Opening up about the past 2 years | Training, EBV recovery & 2025 plans

[@heatherfox5488]

I laughed out loud when you said "but my second priority is to be fast as f***." Thank you for sharing your story! We all have different, but relatable experiences and it helps when people share their experiences. I cannot wait to see what you do this next year!

[@alpin11950a]

Thank you for sharing your emotional moments. It is not embarrassing, it is incredibly brave and I thank you for being so honest and open. Your determination is truly inspirational!

[@beehan17]

This is such a great video! I'm also a runner with chronic illness although I've been chronically ill for over a decade and have only just started running a couple of months ago. It's definitely interesting to navigate but I think it's great that you're talking about it! A lot of people seem to see health/illness as such a binary thing, if you're healthy you can do everything, if you're ill you can do nothing; and that's just not necessarily true. the mold things makes complete sense btw, I know a lot of chronically ill people who react very strongly to mold (myself included). It might also extend to chemicals as in paints etc, so maybe be cautious about these kinds of things too just to see how / if you react to them? Good luck with your training :)

[@ilka1290]

Thank you for leaving in the more emotional bits of the video. It‘s so brave and shows how hard chronic illness is and how long it takes to process all of this emotionally. ❤

[@daynaclark1509]

Thank you for sharing this. I’ve been injured for the last few months, and have been doubting my capabilities to return to running again. This really made me feel less alone. So glad that things have turned a corner for you, lots of love 🥰

[@FloraBeverley]

@@daynaclark1509 you’re definitely not alone. You’ll get there and I’m sure you’ll come back stronger 🏋️‍♂️

[@karendeanne4109]

hi flora, i'm so happy to hear you're feeling well and managing your illness, and wish you continued recovery and happy days of training! 😊🙌🏾 i was diagnosed with lyme disease this year (and ebv last year) and am trying to navigate the trickiness of training with chronic illness. thanks so much for the inspiration to be patient and hang in there!

[@marianaleitebraga]

I will never, ever take my hill repeats/ speed training for granted again. It's lovely to know you're feeling consistently better, I hope you have a great time on your 2025 races (and training).

[@heids2810]

Thanks for being so open with us! I'm so pleased for you that you are feeling in a better place with your health, we can tell how much running is a part of you and how much relief you have that you're able to run and compete again. Onwards and upwards for 2025 🏃‍♀️

[@georgesa.videau8332]

Healthy and fast as f.... Inspiring plan. All the best Flora.

[@dastadota]

Excellent that you're feeling so positive, go, Flora, go 🎉

[@ricocaswell6287]

I'm glad everything has turned out with a bit more positivity. Here in the Army we do a lot of very hard arduous stuff including endurance events and heavy kit carrying over hills for days. It's difficult to have injuries and illness at a high level career so i feel for you. Stay positive and make sure your mind don't take over your thoughts with doubt and negativity. Keep inspiring the youth.

[@FloraBeverley]

@@ricocaswell6287 ah yeah I have a friend in the army and she’s struggled so much with injuries over the years. It sucks. But thank you!

[@MedlinMark]

Sounds very positive Flora, such great news. I’ve noticed you’ve been doing some great runs again on Stravs too🙌🏽😀

[@Eightfathorses]

Thank you for sharing so honestly even though it was harder than you expected. I had exactly the same emotional turmoil with running after chemo. My first race after chemo was a half marathon and I was almost last but proving to myself that I can't still run and do hard things was the best feeling ever.

[@Denali1600]

Well done. Keep on keeping on. I have a chronic illness, it's hard.

[@Tonyr2]

Kudos to you Flora for showing your vulnerable side can't have been easy so well done 👏. Pretty much all of us get injured or succumb to illness we are only human after all. Back in 2018 I tore my achillies and was out for best part of 6 months. Started training in January 2019 for Brighton marathon and finished it in 3-58-56, the magic sub 4 hours I was after, and as I walked through the finish area from nowhere the tears flowed. Totally unexpected but just buried emotional pain I guess coming out. Not ashamed to admit this at all, only difference is it never got recorded

[@Kelly_Ben]

I started tearing up myself. I'm so incredibly happy that you've made so much progress, and are getting back to a life you love. I bet that mold was a big problem! I had a minor heart attack at 42, which is when I discovered I have a rare condition where my body clamps down on my blood vessels if my blood pressure spikes, potentially causing a heart attack. I suddenly felt like I was walking around with a ticking bomb in my pocket... I've been cleared to continue my ultras, as the benefits of a strong cardio system with this condition outweighs the risk. There's nitro in my vest, and it took months to run fear free. I greatly appreciate every run, every workout, only run every other day, and focus on relaxing and yoga, along with healthy diet and meds. I'm going to make the most of this life I've been given, to the best of my ability. I can't wait to see you continue to kill it in 2025! Thank you for sharing, you're an inspiration!

[@yves6073]

It's so good to see someone talking about chronic illness and an active life in such a comprehensive way (i.e., physical and mental aspects). Thank you for sharing. Been following for years and will continue to support from a distance, I wish you a lot of fun coming year and of course the best possible recovery!!!

[@amelia.jane1235]

Hi Flora, I already thought you were amazing but next level now to have kept going whilst managing ebb. Your positivity is very motivating. Thanks so much for sharing! 💗

[@michaelbennett6778]

Delighted with the progress and continued recovery . I have come back from a couple of chronic problems in my running history and totally relate to those emotions . Well done Flora 👊

[@parasected]

Hi Flora, great to hear you're doing so well! I commented early last year when I noticed your symptoms were matching my long covid experience. I hope that comment was helpful in some small way even if it turned out to be a different illness. I've had a big improvement myself and completely understand getting emotional about doing difficult things again. Very jealous but also motivated by the amount of training you can do, though I don't have your work flexibility. Please keep these videos coming (good or bad news) as long as it works for you mentally

[@radosi7942]

These emotinal things makes you even more optimistic. Keep on and good luck!

