Episode 2 Mind over Marathon


Episode 2

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Five months ago, 10 strangers with mental health problems

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set out on the challenge of their lives -

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to attempt the 2017 London Marathon.

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One in four adults will seek professional support

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for poor mental health at some stage of their life.

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It's a massive issue.

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You don't actually see the cup half-full,

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you see it just empty.

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You don't see any positive. You don't see the good bits.

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I couldn't make it stop.

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I couldn't make the thoughts stop.

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I just didn't see the point in life any more.

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Running can help improve mental wellbeing.

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This is going to give them a community, a structure.

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It's going to give them the endorphins.

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-You're convinced it can help mental health?

-Most definitely.

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From personal experience.

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I might just carry on running and just never feel depressed again!

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The endorphins are kicking in!

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The runners are being fully supported with experienced coaches,

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a nutritionist and a psychologist on hand.

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SHEREECE GROANS

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So far, it has been a long, hard road.

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Here we go!

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One runner, Steve, overcome by injury and anxiety,

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has decided that he won't make the starting line-up.

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For the nine that are still running,

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they've hit the 10K milestone.

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APPLAUSE

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But there's a long way to go.

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I'm in a lot of pain.

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So am I.

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Oh, jeez!

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I just feel like I'm not going to be able to do it.

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-This has knocked my confidence, though.

-OK.

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As the marathon approaches,

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they'll be getting some special support from the royals...

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-Hello!

-Hi, guys!

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..whose charity, Heads Together, aims to change the way we talk

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about our mental health.

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The shock is the biggest thing and I still feel, 20 years later,

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about my mother, I still have shock within me.

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You're the heroes because you're standing up there,

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very bravely, telling your stories.

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Taking on the 26 punishing miles will not just be

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a tough physical undertaking, but a mental one too...

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Why do people do this?

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I'm doing it, I'm doing it, I'm doing it!

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..but it could set them on a new path for the rest of their lives.

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We are now halfway through training, and coaches Charlie and Chevy,

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who have both found running an effective tool

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for dealing with their own mental health issues,

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are starting the second phase of our runners' training,

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where the marathon will finish.

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-Ta-da!

-Morning, gentlemen.

-Morning, sir.

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-How are we...

-Well, thank you. How are you?

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..this bright frozen morning here?

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Not a morning to be wearing Lycra, is it?

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There are plenty of layers underneath!

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Here we are in front of Buckingham Palace.

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This is the last corner as you come towards the end of the marathon.

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We've brought all our team down today.

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Why bring them out when they are still only halfway through training?

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It's important to just start visualising it, really.

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The better they can visualise it,

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the more prepared they are going to be for the day at hand.

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This last part on the curve

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is a really difficult part of the marathon.

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It really kicks in at that stage?

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The enormity of what you've achieved

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suddenly starts to hit you once your feet hit The Mall.

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-Morning!

-Billy, how are you? Nice to see you.

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-Hey! You know where it's at!

-Hello!

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-There's a lot of love!

-I know, it's all these cuddles!

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A lot of love.

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In 10 weeks' time, The Mall will be a sea of runners

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reaching the end of 26.2 gruelling miles.

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Completing it will be as much of a challenge mentally as physically

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and Chevy has a strategy to help them prepare themselves emotionally.

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Traffic lights.

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That's your finish line.

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I want to talk about visualisation and there is a lot of science behind

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top athletes using their imagination to help them perform better.

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If we can imagine something,

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our brains will learn to do it more efficiently.

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So, we're going to close our eyes.

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I really want you to start creating this picture in your mind, guys.

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All this training and you're at the start line.

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I want you to look around and I want you to see each other.

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What does the energy of the crowd feel like?

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I want you to imagine that.

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Halfway through the process, they have overcome huge amounts

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to get to this point.

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They've shown real strength of character to take on the training.

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All of us at some stage have got some level

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of mental health difficulty in their life.

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These aren't a group of people that are outside of society.

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This is society.

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And what I like about it is they're so different

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and so representative of different people across the board.

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Amongst them, Jake. He's a bar manager.

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Georgie is a police detective.

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Paul works as a removal man.

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And Mel is a hairdresser and mum of three.

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Who are you looking out for in the crowds?

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I want you to find a loved one.

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How does that make you feel?

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It did make me feel quite sick

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when we were talking about it,

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but in a good way, you know?

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This is going to be, probably... well, the biggest challenge

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of my life, really, as far as physically.

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And also mentally, as well.

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Rhian recently completed a 17-mile run to commemorate the fifth

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anniversary of her little boy, George,

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who died suddenly of pneumonia.

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Five days later, traumatised by the loss, her husband, Paul,

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took his own life.

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Rhian has since been suffering severe anxiety

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and the effects of post-traumatic stress.

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I can't live my life forever in their shadows.

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I can't.

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I want to, but I can't, and it's time I got out there

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and to cross that finish line will make me feel

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like I've accomplished something,

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but for the first time in a long time, I'm worth something.

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You've done it.

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You've completed 26.2 miles...

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Yeah, it does seem way more real.

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Yeah, it's like, actually, in a few months' time,

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we'll be right here running it and crossing the finish line,

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-which is pretty crazy.

-Yeah. Mad, isn't it?

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You're running your race,

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hear people cheering.

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So, I was just imagining myself, like, wanting to give.

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Then I imagined that I continued

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and then I saw, like, my son's head and, you know,

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then I saw my daughter, you know?

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It just... It just got me a bit emotional.

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I want you to do one final thing for me.

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A little dance.

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What does that little victory dance in your minds look like?

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-You OK?

-Yeah.

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-Aww!

-It's emotional.

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Have you allowed yourself to think about not finishing it,

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-or not doing it?

-No.

-No.

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-No.

-The only way I see myself not finishing is if I get injured.

-Yeah.

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And that will be heartbreaking.

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-For me, I'm not just doing this for myself.

-Yeah.

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If I had heard my story come from someone else,

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-that would have changed my life.

-Not a psychiatrist or a counsellor.

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-Yeah.

-Just somebody else.

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Just a normal person that I could identify with

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or I had something in common with

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or that I felt it was coming from a real place.

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It would have changed my life.

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At 23, Claudia is the youngest runner.

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She works in public relations and lives with purely obsessional OCD,

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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,

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which means she has intense and distressing intrusive thoughts.

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I remember as a child having weird mental rituals

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that I thought were normal.

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Which would be things like if I didn't touch the bedpost

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within one second then my whole family is going to die

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and stuff like that.

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It would go through phases and I thought they were completely normal,

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I thought everyone did that - it was just a kind of game in my head.

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It became more intense as I grew up and I was terrified.

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I couldn't be alone with my own thoughts.

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I couldn't do anything, couldn't feed myself, I couldn't...

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I couldn't do anything.

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And I just didn't see the point in life any more.

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Claudia didn't seek help with her problems until she was 17

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and has also since been diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

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Something that I wish I'd known when I was 17,

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is that mental illness isn't the end of your life.

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It's not a death sentence.

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It's not...

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It's not you committing yourself to being mentally ill forever.

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It's something you can live with.

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The training's only going to get harder.

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The intensity's going to ramp up,

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so how many will we have by the time we hit the start of the marathon?

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I really believe in this lot.

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I think they're going to do all right,

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but then I'm not running, they are.

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All of the runners suffer from depression

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and we are hoping that running, the release of endorphins,

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the routine of training, can provide a coping mechanism

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to help them gain control of it.

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DOG BARKS

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When I joined up to this,

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it was about how I can improve my depression.

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It's definitely helped me.

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I'm finding my feet again. I'm finding me again.

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I don't like the training.

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I don't like running, but running feels necessary for me.

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If I've done a decent run in the day,

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the next morning I get up feeling OK.

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It's a release, I think.

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We're all putting one foot in front of the other.

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But one runner is behind schedule in their training.

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-More?

-Yes, please.

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Shereece has been struggling to find the time between family commitments

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and juggling her career as a singer

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and now she's picked up a knee injury.

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-Cheers!

-Cheers!

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Shereece lived with depression as a teenager

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and after the birth of her first child

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she suffered postnatal depression -

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something that her family struggled to accept.

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I was so low. I couldn't see the world again.

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I kind of didn't want to be here any more.

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I didn't see the worth of me being here, being around.

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And it sounds really bad, but at that time you go blank.

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You don't actually see the cup half-full, you see it just empty.

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You don't see any positive.

