Archive for: Press and Bloggers

We talk mental health with Sarah Bailey, who shares her own successes and struggles with her blog Life In A Breakdown. Sharing and learning new ideas and coping strategies with her readers is just one of the things Sarah appreciates about being a part of the mental health blogging community – read on for her advice on protecting your own mental health during challenging times.

How did you get started with blogging about mental health?
I was going through a really bad time in my life. I had just been diagnosed with a physical disability in addition to my existing mental health issues and it felt like just as I had started to do something with my life, it had all been taken from me. So, from the start, my blog was partly mental health related, thus the name being a play on breakdown. Although I started with only talking about ‘good’ things.

In the years that have followed, I found it cathartic to write about my issues and hopefully help others going through the same situations. While offering a small amount of help in dealing with issues from a patient’s perspective.

It has, in many ways, helped me come to terms with my own diagnoses as I used to be very secretive about those that had more of a stigma, such as BPD. Now, I openly speak about it.

My blog has also opened doors for me as well. For the past few years I’ve written about anxiety and depression on the Life Effects blog also.

What’s your favourite thing to post about and why?
I struggle to focus on any one thing for a long time, so I often ping between topics. One day it might be about my health, another about products, or just a general run down on how things are.

I’ve found that I’ve been able to incorporate that part of myself into my blog, rather than having to just focus on one single niche.

How did you change your approach and content during lockdown?
I found lockdown really hard to cope with. I went from posting five times a week to three. This gave me more time to rest. On a Tuesday, I team up with another blogger to host my Life in a Lockdown series, which goes into how I am coping mentally (and physically) each week.

From this, I’ve noticed a lot of people are struggling with their anxiety even if it isn’t something they normally do. I’ve personally found it interesting to read the comments in this series as it’s interesting to see how people cope. I’ve even found some new strategies from it.

What do you think the longer-term impacts of the pandemic and lockdown will be on mental health and how can people combat them?
I think anxiety is going to be a big one. Wearing masks, keeping our distance, washing hands constantly is all new for people. Talking to people about how you feel is a big help and sometimes means you can connect with people feeling the same.

Utilising online services such as Messenger and Zoom can help you feel connected with those you love. Also, if you need to remove yourself from reading the news – do it. That is another thing I’ve learned from my Life in a Lockdown series – I admitted it was something I found I had to do and a lot people agreed they either had, or should, do the same.

Are mental health issues taken seriously enough in 2020?
No. I think especially in the UK mental health teams are underfunded and while they are trying and some techniques are better some things have gotten worse. For instance, I can now access better therapy for my BPD, but the constant support of a CPN coming out to visit is no longer available.

Do initiatives like World Mental Health Day help with breaking the stigmas surrounding mental illness?
These initiatives are both good and bad. They get people talking and opening up, which is good, but they also bring on the trolls, which isn’t. It is also something we need to begin talking about all year around, not just on certain days. Mental health doesn’t disappear when people aren’t talking about it.

When you’re having a difficult time, what helps you?
It depends on how I feel at the time; sometimes being with people, sometimes just having a few minutes alone. I’m also working on things like the TIPP and ACCEPTS skills which I recently learned in DBT. It is hard working on new skills to try and get them working, but repeated use will hopefully make it easier.

I’ve also very much learnt that what works for one won’t for another and it’s OK to accept that a certain skill doesn’t work for you. At last, mental health workers seem to be coming to terms with that as well. The first time someone said ‘it’s OK that this doesn’t work for you’ rather than them looking at me like I had an extra head was such a huge relief for me.

Which books on mental health and wellness would you recommend people check out?
I honestly struggle with a lot of mental health books, many are around CBT, which doesn’t work for me.

Instead, I use things like affirmation cards to give me a short positive statement to think on at bad times, or puzzle books/colouring books as a way to self soothe.

How do you collaborate with brands, and which kind of brands do you really like working with?
I collaborate with brands in a host of different ways, from reviews to sponsored posts and even writing patient views for their own websites. I love anything that gets me thinking and focusing and as I said before, I write about a host of topics as I find that works for me.

I do have a passion for small brands as I guess, as a blog, that is what I am, too.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you and with what kind of content?
Show that you have looked at my blog, show that it interests you. So many emails are often generic and feel like they have been sent to anyone and everyone. A bit of personalisation goes a long way. After all, that’s what you would like me to do if I approached you.

