When Laura Croker was told she might never run again after a series of foot operations, she feared her days on the trails were over.
Yet Laura has completed the gruelling 110km 7 Valleys Ultra challenge to prove just how far determination and consistency can take you.
Now 52 and living in Arnside in South Cumbria, Laura has spent more than two decades running, first on roads and more recently across rugged trails and mountains. But her journey to the start line has been anything but straightforward.
She said: “I started running over 20 years ago. At the time, I was struggling with loneliness and low mood.
“My husband was into fitness and encouraged me to get out for a run. I hated it at first, but something clicked. I caught the bug once I joined a club: running has become part of who I am.
“I’ve been a road runner for years but turning my hand to ultras has been a completely different ball game. It’s physically and mentally tough, but so rewarding.”
Laura said running was much more than a sport for Laura. She added: “Running is part of me, it’s who I am and what I do. The older you get, the more important it is to keep moving, and I always say that if I can do it then anyone can.”
But after years of training hard and racing competitively, an injury brought everything to a halt for Laura.
“I used to wear really lightweight racing shoes because they made me faster but wearing them too often eventually damaged my feet.
“I ended up with trapped nerves in both my feet and had to have three separate operations. I was out for months and genuinely thought my running days were behind me.
“My biggest regret is not taking better care of them sooner. I tell every runner now: get your feet checked, wear the right shoes and look after your body. You only get one pair of feet so treat them well.”
It took years of patience and careful rebuilding for Laura to return to form. When she did, she set her sights on something extraordinary: the 7 Valleys Ultra, a 110km endurance race that sees runners tackle mountainous terrain through the night.
She said: “I trained for two years for this event. I was meant to do it last year but had a fall just before, so to even make it to the start line this time felt amazing.
“I was terrified – it was mountainous, wet, dark, everything you’d expect from a real test. But to me, a challenge is something you’re not sure you can finish. You just give it everything you’ve got.”
Laura’s preparation was meticulous. She said: “I practiced running at night, raced the route, tested my kit, and learned how to tape my feet properly.
“I even changed my entire outfit halfway through before heading into the night section which probably saved me. The conditions were brutal, but I’d fuelled well and kept my head focused, taking it just one feed station at a time.”
After her achievement, Laura said she was taking a well-earned rest before deciding what’s next.
She added: “I said I’d never do it again, but now I’m thinking maybe one more time.
“Crossing that finish line was incredible after training for this moment for years. I met amazing people, saw breath taking views and proved to myself that I can achieve so much more than I think I can.”
Laura was one of 25 runners and adventurers supported by Coventry Building Society to take part in the Altra 13 Valleys Ultra.
Jon Badger, senior sponsorship manager at Coventry Building Society, said: “Laura’s story is one of true determination and balance.
“She’s faced setbacks that would’ve stopped many people but through patience, planning and sheer grit she proved what she’s capable of. We’re proud to support people like Laura who remind us that it’s never too late to chase something extraordinary.”
