Episode 2 Mind over Marathon

Five months ago, 10 strangers with mental health problems

set out on the challenge of their lives -

to attempt the 2017 London Marathon.

One in four adults will seek professional support

for poor mental health at some stage of their life.

It's a massive issue.

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

you see it just empty.

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

I couldn't make it stop.

I couldn't make the thoughts stop.

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

Running can help improve mental wellbeing.

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

It's going to give them the endorphins.

-You're convinced it can help mental health?

-Most definitely.

From personal experience.

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

The endorphins are kicking in!

The runners are being fully supported with experienced coaches,

a nutritionist and a psychologist on hand.

SHEREECE GROANS

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

Here we go!

One runner, Steve, overcome by injury and anxiety,

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

For the nine that are still running,

they've hit the 10K milestone.

APPLAUSE

But there's a long way to go.

I'm in a lot of pain.

So am I.

Oh, jeez!

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

-This has knocked my confidence, though.

-OK.

As the marathon approaches,

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

-Hello!

-Hi, guys!

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

about our mental health.

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

about my mother, I still have shock within me.

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

very bravely, telling your stories.

Taking on the 26 punishing miles will not just be

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

Why do people do this?

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

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

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

who have both found running an effective tool

for dealing with their own mental health issues,

are starting the second phase of our runners' training,

where the marathon will finish.

-Ta-da!

-Morning, gentlemen.

-Morning, sir.

-How are we...

-Well, thank you. How are you?

..this bright frozen morning here?

Not a morning to be wearing Lycra, is it?

There are plenty of layers underneath!

Here we are in front of Buckingham Palace.

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

We've brought all our team down today.

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

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

The better they can visualise it,

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

This last part on the curve

is a really difficult part of the marathon.

It really kicks in at that stage?

The enormity of what you've achieved

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

-Morning!

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

-Hey! You know where it's at!

-Hello!

-There's a lot of love!

-I know, it's all these cuddles!

A lot of love.

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

reaching the end of 26.2 gruelling miles.

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

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

Traffic lights.

That's your finish line.

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

top athletes using their imagination to help them perform better.

If we can imagine something,

our brains will learn to do it more efficiently.

So, we're going to close our eyes.

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

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

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

What does the energy of the crowd feel like?

I want you to imagine that.

Halfway through the process, they have overcome huge amounts

to get to this point.

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

All of us at some stage have got some level

of mental health difficulty in their life.

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

This is society.

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

and so representative of different people across the board.

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

Georgie is a police detective.

Paul works as a removal man.

And Mel is a hairdresser and mum of three.

Who are you looking out for in the crowds?

I want you to find a loved one.

How does that make you feel?

It did make me feel quite sick

when we were talking about it,

but in a good way, you know?

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

of my life, really, as far as physically.

And also mentally, as well.

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

anniversary of her little boy, George,

who died suddenly of pneumonia.

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

took his own life.

Rhian has since been suffering severe anxiety

and the effects of post-traumatic stress.

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

I can't.

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

and to cross that finish line will make me feel

like I've accomplished something,

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

You've done it.

You've completed 26.2 miles...

Yeah, it does seem way more real.

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

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

-which is pretty crazy.

-Yeah. Mad, isn't it?

You're running your race,

hear people cheering.

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

Then I imagined that I continued

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

then I saw my daughter, you know?

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

I want you to do one final thing for me.

A little dance.

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

-You OK?

-Yeah.

-Aww!

-It's emotional.

Have you allowed yourself to think about not finishing it,

-or not doing it?

-No.

-No.

-No.

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

-Yeah.

And that will be heartbreaking.

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

-Yeah.

If I had heard my story come from someone else,

-that would have changed my life.

-Not a psychiatrist or a counsellor.

-Yeah.

-Just somebody else.

Just a normal person that I could identify with

or I had something in common with

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

It would have changed my life.

At 23, Claudia is the youngest runner.

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

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,

which means she has intense and distressing intrusive thoughts.

I remember as a child having weird mental rituals

that I thought were normal.

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

within one second then my whole family is going to die

and stuff like that.

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

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

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

I couldn't be alone with my own thoughts.

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

I couldn't do anything.

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

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

and has also since been diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

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

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

It's not a death sentence.

It's not...

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

It's something you can live with.

The training's only going to get harder.

