'6am runs might seem insane but not to me, two decades on from a cancer diagnosis'

Vickie Maye on her love of running and why it's more about headspace than fitness. Picture: Miki Barlok

I don’t even need the alarm anymore. 6am and I’m up, ready for my run.

Realistically, 5k is as much as I can manage midweek. There’s a laptop waiting, and then four kids to ferry to school.

At the weekends, I manage 10k, a milestone for someone who did everything they could to dodge PE at school.

My runs are more about headspace than fitness. They are my time out, a chance to listen to a podcast, a break from being ‘mum’ for the tiniest window.

In my late 40s, I know the importance of weights too, and I’m lucky enough to have made my way through the waitlist to secure a place in Ironwoman Fiona Foley’s 6.15am boot camp in Crosshaven. 

Twice a week she pushes us to our absolute limit — and we leave exhilarated.

On frosty mornings, or the days my husband is away for work and I can’t leave the kids, Lean with Lesley’s app — packed full of HIIT classes — is a brilliant backup.

6am runs might seem insane to some people. But not to someone like me, two decades on from a cancer diagnosis. I remember a time I could barely walk from the chemo ward — and I marvel at my body’s ability to bounce back.