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You don't see the good bits.

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And even though I saw the positive in my daughter,

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I still couldn't see that at the time.

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Everything just washed away from me.

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There were times when she came in

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and she just broke down crying

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with the little baby in a buggy.

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I said, "What's wrong? What's going on with my daughter?

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"What's wrong with her?"

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A lot of people don't really understand the real meaning

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of depression and what it can lead to.

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It's only now that I'm beginning to learn, at my age,

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I'm beginning to learn a lot more about depression.

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Claudia, Jake and Paul are taking on the next milestone.

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It's their most difficult challenge so far - the half marathon.

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Yeah. No, I feel really good, I feel really confident.

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Not this confident!

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Have you seen this?! I'm in the athletes' pen!

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I really don't think I said on the sign-up thing

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that I thought I was going to do it in one hour 30 or less,

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but that's what my number says, so that's a bit embarrassing!

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Even if I have to walk the whole bloomin' thing,

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I know I can finish it.

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Mentally, I feel a bit on edge at the moment.

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ALL: Three, two, one!

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STARTING HORN SOUNDS

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Jake has only recently moved back to Brighton.

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12 months ago, he reached a crisis point

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and returned to his mum's to recover.

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Everything feels out of your control when you're depressed.

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My mind forces these really negative thoughts upon me

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and I just have to deal with them and I can't snap out of it.

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You forget what feeling happy feels like and what's the point

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and wouldn't my family be better off without me, you know?

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Really horrible stuff enters your mind,

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which is why it's so important for me to now have an effective way

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of dealing with those feelings.

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Because without them, I...

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You know, I wouldn't even want to say.

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It's quite hot, as you can tell.

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Red face.

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-How are you feeling?

-Good.

-Happy?

-Yeah.

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I need a wee!

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Need a wee! Ha-ha!

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At this stage in training,

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completing 13.1 miles will keep them on schedule for the London Marathon.

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It's the furthest distance Paul, the man who hates running,

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has ever covered.

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There's no way I could ever dream of doing that six months ago.

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I just ran for 13 miles and I didn't stop!

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That's ridiculous!

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These three runners are doing far better than they ever thought.

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Oh, I feel great.

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I might just carry on running and never feel depressed again

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and just not care what anyone thinks of me.

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Well done!

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I was so happy to see you.

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I never do that.

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I never go, "Woo!"

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Oh, it was amazing.

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I feel a bit, like, high.

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-Yeah, I know. I do, as well.

-Endorphins.

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I feel proud of you!

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It's now six-and-a-half weeks to the marathon

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and Rhian's training has come to a standstill.

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She's making her second visit in a week to the physio.

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Oh, jeez!

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-It's quite tender, isn't it?

-Yeah.

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-It makes me want to be sick.

-Yeah. You all right?

-Yeah, yeah.

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-Do you want some water?

-No, I'm fine. It's just so painful.

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It's all fallen apart a bit and my mood's dropped, as well.

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You think... You were so excited and my confidence was getting better

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and now I'm, like, "I can't do anything."

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So, I feel...

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I just feel like I'm not going to be able to do it.

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I just want to prove that I am worth something.

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I just want to do something for myself

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that will make me feel better.

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Coping with the mental pressure of marathon training is a challenge,

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but it's even tougher for our runners.

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Since training started, Poppy has found her own way of dealing

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with negative thoughts that stem from a troubled childhood.

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Yeah, I write a lot.

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A heck of a lot.

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This one says, "Today I started off wanting to quit

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"and not wanting to ever run again,

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"but then I finally got out and went for a run. Yea!

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"After the run I felt amazing.

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"As the day has gone on and I've started to feel like

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"I can't do anything right or well enough.

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"This is all a learning curve and I will get there,

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"with or without the people around me."

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Obviously, the more personal ones I don't want people to read.

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Yeah, I'm not going to read you that one, that one's a bit neep.

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Poppy is 26.

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Her childhood depression and anxiety

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have been compounded by post-traumatic stress

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following a robbery in her home.

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PTSD is a humongous thing in my life.

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Prime example, I was in Camden the other day walking around,

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and just the sheer amount of people

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set me off.

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And I just went into a mad, anxious panic attack-ish mode

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and I am either going to break down and start crying

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or I'm going to get really angry

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and do anything and everything to protect myself.

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So that is what I deal with on an every-single-day basis.

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I think for me, running a marathon,

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I want to show everyone and anyone that's ever doubted me,

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or looked for the worst in me,

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to see that I have actually done something...

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..that is pretty incredible.

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To have any chance of completing this year's London Marathon,

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the runners must now not only clock up the miles...

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Get that breath under control.

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..but engage in an intense strengthening regime

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to ensure their bodies

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are capable of withstanding the strain.

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Tighten up the core. I want everything nice and tight.

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Go down. Hold it, hold it, hold it!

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Running on the spot, welcome to your hamstrings. Go, go, go.

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But not everyone is on course.

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With six-and-a-half weeks to go,

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Jake has developed a debilitating ankle injury.

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I'm gutted, obviously,

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cos Brighton Half Marathon was just probably one of the best experiences

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of my life, and I'm really starting to see the correlation

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between exercise and my state of mind.

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I want you to push hard against my hand.

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It's been a tough week.

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I feel really worried about my ankle.

0:17:350:17:37

Hopefully, I can carry on and be there on the start line on the 23rd.

0:17:370:17:42

Yeah.

0:17:450:17:47

Shereece has managed to come back from her knee injury.

0:17:490:17:53

But she's now several weeks behind in training.

0:17:530:17:56

With her partner at home looking after the children,

0:17:560:17:59

-Chevy has asked Shereece to come to a one-to-one.

-How are you?

0:17:590:18:03

I've lost it. I don't know where to start.

0:18:030:18:06

-Basically, it just got worse and worse.

-Start at the beginning.

0:18:060:18:09

I'm so tired and I'm so drained, however, I can't stop.

0:18:090:18:12

I just feel it's impossible for me to stop.

0:18:120:18:15

Even if I get a day off, it's never a day off,

0:18:150:18:17

I am always still wakening up at six in the morning,

0:18:170:18:19

just to make a life for myself and my children, you know.

0:18:190:18:23

I think everyone thinks I'm dealing with it nicely

0:18:230:18:25

instead of, like, "OK"...

0:18:250:18:27

So you need a conversation. Right?

0:18:270:18:30

-SOBS:

-Cos everyone thinks I'm so strong.

0:18:300:18:32

OK, all right. I know. I know.

0:18:320:18:34

My family just think I've got it wrapped tight

0:18:340:18:36

because I'm usually so good at everything I do,

0:18:360:18:39

but this is not my comfort zone.

0:18:390:18:40

OK. So...

0:18:420:18:45

-Do you want some backup?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, all right.

0:18:450:18:48

This is the time that you need for you to do this.

0:18:490:18:53

-This is the support that we need to get there, right?

-Yeah.

0:18:530:18:56

And you need to be honest with them about your journey, right?

0:18:560:18:58

You know, you need to ask for help.

0:18:580:19:01

This doesn't feel like it's going to be

0:19:010:19:04

too much of a challenge to get over, to get everyone on side.

0:19:040:19:06

I could do so much more.

0:19:060:19:07

We'll do that. We'll plan it. We'll sort it out.

0:19:070:19:09

-We'll get you on track. Cool?

-Yeah, absolutely.

-Yeah? Yeah?

0:19:090:19:13

All right, good.

0:19:130:19:14

We'll provide Shereece with all the support we can

0:19:160:19:18

to give her the best chance of making it

0:19:180:19:21

to the marathon start line.

0:19:210:19:22

This is Silverstone, the home of Formula 1 Grand Prix racing,

0:19:330:19:36

but this weekend, it's got the pre-London Marathon half marathon.

0:19:360:19:39

It's suggested that people who are going to run the marathon

0:19:390:19:42

take part in this as a bit of a warm up, and our guys and girls

0:19:420:19:45

are here today to test themselves and see how far they can get.

0:19:450:19:48

For Sam, Georgie and Poppy,

0:19:510:19:53

it's their first half marathon during training.

0:19:530:19:56

Do you know what? I need this today. I need this in my life.

0:19:560:19:59

-For Claudia, it's her second.

-Cool?

0:20:010:20:02

I know I can do it. That's the main thing.

0:20:020:20:05

Mel isn't quite ready yet,

0:20:050:20:07

and she'll join Jake on the sidelines, along with Rhian.

