Back on Track!

To all the novice Runners like me out there, promise me one thing. You will never take more than a 2 day break from running!! I learned a very valuable lesson after not running for almost 3 weeks. I let work take over and was so busy that I forgot to make time for myself. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my job, but I got so wrapped up in working on my events, I just didn't make ME time.

Anyone else ever have head games they play with yourself? Like I felt like Wow I set a pretty lofty goal for myself to run a half marathon being that I have never been a runner my entire life and to turn  myself into a runner within just a couple months. I tried to talk myself out of doing it. It was a mental battle that I had to really deal with. Losing weight, training for something that you've never done before, maybe a new job, or anything that you think could be a mind game with yourself. I have found that the thought of running a marathon has been more of a mind game with me than the actually learning to run with Asthma! I have to learn to get passed the thought of running 13.1 miles at one time! I know if I can do it, anyone can!

I am so happy I got back on the track to running. I started running again on Monday and I can honestly say, It makes me feel like I can do anything! I have 17 weeks until our marathon on April 15th in St. Louis! I know this head game of mine is something I need to push through and may need some encouragement to push through it all! 

A good note to end on and look towards the new year! Remember, it's never too late to change your life! Challenge yourself! Push further than you could ever see yourself doing! You are so much stronger than you think you are!! 

How running is possible for me!

Hi all my followers :) 

Firstly, I need to share that I just completed my 3rd week of training, and by that I mean, I've been running for 3 weeks out of 23 years of my life OR 21 days of 8,545 days of my life! Within 3 weeks of running I've completed 35 miles! If I keep running each week and adding .6 miles a week, I'll be running a total of at least 360 miles in 168 days! 

I have to say I never thought I would be running! I can now say I CAN! Never   +Running doesn't exist anymore! My mom gave me a supplement called Protandim when I was having back problems because it helps with inflammation. My back problems are now non existent! What she didn't tell me was the possibility of my asthma getting better! 

Please check out this ABC Primetime Report that John Quinones did on Protandim! 

Curious if John Quinones is still taking Protandim?

If you'd like more information about this supplement, I'd be glad to direct you to the right person! 

Question of the Day: How many miles a week do you run or walk? What motivates you to keep moving? 

A break through

Have you ever wanted something so badly you would do anything? Well that's what this half marathon means to me. I will continue to run even if I have continuous pains in my lungs while running, but that was not the case today! I couldn't be happier! I have only been training for 1 week and today I had a break through! It was amazing. I tried running on an indoor track this evening and used the Jeff Galloway training plan, as It was suggested to me by a friend for asthmatics. I was so nervous about trying to run for a such a long distance, but with his method I am starting my running journey by running for 30 seconds and walking for 60 seconds. Check out his plan in the link above to help have injury free training and as I found out today, its PERFECT for me! 

I am proof that an asthmatic CAN run, and succeed! I am so happy to know my goal of a half marathon will be possible. I do know this doesn't mean it's going to be easy! Today's break through allowed me to prove to myself that the goal I set for myself is achievable... even as a wheezer :)  

On a side note, when I was diagnosed with asthma at age three, Steel Magnolia's was a very popular movie and Wheezer was a character in this movie played by Shirley Maclaine. After I was diagnosed, My mom thought it was funny to call me Wheezer after Shirley Maclaine, and what can I say.. It stuck!  I used to hate it and was ashamed of it, but i'm learning that its giving me the opportunity today to blog to all of you wonderful people and hopefully help some other asthmatics conquer goals you may have not thought were possible without reading my story. I hope this helps and brings inspiration to each of you. 

Question to end on: Which do you prefer.. indoor tracks, running outdoors or on a treadmill and why? 

Why would an asthmatic run?

Why would an asthmatic run you ask? Maybe because I like the challenge. I have always prided myself on trying new things and continually trying new things and always learning. So why would anyone with severe asthma want to take up running? Below are my reasons:  

1.  to challenge myself to stick to working out 6 times a week
2.  learn to enjoy running (instead of hating even the thought of it)
3. improve my ability to breathe with ease :)
4. a healthy activity to do with my husband instead of going out to eat. 
5. Lastly, show friends and family, and all my blog followers that even severe asthmatics can run without having an asthma attack.  

 Today, I struggled with finding motivation to run. I did not run Saturday and couldn't find the motivation to go running. I realized I need to do this to show all the other asthmatics that want to run and be athletic that they can do it too. I did go for a run today and tried running really fast and when i did i started wheezing heavily, and got crampy in my sides and my lungs. I stopped and stretched and decided to walk back the rest of the way. While I walked I realized it was a combination of fear of having an asthma attack and actually having some asthma troubles. Its a mind game. still fighting it. It will get better with time.

On a fun note, Last night I went out for Halloween with some friends as the Scooby Doo Gang! Check it out! 

Question of the Day: To all the asthmatics, do you have a fear of having an asthma attack while running too? If so How do you get over it?

- Tomorrow is Halloween, I am going to try to not eat any candy tomorrow and instead of sitting and eating candy, I'm going to get some exercise and work on my training schedule :) Who's With me!?

Facing the Fear of Running

 I had my first asthma attack when I was three years old. Growing up, I was always last picked for sports and always had a fear of running because I knew the chances of having an asthma attack was very high. I knew that if I would try to run in P.E. or on the playground I could have an asthma attack and be embarrassed to have to use my inhaler. 
 Once a year we had field and track day in elementary school, where we would go to the track and each get to do a race. I always would dread this day each year knowing I would make a fool of myself running with all my other classmates. I was signed up for the 50 meter dash with 6 other girls in my class. I stood at the starting line and had already told myself, I was going to fail. On your mark, get set, go! I ran so fast and got my first taste of what running and the endorphins felt like! Before I knew it, I had fallen into the gravel and ripped my knee up. I got up and finished the race and came in 2nd. All that mattered to me was that I finished. Even if I was wheezing and had a ripped up knee.  

Within the last month, I started thinking about what I could do to better my health and challenge myself. I started thinking about what I could do that would really challenge myself. I found the 13.1 marathon series benefiting World Vision. 13.1 series Knowing I am Running for a great Cause for the World Vision team keeps me motivated. 

I've done 1 week of training so far out of 21 weeks. It has been a bit of a challenge with Asthma, but so far I feel like it's a mind game with a little bit of asthma. I need to get over the fear of having an asthma attack and really learn to run though my Asthma. 

This blog is dedicated to all asthmatics that want to conquer their fear of running. Follow me as I share my training moments, both positive and learning moments.