In the 20 weeks leading up to my 39th birthday I’ve set myself a BIG challenge to run my first marathon!
I enjoy running but the dedication, time and focus needed to reach the milestone of a marathon have felt out of my reach until now. I knew it would take something I feel really passionate about to get me to commit to that amount of training and get me through those 26.2 miles to the finish line!
My mum took her own life just a few weeks before her 39th birthday after a lifetime of battling with mental illness, depression and intrusive thoughts.
When it happened in 2000 there were no awareness campaigns, no posters and no wellbeing initiatives. No one was talking about mental health let alone mental illness. There was nothing.
The impact on my Dad, my elderly grandparents and I was devastating. It’s impossible to find the right words to describe the pain..the world crashing down. It left so many unanswered questions.
I count myself as fortunate that I’ve turned my pain into purpose and those who know me will I hope know me for positive attributes like dedication, kindness and perseverance and while I can’t say for sure I expect these are probably reactions to dealing with the loss of my mom at a young age and something I understand more now (and experience all over again from a different viewpoint) as an adult myself. These positive reactions can be equally matched by dark struggles that are only known to a few close people.
I realise so many young adults are impacted by trauma and loss. Running Richmond marathon on 10th September, 1 week before my 39th birthday, I will be raising funds for Cherished. A wonderful Sutton Coldfield based charity run by Hannah Simnett who provide attachment-focused and trauma responsive support for children and young people in schools across Birmingham.
If you can support with a small donation that would be fantastic. Or please join me for a run, rest-day walk or words of encouragement as I embark on this challenge. Thank you!