The intensity's going to ramp up,

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

I really believe in this lot.

I think they're going to do all right,

but then I'm not running, they are.

All of the runners suffer from depression

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

the routine of training, can provide a coping mechanism

to help them gain control of it.

DOG BARKS

When I joined up to this,

it was about how I can improve my depression.

It's definitely helped me.

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

I don't like the training.

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

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

the next morning I get up feeling OK.

It's a release, I think.

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

But one runner is behind schedule in their training.

-More?

-Yes, please.

Shereece has been struggling to find the time between family commitments

and juggling her career as a singer

and now she's picked up a knee injury.

-Cheers!

-Cheers!

Shereece lived with depression as a teenager

and after the birth of her first child

she suffered postnatal depression -

something that her family struggled to accept.

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

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

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

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

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

You don't see any positive.

You don't see the good bits.

And even though I saw the positive in my daughter,

I still couldn't see that at the time.

Everything just washed away from me.

There were times when she came in

and she just broke down crying

with the little baby in a buggy.

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

"What's wrong with her?"

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

of depression and what it can lead to.

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

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

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

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

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

Not this confident!

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

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

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

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

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

I know I can finish it.

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

ALL: Three, two, one!

STARTING HORN SOUNDS

Jake has only recently moved back to Brighton.

12 months ago, he reached a crisis point

and returned to his mum's to recover.

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

My mind forces these really negative thoughts upon me

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

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

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

Really horrible stuff enters your mind,

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

of dealing with those feelings.

Because without them, I...

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

It's quite hot, as you can tell.

Red face.

-How are you feeling?

-Good.

-Happy?

-Yeah.

I need a wee!

Need a wee! Ha-ha!

At this stage in training,

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

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

has ever covered.

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

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

That's ridiculous!

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

Oh, I feel great.

I might just carry on running and never feel depressed again

and just not care what anyone thinks of me.

Well done!

I was so happy to see you.

I never do that.

I never go, "Woo!"

Oh, it was amazing.

I feel a bit, like, high.

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

-Endorphins.

I feel proud of you!

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

and Rhian's training has come to a standstill.

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

Oh, jeez!

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

-Yeah.

-It makes me want to be sick.

-Yeah. You all right?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Do you want some water?

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

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

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

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

So, I feel...

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

I just want to prove that I am worth something.

I just want to do something for myself

that will make me feel better.

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

but it's even tougher for our runners.

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

with negative thoughts that stem from a troubled childhood.

Yeah, I write a lot.

A heck of a lot.

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

"and not wanting to ever run again,

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

"After the run I felt amazing.

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

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

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

"with or without the people around me."

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

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

Poppy is 26.

Her childhood depression and anxiety

have been compounded by post-traumatic stress

following a robbery in her home.

PTSD is a humongous thing in my life.

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

and just the sheer amount of people

set me off.

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

and I am either going to break down and start crying

or I'm going to get really angry

and do anything and everything to protect myself.

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

I think for me, running a marathon,

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

or looked for the worst in me,

to see that I have actually done something...

..that is pretty incredible.

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

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

Get that breath under control.

..but engage in an intense strengthening regime

to ensure their bodies

are capable of withstanding the strain.

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

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

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

But not everyone is on course.

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

Jake has developed a debilitating ankle injury.

I'm gutted, obviously,

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

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

between exercise and my state of mind.

I want you to push hard against my hand.

It's been a tough week.

I feel really worried about my ankle.

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

Yeah.

Shereece has managed to come back from her knee injury.

But she's now several weeks behind in training.

With her partner at home looking after the children,

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

-How are you?

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

-Basically, it just got worse and worse.

-Start at the beginning.

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

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

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

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

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

I think everyone thinks I'm dealing with it nicely

instead of, like, "OK"...

So you need a conversation. Right?

-SOBS:

-Cos everyone thinks I'm so strong.

OK, all right. I know. I know.

My family just think I've got it wrapped tight

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

but this is not my comfort zone.

OK. So...

-Do you want some backup?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, all right.

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

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

-Yeah.

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

You know, you need to ask for help.

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

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

I could do so much more.

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

-We'll get you on track. Cool?

-Yeah, absolutely.

-Yeah? Yeah?

All right, good.

We'll provide Shereece with all the support we can

to give her the best chance of making it

to the marathon start line.

