How running the London Marathon helped me manage my grief - and why I’m doing it again

Laura Gilmore, a 37-year-old Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) from Prestwick near Glasgow, will be tackling the iconic TSC London Marathon for Asthma + Lung UK Scotland for the second time. She tells us how running helped managed her grief after losing her dad to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and why she’s fundraising in his memory.

Laura, Asthma + Lung UK supporter
Published 2nd March 2023

This is my second time running the London Marathon for Asthma + Lung UK since I sadly lost my dad John, age 63 to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in May 2016. Since then, I have championed the need for vital research to lead the way in improving care and treatment for people with lung conditions across the UK. This is why my friend Ian and I have chosen to run for Asthma + Lung UK Scotland to raise money for their incredible work.

An outlet for grief

I previously ran the London Marathon for Team Breathe in 2017, when training became an essential outlet for managing my grief. Many other members of Team Breathe are running in memory of a loved one. Step by step, it helps us manage the emotional strain grief places on us. Sweating out the sadness and focusing on the finish line for a cause close to our hearts, becomes our daily driver.

From my initial runs working towards a 10km to the ever-increasing mileage and training towards the final 26.2 miles, it’s proving to be an incredible journey so far. The pearls and pitfalls in training for a marathon are faced daily!

Getting to the finish line

Looking forward to the final few weeks of my training. I will rely on the support of my family and friends, particularly my amazing friend Ian who will be running alongside me. He’s travelled the world running 65 marathons to date and is even a Guinness World Record holder (fastest runner dressed as an alien – time 3:23:05)!

I wish my fellow Team Breathe runners well – to keep the faith and to keep up the pace with their fundraising up to the big day. Together we’ll cross the finish line with the support of our friends and family. We want to make a difference to the lives of many affected by lung disease and maybe, just maybe, help save a life.

Stay up to date on Laura’s progress.

You may also like

Smiling woman wearing glasses and a grey sports jacket, holding a medal with a blue ribbon, standing beside a young girl with blonde hair and a white t-shirt featuring a pink flamingo
Your stories

I’ve raised over £10,000 pounds and I won’t stop there!

Laura’s daughter Erin had her first asthma attack at six months old. In this blog, she tells Erin’s story. She also talks about the fantastic fundraising which she has done for Asthma + Lung UK by taking part in the London Classics, where she’s raised over £10,000!
Smiling runner wearing an Asthma + Lung UK vest with race number 21626 poses with hands raised near cheering supporters holding tambourines and pom-poms behind a barrier
Your stories

You make my dad’s life easier - why I run for Asthma + Lung UK

Our supporter Lesley ran for Team Breathe in the London Landmarks Half Marathon this year. Here she tells us about her journey to running half marathons and why supporting Asthma + Lung UK is so important to her and her family.
Smiling woman tandem skydives with an instructor above a landscape of fields and clouds, arms outstretched in excitement
Your stories

After Dad died, fundraising gave me a sense of purpose

In May 2024, our supporter Amy sadly lost her dad after a fall which caused his lung to collapse. He also had COPD. Here she tells us how fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK in his memory gave her a sense of purpose.