I may have mentioned before that I’ve spent 25 years in the military. I joined straight after I left school and continued until my brain gave out two years ago. Through that entire time my gorgeous wife, Emma, has been there with me.
Each year, on 25 April, we take a moment to recognise all those who have fought for our freedom since Australia was founded as a nation of diverse peoples in 1901. The day normally starts with a Dawn Service and is then followed by various memorials and meeting with your mates. We particularly remember our friends who aren’t with us today.
The challenge Chris and I have undertaken is to address the mental injuries we have both suffered and to highlight to others that the stigma surrounding mental health is unfounded. The boat building and adventure seeking we do is only part of our recovery.
We’re fortunate in Perth that there are a lot of agencies who want to help. Each year, in support of veterans, the Light Horse Ultra Marathon is held. It’s conducted at Paddy’s Paddock in Ocean Reef and is effectively a lap-a-thon around a lake. Each lap is 2.5kms (1.5 miles) and you have 24hrs to go as far as you can. An Ultra is technically anything over a marathon (42km or 26 miles).
For the second year in a row Chris and I heaved ourselves around the course. We’re not exactly svelte distance runners so the plan was to stomp 50 kms and go home to bed. And that’s what happened. By midnight we were tucked up back in bed. Thank goodness too because the next morning I had to run around after three of my children at their various sports.
The run, particularly at night, is a wonderful mindfulness activity. It’s a slow pace and you spend most of the time in the here and now. My legs hurt, I’m hungry, I need to slow down more, how far do I have etc. I thoroughly recommend some sort of physical activity to any one going through mental rehab. It compliments your social, recreational and pharmaceutical treatments. Just get moving.