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

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

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

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

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

For Sam, Georgie and Poppy,

it's their first half marathon during training.

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

-For Claudia, it's her second.

-Cool?

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

Mel isn't quite ready yet,

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

-You look fantastic.

-Mwah. Thank you.

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

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

-Yeah.

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

-like, again, injury.

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

-This one.

-Oh, mine's the other one.

-Inside. The inside.

-Yeah. Same.

-Right on the inside.

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

-Yeah.

-We could've done it like this.

-Yeah, I know.

There is some extra moral support.

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

He's overcome his severe anxiety of long train journeys

and large crowds to spur the runners on.

-Hello, sweetheart.

-Oh!

-How are you?

-I'm so tired.

-Are you tired?

-Were you at work?

-Yeah.

-Oh, no.

What time did you finish work?

-Four in the morning.

-Sweetheart, go on, are you running?

-Yeah.

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

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

It's very overwhelming. This is extremely overwhelming.

There's thousands of people here.

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

HOOTER

Yay!

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

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

So how are you doing now? Are you managing?

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

there is no way,

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

I don't want to be the downer.

So there's obviously some improvement there.

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

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

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

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

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

-Yeah.

-..that kind of thing.

-Maybe.

THEY LAUGH

Oh, Jake!

Feeling good.

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

THEY SHOUT ENCOURAGEMENT

Are we ready to hit fifth gear yet, Chev?

No, nice and light! Nice and light.

-I'm having a lot of pain.

-So am I.

We're in pain.

I'm worried about Poppy.

You know, she really wants to do this today,

she needs to do this today.

This can make and it can break you,

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

so it would just be lovely for her

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

My knees are just hurting.

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

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

"Look, I've done something really good

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

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

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

it will be acceptance for myself.

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

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

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

(Oh, my God.)

-Do you want to walk for a minute?

-Yeah.

Sam and George are the fittest and most experienced runners

in the whole group.

-There he is! Sam!

-Sam!

-Eyes up, eyes up, eyes up.

-Moving well.

-He looked good, didn't he?

Yeah, really good.

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

Come on!

-You look energised again.

-Thank you. Thank you.

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

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

-You are a legend, Claudia.

-Why?

I wouldn't have done it.

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

Poppy set out on just two hours' sleep.

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

to keep going and make it to the finish line.

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

Yes, yes, yes, yes!

Go on!

You looked beautiful.

Brilliant. That was amazing!

-Thank you.

-Come on. Come on.

SHE SOBS

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

You are allowed to be proud of yourself.

SHE CRIES

You are putting one foot in front of the other

every single day at the moment.

This is your day. This is to celebrate you.

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

Be proud together. Be proud together.

You're amazing. Amazing.

Hearing everyone say to me how proud they are

is really hard for me to accept.

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

And aren't supporting me through this.

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

more than I get anywhere else.

I cannot understand that in my head.

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

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

understand better than the average person?

-That might be something to do with that.

-Yeah, of course. Of course.

When they see this, they'll understand better.

I just want to go home and sleep now.

-You did really good. You did amazing today.

-Thank you.

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

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

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

Have just crossed the line, not feeling happy

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

It's always counterintuitive,

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

it doesn't work.

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

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

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

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

I'm hungry.

Let's go and find something to eat.

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

A little while ago,

I did an interview with Prince William who told me that

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

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

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

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

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

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

'Through their work with young people, emergency response,

'homeless charities and with veterans,

'they've been inspired

'to break the stigma surrounding our mental health,

'raise awareness, and get the nation talking.'

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hi, guys.

-We brought some people to say hello.

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

Through her involvement with the children's charity,

Shereece has met the Duchess of Cambridge before.

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

-Your hair looks amazing.

-Thank you.

-Are you guys enjoying it?

-ALL:

-Yes.

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

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

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

It makes a huge difference when you are doing something

so big with people that you can relate to.

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

running on the spot, nice and gently.

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

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

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

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

HE LAUGHS

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

We are going to teach you a few drills.

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

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

-Like holding a balloon.

-Yeah, exactly, that's it.

-I feel like I should have a rugby ball.

-Surreal, very, very crazy.

-I ran with Her Royal Highness, Kate.

-Let's go. Thank you very much.

APPLAUSE

Do you mind me asking you how you guys ended up

getting involved in the first place?