0:20:070:20:11

-You look fantastic.

-Mwah. Thank you.

0:20:110:20:13

I can't run today, and I can't train.

0:20:130:20:15

Yeah, but isn't the problem that you've been over-training anyway?

0:20:150:20:18

-Yeah.

-Cos you're the other one that's not running cos you've got,

0:20:180:20:21

-like, again, injury.

-Yeah. What ankle is it? Is it your left?

0:20:210:20:24

-This one.

-Oh, mine's the other one.

-Inside. The inside.

-Yeah. Same.

0:20:240:20:27

-Right on the inside.

-You've got one pair of good legs between you.

-Yeah.

0:20:270:20:30

-We could've done it like this.

-Yeah, I know.

0:20:300:20:33

There is some extra moral support.

0:20:330:20:35

Steve, who had to drop out, has already achieved a victory today.

0:20:350:20:39

He's overcome his severe anxiety of long train journeys

0:20:390:20:42

and large crowds to spur the runners on.

0:20:420:20:45

-Hello, sweetheart.

-Oh!

0:20:450:20:47

-How are you?

-I'm so tired.

-Are you tired?

0:20:500:20:53

-Were you at work?

-Yeah.

-Oh, no.

0:20:530:20:54

What time did you finish work?

0:20:540:20:56

-Four in the morning.

-Sweetheart, go on, are you running?

-Yeah.

0:20:560:20:59

Oh, come on. You'll be fine. Do your best. Do what you can.

0:20:590:21:02

Working a late night shift has heightened Poppy's anxiety.

0:21:040:21:08

It's very overwhelming. This is extremely overwhelming.

0:21:080:21:12

There's thousands of people here.

0:21:120:21:14

For me, this is the most scariest thing I've done.

0:21:140:21:17

HOOTER

0:21:170:21:19

Yay!

0:21:220:21:25

It's great to have most of the team back together.

0:21:270:21:30

But I've noticed that being unable to run is affecting Jake's mood.

0:21:300:21:35

So how are you doing now? Are you managing?

0:21:350:21:37

Me, about a year or two ago, just wouldn't have come today,

0:21:370:21:41

there is no way,

0:21:410:21:42

cos I haven't been feeling great all week, and it's just,

0:21:420:21:45

I don't want to be the downer.

0:21:450:21:47

So there's obviously some improvement there.

0:21:470:21:51

Today would have been a total write-off if I'd have been at home.

0:21:510:21:53

I would have had the most horrible day knowing that everyone was here

0:21:530:21:56

and I've just binned it off because I don't want to do it.

0:21:560:21:59

I'd rather you were here, because it feels like you're still part of it.

0:21:590:22:03

You are one of the better people to be here to maybe offer advice and...

0:22:030:22:07

-Yeah.

-..that kind of thing.

-Maybe.

0:22:080:22:10

THEY LAUGH

0:22:100:22:12

Oh, Jake!

0:22:120:22:15

Feeling good.

0:22:200:22:22

Whether my legs will say the same thing after, I don't know.

0:22:220:22:27

THEY SHOUT ENCOURAGEMENT

0:22:270:22:29

Are we ready to hit fifth gear yet, Chev?

0:22:290:22:31

No, nice and light! Nice and light.

0:22:310:22:33

-I'm having a lot of pain.

-So am I.

0:22:360:22:39

We're in pain.

0:22:390:22:40

I'm worried about Poppy.

0:22:420:22:44

You know, she really wants to do this today,

0:22:440:22:46

she needs to do this today.

0:22:460:22:47

This can make and it can break you,

0:22:470:22:49

and she's had a lot of bad days lately,

0:22:490:22:50

so it would just be lovely for her

0:22:500:22:52

to have a really great day and feel really good about herself.

0:22:520:22:55

My knees are just hurting.

0:22:560:22:58

I'm finding it really hard to take control of my breath.

0:23:000:23:03

I want to show the people that are really close around me that,

0:23:040:23:08

"Look, I've done something really good

0:23:080:23:10

"and I've done something that's amazing."

0:23:100:23:12

My siblings, we all came from, like, the same background.

0:23:120:23:16

And we've all gone in different directions, so for me,

0:23:170:23:20

it will be acceptance for myself.

0:23:200:23:22

But I think I'm running it for them, as well, to prove to them that...

0:23:220:23:26

Oh, my God, I'm going to cry.

0:23:260:23:28

This is what I don't want to happen. To prove to them that I can do it.

0:23:280:23:33

(Oh, my God.)

0:23:350:23:37

-Do you want to walk for a minute?

-Yeah.

0:23:440:23:46

Sam and George are the fittest and most experienced runners

0:23:510:23:54

in the whole group.

0:23:540:23:56

-There he is! Sam!

-Sam!

-Eyes up, eyes up, eyes up.

0:23:560:24:01

-Moving well.

-He looked good, didn't he?

0:24:040:24:07

Yeah, really good.

0:24:070:24:09

Are you all right? I'm proud of you. Well done.

0:24:090:24:11

Come on!

0:24:130:24:15

-You look energised again.

-Thank you. Thank you.

0:24:180:24:20

Poppy and Claudia have been on their feet for over two hours.

0:24:250:24:29

Poppy has never pushed herself this hard, either mentally or physically.

0:24:300:24:35

-You are a legend, Claudia.

-Why?

0:24:350:24:39

I wouldn't have done it.

0:24:390:24:40

I'm just doing what you're doing, mate.

0:24:400:24:42

Poppy set out on just two hours' sleep.

0:24:440:24:48

But with help from Claudia, she's found the mental strength

0:24:480:24:51

to keep going and make it to the finish line.

0:24:510:24:56

Here they are. Here they are. Here they are! Yes!

0:24:560:24:58

Yes, yes, yes, yes!

0:25:010:25:04

Go on!

0:25:070:25:08

You looked beautiful.

0:25:120:25:13

Brilliant. That was amazing!

0:25:140:25:17

-Thank you.

-Come on. Come on.

0:25:170:25:20

SHE SOBS

0:25:200:25:22

You are allowed to be proud of yourself, you know.

0:25:220:25:24

You are allowed to be proud of yourself.

0:25:240:25:27

SHE CRIES

0:25:270:25:31

You are putting one foot in front of the other

0:25:310:25:33

every single day at the moment.

0:25:330:25:35

This is your day. This is to celebrate you.

0:25:350:25:38

Are you proud of Claudia? Who did it with you? Who did it with her?

0:25:440:25:51

Be proud together. Be proud together.

0:25:510:25:54

You're amazing. Amazing.

0:25:540:25:57

Hearing everyone say to me how proud they are

0:25:590:26:03

is really hard for me to accept.

0:26:030:26:06

And the people that I WANT the appreciation from aren't here.

0:26:060:26:10

And aren't supporting me through this.

0:26:100:26:12

People that I've only just met are already showing me

0:26:120:26:15

more than I get anywhere else.

0:26:150:26:19

I cannot understand that in my head.

0:26:190:26:21

Do you think it might be to do with the fact that these people,

0:26:210:26:24

because of their own situations, and their own mental health issues,

0:26:240:26:28

understand better than the average person?

0:26:280:26:31

-That might be something to do with that.

-Yeah, of course. Of course.

0:26:310:26:34

When they see this, they'll understand better.

0:26:340:26:37

I just want to go home and sleep now.

0:26:380:26:40

-You did really good. You did amazing today.

-Thank you.

0:26:420:26:45

I'm still making the mistake of trying to rationalise my way

0:26:460:26:50

through mental health. So, succeed in a marathon, you'll be happy.

0:26:500:26:54

Fail, you won't be. Not really as simple as that.

0:26:540:26:57

Have just crossed the line, not feeling happy

0:26:570:27:00

because it's brought up all kinds of other emotions.

0:27:000:27:02

It's always counterintuitive,

0:27:020:27:04

and if you try to stick with the "rationalise your way through",

0:27:040:27:07

it doesn't work.

0:27:070:27:08

You just have to accept how people are telling you that they feel

0:27:080:27:11

on the day and be there to support them. That's what I'm learning.

0:27:110:27:14

You just have to listen and be there to support them.

0:27:140:27:16

But they make a hell of a group, don't they?

0:27:180:27:20

I'm hungry.

0:27:210:27:22

Let's go and find something to eat.

0:27:220:27:24

Let's go down the line. Let's go! Get those feet going.

