A 177-mile marathon for mental health
The 42-year-old has tried everything from self medicating with drugs and alcohol to trying anti-depressants from the doctor, but neither have worked.
But Alan’s story isn’t one of self pity and sharing his misery with the world. It is one of inspiration and sharing advice to anyone else that may have sunk to the dark depths of life that he is all too familiar with.
“The things that have helped me were being able to talk openly and honestly,” he said. “Be that with friends, family or counsellors. I've spoken to them all over the years, and every conversation has helped. Also, physical activity, has and does, play a huge role in keeping me mentally well.”
Well known to many in the Welshpool area, the Bishop’s Castle resident is now using his love of running to spread his message through a mammoth 177-mile run the length of Offa’s Dyke on June 21.
“Over the last few years I have got more and more into long distance running,” he said. “I nearly always run on trails and footpaths. Being close to nature and out "whatever the weather" makes me feel peaceful and content.
“The mental challenge to keep going when it hurts and I'm tired is similar to those days in life when I want to quit and hide from the world.
“Ultra running to me is just like life, and it’s made my life so much better. It’s taught me to dig inside myself when I'm feeling empty, and that I have more to give than I ever thought I did.”
His north to south challenge along the Welsh border will include an elevation gain of nearly 30,000 feet which is the equivalent of going up Mount Everest from sea level, and then back down again.
“I want people to be aware of how exercise and running can help, and how we are capable of more than we think.”
Alan will be raising money for The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), the leading movement against suicide which is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.
“They do so much to help people that struggle with mental health issues, and now more than ever so many of us are in need of support and someone to talk to,” he said.
You can support Alan’s monumental effort through https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alan-bateson1.
About CALM: A free and anonymous helpline (0800 58 58 58) and webchat (5pm-12am daily) staffed by trained professionals, also providing bereavement support. The web site, with inspiring content, is www.theCALMzone.net.
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