Health / Mind
Ben Smith admits struggling after epic marathon challenge
Ben Smith has spoken about how he has struggled to adjust to normal life after completing his epic challenge of running 401 marathons in as many days earlier this year.
The 34-year-old from Portishead completed The 401 Challenge in October, raising £300,000 for charities Stonewall and Kidscape.
Smith was awarded Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Britain awards for his superhuman efforts.
is needed now More than ever
He’s done it! Ben Smith has completed his 401st and final consecutive marathon, finishing in Millennium Square: pic.twitter.com/Tqo3CzEAew
— Bristol24/7 (@bristol247) October 5, 2016
Two months later, he has told the BBC how the end of the challenge has had an enormous impact on his mental wellbeing.
“You do feel quite lost sometimes,” Smith said. “There’s that feeling of not having a purpose anymore, because I don’t have a goal.”
Taking on a challenge no one had attempted before, Smith’s aim was to raise awareness of bullying in the UK. He wanted to inspire other people throughout his journey, and 9,873 runners joined him along the way.
He also visited more than 100 schools to spread the anti-bullying message, and crossed the finishing line in Millennium Square at the end of his final marathon with a group of schoolchildren.
However, two months after the end of his challenge, he has said how difficult the transition has been and how easy it is to feel “quite alone”.
Since completing the challenge, he has struggled to adjust. “When I woke up the following morning I didn’t have that love of running anymore,” he said. “Sometimes I just don’t want to get out of bed…
“I know I put my body through a tough experience, my mind as well.”
Commenting on the challenge, he said: “Every day I was happy, every day I gave something to somebody.”
But he notes how much pressure this put on him mentally. He added: “I gave a lot. Sometimes if you give too much there isn’t enough there for you. Maybe I’ve given a little too much.”
For advice on mental health issues, visit www.mind.org.uk.
Bristol24/7 accompanied Smith on the final mile of his epic feat of endurance. Watch our live video here.