Thoughts on the Great North Run (Aug 2017)
Ready or not, here it comes! Only 10 days now until I attempt to conquer the Great North Run once and for all (Yes, I have done it before and got the T-shirt but I didn’t run it all or even feel good about myself doing it). So, how am I feeling this time?
I’m definitely more positive, I’m much fitter, and I’m way better prepared and at this moment, I’m feeling well. I’m more motivated than I’ve ever been and I’ve even got a plan for the weeks after the GNR to keep me training and running (Ringway Running for Wellspring).
It’s that this time around I do not feel engulfed by depression. The running has given me endorphins as my medication and the time running on my own has given me space to be my own counsellor. I have never felt such massive benefits from running as I have training for this event this year.
Whilst on holiday I read a book by Liane Moriarty called Big Little Lies, in it she has a character who makes some great social commentary on other school Mums, highlighting the group who are constantly pestering you for money for their latest sponsored run when really they’re just doing it for themselves to keep fit. This has proved to be thought provoking commentary for me. Is that me? What is my motivation?
I started running again as an aid to keeping my depression in check. I entered some events to give me a training plan and something to aim for, to keep me going. So far….. totally selfish. But I entered via charity places to drive the purpose and to marry my mental health writing with my running. The primary aim is to raise awareness, the secondary to raise funds and enveloping all of that is keeping myself well. If I’m well I can keep writing and sharing and helping others. You also can’t beat the feeling on the day of the event, when you’re wearing your chosen charity vest and acknowledging other runners in the same colors with a nod, smile and a wave. In the Great North Run, if you’re lucky, you even have a crowd from your chosen charity there at a crucial stage to encourage you on, the feeling of pride is overwhelming.
I chose my charities carefully this time. Mind and Yorkshire Cancer Research have helped me, and one of my close friends. We both write about our experiences for charities and we both try to raise awareness that these illnesses exist. I want people to feel they can talk openly if they need to and ask for help in the circles that they move in, if they want to, without fear of judgement.
So I have trained hard and tried to keep myself well for the first time in a long time, I feel I am really helping myself. By doing the Great North Run for Yorkshire Cancer Research, I am also helping others and I am proud of all of these achievements…..staying well, running well, raising awareness and raising funds.
Running in a big event is always emotional, there’ll be some tears as we crowd in our allotted pens at the start and possibly tears when I finish but they’ll be the good sort, the tears we want to cry.
