I’ve decided to run the Brighton Marathon… sounds crazy right? Yes! I will be 18 and running my first marathon!! I’m giving myself 6 months training, from the Bournemouth half marathon till the big day. I’m going to be running for Mind, a mental health charity that has been there for me, providing information and support when I have needed it most. Mental health has been something that I have struggled with throughout my teenage years and it is something that I rarely speak up enough about. 

Throughout my mental health journey running has been something that I have turned to as an escape from when things have got tough. On those days where even the smallest of things feel massive and impossible to tackle, the feeling of putting my headphones in, blasting music and running where my legs take me has always been a comforting one. Running has taught me loads of things. However, the main one being… to keep going and to never give up! To keep my head up and keep those legs moving! Just never give up. No matter how tired and exhausted I am. Never give up. If things are moving too quickly or I can’t keep up. A gentle jog will do. Just never give up, pick myself up, dust those trainers off and put one foot in front of the other and keep going. No matter how tough life is feeling, or difficult things are, in the words of Dean Karnazes "run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up.” 

Running has also taught me that my mind can be the limit to my capabilities, but I can achieve far more than I can imagine just by putting my mind to things, thinking positively, and never giving up. I’ve realised that I can achieve anything I want when I put my mind to something. This was proven when I achieved my first half marathon in March and then 4 following on from that!  So, this is why I’ve signed up to run the Brighton Marathon to prove that I am stronger than I think I am and that I CAN believe in myself! This is going to be the biggest challenge I've faced and will definitely require me to find all the physical and mental strength that I have! But a reminder that progress is still progress no matter how small or slow. There may be bumps in the path and the terrain might get tough, climbing some hills, and sprinting down the straights. I have learnt that recovery and healing isn’t linear just like the marathon training I will be taking on, there will be good runs and also some bad runs, and that’s okay! A run is better than no run, and any distance is better that no distance!! So, on those days I WILL remember that there will ALWAYS be a finish line in sight! Pain is only temporary and there is a route to better days, doesn’t matter whether it’s a long winding road, unstable trail, or obstacles in the way I WILL get there and there is hope. Times might get tough but I will get through it. 

So why on earth am I doing this? am I out of my mind? ABSOLUTELY! but this means more to me than you probably think! I have spent the last few years, since the age of 13, struggling with my mental health, fighting for support and being let down by mental health services. I have found it hard to speak up and be open about my mental health and so I want to help end the stigma on mental health by speaking up and doing scary things.. like writing this! 

SO.........

I’m running for mental health, fighting for mental health and supporting those struggling with mental health. Together we can ALL make a difference by coming together to raise money and  awareness for mental health and help end the stigma surrounding mental health. Let's keep Mind going, providing help and support to people who need it! And so, to get to that start line, round the 26.2 miles and to the finish line I’m asking for your help and support, small donations can add up and can provide better mental health provisions and running mental health services. Your donations can help Mind do even more to support people with mental health problems. Whether you've been affected by someone suffering with mental illness, you are suffering with your mental health or supporting a loved one- you are not alone and Mind can bring us together providing a support network.

However supporting doesn’t necessarily come in the form of a donation, just sharing this with you and knowing your (hopefully still) reading this has already supported me. Just by listening to someone and letting them know they are not alone is enough. So please reach out to someone, have a chat and let them know you’re there for them. No-one deserves to suffer in silence! It doesn’t take time nor effort but by doing this WE CAN ALL TACKLE MENTAL HEALTH TOGETHER, WITH MIND. Hand in hand, minds with minds we can all come together and make a difference!