Last month, we heard from Annette from the Burnham-On-Sea Harriers, and this month we are happy to hear from Todd as he tells us his story of how running helped him in a time of need.
This article mentions clinical anxiety and depression.
"I'm a fairly new runner, I started running back in September last year with the C25K program with the Burnham-on-Sea Harriers. It came at a time in my life where I was at a complete rock bottom. My depression was all to consuming and my anxiety made leaving the house a challenge. I finally realised I needed help so started therapy. During that time I got diagnosed with clinical anxiety and depression as well as EUPD (also known as borderline personality disorder), through therapy I started to find me again and started to be able to regulate my emotions again. Then my therapist recommended trying to run (she is a long distance runner) and I laughed in her face. I was always the kid who used to hide behind the bike sheds and smoke rather than run and always had a magical illness when it came to sports day.
When I got home a poster for the Couch 2 5K (C25K) program came up by a friend, sharing the harriers post, so I signed up with the harriers and thought to myself 'what do you have to lose'. I took the plunge and instantly fell in love! It was hard, but I was getting out the house, working on my mental health, losing weight and was finally getting confident enough to make friends.
4 months later I'm still loving it, I'm 4 stone lighter and my mental health is the best it's ever been. I've completed 4 races, doing Longleat on Sunday and even signed up to the Weston half marathon. Just remember, I laughed at the idea of running, I'm now laughing at the idea of not running! I can honestly say running saved my life!
I may not be the fastest, I may not be the fittest or even the slimmest but it's not about that for me, it's about being with like minded people and loving the journey I am on! If I can do it, I believe anyone can! 🙂"