Breathe Easy: Lucy's London Marathon 2025 for Asthma Awareness
Hello! My name is Lucy, and I'm excited to share that I've secured a charity place in the 2025 London Marathon. This is more than just a race for me—it's a testament to overcoming the odds and a chance to make a real difference.
I’m 33 years old and have battled asthma throughout my life. As a child, I was told that my condition was "childhood asthma" and that I would eventually grow out of it or it would improve. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case. Over the years, my asthma has required more medication to control, and in the last five years, it has been complicated to do so.
Growing up, I was told that running would be beyond my reach due to my asthma, but I was determined to prove otherwise. Over the past two years, I’ve achieved incredible milestones: running my first 10K, my first Half Marathon, and completing two full marathons. Through sheer determination and perseverance, I’ve clocked up thousands of kilometres, defying the odds that once held me back.
Significant struggles have marked my journey with asthma. I’ve been hospitalized twice due to severe asthma attacks and needed to be put on a nebulizer. One frightening incident occurred while I was at university—I turned blue due to a lack of oxygen. These experiences have made me acutely aware of the seriousness of this condition and fueled my determination to manage it and not let it define my life.
A pivotal moment in my journey came nine months ago when I began seeing a new asthma nurse. With her dedication and expertise, we discovered that Spiriva Respimat, a medication typically prescribed for COPD patients, could make a monumental difference for me. Combined with my daily Fostair in the mornings and evenings and nightly Montelukast, this treatment has transformed my life, giving me unprecedented control over my asthma. For the first time, I can push my physical boundaries and achieve goals I once thought impossible. This newfound freedom has reignited my passion for running, and I'm more determined than ever to continue this journey.
Securing a charity place in the 2025 London Marathon is a personal triumph and an opportunity to inspire others facing similar challenges. Running for Asthma + Lung UK, the only UK charity that fights for everyone’s right to breathe, gives deeper meaning to every step I take.
Every minute, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a lung condition. I want to make a difference. Every pound I raise will bring us closer to a world where everyone has healthy lungs. Just £22 allows one of Asthma + Lung UK's nurses to answer a call on the Helpline, offering potentially lifesaving advice.
I am committed to using this platform to raise awareness about asthma and to demonstrate that with the right support and determination, limitations can be overcome. I am ready to give my all, both in training and in fundraising, to make the most of this incredible opportunity.
I would be very grateful for any donations you could make. Your support will help Asthma + Lung UK continue its vital work and bring hope to many who are struggling with lung conditions. Together, we can ensure that everyone has the right to breathe easy.
Thank you for your support!
Lucy
My Updates
Putting myself out of my comfort zone!
Monday 28th OctI've gone from barely being able to jog/walk a parkrun a few years ago in 37 minutes to running my 5K PB in May this year a whole 10 minutes quicker. That 174bpm HR parkrun pace has now become my 'easy pace'.
I went from saying 'yes' to the Great Manchester Run 10K with IRIS Software Group to raise money for BBC Children in Need in May 2022, to training and running my first half marathon that same year to raise money for Alzheimer's Society.
Still eager to try something new, I started a YouTube channel at the grand age of 32 to share my running journey with the world. Since launching my channel in March this year, I've uploaded 15 videos and my channel has gotten over 25,000 views. I've taught myself to record and edit videos as well as finding ways to make my content more engaging.
Fast forward to now and four weeks ago I completed the Berlin Marathon - my third marathon in 12 months. I took over 30 mins off my time from my first marathon in October 2023. And my goal now is to complete all six Abbott World Marathon Majors: Berlin, London, Chicago, Tokyo, New York and Boston. Berlin has been ticked off despite the challenges I faced on the day and in less than 26 weeks I'll be taking on London Marathon. I'll be raising money for Asthma + Lung UK - a cause that means a lot to me.
I've struggled with severe asthma all my life - it's been a constant trial and error to find medication to keep my asthma under control. Running was never a hobby I was ever advised to consider. The amount of steroids and inhalers and tablets, the different therapies, peak flows, nebulisers, hospital stints, ambulance call-outs and trips to A&E have just been part of life. I don't know what it's like to not have to think about breathing. It's a non-negotiable. I do joke that if I'd been born in Victorian times I wouldn't have survived infancy. I am so grateful that I live in a country where I don't have to pay $300 for a 'blue' salbutamol inhaler. The NHS and my wonderful asthma nurse have genuinely got me to a place today where I can do these crazy things like train for and run marathons...I couldn't be more grateful.
If you feel like giving to a fantastic cause this payday, the link to my fundraising page is below. If you're not in a position to donate, sharing the post or my page is free and still very very much appreciated! #TeamBreathe #Asthma Share
Thank you to my Sponsors
£20
Anna R
£5.25
Melanie Harvey
Team Breathe Giving Day - go Lucy go!! Looking forward to running another marathon together!!
£5.25
Lauren Searle
'Team Breathe Giving Day‘ ☺️ Best of luck with your training!
£50
Lucy Davies
If I can't back myself...
£23.10
Charlotte Ainsworth
Congratulations on being so bloody amazing! xxx :0)
£23.10
Anonymous
Great cause to support, Lucy, and good luck with your training. Came here via your YouTube channel, all the best for the HM PB goal.
£52.50
Rob Blount
£10
Conrad Burdekin
Good luck Lucy. I ran London this year. Best race I’ve ever done. I would highly recommend maybe foregoing a pb attempt and rather enjoying the day and soaking up the atmosphere. It’s just INCREDIBLE! (But if you do want a pb - go for it and GOOD LUCK!)
£10.50
Jason Kenway
Good luck for your London marathon Lucy
£15.75
Angela Andrews
Good luck Lucy - another star for your nails
£30
Michele Pennington
Good Luck with your training and with the marathon. Go Lucy go. You can do this xx
Good luck Lucy. You'll smash it 💪🏻 xx