Name: Andy Lipman
Age: 49
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Occupation: Author and cystic fibrosis advocate
Time Running: I started running when I was 9 years old, then began again at 23.
Reason for Running: Fitness is something that a cystic fibrosis warrior can control and anything I can do to slow down the rate of decline in my lungs is good. Cystic fibrosis can also come with depression and anxiety, and what running does for me mentally is immeasurable.
My running days began at two different times in my life. I first started running when I was about 9 years old. My uncle, a marathon runner, introduced me to running because my parents told him how I had difficulty keeping up with my classmates in gym, and that running could be good for me, physically and emotionally. My uncle and I ran in 1K to 3K races in Atlanta, and were running a few times a week. This was in the early 80s, so there were no apps at the time.
I enjoyed running back then because I was showing progress and managed to beat a lot of classmates. But eventually, I moved away from running after six months because it bothered me when I coughed, and I had trouble completing runs.
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The fact that I am here and able to run is an amazing privilege. I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis—which is a genetic disease that affects the lungs and other organs—right after birth. I had meconium ileus, an intestinal blockage that requires intestinal surgery, which is common for babies with cystic fibrosis. My older sister also passed away from the genetic condition, so doctors knew it was possible that I could have it as well.
When I was just 9, I read that people with cystic fibrosis only live to 25 years old—that scared me deeply. Back then, my daily routine was taking 15 to 20 pills a day, and my parents were administering postural drainage (hitting my sides, back, and front to loosen the mucus in my lungs). I also used a nebulizer to inhale medications to assist my lungs. This was my daily routine from being a baby until the age of 16.
While I took a long break from the sport, I started running again in 1996, when I was 23 years old, because my uncle challenged me to run the 10K Peachtree Road Race. I finally got the nerve to train for it and have now run it every year for the last 26 years. I will run my 27th consecutive race in July of this year.
I am now 49—I’ll be 50 in September—and today, my routine for cystic fibrosis takes about the same amount of time as when I was younger, except I take a few more pills—almost 50 a day. I now do my physiotherapy treatment twice a day with a mechanical physiotherapy vest that vibrates and works to clear my lungs, allowing me to self administer my treatment. I still use a nebulizer but instead of using one nebulizer a day, I have four nebulizers that I use with three different medications.
My prognosis these days is anyone’s guess. The median life expectancy for cystic fibrosis has gone from 25 years old when I was growing up to 53 years old, but I stopped living by the numbers long ago.
In 2019, I I started a new medication that has greatly improved my lung function and has almost completely stopped my coughing. It’s not a cure by any means, but it has definitely helped my lungs, as my lung function has increased by about 15 percent.
If I want to live, I have to see the things in my way as challenges rather than obstacles. And I love challenges. That’s why I founded CF Warrior Project, which shares inspiring success stories of those living with cystic fibrosis, and supports cystic fibrosis warriors by educating communities about this debilitating condition. The Project also supports research that will, hopefully, one day lead to a cure. I also just released my fifth book, The CF Warrior Project, Volume 2: Celebrating Our Cystic Fibrosis Community.
I am very proud to help tell these stories to raise awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis with the mission to find a cure. And I’m donating all profits from the book to cystic fibrosis-related charities.
Today, I run 20 miles a week—about three miles a day. I would love to run a marathon one day, and I hope to accomplish that goal sooner than later.
I don’t necessarily run because I think it’s fun. I run because running makes me feel accomplished and as if I’m in a daily competition with cystic fibrosis—and I’m winning. Running has definitely helped my physical condition, but it’s what running has done for me emotionally that has really paid dividends.
I went from barely being able to run a quarter mile to now being able to run a 10K without even breathing heavily. If you are passionate about running or why you’re doing it, you’ll keep doing it. Running has changed my life in that I feel like the things I can do athletically are basically limitless.
These three tips have made my running journey a success:
1. Get new running shoes every three months
It’s critical to change out my shoes every three months. I used to go years without changing my shoes and had Achilles and foot issues.
2. Focus on a healthy diet
I make sure not to eat 30 minutes or less prior to a run, and it’s important to eat as healthy as possible. I also have a tradition of eating spaghetti every year the night before a big race.
3. Find your motivation
I try to remember why I run, which is because I want to be a role model for other people with cystic fibrosis. It is also key to staying healthy for someone with my condition.
Andy’s Must-Have Gear
→ Asics Nimbus Lite 2 Running Shoes: My feet are just much more comfortable in Asics, and I have had fewer Achilles issues since using them for the last several years.
→Under Armour MapMyRun App: The app allows me to view my times when I run outside so that I can make sure I do the distance that I prefer, while also comparing my performance from one run to the next.
→Nike Men’s Flex Stride Running Shorts: They are comfortable and easy to carry my phone and/or meds with me.
→Nike Dri-FIT Headbands: It keeps me cool while at the same time keeping my hair out of my face.
Emily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.