[@hannah__jemima]

Can relate to several parts of this, I've just spent 5 years healing from a 2nd round of brain fog and have only just been able to start cycling again (until recently I'd get a massive flare if I so much as touched my bike). But I still don't get work done on the days I get back from rides. I also used to live in a flat with a wall of hidden black mould, and it was only when we moved the washing machine that we found it. Definitely struggled a lot in that property and had to leave my job because of my health. Now I'm trying to put my life back together after having to let so much go over the past 5 years to focus on healing. Only this year I've been getting to things like taking showers regularly again, creating a cleaning schedule, seeing the dentist. It was like living in emergency mode and prioritising my work with health coaches over everything. I still find it hard to process what just happened. The only other thing I managed to do is write a web app. But actually making money? That still feels like a huge mountain to climb.

[@oliviakillen]

so glad you are feeling stronger and better

[@Manuel_712]

Hi. Coffee and Flora video on afternoon wednesday, perfect. Like from Spain. A nice week for everyone.

[@FloraBeverley]

@@Manuel_712 you win first comment! 🏆

[@Manuel_712]

@@FloraBeverley . Thanks.

[@Kelly_Ben]

Coffee and Flora- that IS perfect! Have a great week Manuel!

[@Manuel_712]

@@Kelly_Ben . Hi. All the best in New England. Have a nice weekend.

[@freddie249]

It’s scary to hear someone 7 years younger than me talk about losing speed because they think they’re getting old 🤣🤣. You aren’t getting old! Good to hear you’re feeling better. Good luck!

[@eva.p3728]

Great Video! Kyle Smith (Triathlete) also had a big problem with mold, he talks about in the Triathlon hour podcast, very interesting!

[@gokiwi2642]

Good video Flora, haha made me laugh when you said not getting any younger 😮 not even 30 yet, look after your health train sensibly & you’ll have 20-30 years of awesome running adventures, I started running at 48 that was 12 years ago ha did my pb in the marathon half 10k & 5k last year at 59 loved every second of it, wish I’d started at your age maybe I could have done a lot more fast as f.. pb good luck with the training & races in 2025 🏃🏽‍♂️🌴🦦😮👏👊🏼✅😀

[@barriehobbs4533]

"I found the socializing around the event was more tiring than the actual running the event itself". 😝 There speaks a proper runner.

[@ringspanner]

Can't wait to find out who the celebrity pacer is for the Fat Hampton Half, but also your personal PB goal.

[@oliviakillen]

i know women hitting pbs in their 40s. a physio once told me that we dont hit our peak until our 40s. 30 is not old. sprint training is key for any age especially women hitting perimenopause

[@Kelly_Ben]

Ugh... I feel so seen. 😂 Just started perimenopause. It's like my body has been taken over by aliens. I've cut down my very long runs and am focusing on short and fast for now, and strength. I just got into ultras, and love them, and it's great hitting new PBs each year in a new exciting sport, even though I've been running for decades.

[@lkbd12345]

EBV is nasty- had it in college - was out for weeks- failed diffyQ because prof wouldn’t let me make up an exam - even with a doctor’s note. Draggin for months. So sorry it has affected you so chronically.

[@josejimenaz]

Great ❤

[@deec6535]

I’ve been super injured for months. We thought I was going to be paralyzed or at least lose the use of my right side. Physical therapy helped avoid surgery for now…but it’ll be necessary at some point. Neck surgery terrifies me). I ran 5k last weekend. My first run for three months. It seems like I need to find a new form of exercise, but I only like running. It’s so frustrating. With my hypermobility disorder I’m probably doing more harm to my joints long-term with distance running. My last real run was at LTF this summer, and I barely made it around the course. I’m not sure how to find new ways of movement to discover what I might learn to enjoy.

[@Kelly_Ben]

I'm so sorry for your struggles. I definitely recommend experiencing it ALL. Talk to your friends... ask if they have any active hobbies, and ask if you can tag along. We never know what we'll like, or even be good at, until we try! Best wishes!

[@hillaryc7603]

Have you ever experienced sore heels from running ? My doctor suggested heel cups and rest .... I run/hike and I’m a nurse so I’m on my feet ALOT .:I took 6 months off running and strenuous hikes … I felt better and started running again recently and it came right back within a few weeks :/. It is NOT plantar fasciitis or spurs. like you, running is important for my mental health and productivity .

[@ValentinG23]

Your teeth are impeccable 😍😍

[@seasiderp6859]

Nearly made my eyes leak for a mo..x

[@yakiweiss546]

Only runners can understand it 😍

[@johnmcnulty1129]

That "Yomp" across boggy Dartmoor proves you've "turned the corner" :) Add to the equation whatever CovFlu Monkeypox 🙉 variant is currently "doing the rounds" You're on the right path "mixing up" the training 💪 Those tears have to be released from the subconscious, never apologise for them. Enjoy the festive period, not too many truffles 🍬 :) Best wishes for all that you do with Fi & Ti in 2025 Flora ☀️ 🌻🐿

[@FloraBeverley]

@@johnmcnulty1129 ❤️❤️❤️ thank you so much