My husband struggles with MS – intense running helps me cope

Leigh McLean’s husband Colin loved the gym and was always fit until multiple sclerosis changed his life.

The 57-year-old was diagnosed a decade ago, but since 2020 he has been permanently confined to a wheelchair rather than being able to work and drive – and requires carers four times a day.

His wife Leigh told the BBC he had found an unexpected way of tackling his caring duties, which has brought the couple as close as a fitness competition.

Hyrox, an indoor fitness race in which thousands of people participate in a series of challenges, has seen a dramatic increase in popularity since it launched in Germany in 2017.

Leigh, who is 51, says setting competitive goals has helped her stay motivated and positive, which benefits her husband.

“When he hears that I’m taking part in a competition, he becomes interested in it and it’s a topic for us to talk about,” she said.

“He’ll ask about my training and what I’m doing. He can join in and be my support.”

“I think it would be really humiliating for me to sit on my buttocks with full mobility. There’s no reason I can’t achieve these things.”

Herox, which is held at large venues around the world throughout the year, involves a rigorous circuit of eight strength-based exercise stations, with a one-kilometre run between each.

In March this year, Leigh joined a crowded start line at the SEC in Glasgow and finished fifth in her age group in the women’s doubles with her friend Vicki.

Voting for next year’s tickets has just opened and Leigh has already secured her ticket to attend again.

“We are starting to think about our training now because it is only three months away,” he said.

Part of the experience is having thousands of spectators cheering on the competitors, but Colin is unable to watch Leigh compete due to his MS.

Despite this, Leigh says she has a “sense of pride” in him, enjoying supporting him and being involved.

“They like to hear about what I’ve accomplished,” he said. “He loves to go and tell his friends about it.”

Colin said he believes exercise is extremely important for Leah.

He said, “She is a woman who takes care of me and I support her a lot in everything she does.

“I think it benefits both of us mentally and physically.”

When Leigh’s friend originally suggested attending she was reluctant.

“I didn’t think fitness competitions were for me,” she said. “It was the self-doubt that most people have.

“As you get older you don’t put pressure on yourself. It’s the fear of failure, the fear of not being able to do the job.”

But eventually she mustered up the courage to sign up.

Participants may enter races as a pair in the doubles category, allowing them to share the work, but not share the race.

One of these stations is called Kisan Parivahan. It involves walking 200 meters (656 ft) carrying two heavy weights in each hand, like shopping bags.

Other stations include pushing and pulling a weighted sled 50 meters (164 ft) each time, jumping 100 meters (328 ft) while carrying a sandbag, and throwing a large weighted ball over one’s head 100 times.

Leigh says strength training has practical importance when caring for Colin.

“There’s a lot of physical care that goes into it when your husband is disabled,” she said.

“He can’t sit up on the bed by himself or swing his legs out, I have to physically pull him up.

“I’m only 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 m) and physically it’s a lot for me. It wouldn’t be good if my back went out.”

Leigh also said that keeping fit allows her to get away from her caring responsibilities.

“Focusing on training allows me to rationalize things in my mind and be less stressed or upset about it,” he said.

“It helps me move my head around, like a fuel that keeps me going.”

Last year, approximately 175,000 athletes from around the world took part in Hyrox. This year it could be up to 425,000.

The races are so popular in Britain that a ballot system for tickets has been introduced.

The Glasgow competition was officially announced this week and will run over four days at the SEC from 13-16 March – the largest the event has ever staged in Scotland.

Voting for tickets opened on Wednesday and will run for five days.

Leigh and Vicki are delighted to have already secured their tickets – and can’t wait to start preparing.