Spectrum’s Head of Nursing and Clinical Effectiveness Lead in the Nursing and Quality Team, Mari, conquered the 45th London Marathon on Sunday 27 April in support of Shaw Trust – a charity dedicated to providing hope and skills for a better future.
Shaw Trust works across the UK, helping children and young people thrive, supporting people into meaningful work, improving community health and wellbeing, and even assisting individuals in rebuilding their lives after custody.
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, we asked Mari her thoughts on running and mental wellbeing:
Why did you decide to take on the London Marathon, and how does running help with your mental wellbeing?
“The London Marathon has been on my bucket list forever – mainly because I never thought I would achieve it, I remember watching it on telly as a child and I now I was going to be part of it. It is one of the best marathons in the world, so if I was going to run a marathon – that was going to be the one that I would aim to achieve.
I have never been a runner, in fact I always hated exercise! But following the pandemic, I found myself struggling with motivation and health, and so my fitness journey began. I get a feeling of freedom when I run; there is no noise, no stresses, no thinking of the things that I still need to do… running is my time. Sometimes, I take the dogs and sometimes I just walk – but it helps me balance everything. There is a sense of peace, freedom and contentment, as well as exhaustion, struggling to breath and not falling over.”
