30/09/2026
For a long time after my accident, almost two and a half years ago, I really thought I might never run another race.
Healing takes time. Training your way back is painful. And after an accident, it takes a surprising amount of courage to dare to put yourself on a start line again.
That’s why I chose Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume for my first race back. With its connection to Mary Magdalene, it has become a special place to me — so it felt like a safe and meaningful place for this particular return.
And somehow, all the stars aligned.🌟✨💖
Honestly, the accomplishment was getting back to the start line.
The huge bonus was loving every minute of the race, running 42:07… and finishing as first woman. 🥇🏆
And I have to admit, standing on the podium at 51 beside two brilliant young women who could both quite literally be my daughters made the whole thing even more fun! 😂
And the cherry on the cake? Ingrid Lopergolo — my coach, and such a huge part of getting me back here — won the half marathon, and we ended up crossing the finish line within seconds of each other.
Both of us had won our races. 💃🏼🥳
After everything it had taken to get back to that start line, finishing almost side by side with the person who had encouraged me all the way there felt incredibly special. 🥳💖
And then we were interviewed together by local newspaper Var-Matin right there at the finish line 😳🏆
I couldn’t have imagined a happier way to come back.🥳
Sometimes the biggest victory is simply daring to try again. ❤️
