My Updates
Helping Hands & Encouraging Words
Friday 24th May
This run really gave me faith in how much people really do care, and that there are people out there cheering us on from the sidelines through tough moments.
For the run - it was the spectators. So many of them held up signs with words of encouragement and jokes to make us smile as we ran past. There was one particular spectator who was calling out to every single runner as they struggled past, giving them a compliment, a clap, or an enthusiastic cheer to help motivate them on. He was such a joy to watch, especially as I came up to the final stretch with really heavy legs and a pounding heart, he gave me a smile and a cheer that spurred me on to finish.
This made me reflect back to my experience with postpartum mental health - and to my own cheer team. My husband, my parents, and some really close friends that knew how tough it was for me, and also who recognised I was so far from my normal self. They were so steady in their support of me, especially during the most difficult moments. They supported me by taking an interest in learning about what is perinatal mental health, learning how to best support me while I was receiving my psychology care from my Gidget Foundation clinician, and by making sure they were there to help with our three children so I could take the necessary steps to heal.
I am forever grateful for their support, and for the care I received from the Gidget Foundation.
xx Tracey
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Last Minute Changes
Thursday 22nd Feb
The news at first was disheartening, however my husband and family rallied around encouraged me to come up with a plan B.
After checking in with the Gidget Foundation's wonderful team, who were also very supportive, I decided to run the 17.2km on the same weekend, just in a slightly different way!
Part 1 was a 10.2km run through the hills of the Nerang State Forest. I ran this with the lovely Obstetrician who delivered all three of my children!
Part 2 was a 7km run from Burleigh Headlands to Kurrawa SLSC where my husband and children were waiting with cheers and cuddles!
I think my biggest takeaway from this run was how important it is to be flexible with the last minute changes that life can throw at us, and that we can still achieve our goals (even if a little differently than first planned).
Thank you everyone for all your support! next up is the 7.5km road race at Main Beach in May. Throwing a cheeky 15km trail race at Noosa between now and then!
x Tracey
Are We Ever Really Prepared?
Sunday 10th Dec
During this run, my mind kept coming back to the challenges of facing mental health struggles in the postpartum period. How it's possible to feel opposing emotions such as incredible love and joy, and yet deep sadness and overwhelm, at the same time.
This run was so beautiful, yet with the heat it felt like we were running in a sauna. On one hand, I was loving that another year on I am still out here, able to do what I love, and at the same time I really struggled to keep going in this run and wasn't having fun.
My preparation leading in to this one was not ideal, having had minor surgery a couple weeks prior (don't worry I got the all clear from the doctors to run!). But then do we ever truely have control over being fully prepared for what's ahead of us in parenthood?
I used to think I could be, but life seems to pretty great at throwing curveballs and surprises, so even with the best intentions I'm learning that the best I can do is be prepared to be surprised.
So on reflection, I feel very proud of this run. I'm proud to have finished it, and proud to have represented the Gidget Foundation along the way. (PS.. how great is the new graphic designed by their wonderful team to showcase all my fundraising runs!)
xx Tracey
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Full of Suprises
Tuesday 7th Nov
I love to run. I love to run both on the road, and on the trails. So I thought, yes! A trail event in the beautiful Numinbah Valley sounds like the perfect event to debut my updated multi race fundraising campaign for the Gidget Foundation.
As the starting bell sounded off I went, really pumped to be heading in to the rolling hills with the cool fog and misty rain to keep me company.
I was in for a shock! After the first 2km hill I was sure we must be at the peak and about to enjoy the flat for a while, but nope, ahead of me was loads more of challenging surprises in the form of relentless rocky hills, river crossings and sludgy mud on the (very few) downslopes.
A couple times I laughed out loud at the situation I had willing signed up for, and perhaps not knowing what was ahead of me was a good thing!
It was as if this trail run was a physical mirror of my parenthood journey. I had no idea before having children how challenging and tough facing postpartum mental health would be. And once I got through the worst of my postpartum mental health struggles, my children seemed to take turns in giving us some medical hurdles to also overcome.
Just like the rocky hills and steep climbs of my trail run, or the long nights and scary loneliness of postpartum mental health - my family and I got through these life challenges, and have come out the other side.
My mental health now feels like my running muscles - it's something I actively work at keeping strong and healthy - as I know that life will no doubt throw me some more surprising challenges, and I need to be ready and equipped to handle them.
....Also might be a good idea for me to do a few more wee hill runs before the next trail event ;)
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Recovered & Living
Monday 30th Oct
Rather, I now live with it. BUT I now have the tools and the knowledge on how to maintain a healthy mental state, and when life brings it's natural ebbs and flows, the life stresses that being a parent (and perhaps even just an adult these days), I now know how to recognise the signs that I need to 'top up' my 'me' time, or add in some extra activities that help balance my mental health.
It's for these reasons that I decided just one event to raise awareness for postpartum mental health wasn't quite enough... it's ongoing and so shall my running events! Wish me luck.
Up next is a 13.8km trail run, followed by a 12km road race, then a 18km trail run leading in to the new year. I will keep running for the very important cause of raising awareness and knowledge about postpartum mental health.
x Tracey
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1 in 5 Mothers and 1 in 10 Fathers
Tuesday 30th May
Running was a huge part of my PNDA recovery and now is a huge part of how I maintain my mental health.
The Gidget Foundation was a safe place and the key resource for me to find the help I needed, when my GP referred me to the Start Talking program.
The statistics that 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers will experience Postnatal Depression and Anxiety, is why I am now running to raise money for the Gidget Foundation so that we can help raise awareness and get help to those mothers and fathers in need.
I recently ran a 5km run at the Noosa Runaway Festival, and now I am training to run the 10km at the GC Marathon Event. Please help support this cause so close to my heart.
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Thank you to my Sponsors
$348.15
Team Van Leeuwen
$56
Jesse Gray
$55.50
Laura
$52.75
Tracey Tyley
$52.75
Anna Daniels
$52.75
Matt Beauchamp
Nice job Trace!
$52.75
Lauren Ensor
$52.75
The Van Leeuwen’s
We are endlessly proud and super inspired by you Tracey. All the best. All our love. Always. The Van Leeuwen’s
$52.75
Waller’s Family
Great job Tracey ❤️
$52.75
Kaddatz Fam ♥️
You amaze me! ♥️
$50
Marcella
$26.38
Ward Family
Awesome effort, Tracey!
$26.38
Tanya Lambart
Proud of you xx
$26.38
Sarah Croft
Go you good thing!
$26
Kate
keep up the amazing work Tracey x
$25
Lorna Schofield
$10.55
Leonie Newey
You go girl 👏👏
You inspire us so much Tracey! Love your loyal support crew x