For some Monday Motivation I have the Lockdown Lowdown on Tom Dunning (@mental_health_runner). Tom feels ready and able to help overcome the mental challenges of the Lockdown, drawing from his own experiences.
What have you learnt about yourself during the Lockdown?
The entire lockdown situation has made me feel more confident in my role as a mental health advocate and supporter. When my mental health is at its lowest, I couldn’t leave the house; not because of laziness but because when I took a step out the house I would be struck with crippling anxiety. This makes me feel like i’ve had some form of training (Giving it a silver lining). This makes me feel confident that I can help wherever I can – even if it is to just stop and chat.
What are you doing to stay motivated?
To stay motivated im doing a lot of the challenges which are doing their rounds on instagram. Whether it is how long 6i can do a wall sit for, climbing mountains on my staircase, or even just learning how to dance via youtube ( Looking at you frank turner – Little Changes).
I’ve adopted an ideology that “everyday we get through is one less day of the lockdown” a statement which is all too true 🙂
What are you most looking forward to when we get out of Lockdown?
Im looking forward to three things:
1) meeting back up with my friends
2) being able to spend time with my family and
3) Lacing those trainers up in the start line!
What rearranged event are you looking forward to doing and why?
My re-arranged event would be race to the tower. It was set to be my first ultra marathon. After pushing my limit at the London marathon last year and reaching the “summit”, I feel like the next summit is that of an ultra. Hopefully the entries re-open next year for others in the series and would like to take on race to the stones.
What challenges have you set yourself in lockdown, or for when you get out?
The only challenge I have set myself is personally, I want to be able to hold my head up high, to say what I did and what I did to support others in this national crisis.
What makes you #runhappy
To make me feel #RunHappy is more than just going for a run. It is to help support others to get active and show everyone that it’s more than just going for a run or getting active. Its to get everyone to see that everyone’s run is personal to themselves and that no matter how you do it, there is no real wrong way aslong as you enjoy it. Being in the elements and feeling grounded to the moment 🙂
pickupthepacepaul 