What other blogs do you check out regularly?
This is a hard one, as I bounce around blogs (and vlogs) a lot like I do my own writing. I must be careful with other mental health blogs as well as they can be triggering. However, The Mental Elf, Sectioned and Life on the Borderline are some I regularly go back to.

‘I think that the fear of the unknown is often a huge barrier to participation and enjoyment of running, cycling or swimming and I want to help and encourage others by taking some of the mystery away,’ says Becca Burns, who encourages new runners to follow her into the unknown with blog This Bunny Runs.

Believing that running can be whatever you want it to be, Becca shares her favourite things to post about, the best runs she’s gone on and how to get started with the sport.

What got you into running as a hobby and what keeps you passionate about it as a way to keep fit?
I originally started running as a way to become more active as a student, then I returned to running in 2016 to deal a stressful time and it really has changed my life. Physically, I’ve lost a third of my bodyweight and I’m much fitter, but mentally I find running teaches me discipline, coping with challenges and gives me a great deal of headspace and freedom. I like that running can be whatever you want it to be; you can challenge yourself to a tough speed session, chase times or distance goals, or just enjoy the thrill of lacing up and heading out.

What’s your favourite thing to post about and why?
I enjoy posting hints, tips and reviews to encourage and empower others. Along my journey from running into triathlon I’ve found there were a lot of things I found confusing, daunting or unclear. I’ve had to learn a lot through asking questions (to Google, or real-life people!), putting myself out there and being prepared to fail. I think that the fear of the unknown is often a huge barrier to participation and enjoyment of running, cycling or swimming and I want to help and encourage others by taking some of the mystery away.

Did you take part in the London Marathon this year?
I did! I originally wasn’t lucky enough to get a ballot place but the virtual format gave me the chance to be part of the race.

Do you think the different format of the Marathon, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, was a good idea?
I think some really tough decisions were made in light of completely unprecedented circumstances. Organisers had to navigate a global pandemic and balance public health and changing restrictions with the need to support charities and care for their runners (from elites to the masses). The virtual format for the other runners has allowed people like me who have been unlucky in the ballot the chance to run, and it’s given those training a chance to have their moment. While it wasn’t the London Marathon we know and love, I’m excited to have run it on my own terms in a way that felt safe. Even though we can’t physically run together right now, we can run together in spirit and that is what the London Marathon is about.

How did you change your approach and content during lockdown?
My content always focuses around my training and the things I’ve learned along the way. As I shifted from gearing up for my first half ironman to just training to stay fit and healthy (physically and mentally) my content naturally changed with this. I’ve spent more and more time out on my bike, open water swimming or speaking with friends who took up running when the gyms were closed. I’ve seen first-hand the spike in cycling, running and swimming and my content has largely been around encouraging those new to these sports. I’ve shared a lot of the things I’ve learned along the way (but wish I had known from the start) such as tips and jargon busting for buying your first road bike, advice for open water swimming, fuelling your runs in hot weather, tips for new runners and trail running in/around London (where I’m based). It can be challenging starting a new sport, and now more than ever we need to support each other.

What’s the best route you’ve ever taken for a run?
Last year I was invited to run in the South of France – on the fourth day of the trip, we stayed overnight in some mountain cabins high in the Pyrenees. That morning I woke up really early and watched the sunrise over the mountains; the air was so fresh. We then ran from our refuge back down to the coast along a mountain ridge that divided France and Spain. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The views were spectacular; it was a real ‘pinch me’ moment.

Best snacks/drinks to take along for a race?
If I’m cycling, I love some home-made flapjacks. For running, I mainly use gels as I find these work for me.

What advice would you give to someone who’s never been into running but would like to start?
That everyone has been a beginner once – don’t compare the start of your journey to someone who is much further along their path. Focus on you and strive for progress over perfection. Yes, there will be days it feels hard, you might even hate it at first (I did!) but keep showing up, stay positive, be kind to yourself and give it a go.

