Sue cleaned her teeth, rinsed her mouth, and checked her appearance in the mirror over the basin. A few lines, certainly, and a little puffiness beneath her eyes, but she didn’t look too bad.
Fifty wasn’t old – not these days – and she was about to prove that a woman her age could outstrip young things 20 years her junior – male or female.
A few butterflies were forming in her stomach as she pulled on her new tracksuit, made especially for the occasion, and with her sponsor’s name across the back.
Her phone rang.
‘Becca – hi, love. Is everything all right?’
‘Everything’s great, Mum. Are your preparations going to plan? Have you managed to eat something? You must be nervous.’
‘I’m an athlete,’ Sue told her. ‘Despite the doubters, I intend to set a world record this afternoon, and you don’t achieve that on an empty stomach.’
‘Good for you! Well, I’ll see you at the stadium. And not just me – Mr Brown is shutting down production so we can all support you.’
Sue felt a lump form in her throat. ‘He is?’
‘He believes in you, Mum. He knows how much you want this and how determined you are, and how many hours you’ve put into training.’
This story is from the September 06, 2022 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
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 September 06, 2022 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
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
How to protect YOUR SKIN
Reduce your risk of skin damage and ageing, and spot the signs of skin cancer early, with our expert advice
Coping with...MENOPAUSE EMOTIONS
For some, the psychological impact of what is a normal phase in life can be very tricky to navigate
Patch perfect
Stitch this sweet turtle pincushion using English paper piecing techniques
Join our new craft campaign!
Stitch or knit a twiddle mat or arm muff for people with dementia
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
Low-allergy GARDENS
All the fun of growing - with fewer sniffles
Buckets OF FUN!
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk’s biggest resort, offers oodles of classic seaside enjoyment
Super-speedy SUPPERS
Veggie mushroom and pepper stroganoff, Chicken tandoori masala, Quick fish and chips with mushy pea guacamole, Midweek flatbread pizza, One-pan lasagne
The other FAB JOUR
When John Lennon first met them, he disparagingly said that girls don't play guitars. But that didn't stop England's first all-female band, The Liverbirds
'Cooking at home is life and a pleasure'
THIS WEEK’S COLUMNIST TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall