Marathon a day fuels Jake’s new zest for life
NEARLY three years ago, Jake Malby was tormented by anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. With a belt and two suicide notes in his hand, he was on the cusp of taking his life.
Today, his mind is clear and he is preparing to run 31 marathons in August – a marathon every day. That’s 295km a week and 1308km overall.
The 27-year-old communications technician from Palm Beach tells of how he emerged from the depths of despair into the light.
“I struggled with anxiety and depression from the age of 16. It was triggered by a multitude of adversity at a young age,” he said.
This included his girlfriend being diagnosed with cancer and his decision to leave school at the age of 15 to look after her.
“Then in 2015, someone very close to me tried to commit suicide and I had to give her CPR until the paramedics arrived.”
The experience had a devastating impact on his mental health.
“It put the suicide trigger in my head. I had always had those suicidal thoughts, but seeing this strong figure in my life trying to die, I thought ‘What hope do I have? What’s the point in fighting it?’
“In August 2016, I hit rock bottom. I wasn’t eating, I only got out of bed to feed my dog and to take her for a walk.
“I wrote out two suicide notes and I had a belt ready. I called my brother Ben, just to hear his voice, but I broke down on the phone.
“He came and fetched me, took me in, looked after me for a month, kept me safe. He’s an ultra-marathon runner and he got me to the point where I agreed to run a 25km trail race in the Nerang State Forest in the October.
“I realised that it was the first time since I was 16 that I didn’t have a negative thought in my head. My mind was so preoccupied with other pain that I didn’t have time to think about my depression or anxiety. When I crossed the line, I got a hug from Ben and I made a
I WAS ADDICTED TO RUNNING BUT IF I WASN’T INTRODUCED TO RUNNING, I PROBABLY WOULDN’T BE ALIVE TODAY.
JAKE MALBY
decision to run a marathon.” Not one to waste time, Mr Malby ran a 42km race in Cairns a month later in 5 hours 54 minutes.
“That was it. I was addicted to running but if I wasn’t introduced to running, I probably wouldn’t be alive today.”
With Ben’s help, he discovered the best running techniques, a healthier diet and a new way to deal with his illness.
Six months later, with his doctor’s permission, he took himself off the medication he had been taking for five years and he has not touched meds since.
Mr Malby has run 15 ultra-marathons and 10 marathons, including the recent Gold Coast Marathon.
Mr Malby’s aim next month is to raise awareness of and raise funds for mental illness campaigner LIVIN.
“I’m also asking people to run with me, whatever distance they like,” he said. “I want to have 31 stories to share at the end of the project.”
Mr Malby will run the same 42.2km route every day in August – from Palm Beach to The Spit and back again – unless locals running with him want an alternative route.
He had advice for others struggling with anxiety and depression.
“Reach out to your support network. Getting yourself talking is the hardest thing you will have to do but in the end, it’s the most rewarding thing,” Jake said.
To donate, visit give.everydayhero.com/au/31-marathons-in-31days and follow his progress at instagram.com/forest.goat.
If you need someone to talk to phone Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) and Mensline Australia (1300 789 978)