I have missed this forum so much, unfortunately my mum who has Alzheimer's, has been on end of life care and, we've also had two other bereavements in Jan and Feb so life has been and continues to be a real challenge. My full time work hours have been very difficult trying to fit everything in around being with mum, and also still getting out for a run, which has been my absolute lifeline.
My running has suffered which I guess is inevitable, I find it frustrating, particularly my parkrun times, they've got much slower 😒 but I realise things/stress are bound to effect it. Ive got the Boston Half Marathon in April which Im trying to train for, but now Ive also been talked into doing the Yorkshire 3Peaks in May!!!!!! 😬 We have some strict training days planned within our local running club to hopefully get us all prepared.
Im concerned that I won't have the fitness it needs but determined to train and try my best. Anyone else done it , any words of wisdom????
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Hedgehogs123
Metric Marathon
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Really sorry to hear of the situation with your Mum Hedgehogs123 . Dementia is so cruel.
As for your forthcoming events, how much running are you doing right now? The Boston half-marathon in April is, afaik, very flat, so shouldn't be problematic.
However, if the Three Peaks Challenge is what I think it is, i.e. 38.6km with 1585m of ascent, I'll be brutally honest. Running trails and hills, with minimal support, is a whole different ball-game to doing a flat road-based event with drinks and aid stations all along the route.
I've completed a 46.5km, 1835m elevation gain trail event. I run hills all the time, mostly off-road. I trained for five months, and had several HM distances and one metric marathon with reasonable elevation gain (598m) under my belt before I started.
The event I did is flatter, in terms of overall average percentage gradient, than the Three Peaks. On the day I loved it, but it was tough. And tbh, a few "strict training days" are unlikely to cut it, unless you're happily running fairly hilly (450m+) HMs at the moment.
I'm not saying you can't do it - the cut-off time is generous enough to let you walk the whole thing. Just be aware of what you're letting yourself in for, and prepare accordingly. If you're not 100% sure, give it a go another year. It'll wait for you. Good luck!
Thank you, very wise words as always. On top of our regular training days, we have one full day every weekend, and it's tough. I'm just off to one now. I'm not a regular hill runner and this is teaching me so much about the strength and stamina involved. There's a couple of us who are a bit concerned that we would slow everyone down, so we have agreed that we'll make our final decision once we've had a few more training sessions and have a feel for whether we are fit enough. I also suffer with arthritis in both balls of my feet and both big toes, and that's been playing up, which isn't helping. I may consider whether to wait a year, as you say, it will wait, the 3 Peaks aren't going anywhere!
Thanks for responding so positively Hedgehogs123 . I was concerned I was being too harsh.
I've been looking at the Three Peaks Challenge website and am now wondering whether your group's planning to run or walk the route. The website indicates that all participants in their organised events have to wear walking boots and trail shoes are not permitted. Also, the kit list is definitely that for a hike, not a trail running event.
I'd say it's much more do-able if it's walking rather than running - though in any case you'd walk steeper sections of a trail running event. You're looking at ascents of roughly 400m over 4km of uneven terrain, and similar descents, for each peak, plus all the bits in between.
I'd suggest you talk it through in detail with the club leaders. They presumably have previous experience of this or very similar events - I'd hope so anyway - so should be able to advise you appropriately.
Do bear in mind the advice from Oldfloss too. While running can be a wonderful way to deal with stress, it's also physically and mentally demanding, and the desire to perform can be an additional source of pressure. Be sure that you're running for you, and not because it feels like a way to wrest back control of things that you can't actually control (vascular dementia took my Dad long before he died) or because someone else has pushed you into it.
