A fit and healthy father who completed his first marathon was left unable to walk after suffering a stroke just one week later. Ryan Woolley, 33, from Leicester, finished the London Marathon in an impressive three hours and 27 minutes after four months of rigorous training and a strict clean-eating diet. He crossed the finish line feeling strong with no signs of any underlying issues.
Sudden Collapse at Trampoline Park
One week after the marathon, Ryan was celebrating his eight-year-old son Finn’s birthday at a trampoline park when he suddenly felt unwell. “I bent down to pull my son out of the soft play and I went all funny,” Ryan recalled. “I was dripping with sweat and had to lie down. I was taken to a medical room for some water but didn’t feel better. Then I went outside for some fresh air and threw up everywhere.” He knew something was seriously wrong and went straight to the hospital.
Diagnosis: Hole in the Heart
At the hospital, doctors discovered that Ryan had a hole in his heart, which had triggered a stroke due to the physical exertion of running the marathon. “When they told me it was a stroke, I couldn’t believe it. I burst out crying. I’m so young,” Ryan said. The stroke left him unable to walk or move his left side, requiring him to learn to walk again. He underwent six weeks of physiotherapy and was supported by his wife, Charli, 34, until he had surgery to close the hole.
Road to Recovery
Although Ryan will not be able to complete any more marathons, he has returned to running. “It was so tough but I’m back to normal now. People shouldn’t push themselves too hard. I can do a 10k now but I wouldn’t do a marathon. I’m traumatised by it and my wife was so worried,” he said. Charli added: “Seeing people run the London marathon makes me so emotional. He’s always been such a good runner. Even if he didn’t train, he would have smashed it. I’m just so lucky my husband is still here.” She urged others: “Anyone else thinking about running a marathon or doing an endurance activity, be careful. We had no idea this would happen, that Ryan has a hole in his heart so maybe you don’t either. Don’t push yourself if your body is telling you not to. Listen to your body and your instincts.”
