Daniel Saccol

Stop and Breathe

Having had asthma since I was 2 years old, running was never my sport.

I remember being taken to swimming lessons when I was a child, so that I could build resistance and make my lungs stronger.

In my teenager years, I knew it was a struggle I would have for the rest of my life, but I refused to let it define me. I practiced every technique in order to master my breathing and take back control of this autonomous function in my body.

When I grew up, I tried a variety of sports, but running seemed like an old ghost that was better left undisturbed. It was only in Feb 2024 that I decided to face that ghost, and see how much I could tame it.

I took the NHS couch to 5K program and did my first official 5k race in April 2024. I went from barely running 1 minute to non-stop running 30.

Feeling I could do more, and seeing the progress in every training session, I ran my official 10k race in July 2024.

Just over 12 months later, I will run my first half-marathon. It will be a big accomplishment, to have started with being out of breath after a minute of constant running to running for 2.5h without stopping.

I hope you can sponsor my run and donate to Asthma + Lung UK, making sure other individuals are given the support and care that will greatly help them feel like winners.