I'd never be the fastest, but I could make my marathons unique'
Tiggy Bailey, 56, lives in Gatwick with her husband and fellow runner, Totters.
Strutting in nothing but my running leggings and a pink bra, I grinned. It was May 2010, and I was taking part in Breast Cancer Now's MoonWalk. I was walking for my mum Doreen - she'd spent her life raising money for cancer charities before passing away from liver cancer in 2009.
My mum was my best friend, and I knew I had to do something to honour her memory and all the fantastic work she'd done. As I crossed the finish line, I felt elated. I was shocked at how manageable and enjoyable I'd found it, and knew I had to do it again!
READY TO RUN
After the MoonWalk in 2010, my mind filled with ideas. 'I want to do the London Marathon, I announced to a friend. They were shocked as I'd always hated running. At school, I'd dreaded PE lessons, and after damaging my Achilles tendons playing squash, running was too painful.
Working as an equine vet, I felt more at home riding horses than running myself. But thankfully I found a podiatrist who gave me special insoles, which really helped. So I applied and, amazingly, was accepted. Panting over the finish line, I was closer to the back than the front, but that didn't matter. I knew I'd never be the fastest, but I could still make my marathons unique.
Tiggy in for two marath A friend told me about the North Pole Marathon - set across more than 42km of sea ice. "That sounds incredible, I gasped. I knew I had to do it.
A few months later, I flew to the Arctic straight after completing the Brighton Marathon. Running across the ice in -40 degree temperatures, I was more worried about being ambushed by polar bears than beating my personal best!
This story is from the February 06, 2023 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 06, 2023 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SCAMMED OUT OF THOUSANDS
When Susan realised her mum had fallen prey to cold-call fraudsters, she was too late to stop it
'I CHOSE MONEY OVER LOVE'
BS Alison Hammond on her career, love life and why she thinks she’s Beyoncé…
'I WAS IN TEARS'
Are things getting too much for Richard and Judy?
GONE IN A HEARTBEAT
Catherine Heffernan, 40, was resting after her night shift when a knock at the door changed her life forever
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the lottery, Gen Z and clumsy husbands
HOUSE OF HORRORS REVISITED
Three decades on, we take a look back at the heinous crimes of Fred and Rose West
MAGICAL MADEIRA
This North Atlantic island is the ultimate yearround destination for sunshine and flowers
WEEKNIGHT WINNERS
Jazz up family favourites with some store-cupboard magic
BODY TRANSFORMATION
Woman's Own looks at how the star has gone from being 'allergic to exercise' to showing off her abs on holiday...
HOW MUCH CLUTTER ARE YOU HOARDING?
Hoping for a bit of a reset Carol Driver, 47, decided to declutter, but it was harder than she thought