Contributed by Rob Michalik, Mental Health Connecticut Board of Directors
Some people run to achieve a goal. They complete a marathon to check off an accomplishment on their bucket list. For Michael Lo Presti, who incredibly completes 10-15 marathons/ultramarathons per year, running isn’t simply about goal achievement. It is his passion.
Fortunately, we here at Mental Health Connecticut have benefited greatly from Michael’s passion. For the past couple of years, Michael has co-directed the Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness to raise funding for MHC. The run, which Michael and the other runners complete during a single day, stretches more than 50 miles along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail – from the Massachusetts border to Long Island Sound. This past year, more than 40 runners took part in the event. Many of those participants were from CT Trailmixers, a running club for which Michael serves as president.
When I asked Michael what attracted him to MHC, he indicated a desire to translate his passion for running into doing something good for the community. He also noted the relationship between mental health and physical health. For Michael, running doesn’t just keep him in shape. It allows him time to sort through his busy mind. Running provides him with an opportunity to tune out the noise and connect with and listen to nature. As Michael describes it, “When I run, I view every step as a gift.”
Michael Lo Presti at the finish of the November 2019 Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health on the docks in New Haven.
Though Michael had planned the latest Cross-Connecticut Run for Mental Health Awareness to take place this spring, the run had to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Michael hopes to reschedule the event to a time later this year. We at MHC look forward to that rescheduled event, and we sincerely thank Michael for all of his continued support.
To learn more about Michael’s fundraiser for Mental Health Connecticut, go to www.mhconn.org/crossct.
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