{"id":491772,"date":"2026-02-22T09:46:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T09:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/491772\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T09:46:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T09:46:09","slug":"woman-to-run-four-marathons-after-lung-collapse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/491772\/","title":{"rendered":"Woman to run four marathons after lung collapse"},"content":{"rendered":"

A woman with a rare lung disease has shared the long journey she has been on since her lung collapsed after a gym session.<\/p>\n

Harriet Davidson, from Bristol, was rushed to hospital seven years ago and diagnosed with lymphangioleiomyatosis – also known as LAM disease – at the age of 24.<\/p>\n

“I had a tough time coming to grips with the diagnosis at that point, being the age I was and the lockdown. I didn’t know what it meant to have a normal life again off the back of being diagnosed,” Davidson said.<\/p>\n

But she said she now felt strong and wanted to do something positive by challenging herself to run four marathons in four days.<\/p>\n

LAM is an incurable disease which affects about 300 women in the UK and is characterised by cysts in the lung.<\/p>\n

Oestrogen can make it worse over time and it can lead to a severe decline in lung function. Patients could either need a lung transplant or experience early death.<\/p>\n

“In the first few months I was in denial. I didn’t want to research it, I didn’t want to know it very well because it would mean it was real.<\/p>\n

“It’s been a really long journey but I’ve gotten to the point where I can see a positive outcome and I feel a lot more safe,” Davidson said.<\/p>\n

\"Harriet<\/p>\n

Davidson was diagnosed with LAM disease in 2019 [Harriet Davidson]<\/p>\n

She now takes medication to stabilise her lung function and has challenged herself to run four marathons in four days with her husband, starting on 25 February – their third wedding anniversary.<\/p>\n

“I decided I really wanted to bring some positivity into the disease and how I was coping,” she said.<\/p>\n

And although she felt anxious at first, she said her confidence had grown.<\/p>\n

“I feel really strong. I understand my body is capable of a lot more than I thought,” she added.<\/p>\n

\"Harriet<\/p>\n

Davidson said she realised her body was capable of “a lot more” than she thought [BBC]<\/p>\n

A spokesperson from the National Centre for LAM at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust described Davidson’s determination as “inspiring”.<\/p>\n

“For someone living with LAM taking on four marathons in four days is an extraordinary personal challenge.<\/p>\n

“LAM is a variable disease that affects lung function and can cause breathlessness, fatigue and complications such as pneumothorax, often limiting exercise capacity.<\/p>\n

“While not everyone with LAM would be able to undertake such an endurance event, her determination is inspiring and highlights the individuality of people living with the condition,” they added.<\/p>\n

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More on this storyRelated internet links