Running with Kangaroos- an update from Marathon runner Molly!

I spent the last 2 months of 2025 in Australia and New Zealand.

I’m late-diagnosed neurodivergent. While I love my neurospicy brain, functioning in a world that isn’t built for me is incredibly taxing. I spent months of 2025 bed-bound with severe neurodivergent burn-out – a complete shut-down of my ability to function, with exacerbated mental and physical health issues. My employer has been incredibly supportive and enabled me to attend a leading neurodiversity conference in Perth, bringing together researchers, educators, policymakers, autistic people and more to drive forward understanding and inspire new approaches.

This was an amazing opportunity – I left with a deeper understanding of my neurodiversity, inspiration for how to manage it and a real sense of inclusion from meeting others that truly understand what living with neurodiversity is like. That being said, a 24-hour flight, acclimatising to 30°C heat and managing a full-time job alongside conference attendance didn’t leave much time for marathon training! Luckily, the incredible scenery, outdoors culture and once-in-a-lifetime chance to run alongside kangaroos made motivation much easier. I managed my first ever progressive long-run (speeding up every 4km) against all the odds.

I crashed

After the adrenaline rush of the conference, I crashed hard. I extended my stay in New Zealand, relocating to Rottnest Island – home of the Quokka. The trail running opportunities here were incredible, despite the challenges of mosquitos, heat and hilly terrain, and the beautiful 22km cycling loop was my most enjoyable cross-training to date.

Combining remote work and holiday

I spent the next few weeks in New Zealand – combining remote work and vacation. I scoped my itinerary around trail run events, wanting to challenge myself in a safe environment. Alongside smaller local runs, I (very slowly) managed a hilly 13km around Upper Hutt in Wellington and a 10km along the incredible Escarpment Track (though quickly regretted trying to run a route mostly consisting of stairs and swing bridges). Having built my confidence, I found myself at the start line of a 24km technical trail run, with over 1200m of ascent, wondering why all the other runners had poles. Two hours later as I crawled up a near vertical mud slide in the baking midday heat, I realised my mistake. Dragging my sunburnt, dehydrated body around the final 10km was a huge test of my strength, resilience and motivation playlist. I was so proud to cross the finish line and can’t wait to push myself all over again on marathon day. In total, I racked up over 400km of hikes and trail runs, with over 8000m of elevation and a particular highlight of 30km on my 30th birthday – my longest run to date!

Return to the UK

Returning to the UK was challenging – I went from trail running some of the most beautiful routes in the world to running laps around a nearby football stadium – the only lit-up route feasible in the foul weather. My body struggled to manage jet-lag, lack of sun, cold weather and the transition to road running (which is much harder on the joints).

Over the past few weeks, I’ve only managed around 20-30km a week, missing 1-2 runs of my intended plan which is closer to 50km. I’ve struggled with muscle tightness causing shin splints and ankle pain, cold and flu symptoms and recovery from a nasty fall off my bike in the rain. I’ve had some real lows with walk-breaks every 1km on runs that would usually feel easy, hours spent convincing myself to go out in the rain and tears when I finally made it out but had to give up shortly thereafter due to pain.

Support from family

With incredible support from my partner, friends and family, as well as diligent work with a physio, I’m pushing through and hoping to be able to get back on plan over the next few weeks. I’m focused on gentle runs, cycling to maintain fitness, sleep and plenty of yoga, mobility and stretchwork for active recovery. I’ve always struggled with nutrition due to missed meals (caused by time-blindness and hyperfocus) and food aversion. I currently use a mix of meal supplement drinks, prepared food and balanced meals from the work canteen, alongside my run essentials of electrolytes and gels. I can really feel the difference in my energy and fitness when I haven’t fuelled properly so this is a priority.