Giving back, feeling lucky and running for Rufus
Rose Chapman (left) with sister Hannah after completing the South Downs 50km Ultra Marathon in May 2022
I always knew I wanted to do something to help.
Nine months on from completing the South Downs Ultra Marathon (at 50km, my longest run ever), I feel so very lucky and fortunate. Not only for my body, but also for my ability to have crossed the finish line. Two thirds of the way around the course, my sister Hannah confided in me that she hadn’t been sure I’d complete the race – and this was with more than 10km to go!
Rosie was born at 23 weeks and spent four months in an incubator
This wasn’t the first time I’d been lucky. My twin brother Rufus and I were born at 23 weeks’ gestation in 1994. We were very lucky to have had the best care in London and, from talking to my parents, all the doctors and nurses were incredible. Sadly Rufus passed away after only a few hours.
Touch and go
For me, it was touch and go for the first year or so, my dad told me. This is something I can only begin to try and comprehend: how hard that must have been. I spent my first four months in an incubator, had numerous operations and then open heart surgery when I was five years old. Today, when I tell friends about my early entrance into this world, they are always shocked. I feel proud, amazed and very lucky to be here.
I wanted to write about my experience to give parents of premature babies hope and knowledge in difficult, challenging times. I know in the early days my own parents were so uncertain of my future, and if I even had one. I’d like those parents starting on their journeys to know that we are able to lead ordinary, wonderful, happy and healthy lives.
“I want to give new parents of premature babies hope that we can grow up and lead ordinary, wonderful, happy and healthy lives.”
‘Reckless Rosie’
I remember running, after my heart operation, with my sister and almost feeling my mum’s anxiety while hearing her intake of breath. As a child I was known as ‘Reckless Rosie’, which I suppose brought me to sign up to the Ultra Marathon in the first place.
I'd always hated PE at school and never enjoyed running. I found my passion a little later on. In fact, I can pinpoint the moment: we were on a family holiday in Greece and my sister (the one who doubted my finishing ability during the ultra marathon) duped me into running 5km. Without knowing it, I was hooked!
Mental health benefits
Another reason I have relished running so much is the ability to switch off, to tune out from the brain chatter or, what most people would call anxiety, which is something I’ve lived with my whole life.
Rosie (left) with Tina (middle) and Hannah after Beachy Head half marathon in October 2022
Being able to just run, or do any exercise for that matter, be it swimming, yoga, pilates or even walking, has so many benefits. These include better moods, better stress management and better self-esteem. Being able to run after my health complications as a child has given me a profound appreciation of the human body, mind and spirit.
For the love of running
Since running the Ultra back in May, I have been taking it easy. I live with my partner close to the South Downs in West Sussex and we are spoilt for choice for good, outdoor runs. I've been spending more time with my watch off, not connecting to Strava, just running for the love of it. I was training for the Beachy Head Half Marathon until we sadly had to withdraw from it due to extreme weather. However, I'm still hoping to run the Paris Marathon in April 2023 to fundraise for The Smallest Things and, whenever possible, mentioning this amazing premature baby charity.
Rosie on Brighton Beach after running the Brighton Marathon Weekend 10km in April 2022
I’m running to raise awareness of prematurity and because I want to give back and fundraise to help those who have gone through what our family went through all those years ago.
You can sponsor Rosie at justgiving.com/fundraising/rosechapman
With thanks to Rosie for sharing her and Rufus’s story.