How do you collaborate with brands, and which kind of brands do you really like working with?
I’ve been a brand ambassador for ASICS since 2017 as part of their FrontRunner team and I recently became a swim ambassador for zone3 who make wetsuits. I really enjoy representing both these brands – I use the kit in all my training and I really like the quality, feel and performance. I really enjoy working with brands that I use in my everyday life.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you and with what kind of content?
I love content that aligns with my values and focuses on experiences, empowerment and being active. I’m open to things that are adventurous or quirky, in fact I think these are often the most exciting collaborations. I don’t mind how people approach me; I’m always open to have a chat.

What other blogs do you check out regularly?
Quite a few who feature in the recent Running Blogs Top 10! They’re all such incredible blogs – I particularly enjoy Charlie and Elle’s content (TheRunnerBeans and Keep it simpELLE) and really admire their commitment to blogging. I also love Sarah’s Dreaming Of Footpaths as the race recaps really make me laugh and Livvy Mason RD’s The Nutritious Runner, as I’ve watched her grow from dietetics student to qualified NHS dietitian, combining her love of running, the great outdoors and nutrition.

With 51 ultra-races under his belt, 61-year-old running enthusiast John Kynaston knows what it takes to stay motivated. Read today’s Spotlight interview for his favourite running routes and the best snacks to pack next time you head out.

What got you into running as a hobby and what keeps you passionate about it as a way to keep fit?
As long I can remember I have always enjoyed running. In school, I was one of the children who loved the cross-country season and athletics in the summer.
Throughout my life I have always run, and at 61 I continue to enjoy it. In 2006 I discovered ultra-running, as it combined my love of the mountains and running, and I’ve not looked back. I have now completed 51 ultras.

What’s your favourite thing to post about and why?
I love to write up race reports as it gives me a chance to reflect on the race and share my thoughts on what went well and what didn’t. This gives me a chance to learn for future races.

Did you take part in the London Marathon this year?
I’ve never run the London Marathon as I prefer the trails over road and smaller fields rather than mass events.

Do you think the different format of the Marathon, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, was a good idea?
I think anything that helps to motivate people to run is a good thing. It has obviously been difficult this year with so many races cancelled so all the virtual races that have been going on have been really good.

How did you change your approach and content during lockdown?
I decided to try and keep ticking over and maintain my fitness so I ran five times a week as normal but my longer runs were shortened from around 25 to 15 miles.

What’s the best route you’ve ever taken for a run?
My favourite has to be on the West Highland Way. This race is the one that introduced me to ultra-running and I love the various sections and the variety.
Having said that, I have many close seconds from the Lake District, to the Cleveland Way, to Wainwright’s Coast to Coast, the Dragon’s Back route, etc, etc!

Best snacks/drinks to take along for a race?
Chia Charge bars …. But I’m slightly biased as they sponsor the podcast I host every week called ‘Run to the Hills’.

What advice would you give to someone who’s never been into running but would like to start?
Find someone to run with and learn from them. When you start it can be quite hard going so having a friend to run with who can help motivate can make the difference to whether you stick at it.

How do you collaborate with brands, and which kind of brands do you really like working with?
The main one is Chia Charge, who make flapjacks using chia seeds.

Ultramarathonrunningstore.com also provides prizes for my ‘Guess My Time’ competitions I run where friends try to guess how long I will take in a race. I started this for my first ultra in 2007 and it has been a tradition ever since!

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you and with what kind of content?
Email is the best way (regarding content anything to do with running in general and ultra running in particular).

What other blogs do you check out regularly?
I have a number of running blogs I read regularly and enjoy.

Running right into our 2020 UK Top Ten Running Blogs ranking, after also placing in our Fitness Top Ten earlier this year, is Elle Linton of Keep it simpElle, a multi-skilled fan of multi-format fitness.

This self-confessed running restarter shares realistic and relatable journeys, tips and tracks to try – read on for how to keep it simple and fun when out pounding the pavement.

What got you into running as a hobby and what keeps you passionate about it as a way to keep fit?

I got into running during my first job after my Undergrad degree when I met a colleague, now friend, who was an avid runner. I’d not run since childhood, when I was a talented sprinter. Running distances more than 400m seemed mad to me! But I started training for a 5km, then a 10km and even a half marathon, eventually. As a fitness professional, I’ve always known how beneficial running can be for health, but there is so much more to it – it’s the community that has kept me passionate. I’ve met so many amazing people and had some great experiences all through running. The keep fit benefits have become a bonus to everything else!

