All my life, people said I was useless; that I would never amount to much; that I was the definition of mediocrity. I'd so love to see their smug faces now. All those dismissive faces: family, teachers, bosses. Now they know who I really am. They said I couldn't do it, said I was too fat, said I'd fail, but I did it. People tried to dissuade me, but I showed them. I had the inner strength to stand up and say, 'I may be a fat, middle-aged woman, but I'm going to run around the world.' Three years ago I set off to laughter and derision, with only my sister and my trainer there to wish me well. It's a different story now.
I return home, a global celebrity. There have been film crews following me, movie stars running alongside me, top sports brands fighting over who sponsors me. I've already signed a book deal, and I'm the darling of talk shows and magazines. I've had a message from Prince Charles and a kiss from Beckham. The world now listens to Carol O'Connor and I'm not afraid to speak my mind. These past three years have been filled with experiences I'll never forget, but above all I've learned one thing: If people say you can't change your life, can't be someone, can't even be yourself, don't listen. There's one truth I must shout to the world, 'Yes, you can!'.