Why I’m running…the London Marathon

One morning during lockdown, I woke up with excruciating pain in my left eye and had lost vision. Every time I opened it, the light caused unbearable pain. A trip to Moorfields Eye Hospital revealed I had uveitis, and I was told that if I had delayed any longer, I could have lost my sight permanently. I was sent home with steroid drops, and that was it. Over the next two years, I returned to Moorfields three more times with the same issue. On my third visit, a doctor asked if I suffered from severe back pain. I replied, 'Every single day, for as long as I can remember.'

That simple question led to a long journey of tests and scans, and, months later, I was finally diagnosed with a rare form of degenerative arthritis in my spine: Ankylosing Spondylitis. At 24, I thought arthritis was something I wouldn’t have to worry about for decades. Hearing that I could develop a hunchback and become wheelchair bound within 15 years turned my world upside down.

While the diagnosis was shocking, it brought a sense of relief. After years of constant pain, often relying on my friends and family for basic tasks like showering or even brushing my hair, I finally had an answer.

During my studies, the pain became overwhelming. I had to defer completion of my Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) because attending classes was physically too difficult. Moving around, sitting through lectures, or even commuting became a monumental challenge, and the idea of pushing through with that level of pain was impossible. Every small task felt insurmountable, and my dream of becoming a solicitor felt farther away than ever.

When I completed my GDL, the pain remained relentless. I eventually had to defer my training contract. Managing the pain and trying to focus on the demands of legal training left me feeling constantly distracted, unable to give my best. I couldn’t keep up with the expectations of my role, not because of lack of desire, but because my body couldn’t handle it. The physical strain of my condition made the already challenging process of becoming a solicitor even harder, and at times, I doubted if I would ever be able to complete it. Eventually, I did complete my training contract, but it wasn’t without immense difficulty. I often found myself working through the pain, barely able to sit for long hours or stay focused when the flare-ups were at their worst. It was an emotional and physical struggle to balance both my career and the limitations of my condition.

After my diagnosis, my consultant prescribed strong injections to manage the condition, which I self-administer every fortnight. While the injections have helped, I was still living in constant pain. It became exhausting, and I fell into depression, unsure how I would ever escape the relentless agony.

Then I discovered Versus Arthritis, an incredible resource full of information and a community of people with similar experiences. The forums became a lifeline. I noticed that many people talked about the benefits of staying active, but the idea of moving my body, when even the smallest movement caused pain, felt impossible.

I started with small stretches and gentle home workouts to build strength and stamina. At my next appointment, I asked my consultant about the benefits of movement, and she suggested I try running. I started cautiously with the Couch to 5K program. At first, every step was painful, but I was determined not to let this condition define my life. Slowly, things changed. I distinctly remember running 3K without stopping and realising, for the first time in a long while, that I wasn’t in pain.

Running became my lifeline. I realised that if I ran in the mornings, or even during flare-ups, the rest of the day was far more manageable. Four years later, I can now run, swim, lift weights, and enjoy my life again. The pain isn’t completely gone, but I’ve learned how to manage it. Running truly saved my life. Today, I am proud of what my body can do, from running half-marathons to taking on long-distance challenges.

Versus Arthritis has been instrumental in my recovery. The wealth of information they offer has been invaluable and their online community is a place where I’ve found support—laughing, crying or venting with others who understand.

Running the London Marathon for Versus Arthritis is an honour. It feels like the perfect way to give back to the charity that helped pull me out of the darkest moments. And it’s my way of proving that, despite my condition, my body is still capable of incredible things.

Hulya Erzurumlu is an in-house solicitor at Fremantle