My Running Journey: From Trauma to Triumph | Raising Money for Cancer Research UK
I started running back in 2015 with a simple goal: give myself one month to train and complete my very first half marathon. Looking back, it sounds ambitiousโbut at the time, it felt overwhelming.
On race day, I was incredibly nervous. I had my family waiting at the finish line, and I knew I had to cross itโbut self-doubt crept in. What if I couldnโt finish?
I neednโt have worried. I completed the race in 1:51:59, and from that moment, I truly caught the running bug.
Discovering My Competitive Edge in Athletics
After that first race, I joined a running club and stayed there until 2019. During that time, I transitioned into athletics, where I discovered my strength in sprinting.
In the 2019 season, I competed at county and regional level, winning four gold medals in the 100m and 200m. It was an incredible achievementโbut the pressure I placed on myself became too much, and I stepped away from running for a while.
Life-Changing Trauma and Mental Health Challenges
In December 2020, just as I was preparing to return to running, my life changed forever.
I was attacked by four individuals just seconds from my home. I suffered a stab wound and head injuriesโbut the physical wounds werenโt the hardest part.
Months later, I began experiencing severe memory loss. I couldnโt remember conversations, my day, or even my own name at times. After a long and difficult wait during the pandemic, I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2022.
A Devastating Setback: Being Told Never to Run Again
As I tried to rebuild my life, I joined a spin class in January 2022โsomething I thought would help my recovery.
Instead, I was diagnosed with Exercise-Induced Rhabdomyolysis, with dangerously high CK levels of 210,000. Doctors told me something I never expected to hear:
โYou should never run again.โ
That moment broke me.
Losing My Mum to Pancreatic Cancer
In May 2022, my world was shaken again when my birth mumโwho I had only recently rebuilt a relationship withโwas diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
We were told we had six months. We had just eight weeks.
She passed away on 1st July 2022, and itโs a loss that still drives everything I do today.
If youโd like to support the cause that means so much to me, you can donate here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/dave-pullin-30kmchallenge
Honouring My Mum at Birmingham 2022
Before she passed, my mum was so proud that I had been selected as a volunteer for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium.
We had planned for me to stay with her during the eventโbut sadly, she never got to see it happen.
I worked every shift in her memory.
My Return to Running After the All Clear
In July 2024, something incredible happenedโI was finally given the all clear to run again.
From that moment, I didnโt look back.
I knew exactly how I wanted to mark my return: the Great Birmingham Run, a race my mum always wanted me to complete.
On 4th May 2025, I ran in her memoryโand achieved a new personal best of 1:46:39.
It was an emotional day, made even more powerful by the fact it marked the anniversary of her diagnosis.
My 2026 Challenge: 30KM Every Month
In 2026, Iโm taking on a deeply personal challenge.
To mark my 30th birthday, Iโm committing to 30KM of activity every monthโrunning, walking, and cyclingโto raise money for Cancer Research UK.
You can follow and support my journey here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/dave-pullin-30kmchallenge
Building DPRunningJournals: My Running Community
After being given the all clear, I created DPRunningJournals, a platform where I share my journey, struggles, and progress.
You can follow me on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/people/DPRunningJournals/61564944334482/
I also launched the DPRunningJournals Podcast, where I speak to everyday people whose lives have been transformed through running and fitness.
Working with The Running Bug
One of my proudest moments came on World Cancer Day 2026, when DPRunningJournals collaborated with The Running Bug on their annual charity run.
You can check out their fantastic virtual races at:
https://www.the-running-bug.com
Whatโs Next?
This journey has been anything but easyโbut running has given me purpose, resilience, and a way to honour my mumโs legacy.
Iโve got big plansโnot just for my own running, but for DPRunningJournals and the community Iโm building.
This is only the beginning.
References
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