International Lifestyle Magazine Issue 55 | Page 42

What is the one thing you could
not do without when it comes to
running.
Support! Support from friends
and family is what really gets
me moving. If I can inspire one
person then I am happy!
How did Leah get involved?
Leah started running properly
in November 2013 when we
started to attend our local
parkrun (a free 5k timed event
all over the world) She had
toyed with running for a while
before but had never really
got into the swing of it. On
her 1st parkrun she ran 5k (3.1
miles) in 38 Minutes she now
currently runs this distance in
just 26 minutes. She joined a
local running club and there
has been no stopping her. She
has ran 10k (6.2 miles) with not a
bother but due to her age she
can only enter the junior events
which are between 2k and 5k.
She has placed very well in a lot
of events, her usual spot is 3rd! I
love to run with her, although I
am not as quick as her we use
the time to have a chat and
bond.
What would you say to anyone
else who is thinking about
running but cannot even run to
a bus stop?
Go for it!! There is no perfect
weather and no perfect time
to start but once you do you
will wonder why it has taken
so long! there are some great
apps about, Couch to 5k is a
very good one that can get you
running 5k in around 8-12 weeks
on a run/walk training basis.
What charity do you raise
money for?
We raise money for Asthma UK
Tell me more about Owens
condition so that we can help
bring more awareness.
Owen was born at 32 weeks
via emergency c-section, due

to me suffering the condition
Pre eclampsia, He was always
a sickly and poorly baby but
it was always put down to him
being so early. For 5 years he
had terrible chest infections
and was in and out of hospital
and on a large amount of
medication. He was diagnosed
with severe Asthma when he
was just 5 months old. However,
when he turned 5 his consultant
did a chest x ray and saw that
his lungs were full of fluid. he
was then sent for tests to see if
him being sick a lot was related
to his asthma. After all the test
we found out Owen had severe
GORD
(Gastro-oesophageal
reflux disease) His LES muscle at
the top of his stomach did not
work, so any fluid or food taken
in did not stay in the stomach
and travel up the oesophagus
and would result in him being
sick but at the same time the
he would aspirate acid and
fluids into his lungs causing
chest infection, wheezing and
pneumonia. In July last year he
was taken into theatre to have
the operation called a Nissens
Fundoplication and also to try
and repair the damage that
the continual acid had made
to this throat. The operation
worked well for around about
6 month when there after he
started to suffer the same issues
and unfortunately we are now
awaiting for a redo.
Your husband Steve is clearly
incredibly supportive of what
you do, does he run as much
as you?
He wasn’t into running like I
was but he has now caught
the bug and has ran a few 10k
races and has entered his first
half marathon in July!
So what is next?
My next challenge is a 46 mile
Ultra Run on 21st June and
my sponsor page is http://
www.justgiving.com/CarmelKeegan4

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