01 Dec We Did It! A 21.1Km Journey for Mental Health Awareness and Support

2XU Wellness Run in support of Beyond Blue  21.1km

Never did I think I would check that off my list of lifetime goals, but here we are.

And what a beautiful day to do it for a wonderful cause.

On this gloriously sunny day, running alongside men and women of all ages, sizes, and abilities showed the true variety of life and the challenges we all face.

Earlier this year, while living in London, the sheer cost of a gym membership was enough to steer me toward running, so I bought some bouncy new shoes and set off around the city’s sites.

It was an escape from the hecticness of London life and this persistent feeling of empty loneliness where I could literally run away from the sh*t going on in my head.

It’s safe to say this year has been a very turbulent and ultra marathon-worthy brain battle. So I made the decision to leave and returned home to Australia in July. Despite hoping it would solve all my issues… it didn’t.

My hormones were well and truly, mentally and physically—excuse my French—but fking me up—and a few months later, I found myself in a battle with depression.

I was gaining weight, had no motivation, saw no progress, compared myself to others, yo-yo dieted, and stopped enjoying running.

I remember running 5km with my brother one morning and asking him to help me push for a faster time, and while we did it and he powered me to the end—I broke down afterward in the arms of my mum, wondering why I felt so weak and incapable of so much.

But something about those arms and the support of loved ones around me trusted me to know it was going to get better. Things WILL get better.

This year, I’ve been fortunate to learn more about the true meaning of community, discovering that there is nothing quite as powerful as the support of those around you to help you reach your goals. Without a shadow of a doubt, my community, my strongest support, rests firmly in the hands of my family.

Mum, Dad, and George—you are my world and there are no three other people who could have supported me to run 21.1km and still be smiling at the end of it, the way you have. Period.

Blue skies, 2 podcasts, pump up house music, and some great eye candy 😉 – she did it. 

I got over myself and my self-imposed pressure to ‘run for pace’, ‘not stop’, or be consumed with what everyone else around me was doing—I was ready to just ‘see what happens and let it be what it will be.’

I never thought I would say this, but, while the hips started to give in around the 15km mark and the sun was in full force, it was a really enjoyable experience. I felt so much stronger than I thought I would and was able to find a flow state.

It is not meant to be easy and the one thing I have had to learn is that you HAVE to be kind to yourself and keep up the positive self talk… 

My heart swelled when I saw my family run past and I was reminded of the real reason we are here, because we are STRONGER TOGETHER. Gower Power.

Though it may take a few days for me to walk normally again, participating in the 2XU Wellness Run in support of Beyond Blue marked a significant milestone in my journey this year, encapsulating the triumphs and trials of

mental health, community, and self-confidence.

Each step we took raised awareness and support for mental health, reminding us all of the importance of community and collective strength in our journeys.

I am so grateful to have contributed to this meaningful cause, helping to raise an impressive AUD$388,000 for mental health support.

Eve Gower, ELEVEN 

📅 01/12/24
📍St Kilda, Melbourne
🏃 2XU Wellness Run
💙 Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue is an Australian organisation dedicated to supporting mental health and wellbeing. They offer programs aimed at helping individuals cope with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health concerns.
📞 If you or someone you know is in need or support – call 1300 22 4636