Marlborough Living Jan - Feb 2020

FIGHTING FIT
Katie Thomson caught up with legendary athlete
Paula Radcliffe to discuss her career, the Olympics
and avoiding the winter flu...
Super athlete, long distance running expert and until
recently, marathon world record holder - Paula Radcliffe
has had a glittering career in sport, lead by her incredible
endurance abilities. What people might not know though,
is Paula is asthmatic. Her asthma is exercise-induced
and is something she has had to manage throughout
her career. So, it makes sense that she is backing a
campaign by ASDA pharmacy encouraging asthmatics
and anyone at risk to get a free flu jab this winter.
So, asthma sufferers are taking unnecessary risks by
not getting the flu vaccine in the year?
Absolutely. Personally it’s something I get every year because
you can lose an entire winter season of training if you get flu. Too
many asthma sufferers don’t realise they can get it for free funded
by the NHS - they can also get it straight from ASDA pharmacies.
And even if you’re not in an at risk group, you can still go and get
the vaccine for only £7. It protects you and your family too - this
is especially important if you have a carer role in your family, either
of younger or older members of the family, and you just can’t
afford to be wiped out by flu.
How has asthma affected your running?
Well, I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma, but
some of the worst attacks I’ve had have been sitting in
a dusty room or in a polluted city. I was diagnosed at 14
so I have always really had it with my running. I was really
lucky that I had a really good GP at the time who never
told me to stop exercising - he gave me all the tools to
manage it and encouraged me to exercise as that would
actually strengthen my lungs.
So really the flu vaccine closes you down from getting
ill unnecessarily?
Exactly - the vaccine works again the four most prevalent
strains of flu. When you have asthma, you just get knocked
so much more by flu - not with the duration of the flu but with
the secondary complications that follow like bronchitis and
pneumonia.
Away from the world of coughs and colds and with
sights on next year, are you looking forward to
the 2020 Olympics with such strong recent British
performances?
We had such a great World Championships with Dina [Asher-
Smith] and Kat [Katarina Johnson-Thompson] stepping up so
spectacularly and showing their world-class abilities. Callum
Hawkins is one to watch in the marathon. I think there was a lot
of talk about where the next stars would come from and I think
that’s been answered - we are in a strong position with a relatively
young team, building toward Tokyo.
Now, it’s never nice to lose a world record but you
must be surprised to have held it for as long as you
did?
The longer it goes on the more it feels like it belonged to me! This
wasn’t really a surprise though because I saw how well Brigid
Kosgei ran in the Great North Run.
In a fitness world which can be confusing, running is
relatively simple - what would be your tips to retune
fitness goals in the new year?
Firstly, get some new gear. Running in new kit makes you feel
good about yourself and a pair of trainers which support your
gait and the surface you will run on are essential. Set a goal -
pick something you are going to work toward like a race or a
sponsored run. Then join a running club or get together with a
group of friends - it helps hugely with motivation. Finally, go for
a run on 1st January - get out there and go for it - that one is
always the hardest!
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