The Marathon Years
A decade defying dementia. A love story.
Chapter Index
THE START-LINE (Intro Part 1)
In his late 60s, Alan is representing his country for the first time – in a marathon. Opens Part 1 of The Marathon Years.
Cream and Marshmallows
That dementia diagnosis. Perhaps not a death sentence but a life challenge.
THE FIRST MILES (Intro Part 2)
Going too fast as the marathon starts. Opening Part 2 of the book.
The Queen of Christmas
December was always a wonderful month, with all the Swedish traditions Lena taught us.
First Encounters
So where did Lena first meet Alan? Truth matters in the mental health clinic.
Running from the Truth
If your Truth differs from mine, is it worth fighting about? What can dementia teach us?
The Benefits of Exercise
Lena signs up for a research programme involving moderate physical exercise for dementia patients. Will it help her — and me?
GOING WELL (Intro Part 3)
Settling in nicely in the first half of the marathon. Opening Part 3 of ‘The Marathon Years’
The Less Visible Man
The man Lena’s looking for seems to have gone missing. Should we call out the detectives – or is it a dementia thing?
Leaving Me and the Truth Behind
The story my dementia partner’s telling isn’t true. Should I insist on my version of reality?
Sharing the present
Dementia made it difficult to share the past with Lena. But sharing the present was still precious.
Wiggling on Windermere
Dementia doesn’t necessarily mean the end of adventure. This short story recaptures a memorable day.
She Finds Friends Everywhere
Dementia is making it hard for Lena to name and place things, but there’s nothing wrong with her vision or imagination.
Taking the Plunge
There’s excitement in the air, as our stories of love and dementia both take a new twist.
Through the Looking-Glass
As a carer, you always have to be on the look-out for dementia dangers – even in the home.
Inappropriate Behaviour
Sometimes, I’m told, dementia can lead to inappropriate behaviour. But whose behaviour is inappropriate in this story — mine or Lena’s?
The Hungry Bin
When I go along with Lena’s version of reality instead of rejecting it, she’s instantly happier. Using the techniques of Improv for better dementia care.
Better dementia care: Huwa-Hiya-Boo-Baa
As dementia began to take away Lena’s language and her interests began to fade, how would I keep her engaged? A little friend came to the rescue.
The Fraud
After Lena’s diagnosis, I was full of ideas about improving life for people with dementia and family carers. But did I practise what I preached?
The Day I Kidnapped My Wife
A new Alzheimer’s symptom reveals itself. How well does this family carer deal with it? A short story from ‘The Marathon Years’ collection by Alan Miles.
When Words Fail
A dementia story in coronavirus times. Lena’s language has gone, and she’s had a fall. But in a hospital emergency room, we can still communicate … love.
The Marathon Years is a series of short stories describing a decade-long battle to defy dementia after my wife, Lena, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers. It’s a love-story too. It’ll make you laugh. It’ll make you cry. It’ll help you understand the plight of millions who see someone they love slowly fading away in front of them. And it’ll show you that love and hope can survive even in the darkest times.
The book is a work in progress. I’m aiming to complete it by the end of 2026, then send out advance copies to my Launch team, and finally publish in early 2027.
In these stories you’ll also see the development of my thinking about a radical new approach to dementia care, which I call The Care Combine. In the coming year, I’ll be attempting to turn these ideas into a real working project.
I’ll be posting updates on my progress with both The Marathon Years and The Care Combine in my free weekly newsletter.
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