What’s your favourite thing to post about and why?

I enjoy sharing my running journey as it’s by no means linear. I’m a self-confessed restarter and I think a lot of people can relate to that. Sometimes life gets in the way and things don’t go to plan; starting again with running can be difficult. Whenever I do share about my own journey, I also like to include as many practical tips for others as I can. Some of the most popular running posts on my blog include a 10k training plan for busy (or slack) runners, posts with tips on common running injuries such as plantar fasciitis (written in collaboration with my partner who is a Sports Therapist and MSc Osteopathy Student) and, most recently, posts on how to take part in virtual running challenges.

I do personally enjoy testing out technology like smart watches, the latest in footwear and other products that support a runner’s lifestyle. After taking part in an immersion week with Red Bull where I got to train with Ultra Athlete Tom Evans, I really learned how much goes into being a professional athlete and how non-professional athletes like myself can implement ways to improve and enjoy the running journey even more.

Did you take part in the London Marathon this year?

I’m a massive fan of the London Marathon and usually you find me at about mile 23.6 searching for faces I recognise as well as cheering on strangers alike but to this date I’ve vowed not to run a marathon! I know I should never say never, but up to now, I know I would not have been able to commit to the training in order to enjoy the experience of running the full 26.2 miles. If or when the opportunity comes up that I can run an event, and have the support I would need in place to get through the training successfully… well, I might just consider it!

How did you change your approach and content during lockdown?

I saw lockdown as an opportunity to stop and re-evaluate, maybe even start again, which applied to my running journey and my blog itself. It gave me a chance to reflect on who I am, what I stand for and the kind of content I want to produce. With running, I personally started Couch to 5k and shared this journey to support the many others who were doing the same. I focused heavily on building my community – they were my support network when we weren’t able take part in our usual routines.

During lockdown, I also went through a rebrand process, which will be launching very soon!

What’s the best route you’ve ever taken for a run?

One of the best routes I’ve run was the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Surrey. It was so beautiful being there and its beauty also translated to photographs taken on the day. Sometimes it’s great to get off road, stop watching the clock and just take in the views.

Best snacks/drinks to take along for a race?

I’m a huge fan of Shot Bloks… I kinda feel like I’m eating sweets! They have options with and without caffeine and work really well on the bike, too. Over the last few years, I’ve not run distances over 10km, so nutrition hasn’t been a pressing thing to consider. I do enjoy raiding the goody bag after to see what snacks are in there!

What advice would you give to someone who’s never been into running but would like to start?

I would advise them to just get stuck in! You don’t have to run 10k from day one – something like the Couch to 5k app is a great way to get started with a plan that is designed to increase your fitness and reduce the risk of doing too much too soon and becoming injured. If you can rope in a friend to start with or support you with your running, even better! Running with other people can help to push you a little, especially if you’re looking to improve your speed. Then check out your local parkrun route – although they’re not currently running, the route will still be a good distance to try out and get you prepared for when the events do return. 5km is a good distance to test your fitness and work on.

How do you collaborate with brands, and which kind of brands do you really like working with?

I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with various brands to create running content – from joining a run club to follow my journey back into running to train for a 10km race, doing IG takeovers sharing my fave routes, to testing out products. I’ve found longer term collaborations to be much more enjoyable and real. After everything that has gone on in 2020, I’m even more careful about the brands I collaborate with – I’ve always taken a stand for diversity and that won’t change. If I work with a brand, I want to see that they are walking the walk.

I think I’ve also come to realise that with running, it’s more of a lifestyle for me. I’m never going to be 100% a runner, but that still has a place, if not a bigger place, in the market.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you and with what kind of content?

Email is definitely the best option. And of course, I would expect the PR has done their homework and know enough about me to know if I’m a good fit for the brand. Content wise, I’m open to ideas. I, personally, enjoy creating content on my blog as it has more longevity, but I understand that social media is very popular right now. At the end of the day, I do like to create my own adventures and if a brand wants to come along for the journey, that’s a bonus (I share my Editorial Calendar on my blog with monthly themes).

What other blogs do you check out regularly?

The Runner Beans by Charlie and Paddle Pedal Pace by Lucy.