Running for Suicide Prevention Bristol - September 2020

I hope those that have chosen to read this aren’t too fed about seeing and hearing about it. I was asked to write something for the newsletter about what I have been upto throughout the month of September. So here goes (I am not the best writer, so please bear with me)...

I have  have been following Suicide Prevention Bristol (SPB) on a well known social media platform for sometime ( you may have come across my daily posts). Due to experience in both my professional and personal life. Mental health is something I am very passionate about and I am keen to get the message out to others ‘it’s ok not to be ok’ and ‘please talk about it’. Particularly during this strange/ unknown time. Unfortunately I am aware of one too many people who have taken their own life by suicide- so this is a cause very close to my heart. I am not sure of the evidence and facts behind it, but I have come across a few articles that it is reported more people died of suicide in August than Covid. 

So...after a few glasses of wine...the story begins (no good story starts with a salad right). I came across SPB (which is a charitable organisation) in need of some financial funds to support their amazing work to continue. They patrol well known spots in Bristol- throughout the night also. Which is supported by volunteers. They had organised a virtual 5k the weekend of the 26th/27th September. I wanted to do something that would challenge myself, so I set myself the goal of running at least 5k everyday throughout September. Running is something that helps my emotional well-being and I get great joy from it, so it just felt right. However, running everyday is something that I never do!

It is amazing what your body can achieve and adapt too. In general I found it ok and easier than I was anticipating. There were a couple of occasions where my legs felt alittle tired and the last couple of days I did feel exhausted. Hills started to feel that bit harder, I have an awful downhill running ability, but am known to love a hill or two. I had to make sure when I had a spare 15 minutes or so, that I stretched, did some yoga and foam rolling. Think doing so really contributed to my muscles recuperating. It was more the challenge of trying to fit it alongside working full time. Which resulted in me having to set my alarm at 5.45am for some early morning runs before work. I actually began to enjoy the early morning runs...not sure how much of a habit I will make of them though! On occasions it felt like my life was run, work, eat, sleep and repeat. 

So day 30 arrived and I managed to complete it. I clocked up a total of miles 132 and I am absolutely thrilled to have so far raised £800. My stubborn and determined qualities can come in to use! 

I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your company in runs, words of encouragement and donations. Not sure I would have managed it without you...you guys rock. I am finishing writing this, watching highlights of the London marathon and after the EGRC virtual marathon. Where everybody did just amazing. I am left feeling really inspired. Members really do support and look out for eachother. Again I am left feeling very humbled and privileged. 

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of those for all their hard work, to allow club runs to get back up and running. 

If you would like to sponsor me- the link is:

I am now going to down a bottle of wine and sleep for a week... 

Keep running and talking x