I plan to run 100 miles in events for MIND within a year (so before the end of next April, hopefully ending with the London Marathon.)

Here are the events I'm doing so far/have pencilled in to hopefully do!

1) Birmingham 10K - 03/05 (6.2 miles)

Done!

2) Run or Dye 5K - 09/05 (3.1 miles)

3) Regents Park 10K - 07/06 (6.2 miles)

4) Annual Severn 10 Mile Road Race - 11/07 (10 miles)

5) Great Newham London Run - 19/07 (6.2 miles)

6) Great North Run - 13/09 (13.1 miles)

7) Great Yorkshire Run - 27/09 (6.2 miles)

8) Great Birmingham Run - 18/10 (13.1 miles)

9) Great South Run - 25/10 (10 miles)

10) Hopefully finishing with the London Marathon in April 16 (26.2 miles) otherwise some messing around with dates/events is required!

Total distance: 100.3 miles

Why am I doing this?

I want to support the charity MIND, raise awareness of the great support that is available for those suffering from mental health difficulties, and help end the stigma that is attached to those who suffer.

I've been unfortunate enough to suffer from poor mental health, which was entirely unexpected and really changed my life. If it wasn't for amazing people in my life at that time (girlfriend & friends) I'm not sure how I would of coped. I was fortunate. Many don't have the same level of support and understanding, they feel like they have no one they can turn to. They suffer in silence and are alone.

Mental health is indiscriminate on any grounds, you could live what many perceive to be a 'good life'. Then they ask, 'What does (s)he have to be depressed about?' That's what I want to challenge, mental health doesn't just target the weak, the vulnerable, it can strike anyone at any time. There isn't always a reason, sometimes you just have to hold on for dear life, not only for yourself for those around you. The more we can support, educate & inform everyone about mental health the better!

Thank you in advance for your donation as it shows your support towards this worthwhile cause. I could ramble on about the stigma attached to suffering from a mental illness and all the attached problems for those who are suffering and those who have suffered. However you'd probably grow a little bored/prefer to do your own research, MIND's website is a great resource - 

http://www.mind.org.uk

 Please, I encourage you to grab a tea/coffee and have a look, see what you are supporting with me.

My mental health and running have correlated massively together the more I run, the less negative thoughts I have & the less anxious I am. I've personally found I tend to dip down after completing a event and then just not do another one for a while. Then I relapse back into my negative thinking. So that's why I've set myself a challenge of doing 100 miles over the course of a year and hopefully ending with the London Marathon! I'm going to blog about my journey (if that sort of thing interests you can read it on www.thisguycan.co.uk) both for a personal reflection/progression but also to hopefully help someone else/provide something to relate to! 

Any way you can support would be fantastic. Fancy running with me? Please do so it's greatly appreciated!