Why I’m Running (and why this really isn’t my thing)

Anyone who knows me knows one thing for sure: I hate running.

I’m not built for it. It wrecks my knees. Give me a barbell any day and I’m happy. Running has always been right at the bottom of my list.

But then my dad was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

His diagnosis came after a hospital admission for respiratory failure – a frightening and upsetting time for all of us, and especially for him. On top of already dealing with prostate cancer. Two life-changing diagnoses, all at once.

My dad has always been incredibly active – playing golf four times a week, constantly doing jobs at my house, always on the go. Now he struggles to walk any distance, gets out of breath easily, and has to rely on a machine at night to reduce CO₂ levels that build up and essentially poison his body if left unchecked.

I hate the fact that my dad has to deal with this far more than I hate running.

I’m also very aware that I’m lucky enough to still have the full use of my legs and lungs. So instead of complaining, I decided to do something meaningful with them.

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What is MND?

Motor Neurone Disease affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscles. As these neurons stop working, messages fail to reach the muscles.

This leads to muscles becoming weak, stiff, and eventually wasting away, affecting:

• Walking

• Talking

• Eating

• Breathing

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Key facts about MND

• There is no cure – treatments can help manage symptoms, but there is currently no cure.

• It is progressive – symptoms worsen over time, though the speed and severity vary from person to person.

• It is life-shortening – MND is a fatal condition.

• It’s more common than people realise – around 5,000 adults are living with MND in the UK at any one time, and 1 in 300 people will develop it in their lifetime.

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Common symptoms

• Weakness or stiffness in hands, feet, arms, or legs

• Difficulty gripping objects or climbing stairs

• Muscle twitching or painful cramps

• Slurred speech or difficulty swallowing

• Shortness of breath

• Changes in thinking, behaviour, or emotion in some cases

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What I’m doing

On 15th February, I’ll be running 21.2km to raise money for the MND Association, helping to fund vital research and support for those living with this devastating disease.

If you’re able to donate, I’d be incredibly grateful. If you’re not – I completely understand. We’re all asked to support causes constantly, and times are tough. Even sharing this page means a lot.

Thanks for reading, and thank you for any support you can give ❤️

Cheers