In a couple of days I run my first 50k.
I will be running for two charities.
The first is Bigger than the TraiI. This organization is raising money to provide online counseling for those in need. It's a cause that couldn't be any closer to my heart.
I am also running as a member of Ava's Avengers. Ava's Avengers provides a wide range of support to the Vegas community. Each person who joins Ava's is given a Marvel character that they embody. I am proud to say that my character is Emma Frost.
I am running over 30 miles; I have never run that far before.
I'm scared, stressed, full of doubt.
But absolutely none of that matters because I am one of the people who will not stop fighting.
I always said that I had no desire to run anything over a half marathon distance, and then low and behold this opportunity unfolded - a 50k to raise money to help people with mental health obstacles...
There was no way that I could say no.
I have struggled with anxiety since I was a small child. And from my formative childhood years all the way to my current age I have endured the tiresome struggle of trying to get effective treatment. Mental health is not handled properly in this country. Between the health insurance inequality, the corruption of doctors / hospitals / mental health services, the stigma that surrounds asking for help, the lack of accurate information regarding mental health that floods society, we get a big, fat F.
Heck, that's why I made this blog. Because the humans that endure the struggle of mental health obstacles deserve one very important diagnosis before they are diagnosed with anything else: Resilient.
Those with mental health challenges often reach out for help and are denied or ignored. They are conditioned to be warriors every single day.
I plan on using this race as a starting point for the change I want to elicit in my community. Due to this, on race day I will be bringing my white Emma Frost cape with me. Every mile that I complete I will dedicate to another group that is affected by mental health obstacles, and I will write the name of that group on the cape (Example: Mile 1 for those with depression, Mile 2 for those without health insurance, Mile 3 for those with addiction). By the end I should have a cape full of reminders of what I am fighting for.
If you are reading this and thinking, "That's cute and valiant and all, but really, what is running going to accomplish to actually elicit change?" Know that this is only the beginning. I am armed with a whole list of projects that myself and other amazing members of our community are creating to help those in need.
I set off on Saturday to put my own mental fortitude to the test, and I leave readers with this message:
Dear Bad Guys,
You should be afraid.
I am not alone.
I am surrounded by superheroes who are fighting for what's good.
And we will always endure.
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