Wise words indeed. My own Mum disappeared into Dementia before she eventually rested easy....and your comments about, "...running for you... " so, so true. This is what happened to me in 2020.. running to escape from the struggles and over-worry, Pandemic mayhem, a carer for small one and Mr OF's issues, and right into a complete wipe out. Lessons learned though ! Your words here have helped me again, too x
I've not done either of these but just wanted to say well done for signing up and still getting out there during such hard times 😘 especially aroubd a full tine job.I understand how you feel as my Mum had vascular dementia , 😪 xxx
Sorry I cannot be helpful re-your 3 Peaks advice, except enjoy x
So sorry to hear about your Mum..my own Mum suffered from Dementia too , It is possibly, one of the cruelest of illnesses. Mr OF is already moving quicky, on that path too .
You have had and are having, a really, really tough time, trying to fit everything in and maintain some kind of personal equilibrium... hopefully, you will find some respite as you work with your group for your events. Just take it gently?
With stressful times, it can be a temptation to use our running too much ? It can be, as you say, a lifeline....In 2020, stressful events caused me to make the mistake of overusing my running and pushing too hard. Took a while to get back on track at the end of that year and into 2021. Back to square one for me. If I felt, even remotely qualified to give any advice, it would be in agreement with Cmoi . Listen to your body, be kind to it and know these things wait.
Thank you, yes we're not always good at being kind to ourselves are we. As always, this forum is so helpful and has certainly given me much to think about. I'm sorry about your other half, mine too is also worryingly showing signs (there's quite a big age gap between us) and we have talked about him going for a memory test. 😔 . I'm great believer in these things are sent to test us, and I know it won't be like this forever,
It won't... and you will find the right way for you to come through it... Cmoi 's words to you have helped me too,( sorry to hijack that bit of your post)...what she said reinforces what i have been building back on .. We really need to try to learn that we are important... we do matter, and not just because things fall apart if we are out of action.
You will do this.. you are strong... you are after all , a runner xxx
I'm so sorry about your Mum Hedgehogs123 , I'm a carer for my mother in law who also has alzheimers (part time with my sister in law, because I have other jobs too). It's very tough fitting everything in isn't it- when you know it's even more important that you do get out at this tough time?
It sounds like you have the support of your running club to help you with how ready you are. I have found in the past that as long as I'm really strict and keep my strength training going (through illness / no time to run) then I have been able to pick up my running when I can. If you're like me and you know you NEED to run for your sanity, but you need a motivational race date and a reason not to be guilty for taking time from helping others to do it..... then keep your challenges and just enjoy doing them at your pace at that time. It might be slower than you're used to, but when you add up all the bonuses of you getting out to train and race - surely that's good? I haven't tried a challenge like the three peaks though, so Cmoi has much more experience there!
Yes you're so right, it's so tough, so much tougher than you ever expect it to be. Sleep is not good, but again guess that's to be expected. I have tried to keep up my strength training and yoga as well as walking my dog every morning and evening, have just found my stamina has reduced. My running is the only time I feel like me, where I can have some peace and quiet.The club have a training day especially for the 3peaks challenge every weekend, where they're talking to us about strength training, hydration, nutrition etc and I'm actually just on my way now. I'm going to make my final decision once we've had some Training days as hopefully that will give me an indication of whether I'm fit enough.
Best of luck with your mum in law, you have my complete understanding, not easy at all.
No words of wisdom as regards your races Hedgehogs, but I wanted to send hugs to you and your lovely mum. Mine had dementia and it was so sad seeing her deteriorate, but running helped get me through the sad time when she eventually passed away at 94 ❤️
It’ll help you too, as you already know - maybe dedicate your runs to her and accept whatever fitness you’re at on race day. Take lots of care.
Oh Hedgehogs, that is a really tough time you’re going through.
You’ve already had some wonderful advice from others far more wise than me. All I can add is that I don’t think you should put yourself under any more pressure than you’re already under. Remember, running should be for fun and it should also be your outlet, whatever works and helps you get through this is worth it’s weight in gold.
I can't say much more than has already been said, but do send very best wishes as you struggle through this difficult time. Remember to think of yourself too xxx
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