Learning how to run 100km helped me to accept and acknowledge what having an epilepsy diagnosis means and how it affects me mentally as well as physically.
Running on my own boosted my mental and physical well-being enormously. Running within a supportive community took it to the next level and parkrun gave me both
Despite the sore legs and tired muscles, my passion for running grew and it became my rush. The release that I had once found in alcohol and drugs, was now clean, pure and in my control.
When I developed a dependency on running, it took a long time for me to. Admitting it means you know something is not right and I didn’t want to know something wasn’t right
When I’m out pounding the pavements, I don’t have to worry about anything else in my life. It’s become my relief, my refuge and my replacement for booze.
I never really entertained the idea that exercise could help my mental health but what persuaded me to go for my first run was the motivation and inspiration from my community psychiatric nurse