0:27:360:27:40

A little while ago,

0:27:400:27:41

I did an interview with Prince William who told me that

0:27:410:27:44

he would like to come down and meet some of the guys, so today,

0:27:440:27:47

we have brought everybody to St Mary's University in Twickenham.

0:27:470:27:50

He's bringing his wife and his brother, too.

0:27:500:27:53

So it will be a nice little surprise for our runners.

0:27:530:27:56

'The young royals are patrons of the charity Heads Together.'

0:27:580:28:01

How are you, Your Royal Highness? Good to see you. Hello.

0:28:010:28:03

'Through their work with young people, emergency response,

0:28:030:28:06

'homeless charities and with veterans,

0:28:060:28:09

'they've been inspired

0:28:090:28:10

'to break the stigma surrounding our mental health,

0:28:100:28:12

'raise awareness, and get the nation talking.'

0:28:120:28:15

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hi, guys.

-We brought some people to say hello.

0:28:160:28:21

Hi, I'm Rhian, nice to meet you.

0:28:220:28:24

Through her involvement with the children's charity,

0:28:240:28:26

Shereece has met the Duchess of Cambridge before.

0:28:260:28:29

-Hi, good to see you again. How are you?

-Your hair looks amazing.

0:28:290:28:32

-Thank you.

-Are you guys enjoying it?

-ALL:

-Yes.

0:28:320:28:35

This is a whole new sort of venture for everybody, right?

0:28:360:28:38

Do you find the fact that you are all doing it together,

0:28:380:28:41

and you've all got sort of similar experiences, does that help you all?

0:28:410:28:43

It makes a huge difference when you are doing something

0:28:430:28:46

so big with people that you can relate to.

0:28:460:28:49

Right, take us through a warm up. Start gently running on the spot,

0:28:490:28:51

running on the spot, nice and gently.

0:28:510:28:53

Good, we're going to go quickly, quickly, quickly...

0:28:530:28:55

Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

0:28:550:28:58

Do you not normally train with three members of the Royal Family?

0:28:580:29:01

I certainly do whenever I want to go down the gym.

0:29:010:29:03

HE LAUGHS

0:29:030:29:05

Is it possible to pull a hamstring on a warm up, that's the question.

0:29:050:29:08

We are going to teach you a few drills.

0:29:080:29:10

Keep your arms nice and locked in. Three, two, one, off you go.

0:29:100:29:13

Can you keep the arms stable without letting them sway? Use that core.

0:29:130:29:17

-Like holding a balloon.

-Yeah, exactly, that's it.

0:29:170:29:20

-I feel like I should have a rugby ball.

-Surreal, very, very crazy.

0:29:200:29:24

-I ran with Her Royal Highness, Kate.

-Let's go. Thank you very much.

0:29:240:29:29

APPLAUSE

0:29:290:29:31

Do you mind me asking you how you guys ended up

0:29:310:29:33

getting involved in the first place?

0:29:330:29:35

A lot of my stuff, except for the PTSD, comes from my childhood.

0:29:350:29:40

I wanted to do it so that younger children

0:29:400:29:43

who might be in a similar environment that I was,

0:29:430:29:46

or a little bit of a turbulent whatever,

0:29:460:29:49

don't have to go down that path and follow their surroundings.

0:29:490:29:52

For me, it was, I love my parents,

0:29:520:29:54

and they've been incredibly supportive,

0:29:540:29:56

but they're of the generation where you didn't talk about it.

0:29:560:29:58

And going through this journey, for me and for them,

0:29:580:30:01

it's been a huge learning curve.

0:30:010:30:03

That it is OK to talk about it,

0:30:030:30:04

and talking about it is the best thing to do.

0:30:040:30:06

That's a huge part of why we are doing this.

0:30:060:30:08

That early intervention,

0:30:080:30:10

do you think that is crucial for both of you?

0:30:100:30:11

The earlier, the better.

0:30:110:30:13

100%. If I would have had good intervention from a young age,

0:30:130:30:16

it would've been perfect for me.

0:30:160:30:18

I mean, presumably once you started realising

0:30:180:30:20

you had mental health issues,

0:30:200:30:22

did you find that the stigma, the taboo was there a lot?

0:30:220:30:24

I think people automatically think, as soon as you say mental health,

0:30:240:30:27

"We have to put you in a straitjacket."

0:30:270:30:29

-It's really not.

-I know.

-Anxiety is a mental health issue.

0:30:290:30:32

And I reckon half the public have anxiety. You just don't know it.

0:30:320:30:35

-I think you two are incredibly brave. I really do.

-Thank you.

0:30:350:30:38

The fact that you are here talking about this,

0:30:380:30:40

it's incredible, it really is. You should be very proud of yourselves.

0:30:400:30:42

-Thank you very much.

-I want to give both you both a big hug

0:30:420:30:45

cos I think you are very, very special.

0:30:450:30:47

The reason why I push and fight so much for younger children

0:30:490:30:54

to get recognised, I feel like I've just completed it.

0:30:540:30:57

Cos I've just told, potentially, the future King of the country,

0:30:570:31:01

-why I am doing what I'm doing.

-What was his reaction?

0:31:010:31:04

Do you think he's engaged? Do you think he's listening?

0:31:040:31:06

Do you think he cares?

0:31:060:31:07

He was really positive

0:31:070:31:08

and he truly believed and understood what I was saying.

0:31:080:31:11

And then he gave me a hug, which completely blew my mind.

0:31:110:31:13

THEY LAUGH

0:31:130:31:15

What advice would you give, out of interest?

0:31:150:31:17

I mean, experience in the forces, men talking,

0:31:170:31:19

it must be a very hard place.

0:31:190:31:21

I think it's always going to be a big thing.

0:31:210:31:23

Some people want to go to their doctor.

0:31:230:31:25

Some people will go to brothers, sisters, parents.

0:31:250:31:27

Other people will go to mates.

0:31:270:31:28

Other people will go to complete strangers. Try it all.

0:31:280:31:31

And go to wherever you feel more comfortable.

0:31:310:31:33

It was my mum and my dad and my stepmum who said,

0:31:330:31:35

"You need to go to the doctor's."

0:31:350:31:37

You know, and it wasn't me that did it, at first.

0:31:370:31:40

And I could have gone earlier and I could have made the choice.

0:31:400:31:42

And I knew I should have gone. And it's just a case of, like, just go.

0:31:420:31:46

If you think that you have got a problem, just go and see a doctor.

0:31:460:31:49

I think the lads similar to me, or whatever,

0:31:490:31:51

-they probably just think, "I'm just down."

-I'm just having a bad day.

0:31:510:31:54

"I'm just having a bad day. You know, like, I'm just down.

0:31:540:31:56

"Pull yourself out of it..." kind of mentality. And it doesn't matter.

0:31:560:32:00

Just go and talk to someone about it.

0:32:000:32:02

What do your families think about you guys doing this?

0:32:020:32:04

I guess for a lot of us, we don't really discuss...

0:32:040:32:07

We keep this to ourselves, you know?

0:32:070:32:09

We don't really talk about it with our close friends and family.

0:32:090:32:12

But even the process of making this documentary has been massive

0:32:120:32:15

because we're going to have to start

0:32:150:32:16

talking to our friends and family about it.

0:32:160:32:18

That's one of the reasons why we started this whole thing,

0:32:180:32:20

cos there was a national conversation that was happening

0:32:200:32:23

and people were talking about mental health more and more and more.

0:32:230:32:26

As a nation, we need to grip this.

0:32:260:32:27

Talking about mental health is best for everybody.

0:32:270:32:29

It doesn't matter who you are.

0:32:290:32:31

How has the training helped with everything? Has it been...

0:32:310:32:35

Have you found that sort of physical-mental connection?

0:32:350:32:38

It was difficult in the beginning because my body was not used

0:32:380:32:40

to anything, I was in such pain. I was miserable. I was stressed.

0:32:400:32:44

But for the past four times I've been training,

0:32:440:32:46

I've had very good runs,

0:32:460:32:48

-but obviously with the kids, it's a bit difficult.

-I know.

0:32:480:32:50

-I don't know how you find time.

-Running has really helped me.

0:32:500:32:53

I didn't believe it at first.

0:32:530:32:55

When people said, "Oh, running can help you," I said, "No."

0:32:550:32:57

But now that I'm running I'm like, "You know what? They were right.

0:32:570:33:00

"It really does help."

