My Story

Before October 2021, I'd run one 10k in my life. Now it's time to tackle a Marathon, all for a good cause.

My reasoning is not something I find easy to share but I do know it is important.

Why I started running...

At the back end of last year, my anxiety became so bad that I was unable to leave the house except for going to work. Going to work was a routine that mentally, I could stick to. I began missing out on things with my friends and family, not wanting to do anything, I became extremely lethargic, and was extremely anxious when I knew I had social plans coming up.

I knew I needed to do something about it. So knowing that my going-to-work routine helped me out of the house, I took action and registered for a half marathon, created a training plan and kicked on with my best efforts each day. And it wasn't easy, I run from time to time but I wasn't a 'runner' - I'd run one 10k in my life - but I knew this routine would help me exercise and the training plan would hold me accountable. It did.

On 20th March, I completed my Half Marathon after sticking to the training plan AND I have managed to pull myself forward mentally and am able to attend social plans again. I can honestly say this was not a sole effort, it takes a team, and I'm extremely grateful to all of my friends and family for sticking by me and supporting me. My past experiences, the countless hours of support from people I know and people I don't, and learning to understand myself helped me through this hard time and that leads on to my second reason...

Why am I running for Mind?

Whether by coincidence, destiny, whatever you want to call it, I received Mind's offer of this Marathon place the day after my Half Marathon. I really feel like it was meant to be.

I've spent years experiencing mental health problems - something I don't find easy to publicly share but I genuinely know that charities such as Mind are the difference between experiencing the 'it will get better!' and not getting the chance.

When you are going through such experiences, it takes courage to reach out but also to know where to go or who to ask. And without awareness, donations, support and conversations, people may not know that there are resources out there that can help. Someone will be there to listen. Someone will understand. You will not be judged. You are not alone.

Mind are a lifeline resource for those who need support. They are support for people at the point of unravelling, support for a person in the depths of their darkness. They are support for people who want to be there for someone experiencing mental health problems. They are an all encompassing resource for anyone who needs support for mental health problems, for themselves or loved ones.

I cannot tell you how important Mind is for so many people and knowing I can play a part in this bigger story is something I know I will be proud of, even though sharing my experiences are not easy, I am lucky enough to know that 'it gets better' and I think everyone deserves the chance to learn that too so please, if you can, I'd like to ask you donate whatever you can - every little helps. If you could share this page that would be wonderful.

Thank you :)