At the start of 2019 I was looking for a new challenge both personally and physically. And then one day my colleague Matt enquired about the showers at work and whether they were any good because he was going to start training for the Bristol 10k...and thus the idea was planted and grew into this ridiculous idea that I too could try my hand at doing a 10k. 

I'm going to be running the race in support of the University of Bristol's Healthy Minds programme (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/alumni/give-back/how-you-can-help/healthy-bodies-and-healthy-minds/). Attending University can be a fabulous and enlightening experience but it isn't without its challenges. The challenges can have a profound effect on student's mental health and that's where Healthy Minds can help.

The Healthy Minds programme is a physical activity intervention that taps into the benefits of exercise to support students encountering mental health difficulties while at university. £150 will support 1 student through the 3-month, mentored and monitored physical activity programme. This includes an allocated activity mentor (fitness staff with advanced mental health training), access to the gym and other sports facilities, and programmed support.