If someone had told me a few years ago that I'd voluntarily sign up to run 100 kilometres, I would never have believed them.
In my twenties, I was hospitalised with an eating disorder. It was the hardest period of my life and something that changed me forever.
Recovery wasn't a straight line and it's still something I have to be mindful of today, but over the years I've learnt how to challenge those thoughts and build a healthier relationship with myself.
Taking on the Peak District Ultra Challenge became so much more than a running event. It was a way of celebrating how far I've come, both physically and mentally. Every kilometre was a reminder that recovery is possible and that we're capable of achieving things we never thought imaginable.
Choosing Beat as my charity was an easy decision. Their work provides hope, information and support to people affected by eating disorders and their families. Having experienced how important support can be, I wanted to give something back so that others don't have to face their journey alone.
From the moment I signed up, the support from Beat was fantastic. I never felt like I was fundraising on my own.
Regular emails, encouragement and fundraising resources gave me ideas and helped keep my motivation high throughout the months of training.
The response from friends, family, colleagues, my hockey and tennis club and the wider community completely exceeded my expectations. Every donation, message and word of encouragement reminded me that people believed in me, even on the days when training felt particularly tough. Knowing so many people were following my journey gave me an extra reason to keep going.
On the day itself, whenever things became difficult, I reminded myself why I was there and who I was doing it for. That support carried me through some of the toughest moments of the challenge.
Sharing my journey honestly made the biggest difference. Rather than only asking people to donate, I regularly posted updates about my training, the highs and lows and why Beat means so much to me personally. Opening up about my own experience wasn't always easy, but it helped people understand why this challenge mattered.
I also shared milestone updates, photos from training runs and reflections after key sessions. People enjoyed following the journey and became invested in seeing me reach the finish line.
I was amazed by the generosity of so many different groups of people. Family, friends, colleagues, members of my hockey and tennis club and even people I'd not spoken to for years all got behind me.
Together they helped raise an incredible £2,353, far beyond anything I imagined when I first signed up.
Before this challenge, I'd never taken on fundraising or an event on anything like this scale.
Throughout the months leading up to the event, I shared regular updates on social media about my training, my reasons for supporting Beat and my own experience of recovery.
Being open about my story led to some really meaningful conversations, with people sharing their own experiences or those of friends and family. It reminded me how important it is to keep talking about eating disorders and to help reduce the stigma that still exists.
The experience has also left me thinking, what next? Raising awareness and supporting Beat has been incredibly rewarding and I'd love to continue finding ways to support the charity in the future. Whether that's taking on another challenge, fundraising again or simply continuing to share my story, I know this won't be the end of my journey with Beat.
Crossing the finish line after 100 kilometres is something I'll never forget. It was, without question, the toughest physical challenge I've ever faced.
The Peak District certainly lived up to its reputation, with relentless climbs, steep descents and plenty of moments where I questioned whether I could keep going. Around the 80km mark my legs had pretty much given up, but somehow I kept putting one foot in front of the other until I reached the finish.
Finding out afterwards that I'd finished 10th female was a lovely surprise, but my biggest achievement wasn't my position - It was proving to myself that I could finish something that had once seemed impossible.
The biggest highlight of all was knowing that every step had helped raise money for Beat.
Don't underestimate the challenge—but don't underestimate yourself either.
The training takes commitment and there will be days when motivation is low, but every training run prepares you for more than just the distance. It builds confidence, resilience and belief.
Break the challenge into smaller sections rather than thinking about the whole 100km. Celebrate every milestone and remember why you signed up in the first place.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey. The friendships, encouragement and sense of achievement stay with you long after the finish line.
Want to take on a challenge like Rachel? Head to our fundraising challenges to see what you can take part in: Runs, Treks & Challenges
Donate today to help us provide more vital support to people who are affected by eating disorders.
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