0:33:000:33:01

And that's why I'm so proud and I'm just so thankful that,

0:33:010:33:04

you know, you, and, like, someone as supportive as you,

0:33:040:33:08

have recognised it and is putting it out there.

0:33:080:33:10

You are the heroes, really,

0:33:100:33:11

because you are standing up there very bravely telling your stories.

0:33:110:33:15

And, you know, we hope to shine a light on people like you.

0:33:150:33:19

Because I think that is what the public need to hear.

0:33:190:33:21

Best of luck with your running.

0:33:210:33:23

-Thank you so much.

-And the rest of the training as well.

0:33:230:33:28

-I love your jacket.

-Thanks, I love yours, too. It's really cool.

0:33:290:33:33

I feel so blessed because they believe in this.

0:33:340:33:37

So it's not like they're just here because they have to,

0:33:370:33:39

they actually believe in this.

0:33:390:33:41

And it makes you feel stronger as a person, to fight more

0:33:410:33:43

and get the message out there.

0:33:430:33:45

Do you feel there is still the stigma connected to mental health?

0:33:460:33:49

With me, now, I'm out about it.

0:33:490:33:51

I won't shut up now talking about mental health.

0:33:510:33:53

And people who know me are just so supportive.

0:33:530:33:56

To think back where I was 12 months ago,

0:33:560:33:58

I'm proud of having depression,

0:33:580:33:59

I'm proud of suffering a mental health disorder,

0:33:590:34:02

and I'm using it in a positive way.

0:34:020:34:04

It has sort of set us on a life journey,

0:34:040:34:06

not just until the marathon,

0:34:060:34:08

it's what we are going to do for the rest of our lives, really.

0:34:080:34:11

How have you managed to deal, yourself,

0:34:110:34:13

with some of these mental health challenges?

0:34:130:34:15

Have you had to just literally deal with them yourself

0:34:150:34:17

and kind of like just take each day as it comes, at times?

0:34:170:34:20

You've had really dark days where that's been just...

0:34:200:34:22

Yeah, obviously, when my son George died, you know,

0:34:220:34:25

life was just, for me, over, really,

0:34:250:34:27

and then when Paul died a few days later...

0:34:270:34:29

I just really struggled.

0:34:310:34:32

So I found my friends were my counsellors, really.

0:34:320:34:34

I think being open about it must help as well, doesn't it?

0:34:340:34:37

Because a lot of people really do hunker down about it

0:34:370:34:39

and don't want to talk about it.

0:34:390:34:40

One of the things we're trying to promote through the campaign

0:34:400:34:43

is just having a conversation with a friend, like you were saying,

0:34:430:34:45

and it's great to hear that that has also helped you.

0:34:450:34:48

It is, and, obviously, what happened to my husband, as well,

0:34:480:34:50

you know, Paul was just such a positive person,

0:34:500:34:52

and for him to hide those feelings of despair...

0:34:520:34:54

Most men do not talk about their mental health issues at all,

0:34:540:34:56

let alone any other problems. Mental health problems is really deep down.

0:34:560:35:00

We don't talk about that.

0:35:000:35:01

I worry about my son, obviously, you know,

0:35:010:35:03

he was only three when my...his dad died,

0:35:030:35:05

and his brother died, you know,

0:35:050:35:06

so I worry about him growing up as well in society,

0:35:060:35:09

so I want to lift the mental health thing, you know,

0:35:090:35:12

for my children, really, as well, as they grow older.

0:35:120:35:14

Yeah. Well, I think you're incredibly strong.

0:35:140:35:16

I don't know how you're managing to do all this.

0:35:160:35:18

-It's incredibly impressive.

-Can ask you one question?

-Please do.

0:35:180:35:21

-When your mum passed away...

-Yeah.

0:35:210:35:22

..you were obviously a bit older than my children,

0:35:220:35:24

-but I obviously worry about them growing up.

-Yeah.

0:35:240:35:27

-They'll be OK, won't they?

-They'll be absolutely fine.

0:35:270:35:29

With a mum like you, they'll be absolutely fine.

0:35:290:35:31

I promise. That's true. They will be.

0:35:310:35:32

-You've got to...

-It's about what's around you, isn't it?

-I know, but...

0:35:320:35:35

No, it's the fact that, because you're aware of all this,

0:35:350:35:38

you're already a step ahead of what could happen.

0:35:380:35:41

You try and understand your emotions a lot more than, probably,

0:35:410:35:45

-someone who's just lived life without any issues.

-Yeah.

0:35:450:35:47

And I think that's... That's quite critical,

0:35:470:35:49

because it's then explaining to them what

0:35:490:35:52

those emotions mean and why they feel like they do,

0:35:520:35:54

because once you start rationalising a little bit, and you understand,

0:35:540:35:57

"OK, so I'm really angry, or I'm really down,

0:35:570:35:59

"or I'm really upset about something,"

0:35:590:36:01

then you can, kind of, I think, sort of, relativize it

0:36:010:36:04

and, sort of, deal with it.

0:36:040:36:05

Because, like you said, the shock is the biggest thing,

0:36:050:36:07

and I still feel, you know, 20 years later about my mother...

0:36:070:36:10

I still have shock within me, you know, 20 years later.

0:36:100:36:13

And you think... People go, "Shock? That can't last that long,"

0:36:130:36:15

but it does. You never get over it.

0:36:150:36:17

-It's such an unbelievably big moment in your life...

-Yeah.

0:36:170:36:21

..that it never leaves you.

0:36:210:36:22

-You just learn to deal with it.

-Yeah.

0:36:220:36:24

And, you know, you being there for Holly and Isaac

0:36:240:36:26

is the most important thing,

0:36:260:36:27

because you will provide the blanket of, kind of,

0:36:270:36:31

-stability and understanding that they need.

-Yeah.

0:36:310:36:33

And I can't tell you enough, you know,

0:36:330:36:35

that you doing this is an incredibly big, positive step,

0:36:350:36:38

and I really hope it brings you what you need.

0:36:380:36:42

It's something I've been thinking about

0:36:420:36:43

a lot over the last few years, because you see them out there

0:36:430:36:46

in the public eye, happy and getting on with life.

0:36:460:36:49

It just made me want to know,

0:36:490:36:51

"Will my kids be all right?" You know? And when he...

0:36:510:36:54

He was so honest, and he just answered,

0:36:540:36:55

and he said straight up, you know, "They will be all right, you know,

0:36:550:36:58

"if they are brought up in a loving, caring environment."

0:36:580:37:00

Because they've got a great mum?

0:37:000:37:02

-Yeah.

-Haven't they?

0:37:040:37:05

Yeah.

0:37:050:37:06

The runners are entering the final stage of training.

0:37:170:37:21

Putting in the miles is now essential.

0:37:210:37:24

And there's good news for Jake -

0:37:250:37:27

after intensive physio, he's back on the road.

0:37:270:37:30

And so is Rhian -

0:37:310:37:33

training with George is reaping benefits for them both.

0:37:330:37:37

-So, Fridays you can do?

-Good for me.

0:37:370:37:39

And I'll come over and we'll run your little loop,

0:37:390:37:41

-cos that's what I'm bad at.

-Good. And do you know what?

0:37:410:37:43

-It'll make me go out with someone, cos I'm rubbish at that.

-Yes.

0:37:430:37:45

-Yes, we'll have each other.

-I'll stop being such a loner.

0:37:450:37:48

-Cheers!

-Cheers!

0:37:480:37:50

But marathon training never runs smoothly -

0:37:500:37:53

Claudia has been managing a long-term back injury...

0:37:530:37:56

See, that hurts there.

0:37:560:37:58

..and the pain has forced her to stop.

0:37:580:38:00

Oh!

0:38:000:38:02

There we go.

0:38:020:38:03

I feel like I've got quite a high pain threshold,

0:38:030:38:05

but I still want to enjoy it.

0:38:050:38:08

I still want...

0:38:080:38:11

I still want to feel like I've made an accomplishment,

0:38:110:38:13

and I've not just, like, bullied myself into doing it.

0:38:130:38:17

I guess I'm just worried, because it feels like a, kind of,

0:38:170:38:20

tipping point, where I need to make these decisions,

0:38:200:38:22

and I don't really want to,

0:38:220:38:24

because now it's so close that I'm thinking,

0:38:240:38:26

"Am I actually going to be able to do this?"

0:38:260:38:28

And not just that, but, "Is it a good idea?"