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

I wanted to do it so that younger children

who might be in a similar environment that I was,

or a little bit of a turbulent whatever,

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

For me, it was, I love my parents,

and they've been incredibly supportive,

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

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

it's been a huge learning curve.

That it is OK to talk about it,

and talking about it is the best thing to do.

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

That early intervention,

do you think that is crucial for both of you?

The earlier, the better.

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

it would've been perfect for me.

I mean, presumably once you started realising

you had mental health issues,

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

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

"We have to put you in a straitjacket."

-It's really not.

-I know.

-Anxiety is a mental health issue.

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

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

-Thank you.

The fact that you are here talking about this,

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

-Thank you very much.

-I want to give both you both a big hug

cos I think you are very, very special.

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

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

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

-why I am doing what I'm doing.

-What was his reaction?

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

Do you think he cares?

He was really positive

and he truly believed and understood what I was saying.

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

THEY LAUGH

What advice would you give, out of interest?

I mean, experience in the forces, men talking,

it must be a very hard place.

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

Some people want to go to their doctor.

Some people will go to brothers, sisters, parents.

Other people will go to mates.

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

And go to wherever you feel more comfortable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I think the lads similar to me, or whatever,

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

-I'm just having a bad day.

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

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

Just go and talk to someone about it.

What do your families think about you guys doing this?

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

We keep this to ourselves, you know?

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

But even the process of making this documentary has been massive

because we're going to have to start

talking to our friends and family about it.

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

cos there was a national conversation that was happening

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

As a nation, we need to grip this.

Talking about mental health is best for everybody.

It doesn't matter who you are.

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

Have you found that sort of physical-mental connection?

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

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

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

I've had very good runs,

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

-I know.

-I don't know how you find time.

-Running has really helped me.

I didn't believe it at first.

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

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

"It really does help."

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

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

have recognised it and is putting it out there.

You are the heroes, really,

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

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

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

Best of luck with your running.

-Thank you so much.

-And the rest of the training as well.

-I love your jacket.

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

I feel so blessed because they believe in this.

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

they actually believe in this.

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

and get the message out there.

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

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

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

And people who know me are just so supportive.

To think back where I was 12 months ago,

I'm proud of having depression,

I'm proud of suffering a mental health disorder,

and I'm using it in a positive way.

It has sort of set us on a life journey,

not just until the marathon,

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

How have you managed to deal, yourself,

with some of these mental health challenges?

Have you had to just literally deal with them yourself

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

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

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

life was just, for me, over, really,

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

I just really struggled.

So I found my friends were my counsellors, really.

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

Because a lot of people really do hunker down about it

and don't want to talk about it.

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

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

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

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

you know, Paul was just such a positive person,

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

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

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

We don't talk about that.

I worry about my son, obviously, you know,

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

and his brother died, you know,

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

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

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

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

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

-It's incredibly impressive.

-Can ask you one question?

-Please do.

-When your mum passed away...

-Yeah.

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

-but I obviously worry about them growing up.

-Yeah.

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

-They'll be absolutely fine.

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

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

-You've got to...

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

-I know, but...

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

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

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

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

-Yeah.

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

because it's then explaining to them what

those emotions mean and why they feel like they do,

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

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

"or I'm really upset about something,"

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

and, sort of, deal with it.

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

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

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

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

but it does. You never get over it.

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

-Yeah.

..that it never leaves you.

-You just learn to deal with it.

-Yeah.

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

is the most important thing,

because you will provide the blanket of, kind of,

-stability and understanding that they need.

-Yeah.

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

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

and I really hope it brings you what you need.

It's something I've been thinking about

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

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

It just made me want to know,

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

He was so honest, and he just answered,

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

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

Because they've got a great mum?

-Yeah.

-Haven't they?

Yeah.

The runners are entering the final stage of training.

Putting in the miles is now essential.

And there's good news for Jake -

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

And so is Rhian -

training with George is reaping benefits for them both.

-So, Fridays you can do?

-Good for me.

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

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

-Good. And do you know what?

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

-Yes.

-Yes, we'll have each other.

-I'll stop being such a loner.

-Cheers!

-Cheers!

But marathon training never runs smoothly -

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

See, that hurts there.

..and the pain has forced her to stop.

Oh!

There we go.

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

but I still want to enjoy it.

I still want...

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

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

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

tipping point, where I need to make these decisions,

and I don't really want to,

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

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

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

Which is really scary.

