Mental health wanderer

Roman Run 16 Miles PB ✅️

Time - 1:55:49 / 3 minute Personal Best.
Age Category - 2nd
Overall - 8th

Really happy with how today went, started off strong, maintained and finished strong.

This was a test to see how I've recovered from Switzerland and I'm happy with how it turned out.

Massive thank you to Dennis and all volunteers, its a truly special event and never fails to deliver.

Well done and all the best to those runners still battling the route!

When you feel like giving up, that's the perfect chance to become unstoppable!

̇ni̇ng

Race day! 💥

Lets go!

Good luck to all runners!

Keep going even if it makes no sense.

“Your only limit is the one you set for yourself.”

̇ni̇ng

There was a time when I didn’t know if I was going to make it out of a room which looked very similar to this.

I spent months in there, completely trapped in my own head going through the highs, lows and dark thoughts that controlled my every move. The days eventually blurred into nights and I was surrounded by the things that had become normal to me, ashtrays, a b**g, mess, isolation and a version of myself that was disappearing a little more every day.

At the time when I lived in Cardiff, I didn’t see a future version of myself sitting on the other side of it all. I couldn’t imagine having a clear head, feeling strong, being present, or looking back at that period without wanting to run from it, I was in a bad place and it was only getting worse.

But eventually I got through it.

And when I look at this picture now, I don’t see someone I’m ashamed of, I see someone who was hurting, someone who was lost and someone who didn’t know how to stop, but somehow found enough strength to keep going.

I wish I could sit beside that younger version of me and tell him that the pain wouldn’t last forever. That one day he would wake up and realise he wasn’t just surviving anymore, he was actually living.

Recovery didn’t happen overnight, and it certainly wasn’t easy.

But every day I stayed away from that life was another day I was building something better.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I’ll never forget where I came from.

If you’re still in that place, please don’t give up on yourself. You might not be able to see the person you could become yet.

Keep going, your future self will be grateful.

Race ready - Very basic flatlay ahead of one of the most exciting races I do all year, the Roman Run from Brecon to Cyfartha Castle, a mixture of trail and road running which makes this also the fastest race I'll do all year.

I don't intend to go all out, this is slipped in with my training, but I will be going out there to have some fun!

Good luck to anyone preparing to race this weekend!

Have a blast and remember keep going if it makes no sense 🤙

I’ve experienced su***de from more than one side, and it’s something that has stayed with me for a long time.

I’ve lost friends to su***de, I’ve lost colleagues, and there was a moment in my life when su***de defined the outcome of my childhood. These where people who were here one day and gone the next, leaving behind questions, memories and a lot of people trying to make sense of something that sometimes doesn’t make sense.

I’ve had my own moments in life where things became incredibly dark, moments where I struggled to see a way forward and understood, in a small way, just how difficult that place can become.

That’s why I’ll never call su***de cowardly, because it isn’t.

Behind every person is a story, a struggle and a pain that we may never fully understand.

That’s why talking matters, listening matters and checking in matters.

You don’t need the perfect words, and you don’t need to fix someone’s problems.

Sometimes simply saying, “I’m here. Talk to me,” can make more of a difference than you realise.

So if things feel heavy, please don’t feel like you have to carry them alone. Reach out to someone you trust and if you’re worried about someone else, check in.

Ask the question, Are you in a bad place? It won't make them feel any worse, but could make them open up to you and save them from the dark thoughts.

Always in my thoughts Ducky.

***deawareness

After a full on training week I'd just like to highlight a few products I've been using -

I’ve been using Highland Fuel Nutrition during my longer training sessions, taking it consistently to keep my carbohydrate intake up and energy levels steady throughout. Easy to use and a great way to stay on top of my fuelling while the training volume builds.

I’ve been using TrailSkin throughout my training to help protect my feet and reduce the impact of long hours on the trails. A simple part of my kit that helps me stay comfortable when the miles start building.

I’ve been using Awesome Supplements Protein and Collagen to support recovery after training. Easy to mix, great taste and a simple way to get my protein in after the longer sessions.

I’ve been using Just Good Stuff Total Wellness a simple daily green powder that helps me get more greens and nutrients into my diet while training.

TRAILBOUND running vest, a new entry to my kit but something I've found very good for the price and will be my go to vest for future competitions after putting it through its paces over the last few weeks.

Also like to include the ZENONE poles I've been using, they are unique and very light!

Discount links in bio.

**Highly recommend all these products, I earn no commission and wouldn't share if they didn't work.**

Finishing the week off like 10 year old boys running through muddy puddles and having the time of our lives! Quality company as always Adam Peach ⛰️

Overall, a great end to the training week before going into the Roman Run next weekend!

Distance - 110km
Time on feet - 16 Hours
Strength - 4 Hours
Mobility - 4 Hours
Yoga - 5 Hours

Have a great bank holiday!

Lets go!

̇ni̇ng

How do you tell people your a trail runner without saying your a trail runner?

Aberdare parkrun No poles required 😅