandemic.
However, she didn’t realise the extent of her injuries straight away and thought her back was just badly bruised.
Ms Marchal was previously running five days a week and described herself as very fit and active while “running around” after her three children.
Staying motivated
Ms Marchal says it took her 6 months to recover from her injury. She says that during this time, having something to work towards, and a goal in mind was really helpful.
She recommends that if you physically can’t get started on a goal, there are many other ways to work towards it.
“You can start preparing and educate yourself on how you’re going to do it when you can.”
Training for the Ultramarathon
Ms Marchal says that after her injury, she had to start again “from scratch” to prepare for the ‘Race To The King’ ultramarathon.
She began by power walking and restarted the Couch to 5K programme, which she had previously undertaken before her accident.
While she enjoyed running at school, it was 18 years before Ms Marchal rediscovered her passion for running – around a year before her accident.
“I had an epiphany when I started running. I realised that I had completely lost all sense of my own identity. I was this mother who was just spending all her time looking after the kids and sorting out the house and I didn’t have a hobby other than watching TV.”
She says that running became a hobby, passion, and “me-time” all rolled into one.
“It suddenly dawned on me that I can have my own interests and make time for myself as well as being a mum.”
Reaching the finish line
Ms Marchal finished the 50-mile race at 6th place out of 325 women, and 57th overall of 873 people.
“It went surprisingly well. I knew that I had put the work in. I knew that I was fitter and faster than I had been.”
Ms Marchal ran her ultramarathon this weekend which finished at Winchester Cathedral. Credit: Melinda Marchal
She says she was blown away by her time of 9 hours and 38 minutes.
“I was secretly hoping for a good time of under 10 hours, but because I had never run that distance before, I hadn’t dared hoped. It was my own secret goal.”
She also says she wants to see more women sign up for marathons, because of the “underrepresentation” of women in endurance sports.
Melinda and her husband, who is a swimmer and cyclist, have signed up together for an ultra-endurance event in Malta and Gozo. She says it will involve running, swimming, kayaking and cycling and will take place in October 2022.
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