Running Down Dementia 500kms Challenge

April 1st 2019. Yes the day of fools. This fool decides to start a marathon of runs. Well, when I say a marathon. I don't actually mean "MARATHON!" as in 26 miles. I mean a series of runs between April 1st and the last day of August.

WHY?

Good question. Well, back in 2017 my father, James Oliver, was living with dementia and had been for some years. Now some of you may know Russell Grant. As well as being a TV celebrity and bit of a dancer thanks to Strictly Come Dancing. Anyway, Russell contacted me and asked me if I would consider running for Alzheimer'r Research UK.

Like many of you reading this who know me....I too fell on the floor laughing! Running? Me? Mate I don't even run for a bus! Not that any of that mattered. Eventually I considered my dad and said "Yes!" Couldn't be that hard really could it? 100kms target and raise £100 in the process.

Made easier by the fact that the 100kms did not have to be run in one go. Now it sounded easier than I had thought. OK, let's do it. Not being a runner how hard could running actually be. I did a lot of walking. In previous years I had completed a number of sponsored walks. Can't be that hard surely.

I bought a pair of running shoes and gave it a go. 1km later on my first attempt and I was DYING! Not giving up though so next time I ran 2kms and....still DYING! Eventually though, I made it to 5kms without any lasting ill effects. So....I went for it. I managed to complete the first year's campaign fairly well in fairness. Not being a seasoned runner I felt quite proud.

2017 = 100kms completed - £100 raised. Felt good to be honest. Although right after my very last run which took me to the 100kms target, I ceremonially set fire to my running shoes!

2018 came and I thought, why not? Let's do it again. Only this time I needed to up the stakes. So I promised all those who sponsored me that for every £1 I got, I would run 1km. This time I would warm up for a few weeks and go for it...no more 1km, 2km or 5km runs. NOPE! This time I was going to complete a minimum of 10kms each time. I figured 10 of them would be over quick enough!

Hahahaha we all know what thought does.

Yep £300 later I am running 300kms! I have to really acknowledge now that I am starting to enjoy running! A LOT!

Now to 2019.....

Well I could say I am now older so need to slow down. I could say I like running so I could manage the same as last year. OR, I could prove that I am insane and go for 500kms! YES you read that correctly, it is not a printing error! This year I am running 500kms. I aim to run either 20kms in one day or 2 x 10kms over a weekend, each week between April 1st and August 31st.

How can you help? Simple. Click this link and make a donation!

Running Down Dementia 500kms Challenge

I hope to keep updates here and maybe a few photos as I run along so that A) you can follow my progress. B) I can look back on this blog later and see the places I ran past as I may not remember the views at the time. C) If I drop dead you may have clues as to where to find me.