0:38:280:38:32

Which is really scary.

0:38:320:38:33

Let that relax.

0:38:330:38:34

It's also a crucial time for Shereece.

0:38:360:38:39

Today she must complete 13.1 miles to stay on track.

0:38:390:38:43

Her partner, Chavez, her children and the rest of her family

0:38:440:38:48

have turned up en masse to help her cross the finish line.

0:38:480:38:51

Go, Shereece!

0:38:510:38:53

Mummy!

0:38:530:38:54

Your mummy, your mummy!

0:38:540:38:56

We've got the family supporting her, so hopefully that should

0:38:560:39:00

give her the motivation and make her feel like,

0:39:000:39:02

"You know what? I don't want to give up.

0:39:020:39:04

"I want to make myself proud, my kids proud and my family proud.

0:39:040:39:07

Go on, Shereece!

0:39:070:39:09

I can't believe she's actually doing it.

0:39:100:39:12

I look at her and I think, "Wow!"

0:39:120:39:13

You know what I mean? She's actually out there. She's running.

0:39:130:39:16

She's come out of her little shell.

0:39:160:39:18

As her family, it really does encourage all of us.

0:39:180:39:22

Go, girl! You're doing well!

0:39:220:39:25

I've told my mum things, and she's listened to me,

0:39:250:39:27

but I don't think she understood it well enough. She was like, "OK."

0:39:270:39:30

But I'm so happy now that I've helped her recognise that

0:39:300:39:32

your mental health is very important.

0:39:320:39:35

It's exciting to watch Mummy because she's not giving up.

0:39:360:39:42

Shereece, just keep going, yeah? Keep going!

0:39:420:39:44

She's on her last lap! She's looking great. She's smiling.

0:39:450:39:48

She's loving it. Her kids and family are running with her.

0:39:480:39:51

What more do you want? It's amazing.

0:39:510:39:52

Keep going!

0:39:520:39:54

Before this project, Shereece had only ever run at school,

0:39:540:39:57

but now she's conquered 13.1 miles.

0:39:570:40:00

Shereece Foster, well done! Finishing her first half-marathon...

0:40:000:40:04

Get your medal!

0:40:060:40:07

Thank you.

0:40:070:40:08

-Auntie SeSe with a medal!

-Yay!

0:40:100:40:12

Auntie SeSe with a medal!

0:40:120:40:14

-CHEERING

-Yay!

0:40:150:40:17

Do you understand how proud they are of you right now?

0:40:190:40:24

-Shereece...

-Go and give them a cuddle!

0:40:240:40:27

CHEERING

0:40:270:40:29

I'm not on the floor. I'm not trying to gasp for air.

0:40:290:40:31

I'm still standing up.

0:40:310:40:33

I'm just really...just proud of myself.

0:40:330:40:36

I did a half-marathon!

0:40:360:40:38

Erm...

0:40:380:40:39

I did a half-marathon!

0:40:390:40:41

All of the runners have now successfully completed

0:40:490:40:52

a half-marathon, but heading for a full marathon will mean

0:40:520:40:56

so much more than just doubling the miles.

0:40:560:40:59

For the last two weeks,

0:41:000:41:01

we've all been willing Claudia's back injury to improve.

0:41:010:41:06

So, where are you at with it at the moment?

0:41:060:41:08

What's the... What's the news?

0:41:080:41:09

-It's just unbelievably painful.

-Is it?

0:41:090:41:13

I can't run, so I've not...

0:41:130:41:17

I'm... I've decided not...

0:41:170:41:18

-Not to do the marathon.

-..not to put myself through it.

0:41:180:41:21

I genuinely... Hand on heart, it's one of the hardest decisions

0:41:210:41:24

I've ever had to make.

0:41:240:41:26

And I still, now, seeing everyone running,

0:41:260:41:28

and seeing everyone excited about the marathon -

0:41:280:41:31

you know, it's two weeks tomorrow -

0:41:310:41:34

I still think, "Have I made the right decision?"

0:41:340:41:36

But this was never really about the marathon, was it?

0:41:380:41:40

Are you identifying things that you've got from the process?

0:41:400:41:43

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.

0:41:430:41:45

I have learnt a lot. I've learnt that it's OK not to be OK.

0:41:450:41:49

You can tell people how you feel,

0:41:490:41:51

and they probably won't react how you expect them to react.

0:41:510:41:54

I'm so... I'm so happy,

0:41:540:41:56

and I'm so grateful that I got to do this, and I...

0:41:560:41:59

I genuinely feel like one day I will finish the marathon...

0:41:590:42:02

-Good.

-..but now's just not the right time.

0:42:020:42:04

But you're not NOT part of it,

0:42:040:42:05

because we're all going to be part of it, right the way up to the end.

0:42:050:42:08

For those able to make the start line,

0:42:100:42:12

the final stage of marathon training is a long run to build up endurance.

0:42:120:42:17

OK, start running on the spot, nice and gently.

0:42:170:42:19

Six of the runners have come together to give each other support.

0:42:190:42:23

Being here with everyone again today,

0:42:230:42:25

you just realise you're not alone,

0:42:250:42:26

and it's going to be a real joint effort,

0:42:260:42:28

and, however nervous we are, we're all going to be in the same boat.

0:42:280:42:31

We're going in three, two, one...

0:42:310:42:33

-TIMER BEEPS

-Get lost.

0:42:330:42:34

Go, go, go, go!

0:42:340:42:36

Chevy has assigned individual targets.

0:42:380:42:42

They've each to spend three-and-a-half hours on their feet...

0:42:420:42:45

..but Poppy has decided not to take part.

0:42:470:42:51

He's going to have a go at me, but I just don't feel in it today.

0:42:510:42:55

Do you think you're sabotaging it?

0:42:550:42:57

-No.

-No?

-Yes.

-Are you sure? Yeah.

-Maybe.

0:42:570:42:59

-There we go, self-sabotage.

-Maybe.

0:42:590:43:01

You know you can do the work and you want to do the work,

0:43:010:43:03

but if you don't do the work, you can say,

0:43:030:43:05

-"Just cos I didn't put the work in," right?

-Mm-hmm.

0:43:050:43:07

Stop self-sabotaging. Believe.

0:43:070:43:09

OK.

0:43:100:43:11

Deal? Think about it?

0:43:110:43:13

-Yeah.

-OK.

0:43:130:43:14

Like everything, it has its days where it rears its head,

0:43:140:43:18

and I do stuff like this,

0:43:180:43:22

and then instantly regret it,

0:43:220:43:23

cos I want to be there with them running it.

0:43:230:43:26

If I had my running trainers on me right now,

0:43:260:43:28

I would have been trying to catch them up.

0:43:280:43:30

The runners have been on the go for one-and-a-half hours.

0:43:340:43:38

I think I need my knee checked.

0:43:380:43:39

-Shall we have a chat with the physio?

-Yes, please.

0:43:390:43:41

Of course. I think that would be a great idea.

0:43:410:43:44

Ugh!

0:43:460:43:47

-OK, so, since my half, which was two weeks ago...

-Yeah.

0:43:470:43:50

..I was recovering, obviously, with the pain everywhere,

0:43:500:43:53

but I noticed that this was left painful.

0:43:530:43:55

OK. Have you noticed it if you're out walking upstairs or downstairs?

0:43:550:43:58

-I notice when I come...

-Does it hurt more when you come down?

0:43:580:44:00

Yeah, when I come down.

0:44:000:44:01

-It hurts when you come down?

-Yeah.

-OK.

0:44:010:44:03

Yeah, that's going to be rest and ice.

0:44:030:44:06

Oh, so...

0:44:060:44:07

-SHEREECE GROANS

-Oh, no, no, no.

0:44:070:44:09

-What are you thinking, Shereece?

-Can I just do some more, like?

0:44:100:44:13

If we push through, the injury's likely to get worse.

0:44:130:44:18

We've done really, really well, but we can't, you know...

0:44:180:44:21

The body is giving you warning signals, as it has been doing.

0:44:210:44:24

The thing that makes this get better is rest.

0:44:240:44:26

This is a hard process.

0:44:260:44:28

I'm not going to be able to do the full marathon, then,

0:44:280:44:30

if that's the case.

0:44:300:44:31

Let's think about everything that you've achieved.

0:44:340:44:37

It's not failure, it's just learning about yourself.

0:44:370:44:41

All right?

0:44:410:44:42

And you've got to listen to your body.

