Ben Ford

How a Big Dinner, a Facebook Ad, and Poor Impulse Control Led Me to Run 100k

Friday 23rd Jan

This whole thing started exactly how most life-changing decisions do…

I’d just eaten a large dinner. Not a sensible dinner. A “why did I do that?” dinner. I was lying on my bed feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and mildly betrayed by my jeans, staring at the ceiling and having one of those dramatic internal monologues.

You know the one:

“I really need a goal.”

“I should get fitter.”

“I need something to train for.”

Enter: Facebook.

Right there on my screen, like it had been eavesdropping, an advert appeared:

Run 100k in February for Dementia UK.

Now… was this divine intervention? A sign from God? Or just the algorithm knowing I’d Googled “how to get fit without actually enjoying it”?

We’ll never know.

What I do know is that before I could overthink it, panic, or remember that I don’t actually love running, I’d signed myself up.

And just like that, I had a goal.

A slightly terrifying one.

But a good one.

Why Dementia UK (and Not Just Because Facebook Told Me So)

Dementia is something that has affected my family, and because of that I’ve seen just how cruel and relentless it can be.

It’s not only devastating for the person living with dementia, but for everyone around them too. The confusion, the worry, the emotional exhaustion, and the feeling of helplessness when you don’t know what’s coming next.

It slowly changes relationships, routines, and everyday life. And it’s something far too many families are facing.

That’s why Dementia UK means so much to me.

The Actual Heroes: Admiral Nurses

One of the reasons I wanted to support Dementia UK specifically is because of their Admiral Nurses, who are basically superheroes in scrubs.

They’re specialist dementia nurses who support not just the individual, but the entire family. They offer practical advice, emotional support, reassurance, and a calm voice in what can feel like total chaos.

They’re there when things get overwhelming.

They help families feel less lost.

And they make an incredibly difficult journey a little bit less lonely.

Their work is genuinely amazing, and desperately needed.

So… What Am I Actually Doing?

This February, I’ll be running 100 kilometres.

That’s:

• A lot of kilometres
• A lot of laundry
• And a lot of moments where I question my life choices

Some runs will feel great.

Some runs will be cold, wet, and powered entirely by stubbornness.

But every step has a purpose.

I’m doing this to:

• Raise money for Dementia UK
• Raise awareness of the impact dementia has on families
• Give myself a reason to move that isn’t just guilt after dinner

How You Can Help (And I’ll Love You Forever)

If you’re able to donate, whether it’s the price of a coffee or more, it would mean the world to me and will make a real difference to families affected by dementia.

If you can’t donate, sharing this page or talking about dementia helps just as much.

Thank you so much for the support, encouragement, and motivation — because once I’ve committed publicly, I really do have to finish it now.

Right.

I’d better go for a run 

Ben

Share