Let that relax.

It's also a crucial time for Shereece.

Today she must complete 13.1 miles to stay on track.

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

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

Go, Shereece!

Mummy!

Your mummy, your mummy!

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

give her the motivation and make her feel like,

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

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

Go on, Shereece!

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

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

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

She's come out of her little shell.

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

Go, girl! You're doing well!

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

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

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

your mental health is very important.

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

Shereece, just keep going, yeah? Keep going!

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

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

What more do you want? It's amazing.

Keep going!

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

but now she's conquered 13.1 miles.

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

Get your medal!

Thank you.

-Auntie SeSe with a medal!

-Yay!

Auntie SeSe with a medal!

-CHEERING

-Yay!

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

-Shereece...

-Go and give them a cuddle!

CHEERING

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

I'm still standing up.

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

I did a half-marathon!

Erm...

I did a half-marathon!

All of the runners have now successfully completed

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

so much more than just doubling the miles.

For the last two weeks,

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

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

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

-It's just unbelievably painful.

-Is it?

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

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

-Not to do the marathon.

-..not to put myself through it.

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

I've ever had to make.

And I still, now, seeing everyone running,

and seeing everyone excited about the marathon -

you know, it's two weeks tomorrow -

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

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

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

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.

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

You can tell people how you feel,

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

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

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

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

-Good.

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

But you're not NOT part of it,

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

For those able to make the start line,

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

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

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

Being here with everyone again today,

you just realise you're not alone,

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

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

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

-TIMER BEEPS

-Get lost.

Go, go, go, go!

Chevy has assigned individual targets.

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

..but Poppy has decided not to take part.

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

Do you think you're sabotaging it?

-No.

-No?

-Yes.

-Are you sure? Yeah.

-Maybe.

-There we go, self-sabotage.

-Maybe.

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

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

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

-Mm-hmm.

Stop self-sabotaging. Believe.

OK.

Deal? Think about it?

-Yeah.

-OK.

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

and I do stuff like this,

and then instantly regret it,

cos I want to be there with them running it.

If I had my running trainers on me right now,

I would have been trying to catch them up.

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

I think I need my knee checked.

-Shall we have a chat with the physio?

-Yes, please.

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

Ugh!

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

-Yeah.

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

but I noticed that this was left painful.

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

-I notice when I come...

-Does it hurt more when you come down?

Yeah, when I come down.

-It hurts when you come down?

-Yeah.

-OK.

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

Oh, so...

-SHEREECE GROANS

-Oh, no, no, no.

-What are you thinking, Shereece?

-Can I just do some more, like?

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

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

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

The thing that makes this get better is rest.

This is a hard process.

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

if that's the case.

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

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

All right?

And you've got to listen to your body.

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

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

SHEREECE SOBS

I'm not running.

-You're not running?

-No.

SOBBING

I've been through exactly the same thing,

just a little bit sooner.

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

let yourself down, but you haven't.

In fact, it's...

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

do it this year.

-You know?

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

SHE SIGHS

Would you want your daughter to do something

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

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

You'd say no, wouldn't you?

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

-OK.

It doesn't take anything away from yours.

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

I just need to accept it.

I just have a hard time accepting defeat.

I don't know...

SHEREECE SIGHS

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

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

you know, when I've done something good.

I've got to learn to just appreciate myself,

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

So, it's making me aware of myself.

It really is making me aware of my mental health

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

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

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

which sounds much better.

So, yeah, I feel really good.

I've done 15 miles.

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

cos of my ankle.

So, yes! Yahoo!

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

-which is crazy to think.

-Mm-hmm.

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

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

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

After 144 days of hard graft,

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

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

showered, hair done..

All ready.

Pre-match nerves.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the number's going to be in the way.

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

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

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

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

Let's rock and roll.

We started off with ten,

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

They're all here.

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

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

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

I think it's amazing.

-Yay!

-Let's get on!

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

CHEERING

We're here. This is our time.

We said from day one that you have got this.

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

-anywhere that it has not already been.

-Yeah.

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

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

-Whoo!

..you run with that power, that energy,

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

-Yeah.

..and you own today.

-One, two, three...

-ALL:

-Mind over marathon!

Let's roll!

KLAXON

CHEERING AND YELLING

26.2 miles.

It's a marathon.

