It’s said that when you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with an agreement of “me too”, to hold on to them. These people become your tribe and out of a tribe of like minded souls, wonderful things can happen. There’s not many people who would have that light bulb moment of running 240km across Ireland but when Andrea Splendori suggested a Greystones to Galway run for mental health, his tribe banded together and the ‘Mindful West Run’ was born.
Speaking about where the idea came from, Andrea said ”Every year a group of us – between 6 and 10 people – would pick an ultra distance run somewhere in Europe and spend months preparing and training for it.
Normally at the beginning of April, so that we have get out on cold wet winter morning.
This time we thought, Why not doing an ultra distance in Ireland? and over a conversation – during an early morning run – the idea was formed, with the view of including people outside of our immediate group and let them experience what we come to nurture and cherish as our own “valve”.
Now there are 18 people running and many more doing it virtually.
We are a very diverse group of people, different age, sex, fitness levels and backgrounds.
Just like society itself.
Some of the people in the group have run 127 km in one day, some never run more than 10km up to a couple of months ago, some are joining to tackle some of their inhibiting mental health challenges, some because they want to give back to the charities that have help them on the journeys, others simply are finding solace and strength in the comradeship created by events such as this.
All of us are taking part with one goal in mind: create a meaningful conversation around mental health by helping each other getting across Ireland on foot.
Like life itself, it will be one step at the time. If we were looking at the distance in its entirety all of us would have second thoughts.
We have been training fairly hard and occasionally we have managed to get a good few of us together, but due to Covid19 and logistics, we are yet to be on the road all together.
I am really looking forward to witness and document the bond that is going form amongst us all while pounding the pavement slowly and with plenty of time to talk to one another.
Behind the scene there has been a monumental amount of work being done by all involved, from organising food and menus, to mapping the route, accommodation, transport and fundraising.
That alone has created an amazing team spirit and people strengths are coming to the fore.
A beautiful safe and trusty environment has been created organically and new friendships are already well on the way.”
In a time when things are so uncertain, there is real certainty in the monumental challenge ahead but one which will see this group of people become a family over three days on the road.
The camaraderie, fun and friendship will be the most important part of the journey, after that, it’s just the little matter of a 240km run.
The Mindful West Run will take part on September 17th – 19th from Greystones to Galway and all funds raised will go to A Lust for Life and CMRF Crumlin. Please support the run here.
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