Many of us will be making New Year’s resolutions to get fit and healthier and this can include setting ourselves a goal to complete a running event. But for one person, this goal has been that little more of an accomplishment. This is because 45-year old Katrina Harris could barely move due to the severity of her asthma just a couple of years ago. Thanks to intensive treatment at Heartlands Hospital’s severe and brittle asthma unit, and despite the odds, Katrina has achieved more than she could ever have hoped for and completed two half marathons this winter.
The ambitious mother of two teenage sons who also have asthma travels from Somerset to Heartlands once every three months for asthma treatment. Katrina said: “I had problems with my breathing as a child and it got worse and worse. It changed for the worse in 2009 when I got flu. My lungs were sticky and I got more infections. I found this came and went in stages. Two years ago it was so bad I couldn’t walk; I was in a hell of a state and almost gave up hope. I was out of breath and kept getting infections.
“I started medication and physio four times a day. I also joined a gym and started to swim. I used a heart monitor to start with, doing with small amounts of exercise. At first I could only do two lengths of the pool, now I can do 70. I started running with my partner who already runs to show my sons that whatever you have got, you can work with it and don’t take no for an answer. It was a slow start but I now have better lung capacity, I don’t get as many infections and my lungs are clearer. I recently did my first half marathon – the Somerset levels and moors half marathon in 3hrs 20. I caught up with my partner and we ran across the finishing line with our hands held high; it was quite romantic. Having completed my major running event, I was then spurred on to do the Bristol half marathon.
“I can now say my life has been turned around, it was painful at first to do the running at first but things would be worse if I didn’t. I could be in a wheelchair with oxygen and I wouldn’t want to go down that route. The doctors and physios have been fantastic.”
Heartlands Hospital respiratory consultant, Dr Mansur said: “Katrina is a great example to patients can be achieved with good management of their condition. This is fantastic news; the team is delighted to hear how well Katrina is doing.”
Katrina’s confidence has grown so much she now aims to do an ‘ultra race’ (30 miles) or a triathlon this year.
Heartlands Hospital’s severe and brittle asthma unit is one of the leading centres for adults and as a supra regional centre attracts referrals from across the UK.
