Two years ago, Robyn Rosenow was relearning how to walk. This Sunday, she’ll be running the iconic Voltaren City2Surf alongside 90,000 other registered participants.

At just 20 years old, the Canberra local’s life changed in an instant when she suffered a sudden and life-threatening brain haemorrhage caused by a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) – a rare tangle of blood vessels in the brain she was unknowingly born with.

“The bleed wasn’t triggered by force or physical trauma, it just decided to blow up,” said Robyn. “My AVM had been a ticking time bomb, growing with me as I got older.”

What followed was a journey of survival and recovery: four major brain surgeries, two hospital admissions, and months of intensive rehabilitation. Following the first two surgeries, Robyn developed hydrocephalus – a build-up of fluid on the brain – which required the insertion of a VP shunt (a small plastic tube) into Robyn’s brain to help drain the extra cerebral spinal fluid into her abdominal cavity.

Robyn’s brain bleed also meant she developed diplopia, or double vision, due to damage to her optic nerve, a condition that continues to affect her today. Since July last year, Robyn has been wearing an opaque, cosmetic contact lens – covering the vision of one of her eyes to counter the double vision, leaving her essentially blind in one eye.

“After two months in hospital I began outpatient rehabilitation, which included occupational therapy and physical therapy two days a week for over four months. I spent a lot of time relearning to balance with extensive and repetitive basic exercises,” she said.

“I remember on the last day of rehab, my physio asked if I wanted to try running. I was so nervous – but I did it. It was barely five metres, but it was a huge achievement for me.”

That moment sparked something. Robyn began walking daily, gradually building strength and stamina. In October 2024, she started running regularly, and just a month later, completed her first 5km fun run. Since then, she’s taken on a 10km event and is now gearing up for the 14km City2Surf – with a half marathon in her sights.

“All the years leading up to my brain bleed, I was never a super active person. I did lots of sport as a kid but as I got older that changed as I had less spare time and energy. But I still remember clearly being bedridden in hospital and wanting nothing more than to run – you always want what you can’t have, right?”

Now 22, Robyn trains around her work and study, mixing in walking, swimming, yoga, and strength training, motivated by a deep sense of gratitude.

“I run and I train because I can, not because I have to,” she said. “Running is so important to me because I am living up to what I wanted to do when I physically couldn’t. Being able to wake up every day and have a body that allows me to exercise is so special.”

For Robyn, taking part in the City2Surf this weekend is more than a race – it’s a milestone in her recovery and a celebration of resilience.

“Participating in the City2Surf is another milestone in my recovery and running journey. It’s not only the race itself but also everything that leads up to the race. I enjoy training and pushing my body,” said Robyn.

“Not only will participating in this be a huge success for me, but I hope it will also be inspiring for other young people. It’s not often someone my age goes through such an awful experience, so it’s important that people know that hard things are always possible. I am super grateful firstly to be alive and second, to participate in events life City2Surf.”