CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
Spring 2021 Issue |
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Running the Capital Trail for the National Alliance on Mental Illness
By Shelly Klinger, MD, DLFAPA
Hanover CSB
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| The author at mile 9 on the Capital Trail |
I am passionate about the privilege of being a psychiatrist, and a grateful “back of the pack” runner, who has had the good fortune to be mentored by experienced runners and coaches when I started running long distances at the advanced age of 49.
I started running in the jogging craze of the early 1980’s as an intern in internal medicine, to cope with the emotions of caring for ill and dying patients. I spent the first part of my career as a psychiatrist at an HIV/AIDS clinic, back when most people died from the virus or the syndrome that followed. Running after work was my pressure release valve. Later, I had lived experience with depression and realized the power of running as a tool for healing and recovery, in combination with psychotherapy and medication treatment.
I had never run more than a 5K until I was about to turn 50. I decided to run a half marathon in gratitude for being healthy and alive at an age when my mother and other family members hadn’t been so fortunate. I trained for the Patrick Henry Half Marathon in Ashland in 2008, treasuring the feeling of being out there with other runners, often pairing it with raising money and awareness for worthwhile causes. I wanted to go farther after every race completed, and I eventually ran 11 marathons and about 20 half marathons over the next 12 years. In 2020, all of the races I signed up for were cancelled but running remained my go-to activity for health and happiness.
As we’ve all done over the last year, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in the closure of schools and businesses, job loss, financial hardship and isolation. My heart goes out to the families of those affected, and to the healthcare providers who have cared for patients while fearing for their own safety. The rates of mental health concerns and substance use have increased in the general public, particularly in highly impacted communities of color. Individuals and families who were already living with mental health and substance use disorders have been hit hard. As a psychiatrist, I am grateful to continue to be employed and able to serve, but I want to do more.
As a runner, much of this mulling over happened during long runs of several hours, often on the Virginia Capital Trail which runs between Richmond and Jamestown/Williamsburg. The idea of running the entire 51 miles of the trail to do something to mitigate the effects of the pandemic slowly came to me. It seemed undoable at first, but as my long runs lengthened to a maximum of over 30 miles, and with the faith of my loved ones, my confidence rose. I was particularly supported by my wife, Barbara, who despite her concerns, was with me literally and metaphorically throughout this whole journey.
I thought about donating the money I would have paid for race fees to help others and to ask friends and family to do the same if they were so moved. My thoughts turned to NAMI-CVA, our local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which provides education, support, and advocacy to individuals and families living with serious mental health issues. During this year of COVID-19, NAMI-CVA has continued to offer education, connection, and support to families and individuals on their journey to recovery through online and virtual resources.
I picked the first day of Spring, March 20, as a target, and I reached out to NAMI-CVA to make it an official opportunity to raise awareness and funds. I was nervous going in – my longest training run had been 33 miles, and I’d never exceeded the marathon distance officially.
I started at 7 AM at mile 0 in Jamestown and hoped to be in RVA at 7 PM. Barbara and two other family members were my crew, meeting me every five to eight miles to offer support, fill water bottles and provide food, as well as changes of socks. Multiple friends and coworkers showed up at just the right time when I was struggling. They were there to walk, run, or cycle a few miles with me, cheer me on, and, in one case, hang out with their therapy dog, who encouraged me with “doggie kisses.” I was overcome with emotion at the outpouring of love and support, and the donations to the good work of NAMI Central Virginia. It exceeded all of my expectations.
I had some unexpected (but not unusual in the world of ultra-marathoning) GI issues that made it impossible for me to take in solid food, so I subsisted on electrolyte drinks, probably taking in only about 500 Kcal for the 4000 I expended. Because of the deficit, I ended up walking rather than running the last 10 miles with a wonderful coworker who told me funny stories the whole way. It took 14.5 hours instead of 12, and I definitely wasn’t up for the planned pizza and beer celebration afterwards, but I made it.
Words cannot express my gratitude to everyone who helped me and supported NAMI in this run. Remember, life is a journey, not a destination, and none of us can make it without each other. Please consider supporting the work of NAMI too.
NAMI Central Virginia: www.namicva.org
NAMI donations: www.namicva.org/get-involved/donate
To view and register for NAMI CVA online mental health support programs: https://namicva.org/calendar/
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