Feeling winded is not a good feeling and since my training began it isn't one I had really been feeling so I knew right away something else was going on. ASTHMA! Yup, that's right I have asthma and I have for years. I am actually on quite high doses on asthma controller medication and have just begun taking a monthly shot regimen to assist with my asthma as well. Despite this my asthma, though fair well controlled tends to flair a few times a year and currently there are sparklers being set off in my lungs. Actually it feels more like a small child sitting on my chest as it is difficult to get enough air in or out, but I figured I would go with the flare analogy. Perhaps I will have to listen to Katy Perry's Firework during my next run. At any rate, I am being dosed up with steroids and having to be very cautious of how much I exert myself. The next couple of weeks will be a true test of my training as my asthma rears its ugly head.
That said when I got to the gym today I headed up to the treadmill hooked up my ipod, got out my nook and got to running. I ran a bit slower than I have been just to make sure I wasn't pushing myself too hard and continued to monitor my asthma to make sure I was breathing OK. When I hit the 5 minute mark (something I did in all of my runs last week) I felt good so I decided to keep going. I think a part of me knew I wasn't going to be able to run/walk 5/5 today so I kept pushing myself and I made it to 10 minutes. I couldn't believe I had ran for 10 minutes (about a half a mile--as I said I was running pretty slow) and my asthma was stable. I walked for another 35 minutes and a total of 2.5 miles, again pacing myself so that my asthma would remain stable. When I was done I stretched and then it dawned on me, I mean it really sank in, I just ran for 10 minutes straight. I honestly don't think I have ever done that. I mean I never ran the mile in PE when I was in school, having bad knees had always gotten me out of it (and now at 32 I need two knee replacements).
Who knew being winded would motivate me to run.
That's awesome! You are making great progress. So the big question- are you starting to *like* it? I remember the day I went from hating running to loving it- I hope you get there soon!
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