Page 3 - Leighton News June 2017
P. 3
ATHON 3 MIND - 2017
for
On Sunday 23 April 2017, passing Big Ben or Buckingham Palace. Liz might even
I ran the London Marathon have been waving to me and I missed it!
(26.2 miles). I can honestly say, I loved every minute of the marathon.
My training meant I didn’t ‘hit the wall’ or have to stop
I know a few local people (David running and the brilliant support meant I was encouraged
Williams, Dewi Owen, Jez Poole every step of the way. After
and Hayden Jones) have run starting, I never felt I
marathons, so it’s not something couldn’t complete it or
unusual but it is a big wished I hadn’t entered. I
undertaking. I wanted to explain finished in five hours, 24
why I ran it, why it helped me minutes and two seconds –
and why running might help you. not fast but I’m proud that
it’s something I have
I have suffered from depression all my life and had some achieved through hard work
horrible, dark and lonely times. I’ve had various diagnoses, and perseverance. Having
taken different medications and tried lots of different said that, I never want to run
counselling and therapy. One thing that has really helped another one, it’s half-
me is running. marathons from now on!
I was offered a place to run the 2016 London Marathon for Those 26 miles were for
the mental health charity Mind. Training that year didn’t go myself and my family and friends who suffer from poor
to plan, I got injured and had to defer to 2017. mental health. I’m certain some readers will have had (or
are currently struggling with) mental health issues. The
So in the Autumn of 2016 my marathon journey began, statistics are very frightening, every week over 100 people
starting with six months of very hard training! Over those in the UK will take their own lives and every year one in
six months I ran in rain, snow, sleet and wind. I lost a few four people will experience some sort of mental health
toenails, had dreadful sunburn, missed out on lots of problem. Talking about mental health is so important and
socialising and gave up alcohol (well almost...). When I does help – be open about your own problems and listen
was feeling depressed, it was hard to get out and train. and support those around you who are struggling.
Sometimes I felt despondent at my slowness and the
distances I needed to cover. I thought: “How can I ever If you suffer with poor mental health, any sort of exercise
manage to run 16 miles, let alone 26?” But what kept me can really help. If you set
going was how good running made me feel, mentally and yourself small, achievable goals,
physically. Gradually I got fitter and a bit more confident, I you will soon see results,
started to believe running 26 miles was something I could mentally as well as physically. I
actually achieve. I ran a few half-marathons and in guarantee you will feel more
March/April I was running seven miles, three times a week positive about yourself. Running
with a longer run at the weekend. The furthest distance I 26.2 miles may seem like an
ran in training was 20 miles, from Newtown to Pool Quay, impossible feat when due to
along the canal. depression, you find it hard to
even get out of bed. But if I can
On Sunday 23 April, I was feeling horribly nervous yet do it, I truly believe anyone can.
determined when I arrived at the start line in Greenwich.
The atmosphere was amazing and I met up with some I have currently raised over
others who were also running for Mind. Due to the large £3,500 for Mind
number taking part, it took me over half an (www.mind.org.uk) which will be put to
hour just to cross the start line. My good use raising awareness and
partner Dave and my children made helping those with all kinds of
a huge banner for me and I mental health issues.
managed to see them at five Holly Dyer
different places on the route – it
was very emotional but gave me If you would like to, you can
a real boost to keep on running. still donate at:
At mile 16 I was a bit overcome
and had to walk for a while as I www.tinyurl.com/me2u82h
couldn’t stop crying! At the end I was so
focussed on finishing that I don’t remember
for
On Sunday 23 April 2017, passing Big Ben or Buckingham Palace. Liz might even
I ran the London Marathon have been waving to me and I missed it!
(26.2 miles). I can honestly say, I loved every minute of the marathon.
My training meant I didn’t ‘hit the wall’ or have to stop
I know a few local people (David running and the brilliant support meant I was encouraged
Williams, Dewi Owen, Jez Poole every step of the way. After
and Hayden Jones) have run starting, I never felt I
marathons, so it’s not something couldn’t complete it or
unusual but it is a big wished I hadn’t entered. I
undertaking. I wanted to explain finished in five hours, 24
why I ran it, why it helped me minutes and two seconds –
and why running might help you. not fast but I’m proud that
it’s something I have
I have suffered from depression all my life and had some achieved through hard work
horrible, dark and lonely times. I’ve had various diagnoses, and perseverance. Having
taken different medications and tried lots of different said that, I never want to run
counselling and therapy. One thing that has really helped another one, it’s half-
me is running. marathons from now on!
I was offered a place to run the 2016 London Marathon for Those 26 miles were for
the mental health charity Mind. Training that year didn’t go myself and my family and friends who suffer from poor
to plan, I got injured and had to defer to 2017. mental health. I’m certain some readers will have had (or
are currently struggling with) mental health issues. The
So in the Autumn of 2016 my marathon journey began, statistics are very frightening, every week over 100 people
starting with six months of very hard training! Over those in the UK will take their own lives and every year one in
six months I ran in rain, snow, sleet and wind. I lost a few four people will experience some sort of mental health
toenails, had dreadful sunburn, missed out on lots of problem. Talking about mental health is so important and
socialising and gave up alcohol (well almost...). When I does help – be open about your own problems and listen
was feeling depressed, it was hard to get out and train. and support those around you who are struggling.
Sometimes I felt despondent at my slowness and the
distances I needed to cover. I thought: “How can I ever If you suffer with poor mental health, any sort of exercise
manage to run 16 miles, let alone 26?” But what kept me can really help. If you set
going was how good running made me feel, mentally and yourself small, achievable goals,
physically. Gradually I got fitter and a bit more confident, I you will soon see results,
started to believe running 26 miles was something I could mentally as well as physically. I
actually achieve. I ran a few half-marathons and in guarantee you will feel more
March/April I was running seven miles, three times a week positive about yourself. Running
with a longer run at the weekend. The furthest distance I 26.2 miles may seem like an
ran in training was 20 miles, from Newtown to Pool Quay, impossible feat when due to
along the canal. depression, you find it hard to
even get out of bed. But if I can
On Sunday 23 April, I was feeling horribly nervous yet do it, I truly believe anyone can.
determined when I arrived at the start line in Greenwich.
The atmosphere was amazing and I met up with some I have currently raised over
others who were also running for Mind. Due to the large £3,500 for Mind
number taking part, it took me over half an (www.mind.org.uk) which will be put to
hour just to cross the start line. My good use raising awareness and
partner Dave and my children made helping those with all kinds of
a huge banner for me and I mental health issues.
managed to see them at five Holly Dyer
different places on the route – it
was very emotional but gave me If you would like to, you can
a real boost to keep on running. still donate at:
At mile 16 I was a bit overcome
and had to walk for a while as I www.tinyurl.com/me2u82h
couldn’t stop crying! At the end I was so
focussed on finishing that I don’t remember
