Puckfarkinsons

The fundraising link is in the bio.

One month until the dot watching starts.

Keep looking up.

(Doggy pic because she's gorgeous)

without telling the medical community how this miracle has been achieved). Life with a chronic disease is hard enough without having to fight for help that is rightfully yours

Which is why my fundraising now includes Parkinson's UK. With the current benefit regime, people with PD need support making a claim or dealing with reassessment. (because the DWP regularly thinks that Parkinson's is not degenerative and sufferers have got better

I know by overdosing I can run (jog/walk) long distances but there's not much employment in that sphere. And there's no point in being a postman if your lack of dexterity means you can't handle letters or write a missed delivery card.

I'm aware that my working life is drawing rapidly to an end. Between the "on" times for meds I'm resembling the tin man, and even when the meds are working any stress means my tremor goes into overdrive which renders me effectively useless.

Cure Parkinson's aim is to make itself redundant by finding a cure (and while pursuing that aim, hopefully stop the disease at least). Parkinson's UK's aim is to make life for those with Parkinson's better.

April is Parkinson's awareness month. Today is also one month away from the first of five 100 mile races I'm attempting this year to raise awareness and funds for two charities in the UK - Cure Parkinson's, and Parkinson's UK.

Also "low physical activity"??? I had a HIIT class in the morning and a Tri club turbo session in the evening - have I set the expectation bar too high for my watch? 🤣🤣🤣

57 days until the Thames Path 100.

I had plans for today. However the long run is now out of the window as Parkies made my legs "uncomfortable" all night (no idea where Garmin got the 39 minutes from!) so it's postponed until tomorrow.

The link to the fundraising is in the bio - and starting now the timeline is going to be busier with the training selfies (lucky you!).
Don't stop looking up.

#parkinsons #puckfarkinsons #parkinsonsawareness #cureparkinsonstrust #parkinsonsuk #danceforpd
#parkinsonssucks
#parkinsonsdisease

'm finding the training more demanding, and I'm more fatigued all the time - so I'm having to dig more to get through.
Don't get me wrong, I know that 6 years after diagnosis I'm in a place that is a lot better than a lot of other people with the disease - that's a pretty small crumb of comfort.

That's not surprising as there's no stopping it - the meds just mask the symptoms. I've prepped a list of the changes, otherwise I'd never remember them all.
The progression is going to make this year's running challenge that bit harder (because 5 X 100 miles is easy, right? 🤪).

shop wall poster: wanderlust (n) a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world

at my happy place (bonus points for anyone who can name it) ahead of a visit with my Parkinson's consultant. It's been nearly a year since the last one and the disease has progressed in spite of the extra meds.

#parkinsons #puckfarkinsons #parkinsonsawareness #cureparkinsonstrust #parkinsonsuk #danceforpd
#parkinsonssucks
#parkinsonsdisease
#centurionrunningcommunity
#teaandtrailspodcast

New blog post up (link in bio). In summary: I've got more time to train for the 5 X 100 milers (yes I've added another one) as I've gone part-time (thanks to Parkinson's).
So that's more time to spot dungheaps. Bonus.

€29.90 single? 18 hour trip.
😭

So I'm changing my fuelling sweets and hopefully tasting the rainbow will help the meds to be more effective.

I'll keep chasing the rainbow...

#parkinsons #puckfarkinsons #parkinsonsawareness #cureparkinsonstrust #parkinsonsuk #danceforpd
#parkinsonssucks
#parkinsonsdisease
#teaandtrailspodcast

Anyway, back to topic. The meds work best without protein in my stomach. I usually fuel my runs using jelly babies as I thought they were fat free but a recent episode of @teandtrails prompted me to look at Skittles - which have zero protein compared to the 3.5% in jelly babies.

Overdosing the meds lets me run but nowhere near what I used to be able to do. However, sometimes, just for a fraction of time, when the meds hit the spot, I can run and forget that I have Parkinson's. And afterwards I do get slightly bitter at what has been lost.

Since diagnosis, the medication does a pretty decent job of masking the symptoms. Although the meds have increased as the disease progresses. Still incurable.

A picture of the ingredients table for a packet of jelly baby sweets. The important line is regarding Protein - which is 3.5 grams per 100 - or 3.5%

A picture of the ingredients table for a packet of Skittles sweets. The important line is regarding Protein - which is 0 grams per 100 grams - or 0%

Chasing/Tasting Rainbows?

The fifth stage of grief is acceptance. After nearly 6 years since diagnosis - doesn't time fly when you're having fun - I think I've accepted my condition. (I nearly put "doesn't time fly when you're the driver of a train" out of habit. Bonus points for those who know 😂).

Definitely a way of finding inner peace with a German Wirehaired Pointer (ears set to take off position)

@susiedent.com is there a word for "forest bathing with your dog"?

#teaandtrailspodcast #parkinsons #parkinsonsuk #cureparkinsonstrust

The serious training starts just after Christmas for the fundraiser (link in bio). Due to Parkinson's I go part-time in the New Year which means a big drop in income. My Parkinson's isn't severe enough to qualify for help, but serious enough to impact on my work. I'll be exercising more instead.

Saturday morning was spent battling Storm Bert as we jogged (mostly sideways) for 8 miles along the sunny south coast. Nice out.

It's been an interesting few days. Picked up the bag of magic pills that keep me moving, and then picked up an award Friday evening at the Triathlon club AGM and party. It was a fun evening and I think I've gained some whacky supporters for the upcoming 100 mile slam next year!

I started noting mine down, and have got several pages full. (Spot "jousting for jesus" with Monty Python - yes there were coconuts 🤪)