A WINSFORD mum who has written a book about her battle with breast cancer is toasting to her future after turning to running to help fight the deadly disease.

Sarah Pickles, 32, was diagnosed with a stage 3 triple negative breast cancer on September 22, 2014.

She immediately began documenting her experience in the hope it would inspire others.

She said: “It felt as though we were in the middle of a strange and surreal dream, but once I had absorbed the news I knew I was going to take control of this before it took control of me.

“I was determined to approach the future in a robust and positive way.

“At the beginning of my journey I decided I was going to write a book to share my story capturing all the highs and lows, tears and laughter and in hope I could help and inspire other women all over the UK on their own journeys – and so the journey began.”

Sarah began treatment in October 2014 and finished in April 2015.

She undertook chemotherapy and underwent a major double mastectomy and reconstruction. She also underwent IVF treatment.

Throughout this difficult time, Sarah said she was determined to stay positive.

“Mindset played a big part in my journey, I found looking for the tiniest pieces of positivity in all situations helped get me through the darkest of moments.

“My biggest positivity came my 6-year-old-l little girl and husband who have been my scaffold and support through everything giving me the strength when I have needed it the most.”

After her diagnosis, Sarah also turned to running as a form of ‘release’.

As well as running three miles every day in between her chemotherapy treatment, three weeks after her diagnosis she took part in the gruelling 13-mile HellRunner event.

This October, Sarah took part in the 16.2-mile Metric Marathon to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Two weeks later – and a year on from hearing the news that changed her life – Sarah took on the HellRunner event in Delamere Forest once again.

She said: “I decided I would run it again the following year – but this time it would be to signify the end of my journey – and that’s what I did this year.”

Sarah raised £1,400 for Macmillan from the two events.

Sarah, who was given the all clear in May, thougt will remain in remission for five years after treatment, hopes her story will inspire others.

Her book, Shock Factor, is set to be published in spring 2016.