Bieg Sławka dla TD

I am bringing awareness and fundraising for children and youth affected by depression. 

My name is Sławek. I am an architect and urbanist from Gdańsk, Poland. For the last 9 years I have been living with my family in Doha, Qatar. 

Many of my friends know me as a fit amateur runner and a triathlete. I used to train and race a lot. I have never won any race, I have never considered myself as super fast. But improving and getting better kept me going. Same as sharing this passion with other people. It’s been great.

The last 3 years have been a bit different for me. Since around the pandemic began, I’ve had physical and mental problems. It has been difficult. I’m well now and have found my own way forward. I had my wife to stand beside me in the ups and downs, as well as reached out for professional help. Now I am happy and fulfilled. I run and cycle when I can. I’m not as consistent and obsessed with training as I used to be. This has been a big change for me. As a result, I’m also not that fast. It’s been difficult to acknowledge it and I haven’t really raced in a long time. I wanted to avoid the feeling of failure.

This December, I want to make it to the start line of Ironman 70.3 Bahrain. I will swim 1900m, cycle 90km and then run 21.1km (a half marathon). It may seem a lot, but it used to be my favourite triathlon distance. I have done it many times. I don’t think I will be any close to my fastest times. But I will be there!

I would like to dedicate my race start to those, who are having mental health problems. I am wishing them to seek help and get well. I want to bring attention to various illnesses, especially depression. Although I was not depressed, it is a common and often unseen illness. I think about those for whom the simple task of getting out of bed seems to be impossible. For whom the world seems so bad that they do not want to be a part of it.

I am fundraising for a Polish organisation “Faces of Depression”: https://twarzedepresji.pl/about-us/ They offer free psychological help, especially to the youth and children. It seems very important for me that they can seek help. Many of them cannot afford professional treatment or would have to wait long. For some it will be too long before they cannot cope with their world any more and would harm themselves.

I think the main issues for people with depression are the difficulty in acknowledging the illness, and the challenge of gaining recognition and support from others who may not fully understand their condition or how to help. Take a moment to read about the symptoms of depression: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression#part_2255

and what to do, and what not to do if someone close to you is affected:

https://www.choosingtherapy.com/what-to-say-to-someone-with-depression/

Please check on them, as they need help!

Share this fundraiser to bring wide awareness, I will appreciate that. Donate, if you feel so and it will make a difference.

The donations it will be in PLN and direct to the organisation. Approximate rates are for 100 PLN = 23 USD = 22 EUR = 86 QAR.

Thank you!