Fell running is typically a British sport and is also one of the most popular sports for runners in the UK. I grew up in England and a lot of my father’s friends participated in fell races. A fell is actually a ‘mountain’ or ‘hill’ in Yorkshire, the area of England where I come from, so a fell race is a race that is run up and down a mountain. Fell races are amazingly grueling events too. The weather in England is not always at its best and, as a fell race takes place on mountains and mostly uphill, in drizzling English rain and with a biting cold, it’s not always pleasant.

Fell races though are incredible. The challenge of a fell race is unbelievable, the scenery from up on one of the fells is gorgeous, and the satisfaction of actually finishing a fell race must be astounding. The UK has many fell races but here are what I think are some of the most interesting fell races.

The Three Peaks Race – This is one of the most famous fell races in the UK and is run in the area of the UK, the Yorkshire Dales, where I’m from. It traverses three mountains, Ingleborough, Whernside and Penn-y-ghent, and is 24 miles of pure hell – almost all of it uphill. Don’t forget though, what goes up must come down and, coming down is a challenge all of its own. Hundreds of runners participate in this one and a lot of them end up with some pretty amazing finishing times.

Duddon Valley Fell Races – There are actually two Duddon Valley fell races, which they call the long and the short. They both start in the small town of Seathwaite at the same time but, where the Long Duddon is more than 20 miles of fell running, the Short Duddon is only 11 miles. Both races will tax your abilities, not only your running abilities, but also your navigational skills, so make sure you’re up for it before you sign up.

The Sticklepath Horseshoe Race (don’t you love those British names!) – this is a fell race that’s run in August every year. This race runs on Dartmoor in Devon, one of the most beautiful moor areas of the UK. The route is not marked so runners have to find their own way, but there are six checkpoints so you can ensure you’re going in the right direction. The entrance fee to this one is only around $15 too, so it won’t break the bank if you want to try it.

Lakeland Country Fair Fell Races – Every year, the Lakeland Country Fair runs its own group of fell races. Lakeland is in Cumbria, and the race goes up to the summit of Coniston Old Man (a local mountain), before heading back down to the finish line. This also is an unmarked race (although it is marked until you leave the road and head up on to the mountain) and, at only just over 10 bucks, it’s a cheap one to run.

Sugar Loaf Fell Race – Wales has some very mountainous areas, so it’s a great place for a fell race. Usually run in November, the Sugar Loaf Fell race is a seven mile race that goes up Sugar Loaf Mountain. The organizers stress that mountain navigation skills are really needed for this one. It starts and ends in Abergavenny, with finishing times around one hour.

Don’t forget, if you spend any time in the UK, a lot of runners participate in fell running. On any given weekend, there will be thousands of British runners training on the fells, so if you feel like giving it a try and you’re in good enough shape, you can contact the UK Fell Runner’s Association to see if they can hook you up with an experienced fell runner. The UK Fell Runner’s Association also publishes a calendar of around 500 fell races every year. If you want more information on any of the fell races, check out the Fell Runner’s Association website – and then sign up for one of them. You’ll probably be hurting a lot when you’re done, but the feeling of knowing you’ve finished one must be one of the best feelings in the world.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Lou Gehrig’s name is often associated with the disease because of his own battle with ALS. Lou Gehrig was a baseball player for the New York Yankees who was diagnosed with ALS in the 1930’s.

ALS is a neurological disorder that attacks the neurons responsible for voluntary muscle movements. ALS is a rapidly progressive disorder that leaves it’s victims powerless to involuntary muscle spasms. ALS is characterized by upper and lower motor neuron death. The result of motor neuron death is the gradual wasting away and twitching of muscles. Overtime, the ALS sufferer’s brain will lose the ability to start and control muscle activity. ALS sufferer’s will eventually lose the ability to control their own upper and lower body movements including arm and leg movement. ALS progresses, diaphragm and chest wall muscles fail as well leading to eventual ventilator support for the ALS sufferer.

Although ALS greatly affect the sufferer’s muscle control, it is important to note that other functions including hearing, touch, taste, cognitive ability and visual acuity are not affected. The cause of ALS is still unknown.

ALS is a debilitating terminal illness with most sufferer’s succumbing to associated respiratory failure within 5 years of the onset of symptoms. The progression of ALS is swift and systemic. An individual suffering from ALS can rapidly progress from having control over body movements to being bedridden without the ability to stand or breathe without support. Most people who develop ALS are between the ages of 40 and 70. ALS affects men more than women. Only 10% of ALS sufferer’s will live ten years after ALS diagnosis. As many as 30,000 Americans have ALS, and an estimated 5,000 Americans are diagnosed every year

There is currently no cure for ALS. The focus of current ALS treatment options is symptom relief and maintaining quality of life. The treatment regimen will be individual to the ALS sufferer.

One available treatment option is medications. The FDA has approved Riluzole for the treatment of ALS. The drug Riluzole reduces the motor damage to affected neurons. Riluzole is often prescribed to ALS sufferer’s who have trouble swallowing. Baclofen or Tizanadine may relieve the plasticity associated with ALS. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed for general pain associated with ALS.

Physical therapy is another ALS treatment option. Daily physical therapy promotes muscle wellness and can prevent cramping and muscle contractures.

Occupational therapy and speech therapy are other important treatment options in the fight against ALS.

There is currently much research being conducted relating to ALS. Scientists are working diligently to find the cause and a cure for ALS.