The latest winner in our Brooks competition series, Kate Wright shares her Run Happy story

I run to get that buzz, that tingle in tired muscles when it’s done, that glowing warmth that I don’t ever feel normally because I’m always cold.

The friendship that exists among fellow runners and the camaraderie makes my day. I’m now an old runner – a SUPER VET. Not sure I like that but I can still run pretty fast. Maybe that’s why I am called SUPER!

I recently ran the Barcelona Marathon with the aim of getting a sub-3 hour finish. The elusive sub-3 that I’ve been trying to find for many, many marathons.

My trip to Barcelona was fabulous. The race started to music and off I went, glued to the sub-3 pacer. Feeling good I found myself at 30km, whatever that is - I only do miles. Spanish men were talking to me as I trotted past them, hopefully they were giving me words of encouragement (I don’t speak Spanish). I could only smile at them and hope that was ok.

Suddenly my stomach churned and the nausea started. I thought “is this the end of my sub-3?” as my pacer gradually became a spot in the distance. Some lovely Spanish women offered me her bottle of water, poured some over my head to cool me and gave me words of encouragement.

Off I ran with renewed enthusiasm. The cheering lifted my spirits and the word “bravo” echoed through my head. Without these people I would never have made my new PB of 3:02. My next one will be sub-3!

WHAT MAKES YOU RUN HAPPY?

Brooks believes in the transformative power of the run. The run can turn a day – or a life – completely around and can flat-out change the world.

That's why each month they're rewarding one AW reader for sharing what makes them Run Happy. We want to hear all about your Run Happy experience, whether it's a first race, a new PB or a moment that changed your race around. It can be anything.

Each month we will pick our favourite story. Not only will it appear in Athletics Weekly, but the owner of that story will receive Brooks kit including footwear, a jacket and a tee.

Click here for further details and to submit your story.

On Twitter? Why not get social?! We'd love for you to share your stories and pictures on Twitter too - just tweet @AthleticsWeekly and @Brooksrunninguk using the hashtag #RUNHAPPYRACES.

» Featured image credit: Running Crazy Ltd