0:44:420:44:44

Shereece's knee injury will take at least two weeks to heal,

0:44:480:44:53

but, like Claudia, it must be her decision to pull out.

0:44:530:44:57

SHEREECE SOBS

0:44:570:44:59

I'm not running.

0:45:020:45:04

-You're not running?

-No.

0:45:040:45:05

SOBBING

0:45:050:45:07

I've been through exactly the same thing,

0:45:080:45:11

just a little bit sooner.

0:45:110:45:13

It's heartbreaking, and it really feels like you've, kind of,

0:45:130:45:16

let yourself down, but you haven't.

0:45:160:45:17

In fact, it's...

0:45:170:45:18

I think it's the braver decision to decide that you're not going to

0:45:180:45:22

do it this year.

0:45:220:45:23

-You know?

-So, what am I going to tell my daughter, then?

0:45:230:45:25

SHE SIGHS

0:45:250:45:27

Would you want your daughter to do something

0:45:270:45:29

she physically couldn't do? You wouldn't. If she said,

0:45:290:45:31

"Mummy, I've hurt my leg. Should I still run in sports day?"

0:45:310:45:35

You'd say no, wouldn't you?

0:45:350:45:37

-And that doesn't take anything away from her journey.

-OK.

0:45:370:45:40

It doesn't take anything away from yours.

0:45:400:45:42

You physically can't run, if you're in physical pain.

0:45:420:45:46

I just need to accept it.

0:45:460:45:47

I just have a hard time accepting defeat.

0:45:470:45:49

I don't know...

0:45:490:45:51

SHEREECE SIGHS

0:45:510:45:53

I need to put the day aside and look at what I gained from this.

0:45:560:46:00

The biggest thing I've learnt is that I've got to accept,

0:46:000:46:05

you know, when I've done something good.

0:46:050:46:07

I've got to learn to just appreciate myself,

0:46:070:46:10

and to say, "All right, you've done well. It's OK. Relax."

0:46:100:46:13

So, it's making me aware of myself.

0:46:130:46:15

It really is making me aware of my mental health

0:46:150:46:18

and saying, "OK, you know what? I do that quite a lot."

0:46:180:46:21

So I can only be in a... I can only be in a better place, right?

0:46:210:46:24

I managed 11.3 miles, which in my language is 18K,

0:46:270:46:31

which sounds much better.

0:46:310:46:33

So, yeah, I feel really good.

0:46:330:46:36

I've done 15 miles.

0:46:360:46:38

I'd probably say it's probably time to stop, just in case,

0:46:380:46:40

cos of my ankle.

0:46:400:46:42

So, yes! Yahoo!

0:46:420:46:43

I mean, this is our final run before the marathon,

0:46:450:46:47

-which is crazy to think.

-Mm-hmm.

0:46:470:46:49

This is it. We've got two weeks to go.

0:46:490:46:51

Yeah, I'm just more excited about everything now.

0:46:510:46:53

I'm eager to get to the start, to the start line, yeah.

0:46:530:46:56

After 144 days of hard graft,

0:47:030:47:06

many miles and emotional highs and lows, the big day has arrived.

0:47:060:47:11

I've got up, had a couple of cups of tea,

0:47:120:47:14

showered, hair done..

0:47:140:47:17

All ready.

0:47:170:47:18

Pre-match nerves.

0:47:200:47:21

Once I've put this on, it gets really real.

0:47:230:47:26

My sisters messaged me and told me they was coming, which is amazing.

0:47:260:47:30

It means a lot for me to have them there, and for them to see me

0:47:300:47:35

cross the finish line, which is what they're going to see.

0:47:350:47:38

Obviously, I've got my number, now, ready on my vest.

0:47:380:47:41

I've got a picture of my boys to keep me going.

0:47:410:47:43

I wanted it up on my heart, really, but, erm, obviously,

0:47:430:47:46

the number's going to be in the way.

0:47:460:47:48

I feel like I'm living a future memory. Do you know what I mean?

0:47:480:47:51

Like, I know I'm going to look back on this day forever,

0:47:510:47:55

and that's amazing, and I'm really chuffed.

0:47:550:47:57

I'm relaxed enough and happy enough to just enjoy it.

0:47:570:48:00

Let's rock and roll.

0:48:000:48:02

We started off with ten,

0:48:060:48:07

and we wondered how many would get to the start line.

0:48:070:48:10

They're all here.

0:48:100:48:11

The three that aren't running are sad that they're not,

0:48:110:48:13

but they are going to be here to support the others.

0:48:130:48:15

There's no doubt that they are a team together.

0:48:150:48:18

I think it's amazing.

0:48:180:48:19

-Yay!

-Let's get on!

0:48:190:48:21

And the royals have come along to offer some last-minute support.

0:48:210:48:24

CHEERING

0:48:240:48:26

We're here. This is our time.

0:48:270:48:29

We said from day one that you have got this.

0:48:290:48:32

The road will kick back on you, but the road cannot take your mind

0:48:320:48:37

-anywhere that it has not already been.

-Yeah.

0:48:370:48:39

You have been into the darkest of places, so when it is kicking

0:48:390:48:42

-back at you, you keep pushing forward...

-Whoo!

0:48:420:48:45

..you run with that power, that energy,

0:48:450:48:49

-you keep going even though you don't want to...

-Yeah.

0:48:490:48:52

..and you own today.

0:48:520:48:53

-One, two, three...

-ALL:

-Mind over marathon!

0:48:530:48:56

Let's roll!

0:48:560:48:57

KLAXON

0:48:570:48:59

CHEERING AND YELLING

0:49:020:49:05

26.2 miles.

0:49:050:49:08

It's a marathon.

0:49:080:49:09

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, people!

0:49:090:49:11

Have a great run!

0:49:110:49:13

At the six-mile point, Shereece, Claudia and Steve have joined

0:49:220:49:26

thousands of spectators, and the royals, to cheer the runners on.

0:49:260:49:30

Whoo!

0:49:300:49:31

Just five months ago, Steve's anxiety wouldn't have allowed

0:49:320:49:36

him to battle crowds like this.

0:49:360:49:39

I've done something I never thought I do,

0:49:390:49:41

and I've done it on my own.

0:49:410:49:43

I'm actually here,

0:49:430:49:44

and I hope I can move forward from this now for something better.

0:49:440:49:48

CHEERING

0:49:490:49:51

It's so emotional to think that, you know,

0:49:540:49:56

I should have been there but I'm here supporting everybody.

0:49:560:49:59

I just want to see everybody, and then I can relax,

0:49:590:50:02

so I'm a bit anxious right now.

0:50:020:50:03

I want to see everybody and then I can calm down.

0:50:030:50:05

Come on! You're all incredible!

0:50:050:50:07

Come on!

0:50:070:50:09

-Yeah!

-Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

0:50:100:50:12

Words will never describe how much I want to be with them.

0:50:120:50:16

I desperately, desperately want to be running with them...

0:50:160:50:19

..but it doesn't take away from how happy I am for them.

0:50:210:50:24

CLAUDIA SCREAMS JOYFULLY

0:50:240:50:26

Along the course, family are here to support their loved ones.

0:50:350:50:38

CHEERING

0:50:400:50:42

I think this has been so good for him,

0:50:420:50:44

and I think, without this, I think it would have been very hard,

0:50:440:50:49

and not just for him, but for the family.

0:50:490:50:51

You know, your... The families go through it with them,

0:50:510:50:53

but this has been the best thing ever.

0:50:530:50:57

CHEERING

0:50:570:50:59

Good luck.

0:51:070:51:08

He's still got quite a lot of bound in him, hasn't he?

0:51:080:51:11

-Oh, bless him...

-Oh, dear.

0:51:110:51:13

Come on, Rhian!

0:51:130:51:15

-CHEERING

-Thank you.

0:51:150:51:16

-She's OK...

-Yeah.

0:51:160:51:17

-..and she's smiling, so, as long as she's smiling, we're OK.

-Yes.

0:51:170:51:21

Amazing. Everyone's just shouting my name and supporting me.

0:51:210:51:25

It's absolutely phenomenal.

0:51:250:51:26

I couldn't have ever believed it'd be like this.

0:51:260:51:28

I've just got to finish it now!

0:51:280:51:30

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:51:300:51:32

We are on Tower Bridge.

0:51:360:51:39

We are halfway through this mad, mad marathon.

