The challenge:

If you'd have asked me any time before 2018, I would have told you that I can't run and therefore this challenge would have been impossible. At school I never liked running and that was something that stuck with me - as an adult, I would go to the gym or go to classes but still couldn't run for a bus!

I had tried couch to 5k before but gave up after a few weeks because I couldn’t get out of the mindset that I couldn’t do it. But then whilst in the midst of a stressful divorce and a big health scare, I felt like I needed a) some fresh air and b) a challenge to take my mind off things. I started doing couch to 5k again and whilst it was really tough to begin with (running for 90 seconds felt impossible), I stuck with it. All credit to Zak for this because I wanted to give up so many times and he kept me going. When I ran my first 5k, it felt amazing to cross the finish line!

I knew to continue running, I needed to find new ways to challenge myself. So Zak and I signed up to a 10k run at Disneyland Paris and I surprised myself by being able to run the whole thing! It was such a great experience that we decided to sign up for the whole run weekend for 2019 - a 5k, 10k and half marathon! In order to be able to do this, I knew I needed to get some serious training in so I took part in Red January, clocking up more than 10km per week and started taking part in Park Run for the first time. We began February with a 10km run. 

We have signed up for several more 10km runs and half marathons between us and thought why not see how far we can go with this...so between us we will be running 1,000 miles during 2019. We will post regular updates on this page so you can see how we are getting on. 

Why are we doing this?

Well, our main aim is to raise awareness of mental health issues. The chances are that everyone reading our story will know several people who have experienced a mental health problem at some point. So if reading this encourages you to reach out to someone who may be struggling, then we have achieved our main aim.

We also want to promote the benefits of exercise for mental health. It sounds a bit clichéd but when you are going through a tough time, it does really help to get some fresh air and find an outlet for your stresses and worries. We are living proof of this. Sometimes negative thoughts can feel like they are spiraling out of control and for both of us, going for a run is a way to clear our minds and put things into perspective. 

When I went through my divorce, I had quite a difficult time. Although I was much happier, at the same time I couldn't help feeling like a failure and like I had let people down. My self-esteem was low and I struggled a lot with anxiety. With the help of some good friends and starting a
new, much healthier relationship, I started to rebuild that self-esteem. I am very grateful to the people who called or messaged me to check I was okay, or came and took me out for the day so I would get out of the house. I then had CBT through our local branch of Mind which helped me find ways to manage my worries. But for rebuilding self-esteem, nothing can beat feeling a sense of achievement - whether that's going for your first solo run, being able to run for 10 minutes without stopping, completing a park run, or getting a big shiny medal (I've done all these things in the last 12 months!) Obviously, running isn’t for everyone but pushing yourself to do something new, whether that is going out for a walk and getting some fresh air, or trying a new hobby can do wonders for your mental health.

But our biggest motivator to take part in this challenge is Zak's experiences with mental health. For this reason, we would love to raise awareness of mental health issues in young people - when a mental health problem is caught early, it is easier to deal with and treat. We would love it if our fundraising can help reduce the amount of time people are waiting for such an important service. 

Zak’s story:

Growing up, I'd always accepted I was different. I don't think anyone, myself included, would have thought I would suffer with my mental health for as long as I have. 

My plea for help came after self-harming as a teenager. From then I was referred to CAMHs (Children and Adolescents Mental Health service) and I was told that the vast array of emotions were just normal teenage hormones. I then went a further few years, no longer living but surviving. I managed to rent a flat, but my mental health spiraled further. My self-harming became much worse and sometimes my wounds needed stitching but often I would patch them up myself rather than acknowledge I needed help.

One day, I stopped and acknowledged I needed help. I took myself to the local walk in centre and I felt the nurse that I saw was the first person to believe in me and want to help me get better. I was diagnosed within a few weeks and was prescribed medication which helped me to have a happier life. However, I then struggled to afford the cost of my medication and stopped taking it. My anxiety and paranoia became severe and I would often spend much of my time at home asleep so I didn't have to suffer.

Then my life took a U-turn. I joined a group of people who all had one thing in common, penguins. A few of us met up and that's when I no longer was just surviving but I started to live. I met Sarah, and what a stunner she is. I instantly clicked with her and my life started to become better, in every way. Until May, 2018, when my mental health took a horrible turn for the worse and we were taken to the local A&E by the police after it was decided I was a risk to myself. We waited over 6 hours in A&E to be told there was nothing they could do and that I would need to refer myself back to Health in Mind. I was then referred by them to see a Psychiatrist, who I had to wait more than 6 months to see. Eventually, I saw a really good Psychiatrist who reviewed all my previous history along with my current circumstances and was re-diagnosed and given a care plan. 

Life for me is now looking up. I have a loving family, who I love to come home from work to. Life for me is the best it's ever been. But I owe thanks to the hardest times in my life because a calm sea will never make you a skillful sailor. 

We are really grateful to those of you who have read and shared our story or donated to our page. Your support means more than you know.

Mid and North East Essex Mind is here to support and empower people experiencing an emotional or mental health condition by building on their personal hopes and aspirations. We work with children, young people and adults across the area. We believe no one should face a mental health problem alone.