Running For The Memories

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I'm raising funds for people with dementia!

I'm raising funds and awareness, for people with dementia!

Dementia is a cruel and varied disease. No two journeys are the same, the common thread however, it slowly changes the people we love, we watch as they slowly slip away from the people we once knew. The longest of goodbyes.

My own mother passed away in 2021, having endured a decade of decline from dementia; only a year prior to her death, my father was diagnosed with Semantic and Vascular Dementia requiring me to become his carer until his admission to a care facility when I could no longer care for him.

His decline has been rapid, an active man now a shell of who he once was, unable to do the simplest of task for himself.

In 2023 I ran my first 100km ultramarathon, and ran over 2,400km total throughout the year.

In 2024 I decided to continue that momentum with the goal of running (at least) 2024 km's in 2024.

After a series of ultramarathon events this year, from 55km to 100km, I am set to embark on my biggest challenge yet, run my first 100 mile Ultramarathon in The Grampians/Gariwerd National Park.

Grampians/Gariwerd is a place that holds personal significance to me and my family, a location I have spent many years adventuring, and where my parents honeymooned in the 70's.

To round out the year in such a meaningful place is going to be very special.

I would deeply appreciate any donation to support my cause and help me reach my goal to support Dementia Australia and raise awareness around this disease.

All funds raised will support the work of Dementia Australia to provide vital support services for people living with dementia, their families and carers. These services include counselling, support groups, education and training.

Thank you for your support.
#milerformemories

My Achievements

Received first gift

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My Updates

Miler for Memories

Monday 28th Oct

It's only a few weeks until I stand at the start line of my longest run yet, 100 Miles. (I say "run" but that's more of a guideline really, I know there's a lot of hiking involved on this terrain.)

Three years ago to the day, I sat with mum in her final days, and the synchronicity of time is not lost on me as I have found myself sitting by my dad's bed in very similar circumstances.

In recent weeks dad has declined rapidly, with a ferocity I wasn't prepared for, there's a very real possibility we will be saying our final goodbye before I embark on this adventure.

That is a confronting prospect... yet, watching him as he suffers through his experience of this disease seems worse. It's hard to remember the man he once was at times.

As I prepare, for both 100 miles, and the prospect of final farewells, having clocked the target of 2,024 km's during training, making the GPT Miler event my headlining performance for the year has become my focus.

I move towards #milerformemories .

I have no idea what the coming weeks hold, I do know I am consistent in my training, I know I have strength, grit and determination to see my goal through, and I know I am more driven than ever to reach my donation goal of $5,000.

Please help me reach my goal by donating, sharing and opening the conversation around dementia.

All we have is now

Friday 18th Oct

This week alone I have had a trio of (literally) shattering experiences, the ground beneath me feeling like it was crumbling; as one event seemed to calm another would abruptly surface and I'd find myself in a spiral.

The most significant, my father rushed to hospital and gravely unwell, has been the forefront of my week, dictating my plans, yet finding myself in a holding pattern... waiting.

I am a bystander to this disease, not knowing what any day will bring, yet with one foot ready to spring into action... a duality of allowing and adrenalin.

Still... it is in being present, allowing the now, and taking each moment as it comes, which is the only certainty we have.

100 km - 100 miles

Friday 27th Sep

In May I ran my most difficult 100km event to date, the UTA 100 in the Blue Mountains.
With over 4,000m elevation it was a true test of things to come for the year ahead. It was daunting, it was hard, and it was overwhelming, but I did it.

It was a test, for myself, to see how I could endure the relentlessness of the course and the places my mind would undoubtedly go to; a test for the next huge goal, 100 miles.

I am currently 12 weeks in to training to run the Grampians Peaks Trail in November. One Hundred Miles and over 7,700m elevation on technical, rocky, and incredibly demanding terrain.

I am at times overwhelmed by the enormity of what lays ahead, but my focus could not be more clear.

Having farewelled my mother to dementia nearly 3 years ago, and watching my father decline so rapidly at times that it hits my like a wall, I am deeply passionate about raising awareness and funds around dementia support, services and research. Running 100 miles is my way to do that.

Every donation is so deeply appreciated.

It begins with a Personal Best

Tuesday 2nd Jan

Day one of 2024 km's in 2024 kicked off with Day One of UTA100 training and a new parkrun Personal Best.

I'm raising funds for people with dementia!

Thursday 28th Dec

This is where it all starts, one step towards my goal in 2024 to run 2,500km and complete my first 100 Mile trail run, with the extra purpose to raise awareness and support for Dementia Australia.

Having lost my mother to dementia in 2021, and now slowly saying goodbye to my father who was diagnosed in 2020 this cause is very close to my heart.

Please follow along as I move towards my goal of raising $5000 (or more?) through 2024.

x Emily

Thank you to my Supporters

$58.02

Amy Armstrong

You are such an inspiration Em, incredibly worthy cause to fight a horrible disease

$105.50

Kirstie

Trail running and life sure do challenge us and help us to grow in amazing ways. Honoured to be a part of your running goals and always admiring how you find a way to stay on the path when life those in some obstacles. Just out here looking for some of that therapy that nature gives us. 💚

$55

Elizabeth Heaver

$58.02

Nat Petrie

Way to go Emily, you beautiful soul 🥰 keep up the amazing work 👏

$5.28

Kristie_lovetheeveryday

$20

Candice Farrugia

Emily, you are absolutely inspiring! Such a great cause and one that has impacted my own family as well

$31.65

Altan Djenab

Great cause Em

$50

Vicky Giancola

Inspirational Em, keep shining bright beautiful & enjoy your running journey xxx great cause xxx

$31.65

Altan

Well done Emily great cause

$58.02

Matthew Vasilescu

Best of luck to you the accidental runner.

$10.55

Anonymous

$52

Jody C

Keep up the great work for a cause that is close to many of our hearts. There aren't many families that haven't been touched by the cruelty of dementia including my own. Keep on running.

$31.65

Emily Black

My Team Members