An assistant psychologist who is passionate about women’s health is running next year’s TCS London Marathon to raise money for a charity that funds research into reproductive and gynaecological conditions.
Freya Richards has never run a race before and is running for Wellbeing of Women.
Freya, 23, works for our perinatal mental health service, supporting mums and their families in north west Essex.
She also has endometriosis, a condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body.
This can cause inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue, and lead to chronic pain, fatigue, and affect a woman’s ability to conceive.
Freya, who underwent keyhole surgery three years ago, said: “I’m really passionate about women’s health.
“We have come so far in terms of research, but there’s so much more room for improvement.
“I want to do the marathon for other women who have endometriosis and struggle to get out of bed and go to work or see friends because of the condition.
“I want to prove you can have a chronic illness or a disability and it doesn’t mean you can’t do things, there’s just a different way for you to achieve your goal.
“And it doesn’t matter whether you can run a marathon or can just find the energy to shower every day, each goal you reach is an achievement.”
Freya has had personal experience of health professionals suggesting that she just needs to “get up and get on with” having endometriosis.
Working in perinatal mental health services, she is also very aware of the stigma mums can suffer if they are struggling with their mental health. Wellbeing of Women funds research to support perinatal health care.
Freya has been training for the marathon alongside her boyfriend Sheryaar Khan, who will also be taking on the 26.2-mile course but for Medical Research UK.
Next year will be ten years since her mum Samantha Richards also ran the London marathon, and she used to run with her while she was training.
Freya took up running again during the Covid pandemic lockdown and recently completed the NHS Couch to 5k programme.
She aims to run three times a week and do strengthening exercises twice a week, depending on how well she is feeling.
“On the weeks where I struggle because of endometriosis, I do one or two runs, if that. If I really struggle, I walk it instead, as long as I’m moving.”
The condition causes her to feel fatigued most days, but the tiredness and pain heighten around the time of ovulation and her period.
She has found eating less gluten and dairy helps, but symptoms of endometriosis and ways of managing them are different for every individual.
Freya, who lives in North Weald, said: “Every day I have to make the right choices all of the time. I am strict about my sleep because my body needs to recover more.
“The team I work with are amazing and have been really supportive.”
Anyone who would like to sponsor Freya can donate via her online fundraising page at https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/freya-richards?fbclid=PAAabbNpQILN0ySUF10OZeOQt0J4lFrFL6y6BPW9IN0ABXEqvVbDdunztxtpM_aem_AWILGyp_1WwvjzwrxMYXGs2wZWCtKBJM1uZjrE9pD_ncYHPBq4ZF-YtKM_KXvMW4bTs
