FIGHTING FOR BREATH
Serious lung issues couldn’t stop these four inspiring runners
We’ve all experienced those runs when we’ve felt like our lungs were burning – maybe on a first outing after a lengthy lay-off, or when pushing the pace to our limits. But while we may temporarily be all too aware of our lungs’ role in supplying our bodies with the oxygen they need to keep moving, the vast majority of us naturally take their ability to do so for granted. Some aren’t so lucky. According to the NHS, respiratory disease affects one in five people, and it’s the third biggest cause of death after cancer and cardiovascular disease. Asthma is the UK’s most prevalent lung condition by some distance – NHS data shows an estimated 8 million people have been diagnosed, with roughly 160,000 new cases each year. But breathing issues are diverse, ranging from cancer to pneumonia to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – an umbrella term for several different conditions where the airways have become damaged.
Living with respiratory disease doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t run, however. In fact, research has consistently shown that exercise can help manage some lung conditions. A review of existing studies into exercise and asthma published in Respiratory Medicine earlier this year found a clear link between improved clinical and patient outcomes and regular exercise, including running. Meanwhile, a 2015 study published in the Scandinavian Journal Of Medicine & Science In Sports championed how exercise can help with chronic respiratory issues.
Of course, for some suffering with lung conditions, exercise isn’t advisable, so each individual needs to consult a health professional before reaching for their running shoes. For others, running may be possible, but the additional challenges of overcoming respiratory issues can make it extremely tough. But for those who do manage to run, the benefits to both physical and mental wellbeing can be huge. Here, we speak to four inspirational runners who have overcome serious problems with their lungs to log the miles and reap the rewards.
‘ONLY THREE MONTHS after completing my first half marathon, I began suffering serious breathing problems. I first noticed it when climbing the station stairs on my morning commute. I became so breathless I’d have to stop, even if it meant missing my train. It kept happening, while even a cough or sneeze would start me breathing heavily. I had no idea what was happening.
As an avid runner who had lost about 2st before experiencing these symptoms, I’d never felt fitter. But suddenly my weekend 10K became too much for me. My GP referred me for tests before eventually I saw a private consultant who thought I might have a breathing disorder. I began respiratory physiotherapy sessions, which
