By Lucy Roberts
For endurance runner Susie Chan being able to see and have clear vision is a must – having to deal with glasses or poor contact lenses while on a 50-mile run isn’t an option.
Susie Chan Credit: Phil Hill
The 45-year-old record breaker who runs between 35 to 65 miles a day noticed her vision was quickly deteriorating and she discovered she was dropping a level on the vision chart over the course of just a few weeks which is when she got her eyes checked out and was diagnosed with rapid-onset cataracts.
This is quite an early age to be diagnosed with cataracts, but the finisher of all World Marathon Majors was assured her sight would improve after undergoing refractive cataract surgery which she did at the Optegra Eye Hospital Surrey.
Chan revealed what the surgery was like, what her sight is like now and spoke about how she went from not running at all ten years ago to taking part in almost every and any running event in the world.
Q) When and how did you get into running?
A) Around 10 years ago my younger brother ran a marathon, he wanted to do it to tick the list and as part of his training he took part in the Farnham half marathon and wanted me to join him. Now I was not a runner, I was a single mum at home a bit broke, and he asked me to do it with him. At first, I said 'forget it, it sounds very painful!'. I started trying to run around two football pitches in Guildford, and it was so hard! But I kept going and I managed it, the full 13 miles and fell in love with running. It's just escalated from there.
Q) Do you prefer to run without any music, or do you need a good playlist to inspire you?
A) It varies - I'm happy with either to be honest! In a race situation I'm happy to run without but sometimes I need a good playlist to get the blood pumping - especially if I have a specific target or want to run particularly fast. Or sometimes I'm just in the mood for music!
Q) What are your top three go to songs while on a run?
A) There are quite a few! Some favourites are 'No Cars Go' by Arcade Fire - that has a great build up; also 'Go' by Chemical Brothers is really high energy and 'How do you like me now?' by The Heavy has a really good tune.
Q) What has been your all-time favourite running event that you've competed in?
A) Probably the Marathon des Sables, which I have completed more times than any other UK female - I'm proud of that!
Q) You broke the 12-hour treadmill World Record in 2016, but how different is running on a treadmill to running outside, or do you not notice any difference?
A) To be honest I really like running on the treadmill as you can just focus on running and not worry about traffic or the route. But it is different, when I run outside it is rural where I live which is nice, and I often run with friends. But truly, I actually prefer the treadmill!
Q) How enjoyable is it to be able to commentate on races as well?
A) I love being in the commentary box and do this for various events and races – mainly in the south of England for triathlons and Ironmans etc. It is really good fun seeing people on their running journey and watch them progressing.
Q) When you overcame cancer, did that encourage you to keep running and live your life to the fullest?
A) I was incredibly lucky I had a really treatable form and so in comparison to other peoples' experiences I was really lucky. But yes, anything like that makes you want to live life to the full.
Q) When your sight started to deteriorate, did you become quite worried, or did you try to put it to the back of your mind?
A) It was alarming because it was such a rapid deterioration, it got really bad quite rapidly, so it was so nice to have that treatment available for me, and I acted on it quickly once I knew there was treatment available - I am not one to wait around if I can improve something!
Q) How bad did your sight get until you got help?
A) Well, I have been short-sighted all my adult life, but I could not work out why it was suddenly getting worse - even in the space of weeks I dropped another level on the vision chart. Once I realised it was cataract, that explained the poor vision, and I was so grateful to get it treated quickly.
Q) How surprising was it to be diagnosed with rapid-onset cataracts at such a young age?
A) Yes, it was surprising. I saw the Optegra consultant and was not really expecting anything bad. But I was told I had cataract and was surprised as I assumed it is something that happens a little bit later in life. But he told me in a very pleasant and soothing way, explaining that it does happen that younger people get cataracts.
Q) What was the surgery like and how pleased are you with the results?
A) Well, I had never heard of cataract refractive surgery - I suppose until it happens to you, you just don't know. But it meant I could have cataract surgery but use tailored prescription replacement lenses. The surgery was not exactly pleasant! But it was not painful by any stretch of the imagination. And I knew it was very routine as it is done so often. And I was so determined not to run with contacts or lenses anymore! The very next day, when I took the eye patches off, it was remarkable! I looked out the window, and it was unbelievable - all the detail I could not see before, everything was so much sharper. I have a rural view of trees, but now I can see branches and twigs – it is even better than in my previous glasses or contact lenses.
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