Breathing: Something I've Taken For Granted

In high school I was incredibly unhealthy. For a moment, put aside the fact that I was almost completely sedentary and weight 235+ lbs, I had myriad environmental health issues. I've had asthma since childhood, which I blame on being brought up in a smoking household (if you're a smoker, do yourself and everyone around you a favor and QUIT). My mom and step-dad have since quit, but it seems like one of those things that just can't be undone. Anyway, I also had incredibly awful seasonal allergies... in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Imagine that!

Before I saw an allergist for the first time at age 15 due to an incident involving a banana nut muffin (because why would anyone go to an allergist for anything other than anaphylactic shock?), my life was completely miserable. If my asthma was under control, it was only a matter of time until my allergies kicked in, which would in turn make my asthma flare. I wasn't on any medication at the time aside from my albuterol inhaler, so these events would also lead to bronchitis, which eventually became chronic. I didn't know anything else - it was just the way life was. A few times a year it would get bad enough to see a doctor for a prescription, but most of the time I just dealt with it. My allergist informed me that I didn't know what if felt like to be healthy, prescribed me allergy meds and an oral asthma med, and life got better.

Then I moved to Massachusetts, and my dependency on my medications disappeared. I no longer had the allergies that made my asthma flare up that induced bronchitis. I was free!

Jump to four years later. It appears as though my body has caught up with the pollen here. My allergies have returned (though not in full force). I hadn't had to use a fast acting inhaler in Massachusetts, save for one (maybe two) times my freshman year until two days ago. I kept telling myself that it would all pass, but it did not. Cue asthma attack last night.

I forgot how scary it is not being able to breathe. My inhaler was no use, and I ended sitting up awake for a few hours before I got a handle on my lungs. So that sucked.

Anyway, I ended up only running 2 miles today. I was kind of bummed, but at the same time, I'm just glad to be breathing relatively easily again. SO, if you can breathe with ease, count your blessings! Wheezing is the pits.

Freaking Out!

My ten mile run yesterday went horribly. I planned and prepared for it poorly, and it showed. The first 3 miles were solid. The next 2 miles were shaky. Mile 6 was pretty solid, albeit SLOW. The last 4 miles would have made you want to cry with frustration and despair. It just wasn't coming together. At all. It was actually an 11 mile route, and I ended up walking the last mile, I was just in too much pain to keep going. All in all, the run was pretty disheartening, but let's recap the things I've done wrong:

• last run was a week ago (WHAT?)
• left the house at midday (wayyy too hot)
• misread temperature as 71 instead of 81
• didn't check humidity
• only ate a banana before heading out
• probably some other stupid stuff that I'm forgetting

Blisters are non-existent, which is good, but my back muscles are really sore. I think it's a combination of the distance and the fact that I was wearing the CamelBak my momma recently gifted me (which I love). It makes me sad that something that brings me so much joy (and hydration) could strain my muscles so much.

The half-marathon is two weeks from today. I need to put in some serious work.

Lessons Learned

As I wrap up my final year of undergraduate education, it seems fitting to explain a lesson I've learned recently:

Sitting in the sun for a prolonged period of time with a mostly exposed back is, contrary to popular belief, not good for runners! Especially those runners who heavily really upon a tight, supportive sports bra.

Exhibit A:

This was taken Saturday evening... I'm pretty sure it's gotten redder.

How can I run when it hurts to much to put on a sports bra? I can't! If it still hurts tomorrow, to hell with it, I'm running anyway. This may not be such a bad thing, though - my calves are killing me today! They didn't bother me at all yesterday, so perhaps an extra day of rest isn't the worst thing. I also think it's time to kick up the strength workouts - I gotta get back into my groove with squats and lunges.

I've got to get through one exam and then I am D-O-N-E!