Metra Rowe

Walk don't run!

The decision to lace up my trainers for a 10-mile walk in support of Diabetes UK is about charting a journey that began 2 years ago ….  the day I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. 

When you get a diagnosis like that, the initial instinct is often to look for a quick fix, a temporary diet, or a checklist to complete so you can go back to normal, but the truth I’ve come to live and breathe over the last 24 months is that there is no going back. This is a lifelong commitment which requires a fundamental shift in how we choose to live, eat, move, and show up for ourselves every single day. 

I’ve had to make significant lifestyle changes to manage this condition. Some days, those choices feel empowering - other days (if I’m honest) they feel incredibly heavy. Choosing the nourishing option when I'm exhausted, prioritising movement when my sofa is calling, and constantly monitoring how my body responds to the world around me is hard work! It takes courage to look at life and say that something needs to change, and I'm the one who has to do it. 

I don’t have it all figured out, there are still mornings when a blood sugar reading surprises me, or days when navigating a menu feels like a minefield, and that’s exactly why I am walking.  

Anyway, I'm stepping out for these 10 miles to prove to myself that sustainable change is possible, even when it’s tough. More importantly, I'm walking to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK, an organisation that provides the research, tools, and community support that so many of us rely on as we navigate this lifelong path.

No one should have to walk this road alone, or in secret, or with a sense of shame. We need open conversations, practical resources, and a collective commitment to health and wellbeing.

If you're able to donate, your support will go directly toward helping millions of people manage, understand, and live well with diabetes. Every single pound matters. And if you aren't in a position to give financially, carrying a bit of hope for me on the day or sharing this page means more than words can say.