Julie Barrett of Evanston ran in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as part of the Lung Power Team, a group of athletes supporting Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.

Julie joined the team to stay healthy and manage her asthma, which she was diagnosed with as an adult. When she found out she had asthma, she originally used it as an excuse to quit her exercise routine, but soon realized that was not the solution. Last year, she knew she needed to get moving again to improve her health.

“I was going to do something about this and do it big,” Julie said. “I promised myself to run the 2010 marathon, but the training went really bad.”

Despite dreading the marathon, she followed through with it, if only just to fulfill her promise to her supporters. After she ran, Julie again fell out of the habit of exercising, until a doctor told her she had chronic coughing that was bad for her asthma. If she didn’t make changes in her lifestyle, it would never improve. A fear of poor health convinced her to join the Lung Power Team for the 2011 marathon, and to this time run it for her.

“I run for me and for other people who suffer with lung disease,” Julie said. “I know the feeling of not being able to catch my breath from walking up a flight of stairs.”

Lung Power Team athletes participate in races nationwide, and many are personally affected by lung disease. Each Lung Power Team member raises funds that support local lung disease research, advocacy and education. For more information on the Lung Power Team or to support Julie’s efforts, visit http://www.lungchicago.org/juliebarrett.