Amber Bryant runs 500km from Adelaide to Broken Hill for endometriosis
While things did not go according to plan, runner Amber Bryant has made it through her mission — completing more than 500 kilometres.
Ms Bryant pushed through shin splints, chemical burns from tape, countless blisters, a trip to the hospital and more than a few tears
"[My] body has definitely never been this sore,"
she said.
The 28-year-old, who can barely get out of bed some days due to her endometriosis, ran to raise awareness of the disease which impacts one in seven women.
Temperatures in the 30s forced Ms Bryant to do much of her road running at night.
"It left us with only a seven-hour window to run in and all of those hours were in the dark," she said.
Amber Bryant battled 30 degree temperatures throughout her run.
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ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde
)
Ms Bryant was hospitalised on day four with dehydration and had a badly infected toenail, along with several other injuries, but carried on.
But after one too many near misses with road trains along the Barrier Highway, she decided to change plans.
"It was too close for my liking for sure," she said.
Instead, she opted to complete much of the last 170km on a treadmill, which she said provided a whole new challenge.
"The yellow wall at the pool YMCA and I are good friends at the moment," Ms Bryant joked.
Friends and family greeted Amber and Heath Bryant in Broken Hill.
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ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde
)
Throughout it all, Ms Bryant's husband Heath Bryant was by her side almost every step of the way acting as support crew, physiotherapist, coach and occasional running partner.
"He is everything to me and every time I got sad, he was right there … I owe everything to him," she said, wiping away tears.
Despite some anxious moments, Mr Bryant said he always knew she had the drive and passion to get through.
"Even though [her body] is a bit worse for wear, her getting through is obviously a testament to her heart and mind," he said.
Understanding endometriosis
Throughout the run, Ms Bryant drew upon the messages of support from friends, family and strangers.
Her goal was to increase awareness and raise money for Endometriosis Australia — a disease she has struggled with since she was 16, but was only diagnosed with in April 2023.
"I gave up on myself for a long time … I just felt so invalidated," she said.
"
I dreaded going to the doctors because I thought that they felt like I was making it up.
"
Messages from supporters helped Amber Bryant through her run.
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ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde
)
While one in seven women have endometriosis, it can still be difficult to accurately diagnose without surgery.
It is something staff at the University of Adelaide are hoping to change.
"We don't at this stage have a non-invasive technique which will diagnose everyone's endo," clinical sonographer Alison Deslandes said.
Ms Deslandes said their research was focused on creating tools to help health care professionals improve their ultrasound skills to better diagnose endometriosis.
Alison Deslandes is part of a group of researchers trying to better understand endometriosis.
(
ABC News: Carl Saville
)
By improving the ability of clinicians to identify the disease, people like Ms Bryant will not have to wait a decade for a diagnosis.
"We're really hoping to expand some of that non-invasive diagnosis through not just imaging to diagnose the higher-stage disease but using some tech tools and AI to diagnose some of the lower-stage disease as well," Ms Deslandes said.
For Ms Bryant and her badly mangled feet, the nine-day run was about starting conversations, one step at a time.
"I've had message from girls with similar symptoms ... that is really the whole goal of the entire run,"
she said.
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