0:51:390:51:44

Sam is now way out in front,

0:51:480:51:51

just a matter of miles from the finishing line -

0:51:510:51:54

a scene of human strength, determination and compassion.

0:51:540:51:59

All our runners are now entering unknown territory,

0:51:590:52:02

reaching distances beyond their training.

0:52:020:52:05

It's ridiculous.

0:52:050:52:06

I... I...

0:52:060:52:08

-Well, why do people do this?

-MAN LAUGHS

0:52:080:52:10

I agree with the running, but do they need to run so far?

0:52:100:52:14

I'm doing it, I'm doing it, I'm doing it... I'm...

0:52:150:52:18

-SHE SOBS

-I'm still moving.

0:52:180:52:20

CHEERING

0:52:210:52:23

My legs are getting a little bit heavier,

0:52:230:52:25

but we're getting a big crowd now, so that automatically lifts you.

0:52:250:52:29

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:52:330:52:35

After four long hours pounding the streets of London,

0:52:380:52:41

Sam is approaching the end of 26.2 gruelling miles.

0:52:410:52:47

I just want them all to come home, and I'm excited cos the first

0:52:470:52:49

of them is due over the line fairly soon.

0:52:490:52:52

There he is! There he is! Sam!

0:52:550:52:58

Whoo! Yeah!

0:53:000:53:01

SAM WHIMPERS AND SIGHS

0:53:030:53:05

Well done, Sam.

0:53:070:53:09

I'm emotionally exhausted, man.

0:53:090:53:11

It's just, like, all the thoughts of everything you've gone through

0:53:110:53:14

over six months just goes through your head,

0:53:140:53:16

and you just can't stop. You've just got to keep going.

0:53:160:53:18

-You relived everything?

-Just got to keep going.

0:53:180:53:20

Well, you're amazing.

0:53:200:53:21

That was one of the best things I've ever done,

0:53:250:53:27

but also one of the worst things I've ever done.

0:53:270:53:29

LAUGHTER

0:53:290:53:31

Five months ago, Paul hated running -

0:53:310:53:33

he still does, but he's just completed one of running's

0:53:330:53:37

biggest challenges.

0:53:370:53:39

-Come on!

-Yes, come on, Paul! Yes, come on, Paul!

0:53:390:53:41

Come on!

0:53:410:53:42

-You beautiful human, you.

-PAUL SOBS

0:53:460:53:49

Yeah, brother.

0:53:490:53:50

Well done, man.

0:53:510:53:52

Well done. Something to be proud of, right?

0:53:530:53:56

Never again.

0:53:560:53:57

LAUGHTER

0:53:570:53:59

There is no way...

0:54:000:54:01

I mean, it is... It's really hard, this, but it's meant to be hard.

0:54:010:54:04

There was a struggle to get here to the finish line,

0:54:040:54:06

but I'm here and I feel immensely proud.

0:54:060:54:08

It's the best thing I've ever done.

0:54:080:54:10

Around the corner are friends and family, and the rest of the team.

0:54:110:54:16

Sam!

0:54:160:54:19

Oh, my God, you did it!

0:54:190:54:21

Oh, I'm so proud of you.

0:54:210:54:23

Lovely, girl. Lovely.

0:54:230:54:24

Three down, four to come.

0:54:260:54:28

Rhian due any moment now.

0:54:280:54:30

-There she is.

-There she is.

-Rhian!

-Yeah!

0:54:340:54:36

-Yay!

-Rhian!

-Hello!

0:54:360:54:38

There she is!

0:54:380:54:40

Aw... RHIAN SOBS

0:54:400:54:42

Rhian, well done!

0:54:420:54:44

SOBBING

0:54:440:54:46

I just wish they were here to watch me finish.

0:54:480:54:50

Aw...

0:54:500:54:52

They're watching you finish.

0:54:520:54:53

You did it. You did it.

0:54:550:54:57

-You did it. You did it. You did it.

-Yeah.

0:54:570:54:59

-You did it.

-Yeah.

0:54:590:55:01

-Well done.

-Thank you.

0:55:010:55:03

Really well done.

0:55:030:55:04

-RHIAN SIGHS

-I'm so proud of you.

0:55:040:55:06

-APPLAUSE

-Yes! Yes!

0:55:070:55:10

I can't believe I've just run 26.2 miles.

0:55:100:55:13

Yeah, I just feel...

0:55:140:55:16

I just can't believe how lovely people have been to me...

0:55:160:55:19

-SHE SNIFFLES

-..and I'm just going to have to take that

0:55:190:55:21

and try and use it a little bit.

0:55:210:55:23

I just wanted to do this,

0:55:230:55:25

and I did it for me,

0:55:250:55:26

and I think that it's going to

0:55:260:55:28

help me in the long run as well.

0:55:280:55:30

RHIAN SOBS

0:55:300:55:32

Thank you.

0:55:330:55:34

Jake and Poppy have run the entire 26.2 miles together.

0:55:370:55:42

Poppy!

0:55:440:55:45

Come right here, come right here, come right here...

0:55:450:55:48

Come right here!

0:55:480:55:49

Yes, brother. Thank you.

0:55:490:55:51

Well done, man.

0:55:510:55:53

Oh, I can't believe you made me do that.

0:55:530:55:56

Brilliant.

0:55:560:55:57

'Poppy hasn't seen her sisters along the marathon route.'

0:55:590:56:03

I hope there's special people waiting for me.

0:56:040:56:07

If they're not there, I totally understand,

0:56:070:56:11

but if they are, then, amazing.

0:56:110:56:13

POPPY SNIFFLES

0:56:130:56:15

-CHEERING

-Oh, well done, you.

0:56:170:56:20

There she is!

0:56:210:56:22

Waiting for Poppy are her niece and two sisters.

0:56:220:56:26

WHISTLING AND APPLAUSE

0:56:260:56:28

It's all right.

0:56:300:56:32

So, this whole moment,

0:56:330:56:35

being surrounded by everyone that I've run with, and my sisters,

0:56:350:56:38

and they're all mingling and they're all happy

0:56:380:56:40

and they're all fine together, and that run made that happen.

0:56:400:56:44

That would never have happened otherwise.

0:56:440:56:46

SHE SNIFFLES

0:56:460:56:48

We're just waiting for Mel to come in now. I'm still anxious for her.

0:56:530:56:56

I'm like, I need to see her come in, and then I can finally just relax.

0:56:560:56:59

You know, it's like my babies.

0:56:590:57:00

I'm waiting for my babies to come home, basically.

0:57:000:57:03

APPLAUSE

0:57:030:57:05

Yes!

0:57:050:57:06

Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel!

0:57:080:57:09

-Don't stop! Don't!

-You're almost there. Keep going.

0:57:090:57:12

-We don't want you to stop.

-Come on, come all the way over.

0:57:120:57:14

-Come on, come on, come on!

-Go, go, go, go, go!

0:57:140:57:16

Yes!

0:57:160:57:17

Can I carry on?

0:57:170:57:18

-That's the way to do it. Yes!

-Whoo!

0:57:180:57:22

I literally... I cannot walk cos it hurts too much,

0:57:220:57:25

so I've got to carry on.

0:57:250:57:26

I can't stop!

0:57:260:57:28

-OK. She's there, look.

-Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!

0:57:280:57:31

CHEERING

0:57:310:57:34

Come on.

0:57:340:57:35

Yay!

0:57:350:57:37

Yes!

0:57:440:57:45

-You just did a marathon!

-I know.

-And a bit more!

0:57:450:57:48

-And all the... And all you did too.

-Exactly.

0:57:480:57:50

Sorry. Congratulations!

0:57:500:57:51

It's such a unique group.

0:57:530:57:56

It's always been such a safe environment.

0:57:560:57:58

Everyone gets it,

0:57:580:58:00

and that's the best thing about it,

0:58:000:58:01

cos everyone understands what it's like to go through

0:58:010:58:04

the horrible stuff we go through.

0:58:040:58:06

We'll be friends for life, I know that.

0:58:060:58:09

Look at the difference in these people from the people that

0:58:090:58:12

first arrived in that room when you started the training,

0:58:120:58:15

and it only happens if you listen and talk to each other,

0:58:150:58:18

and that's all it is.

0:58:180:58:19

That's what I've learnt is that you just need to listen

0:58:190:58:21

and make people feel that they can talk without being judged.

0:58:210:58:26

What an amazing group of people.

0:58:260:58:28

CHEERING

0:58:300:58:32

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