Why I want to run 220 miles alone
Head Up
As with all of my running this year, I am raising money for the new Head Up Charity. Founded by Paul Minter Its vision is to stem the increasing number of suicides within the military community by empowering people to turn things around before their issues have the chance to become life-threatening. They'll do this by creating a unique, holistic countryside retreat that removes the existing barriers to getting the right help. Seven-day residential courses will provide personalised mental-health support for serving and retired members of the Army, RAF, Navy, and Royal Marines. They plan to catch those at risk of falling through the cracks in current provision. By design, the retreat will have a non-militarised atmosphere no triggering Forces paraphernalia, photographs, uniforms, or hierarchies. A calm, natural and luxurious environment will help guests feel welcome and valued and give them space to work on their mindset and learn new skills for challenging negative thought and behaviours. Although guests can be recommended to them by military organisations and charities, the NHS and businesses who employ veterans, they can also self-refer.
"Our mission is to change this, to raise mental health awareness for UK Armed Forces, and empower members of the military community who are at breaking point to recover their mental health and enjoy a more positive, and happier future."
Why do I want an FKT?
It seems that I have had to go a bit further ech time in order to persuade people to sponsor me but that isnt the only reason.
I am more than aware that I will never be “the fastest” and this is why I am setting an OKT (only known time) I’m also not “elite” nor have any wish to be. I am however persistent and have an innate “don’t quit” philosophy, this hasn’t always been a good thing but I’ve found it comes in handy on challenges like these. I love to push myself on, to find my limit and see if I can surpass it.
I’m a firm believer in records being set and broken, which is what they’re there for after all. So, whilst this won’t be an unbeatable time, it’ll be a target for others to strive for and I hope I can give a good account of myself.
The Route
This route has been on my “to do” list since at least 2020 when I saw that it had no time set. It looked like an awesome challenge and certainly doable but also quite daunting. Connecting four of England’s great running trails, The North Downs Way, The South Downs Way, The Ridgeway and The Thames Path; It’s a 220 mile loop around historic Wessex, the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Alfred the Great. The route starts and ends in Winchester where Alfred is buried, and connects iconic monuments including Stonehenge, Avebury stone circle, Iron Age hill forts, Farnham Castle, and Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals. I love the history behind this and if any of you have watched “The last Kingdom” you’ll probably know why.
It has since had a “supported” time recorded and this is a great target to aim for, that said I also know that it will likely be broken when “Beyond Marathon” have it as a race in August this year.
Anyone following my story or running journey will know I am a massive advocate for mental health and the benefits that exercise and being outside can give. I am also well aware of how difficult dealing with your own issues can be. This is more prevalent in men, for a number of reasons but mainly because we keep things to ourselves a lot.
Throughout this route I will be alone, this is a great simile of dealing with mental health, we can often feel alone when dealing with things and have only our own “head space” to help I know that this is going to be tough on my body but it will also be difficult mentally too. Being in your own head for any length of time does however teach you a lot about yourself and can often lead to even further insights and I actually enjoy “dancing with my demons" for this very reason. I know that this run is going to hurt, that said however I think that by knowing it, accepting it, even embracing it can offer a cathartic healing to the mind.
Relying on only myself to ensure I am fed and watered, that I make the correct decisions in the moment and that I am following the correct route whilst tired is going to take some serious physical and mental endurance. This challenge is both exciting and a little scary and I can’t wait!