Sentence:  It's quiet except for my gasping, my heart.There, a car. I'm almost there, at the street, on the other side. I stop, lean my palms on my knees to <WSD>grab some air</WSD>. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To catch one's breath; to take deep breaths after stressful or strenuous activity or after holding one's breath.