Meet the R4R Runners

Special Edition

Running for Resilience (R4R) began by communicating how I was impacted by the suicide of my Old Man, with the goal of preventing at least one suicide, so that a life can be saved and the pain for those left behind from the life otherwise lost could be avoided.

R4R still holds that goal of saving one life from suicide, and in my opinion, it has also morphed into somewhat of a symbol for all struggles, regardless of their nature. With this evolution and the lessons learned, I was able to navigate the passing of my Mum earlier this year comparatively well, considering the circumstances.

In what feels like the right time to do so, considering the naming of the ‘Arc de Resilience’ and R4Rs 2nd birthday next week (RSVP Here), I’d like to introduce you to the people behind R4R - my Parents… as best as I can answer for them and despite the cringe of some of the answers!

What is your name?

Paul Breen

Angela Breen

Where are you from?

Paul: Central Coast, NSW

Angela: Coogee, NSW

Have you always lived in Canberra?

Paul: No - I moved around quite a bit as a kid as my Dad managed convenience stores at railways. I joined the Navy at 15 years old and then moved around quite a bit with them. Landed in Canberra in 1999 and apart from work commitments overseas and interstate, this was where I called home.

Angela: No - Born and raised in Coogee, NSW before meeting Paul and travelling around according to his Defence career. This took us all round Australia but my favourite place was Exmouth in WA. I have called Canberra home since 1999.

How did you first hear about R4R?

Paul: If you believe in ghosts, I heard it the first time Matt spoke about it.

Angela: I think I heard about it when everyone else did, after Matt posted about it for the first time on social media.

When did you first attend a R4R?

Paul: Again… if you believe in ghosts

Angela: Run number 1!

What keeps you coming back to R4R?

Paul & Angela: To see how it keeps growing!

Do you have a R4R Personal Best? If not, what’s your 5km PB?

Paul: I don’t, but I did finish the City 2 Surf in 58 minutes, the same year Rob de Castella won it for the 2nd time (1981)

Angela: However long it takes to walk 3km!

Do you prefer the winter R4Rs or the Summer R4Rs?

Paul: Either/or

Angela: I love warm weather! Summer.

Do you prefer Friday or Wednesday R4R? or in other words… Do you prefer beer or coffee?

Paul: Coffee… Hazelnut Latte

Angela: Champagne

If you could go for a 3km/6km walk or run with 3 people alive or dead, who would you choose and why?

Paul:

• Winston Churchill - From all of his failures and shortfalls to the ultimate success of leading Britain in a World War, I think he’d have some fascinating insights… might struggle during a run though!

• Hear me out here… but maybe Adolf Hitler? - Apart from the obvious and entertaining tension there would be between Winston and him, I would love to try and present questions to him to test his thinking so I can understand how people can hold such abhorrent opinions.

• René Descartes - As you can probably tell now… I don’t mind a bit of a philosophical discussion. I also think he’d be quite useful in mediating the discussions between the two above!

Angela:

• My Parents - I was very close to my parents and would love to go for a walk with them

• Winx - The greatest racehorse ever! I’d love to saddle her up and take her for a trot around the lake!

What does resilience mean to you?

Paul: Acknowledging your situation and doing your best to do what’s needed.

Angela: It means getting on with things and being as positive as possible about what you can still control. I truly believe that there is no other way to be.

Is there a time in your life where you’ve had to rely on your ability to be resilient?

Paul: Losing my Brother to suicide and my old man to cancer was pretty tough. In my final days, I was obviously going through some issues that I or our society didn’t understand well enough for me to overcome. I think if I had gone through the same mental struggle in today’s world, I would feel far more comfortable asking for help and maybe things would be different.

Angela: Losing my parents was tough, even though they lived to 86 & 87, but losing my Husband and feeling the responsibility to look after my children took everything I had. In some ways, it prepared me for my battle with Ovarian Cancer where, apart from being the best dressed cancer patient in Canberra Hospital, I didn’t complain once, I still managed to have so many fun times, and I think I set a great example for my kids.

If you could say one thing to someone going through something tough at the moment, what would it be?

Paul: I’d like to direct my message to people considering suicide or who feel they are completely overwhelmed.

In 2010, I didn’t feel like I could reach out for fear of what people might think of me. Regardless of if that was true, it is not the case today. The world is so much more understanding and accepting, and you won’t regret admitting that you need help.

Furthermore, I promise you, there are people that care about you and who will be incredibly sad that you’re no longer with them. Whatever it is that you’re going through, no matter how insurmountable it might feel, I promise you that if you just hang in there, things will get better. Do whatever you can to give yourself the chance to feel better; go for a walk, call a friend, call life-line, do some chores, anything.

Just. Keep. Moving… please.

Angela: Try find the silver lining, focus on that and understand that your situation is what it is, but it’s about how you can react to it that will define how you look back on it.

In the 2022 edition of the R4R Gift, who will win the coveted Clydesdale award 100kg and above? Jonesy, Benny A, or other?

Paul & Angela: Judging on the way our Grandson is growing… he might be in with a shot soon!

Well as weird and quirky as that was, I enjoyed it!

And remember, on December 15, R4R turns 2!

We’re lucky enough for the Dock to host us and for Schroders to foot the bill.

Please RSVP so we have a good idea of numbers. We would love to see you all there! (capacity permitting)