She witnessed the devastating aftermath of the Boston Marathon explosions in April, and underwent an operation the following month to remove a prolapsed disc.
But runner Nicola Nuttall, of Park Street, in Barrowford, is determined to put her year so far behind her, as she prepares to take part in the Berlin Marathon on September 29th.
As well as trying to overcome her own obstacles, the captain of Trawden Athletics Club’s ladies team will also be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of her granddad Ron Greaves. She hopes to get round the 26-mile course with her sister-in-law Leo Anson.
Nicola (43), who owns Nelson’s children’s play centre Giddy Kippers, said: “In March I thought I had a trapped nerve in my leg, by April I was in absolute agony and was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc in my lower back. I was devastated not to be able to run the Boston Marathon despite completing all the gruelling training through the winter.
“We still travelled out to Boston and I limped around the 5K course in 56 minutes and crossed the finish line in tears. The next day that same finish line became a murder scene and my own personal misery paled in to insignificance. I know that I’m nowhere near the runner I was 12 months ago but I am determined to make it across the finish and I’m really hoping it’s going to be happy tears this time round.”
As well as taking on her biggest challenge to date, Nicola has also vowed to overcome her fears by signing up to next year’s Boston Marathon. The athlete, who has already run five marathons, was at this year’s tragic event with Leo and her daughter Laura.
The mother-of-two added: “It will be really emotional, and a very strange experience, but I am determined to go back.”
To make a donation visit http://www.justgiving.com/nic-nut