Emma: Hello Gillian/Mum! Firstly how and why did you first get into running?
G: I went to the doctor and explained I was breathless
just running up the stairs, he said there’s nothing wrong apart from that I was
unfit. I then saw an advert in the paper
asking do you want to get fit but hate the gym, I rang the number and the
trainer came out made a program of exercises, beginning with the basics- walking
and running from lamp post to lamp post, building up slowly. I stuck with this
until I did a 6 mile run and found I loved running.
E: How many marathons
have you done and which has been your favourite?
G: I’ve completed the
London marathon 5 times and Berlin once. London is my favourite.
E: And what is it
about the London Marathon that you especially like?
G: For lots of different reasons, it was my first marathon
and I’ll always remember the amazing feeling and the sense of achievement when
I crossed the finish line, running past all the famous landmarks with the streets
packed with people, everyone coming together happy and friendly for one day!
E: How long have you
been in training for this years’ marathon?
G: For this one I’m only just building back up as I had a
break in more than one way, one because I had done the Comrades ultra-marathon
in South Africa in June 2012 and thought I would take it a bit easy for a while and I also fell
and broke a couple of ribs!
![]() |
Gillian Silverthorn at the Comrades Ultra |
E: Why are you
running the London Marathon this year in particular?
G: I always love to do London if I can but this year I am
raising money for Leonard Cheshire Disability. The first Leonard Cheshire home
backed on to my childhood home (in Hampshire) and I got to know some of the
residents over the years, sadly this home has now closed but it’s a fantastic
charity and they are now known worldwide.
E: Have you
experienced much injury throughout your years of running and training? If so
what methods have you used to both prevent and combat injury?
G: Yes, in the early days as I tried to build up too
quickly, I didn’t warm up or stretch properly so would have pulls and a couple
of torn muscles, I have used osteopathy, acupuncture, particularly dry
needling and massage in the past all of which all helped with injuries and
prevention. At the moment I am seeing a Chiropractor in Cornwall where I live
and doing the stretches that she advises in between. I’ve found the treatment
of great benefit so far so will continue with the Chiropractic up until race
day!
E: How do you like to
run- alone, with friends, in organised running groups?
G: Alone most of the time but have enjoyed runs through the
countryside with family and friends.
E: Have you ever experienced ‘the wall’?
![]() |
En route! |
E: Aside from the physical, what mental effects have you noticed with long distance running?
G: On a long run it can be almost meditative. This is the main reason I like to run on my own as I use it as a time to clear my head and put thing in perspective, sometimes what seemed like a huge deal when I set out seems almost insignificant at the end of a run.
Just about every
problem or worry I have had I manage to sort through on a long run from the
most important issues like relationships to the small stuff, even if there
isn’t an answer I seem to have a sort of peaceful feeling and acceptance about
the things I can’t change.
I’ve learnt a lot about myself on my first ultra-run and even though every run isn’t easy I’ve always felt better after a run, and of course if I go out happy I come back even happier.
Emma Silverthorn is a Receptionist at The Octagon Clinic
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