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Wednesday 7 August 2019

The Asics London 10K, more than a simple race

Iona Campbell is one of the member of the Mojo Running & Fitness, a friendly women's running group based in Sevenoaks, Hildenborough and Otford. Each Monday night run from our store completing a varied and fun training. Recently, Simply Sports & Asics organised a competition and the winner received an all inclusive package to the ASICS London 10k, included a brand new top to toe outfit and pair of runners. The competition was decided by the club. They had to put into 50 words who they thought deserved it and why. Iona was the winner and here she tell us her experience and how she could check her conditions in London after a few difficulties already overcome:  

I took up running roughly about 3 years ago following my second Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) due to skiing and football injuries. Whilst I was undertaking an MSc in Sports Therapy, which I didn't finish, at the University of Gloucestershire I started doing a Gloucester Parkrun where I meet some members of a local running group called the Hucclecote Harriers. They I suggested I join them for regular runs, which aided with my overall stamina and speed. 


Iona during a training.

Following my time at Gloucester I moved to Sevenoaks, Kent to be closer to my family where I discovered an all ladies running group called MOJO Running and Fitness Club (a friendly women's running group run by the amazing Jo Kingston), where my running improved even more as I was pushed to run in the Kent hills. 

I have joined the club in several 10K runs over the last couple of years (including London winter run, Sevenoaks Weald 10K and Whitstable 10K), along with several Triathlons (I completed Hever castle Olympic distance race in September 2018). I had stated my training earlier this year for Sussex Triathlon and Oxford Half Marathon however that had to be put on hold as at the end of March 2019 I was taken in to A&E at Dartford Hospital due to the fact that I was extremely unwell. Shortly after arriving at the hospital I had a seizure which caused the doctors to sedate me and take me to the Intensive care unit where I was diagnosed with pneumonia and sepsis. Thankfully I responded well to treatment and I was back at home after 10 days in hospital. 

However there was some doubt if I would make it to Italy at the beginning of May for my brother's wedding. After about 2 months of being discharged from hospital I returned to running however it will still take a while for me back to normal.


Asics shoes used by Iona during the Asics London 10K.

Taking part in the Asics London 10K run was an amazing opportunity for me to push myself and gauge how well I am doing health wise considering how unwell I was earlier in the year. It was an amazing atmosphere with plenty of people taking part in the event. There was plenty of entertainment around the round along with water and feeding stations. It is an ideal event for those who want a flat and quick 10K run or who are new to that sort of distance. 

Following my recover I have decided to undertake Edinburgh Half Marathon 2020 in support of Darenth Valley hospital as they were really amazing with me whilst I was so unwell. One thing that made the whole event even better has been the support I have had from my family and MOJO runners (I love you all).

by Iona Campbell