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

Have a great run!

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

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

Whoo!

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

him to battle crowds like this.

I've done something I never thought I do,

and I've done it on my own.

I'm actually here,

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

CHEERING

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

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

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

so I'm a bit anxious right now.

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

Come on! You're all incredible!

Come on!

-Yeah!

-Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

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

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

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

CLAUDIA SCREAMS JOYFULLY

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

CHEERING

I think this has been so good for him,

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

and not just for him, but for the family.

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

but this has been the best thing ever.

CHEERING

Good luck.

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

-Oh, bless him...

-Oh, dear.

Come on, Rhian!

-CHEERING

-Thank you.

-She's OK...

-Yeah.

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

-Yes.

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

It's absolutely phenomenal.

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

I've just got to finish it now!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

We are on Tower Bridge.

We are halfway through this mad, mad marathon.

Sam is now way out in front,

just a matter of miles from the finishing line -

a scene of human strength, determination and compassion.

All our runners are now entering unknown territory,

reaching distances beyond their training.

It's ridiculous.

I... I...

-Well, why do people do this?

-MAN LAUGHS

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

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

-SHE SOBS

-I'm still moving.

CHEERING

My legs are getting a little bit heavier,

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

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

After four long hours pounding the streets of London,

Sam is approaching the end of 26.2 gruelling miles.

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

of them is due over the line fairly soon.

There he is! There he is! Sam!

Whoo! Yeah!

SAM WHIMPERS AND SIGHS

Well done, Sam.

I'm emotionally exhausted, man.

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

over six months just goes through your head,

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

-You relived everything?

-Just got to keep going.

Well, you're amazing.

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

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

LAUGHTER

Five months ago, Paul hated running -

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

biggest challenges.

-Come on!

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

Come on!

-You beautiful human, you.

-PAUL SOBS

Yeah, brother.

Well done, man.

Well done. Something to be proud of, right?

Never again.

LAUGHTER

There is no way...

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

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

but I'm here and I feel immensely proud.

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

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

Sam!

Oh, my God, you did it!

Oh, I'm so proud of you.

Lovely, girl. Lovely.

Three down, four to come.

Rhian due any moment now.

-There she is.

-There she is.

-Rhian!

-Yeah!

-Yay!

-Rhian!

-Hello!

There she is!

Aw... RHIAN SOBS

Rhian, well done!

SOBBING

I just wish they were here to watch me finish.

Aw...

They're watching you finish.

You did it. You did it.

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

-Yeah.

-You did it.

-Yeah.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

Really well done.

-RHIAN SIGHS

-I'm so proud of you.

-APPLAUSE

-Yes! Yes!

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

Yeah, I just feel...

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

-SHE SNIFFLES

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

and try and use it a little bit.

I just wanted to do this,

and I did it for me,

and I think that it's going to

help me in the long run as well.

RHIAN SOBS

Thank you.

Jake and Poppy have run the entire 26.2 miles together.

Poppy!

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

Come right here!

Yes, brother. Thank you.

Well done, man.

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

Brilliant.

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

I hope there's special people waiting for me.

If they're not there, I totally understand,

but if they are, then, amazing.

POPPY SNIFFLES

-CHEERING

-Oh, well done, you.

There she is!

Waiting for Poppy are her niece and two sisters.

WHISTLING AND APPLAUSE

It's all right.

So, this whole moment,

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

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

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

That would never have happened otherwise.

SHE SNIFFLES

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

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

You know, it's like my babies.

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

APPLAUSE

Yes!

Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel!

-Don't stop! Don't!

-You're almost there. Keep going.

-We don't want you to stop.

-Come on, come all the way over.

-Come on, come on, come on!

-Go, go, go, go, go!

Yes!

Can I carry on?

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

-Whoo!

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

so I've got to carry on.

I can't stop!

-OK. She's there, look.

-Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!

CHEERING

Come on.

Yay!

Yes!

-You just did a marathon!

-I know.

-And a bit more!

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

-Exactly.

Sorry. Congratulations!

It's such a unique group.

It's always been such a safe environment.

Everyone gets it,

and that's the best thing about it,

cos everyone understands what it's like to go through

the horrible stuff we go through.

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

Look at the difference in these people from the people that

first arrived in that room when you started the training,

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

and that's all it is.

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

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

What an amazing group of people.

CHEERING