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“Simply put, running elevates my mood—it’s a natural high—and helps me better understand who I am.”

Editor’s note: This story discusses death by suicide.

Name: Andrew David Cox Age: 29 Hometown: Cornelius, North Carolina Occupation: Social Media Coordinator for Roush Yates Engines Time Running: 15 years

As a kid, I got into running competitively in track during my freshman year of high school in the spring of 2007. I struggled a bit at the shorter distances, and tried out cross country my junior and senior year. I really enjoyed the longer 5K races, especially the ones that had varying types of terrain—a mix of road, gravel, and woods were always fun.

In 2013, my sister and her boyfriend (now husband) committed to running the Mistletoe Half Marathon in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. To this day, that first half marathon was the only time I’ve followed a strict training plan, since at the time, 13.1 miles seemed insurmountable. Now, double-digit mile runs are something I look forward to and don’t find as daunting. That first half marathon I ended up running at a 7:42 pace the whole time. But from 2013 until 2019, I only ever ran off and on and didn’t take it super seriously.

But in 2019, I got back into running seriously. I had recently started my current job as social media coordinator with Roush Yates, and they place an emphasis on taking care of yourself both mentally and physically. They actively encouraged pursuing a regular fitness routine, which made it easier to maintain a dedicated running schedule.

I’ve also struggled with anxiety and depression for years. You wouldn’t know it unless you knew me really well, and this tends to be the story for a lot of people with mental health challenges. COVID-19 made things especially hard, and living alone with just my dog made me keenly aware of the state of my mental health, especially during quarantine. To be brutally honest, I struggled with suicidal thoughts, which I don’t think is altogether an uncommon experience for people during the pandemic. My job also has an employee assistance program, and through it I’ve connected with a therapist to help me put my mental health first.

It was important to me to destigmatize mental health and suicidal thought and to get others talking about it. In 2020, I wanted to run 100 miles in one month for the first time. Since September is suicide prevention month and I was looking for extra motivation, I decided to raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). I completed the 100 miles and raised $1,225 for the cause. It was such a great experience that I did it again this year in 2021, and it also helped me get through a challenging break up that same month. This year I ran 150 miles and raised $1,525. Next year, my goal is to run 200 miles and raise $2,000.

Running a marathon was on my bucket list, and I also achieved that this year. I also ran two half marathons, which is my favorite race distance at the moment. I want to do the Currahee Challenge–a 5K up and down Currahee Mountain in Georgia that the men of the 101st Airborne Easy Company ran to perfect their fitness prior to jumping into Normandy on D-Day during World War II—I’ve always been a WWII history junkie.

→ Powerbeats Pro: These earphones will take a beating and keep on keeping on.

→ Feetures Running Socks: I ran my first marathon ever and my third half marathon this year in Feetures socks. I loved them so much I bought my friend and his wife a pair each.

→ Rock Tape: Without Rock Tape, I couldn’t have run my most recent half marathon. I’m definitely taking a break from running for a couple weeks to heal up and then stretching more when I get back at it.

Now, I try to run two to five days a week, coupled with strength and conditioning in the gym two to three days a week for about 30 minutes. I’m also continually inspired by Olympian Molly Seidel—she makes running greatness seem human, authentic, and something realistically attainable.

As I’ve gotten older, running has become a wholly spiritual experience. I always feel better on days I run. I always tell people that running is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical. The experience of harnessing your willpower and discipline to keep going despite the physical discomfort of your lungs gasping for air and your legs heavy underneath you— especially on long runs—is a deeply meditative and intimate experience no one can take away from you. Running is one of the few activities where I feel most purely “me” and connected to my meaning in life. Simply put, running elevates my mood—it’s a natural high—and helps me better understand who I am.

I’ll never be an Olympian, and qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a pipe dream, but I’ve done more than I could ever imagine. I think I’m most proud of taking something I love and doing good and spreading positivity with it. I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished, and I look forward to the next challenge.

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