Let's meet Lara... again!

Runners revisited #6

Welcome to the 6th edition of the Meet the Runners, revisited. This week, we’re re-meeting Lara T, who’s been with us since the get-go. Lara was a force for good in spreading the word about R4R in those early days and our early momentum was in large part thanks to her efforts. She’s provided some cracking responses and we’re so grateful for her continued efforts. So, without further ado, let’s re-meet Lara!

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How have you been? 

I looked at this question and realised we all answer ‘good’ without thinking about it. Perhaps we default because we don’t want to discuss it further or don’t want to burden anyone. Perhaps if we were more honest it would normalise discussing our feelings. So with that in mind, life has been mostly ‘good’, but the last few years have presented me with some personal challenges that have made me revisit how I value myself and the choices I make.  

Knocked off any running events recently?

Getting back into the R4R habit has been my event. I dropped out of the group due to work commitments and injury (and some shame – see below) and I am excited to be back. I am coming to the C2S and want to finish regardless of how long it takes me or if I walk part of it (I might take a while so don’t let the bus leave Sydney without me!).

What's been your highlight in the past two years?

From a running perspective, it has been coming back to R4R and having people treat me like I never left.  That sense of community is what makes me get out of bed on a cold Friday morning and boosts me for days after. 

What's been your favourite thing about R4R since we met you the first time?

When I began it was only about 12-20 people on a Wednesday night.  Seeing it grow into so many sessions with so many people, and having such an impact on people’s lives and the community has been such a joy. Matt and everyone who has been part of expanding the reach of R4R should be super proud of what they have achieved.

Your original answer to "what does resilience mean to you?" was "It is the ability to handle the challenges life sends your way. It is the ability to see a way through. Resilience is something you can cultivate.  It can go up and down, so you don’t have to be resilient every moment. Being vulnerable is ok too." Do you still think it is? Would you change it at all?

I still believe resilience and vulnerability go hand in hand.  We don’t have to be strong all the time. By tackling our life challenges and letting people help us do that, and by helping others with their struggles and wins we grow more resilience in ourselves and in society.

Is there something you've learnt in the past two years that has helped you comprehend your previous struggles more that might shed light for others going through something? Have you endured/overcome something in the last two years?

I have learned how much we attribute certain aspects of ourselves, our work, our roles and our behaviours to forming how we view our personal identity.  When you feel elements of those have been lost or especially when you feel they have been taken away from you it really affects how you think about yourself and who you feel you are (or thought you were).  It can evoke shame, anger, sadness and a loss of self or purpose.

I have been in a job for thirty years that values fitness and strength. It is part of my identity. When I became injured I felt I lost a part of myself and it was hard to reconcile. It made me feel like I was an imposter or not good enough.  I was embarrassed that I could not perform as well as I could before.

This loss of self can happen to people for many different reasons. It can be mothers and fathers when their children leave the nest, or when someone leaves a long-term career. I have seen this impact military personnel when they leave the Defence Force. The consequences can be tragic. It is something we need to be more aware of so we can provide people with the tools to transition and realise they have value even if their ‘role’ or something about them has changed.  

You've been a massive part of the R4R community so far. How do you think we can achieve our goal of making Canberra suicide-free?

The R4R team has done a tremendous job of highlighting the importance of community and resilience!  

Continuing the conversation about mental health is critical. Enabling people to feel there is a safe space to talk about their struggles is key.  Perhaps we also need to think twice when we hear someone say ‘I’m good’, and instead look at how they actually might be by the way they act rather than the words.

Thanks, Lara!

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RSVP to the pasta night by commenting below or via the R4R WhatsApp group. If you aren’t in the group, send an email to run4resilience@gmail.com to be added. RSVPs are necessary because the Matilda’s are playing that night!

Also, given the tight timings and to ensure everyone gets to the start line on time, the bus WILL leave at 3 am on Sunday morning. Please be there on time.

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