My Story

I am training to run the London Marathon 2025 to mark turning 60 and to raise money for Alzheimer's Society because my mum, Monica Armstrong, has advanced Alzheimer's disease.  I was lucky to get a ballot place in the Marathon and so was my daughter, Anna.  We are a mother and daughter team running the marathon to raise money for Alzheimer's Society as we are regularly reminded of the cruelty of the disease.

My mum was diagnosed in 2019 although it was probably evident quite a bit before this time, if I am honest.  However, at that time she was still able to live independently with support from my brother and myself.  

Her Alzheimer's journey has been quite cruel.  It is difficult to watch a person you know so well disappear before your very eyes.  Covid in particular was a difficult time and the disease advanced quite aggressively during 2020.  She continued to live independently with the help of carers but by the end of 2021 it was evident she needed greater care to keep her safe.  She moved in with me temporarily to work out what the next phase would look like.

We found a care home and she moved permanently in February 2022.  She settled in better than we expected, although the disease continued its advance.  I think the Monica in the care home could be characterised as a fiesty character with few inhibitions quite unlike my gentle and calm mother.  January 2023 was difficult as she had a fall and had to attend A & E.  Unfortunately following the fall she got a bad eye infection and lost the sight in her left eye.  The advance of Alzheimer's continues and she became quite agressive.  She slowly lost the ability to remember members of the family and each visit could be very challenging.

Age and the disease has meant that the last couple of months she has become bed bound.  It is so sad to think that her world is confined to a room and a bed.  The care home (Lime Tree Court) look after her very well but I inevitably feel very sad when I see her lying in the bed and quite agitated.  She has quite a right hook and can catch you  unawares if you loose your concentration for a moment.

I have found running has been a good escape to find a calm place to process the negative thoughts and the sadness of the journey that we are on with my mother and Anna's grand-mother.

We are very grateful to family, friends and colleagues who wish to support us in our marathon mission raising money for Alzheimer's Society.

Latest update

We are now a matter of weeks away from the marathon and the training is hard.  Last Sunday I completed a 15 mile run which was really hard.  People are saying to me that is over half the distance so think positively about that.  I am trying to but it is definitely the most challenging thing I have done physically.  I am also doing strength training and yoga as well as 3 runs a week to give myself the best change of completing the marathon.