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I had some awesome runs with my dad this weekend. I think he might have realized that I didn’t start running because my asthma was cured suddenly, but that I learned to run with my asthma. And I think he was impressed. The first day we went at an easy pace, but on the second day he kept pushing the envelope. Not one to be shown up, I responded. It took me awhile to recover but it really was a good run. It’s nice for someone to push you once in awhile, then you realize that you can do a little more than you thought. Of course, I pushed myself just because he was there too, wanting to appear as the strong one hehehehe.
There were many many wonderful parts of last week, despite the circumstances. Somehow my brain is total mush. Getting back to reality today has been…. odd. But if I just keep swimming everything will be ok.
That means… I did it!! I ran 10 km, I ran the whole way!! That in itself is enough to make me feel GREAT, but of course there were bumps along the way. I woke up this morning excited and breathing better than I had all week. Excellent!
The first 5 km were comfortable, I was battling with my own mind more than anything. I should have just taken the time to appreciate the beautiful day but instead I let myself get bored. The trees were gorgeous, the whole neighbourhood was a glowing gold colour.
At about 6 km, the wind picked up and we got out onto a main road. At this point I felt my breathing change and it got harder and harder to blow my air out. I really had to concentrate and focus hard to breathe properly, which, on the plus side, occupied my brain. The 6-8 km stretch was the worst, dyspnea-wise.
At about 7km I developed blisters and my shins got crampy. It seemed agonizing at the time, but now that I’m sitting here I can hardly remember what it felt like! I bet THAT is why people keep registering for races over and over again.
At 8km I felt sure I could do it. 2 more kilometers felt entirely do-able and I knew I could just bear down and run to the end. Then at 9km, I started to feel GREAT, I was flying! As I got to see the finish, with under half a km to go, I started running strong. I wouldn’t say I sprinted to the finish, but it was a pretty rockin’ pace! As soon as we got to the finish line, they fed us bagels and vegetarian beans!! Yummmm.
The only thing that really hurts right now is the arches of my feet, but I’m sure they will loosen up soon. My chest has gotten tighter since finishing the race, but I still feel pretty good! I’m perched on the couch at my aunt’s house right now, and I’m going to settle down with some studying soon. If I don’t move for the next few hours, that is fine with me!!
YAAAHOOOOOOOO!!!
I just completed my last training run for Sunday’s race. Seeing as deciding to run the 10k distance was a rushed deal, I haven’t put in the amount of training as I might have if I had had 6 weeks notice. Nevertheless, I’ve been running solidly for over a month and I hope it will be enough. Thanks to all for your encouragement! Here’s a brief look at this week’s training:
Saturday: 6 km
Sunday: 6 km
Monday: 15 minute swim (was cut short due to SOB)
Tuesday: rest day, too SOB for running
Wednesday: 7.5 km
Thursday: 3 km at tempo pace
Friday: 7.5 km
Now it’s rest time until Sunday morning!!
To be completely honest with you (as I try to always be) this week has not been optimal breathing-wise. I had 2 days where I felt too short of breath to exert myself too much and I’ve been pretty tight all week. To say I’m approaching this race with a little trepidation would be accurate. But, today I’m finally feeling better and I’m hoping that this will hold until after the race (and beyond!!). Also, the fact that I was able to train through most of it has given me a huge confidence boost.
I will of course give you a full race report sometime on Sunday. Wish me luck!! 
Phew, it was one of those long days!
This first bit may be too much information for you, if you don’t wanna know about what comes out of my lungs, do not read on. So I was standing around in the kitchen at breakfast, eating an orange while talking to my roommate, when suddenly I inhale some of the juice and start to choke. After the startling bit is over, I continue to cough a little bit. And then. Then I had this sudden massive rumbling cough, and I coughed up like a whole mouthful of thick but sort of fluffly white phlegm. Taken aback, it took me a moment to realize how freaking good that felt. So I encouraged the coughing for a few minutes and was able to clear some more. And for the next few hours I was on a cloud.
It’s a good thing I was on a cloud because I had a class, then a midterm. The cellular physiology midterm went super well. It was a bit on the easy side but whatever I could use a bit of easy amid my courses!! Next I had my massive Monday lab, which didn’t turn out to be too bad. By the end of it I was starting to feel tight and I could really feel it on my walk home. I was kind of grumpy about that because I thought I had fixed my lungy problem with this morning’s phlegm fiasco. I got home and made dinner and sucked on some ventolin.
I went back to school because there was an info session for next year’s honours projects. Even though I was feeling tight still, I brought my pool stuff for after because I had planned on a swim today. Of course the fact that I brought my swim stuff meant that I absolutely had to go to the pool, so I did. I love being in the pool, but I had to get out after 8 laps because I just wasn’t feeling it, I was too tight. Sooooo I came home, which is where I am now.
The lungs are being not very nice this evening, and I don’t know why. I wish they would get over themselves. Grr. It’s not a huge deal, and I’m not concerned about it, but it’s a little much for running or swimming.
The 5 km vs. 10 km debate is still not settled. People have not been very warm on the 10 km idea at all. And now I don’t feel so good so it’s harder to think a 10 km is realistic. I guess I really do have until Sunday to decide.
Monday is my worst day scedule-wise, so now the rest of the week is looking pretty peachy!
It appears I’ve been in the middle of a little midunderstanding….
First, by the way, my next race is in 7 days!! Next Sunday there is a charity race for the regional hospital. I’m pretty excited!! I happily signed up for the 5 km. BUT, today I was at my aunt’s house for dinner and she casually mentioned to my cousin that “Danielle and I are signed up for the 10 km next weekend”. My eyes bulged a bit “P-p-pardon?? I am definitely signed up for the 5 km, I dunno about you…” We laughed at how we were on such different wavelengths, but I get the feeling she’s definitely sticking with her 10 km. So now I have a decision to make.
I know for sure that I can comfortably run 7.2 km. 10 km would not be too much of a stretch for me on a good day. I was thinking that seeing as my lungs haven’t been the best this week and I have been having small issues with my leg, I shouldn’t push it. But then I thought that I hate making excuses and I just want to say YES! to the 10 km. I just want to go and do it. So I kind of think I’m going to.
Is that crazy??
It’s funny because it’s throwing me off psychologically. A 10 km race was a long term goal I had set for myself, something I had planned to possibly do in May with my dad. Now the idea of making it happen NEXT WEEKEND makes it feel all weird. What next? Am I going to have to start training for a half marathon?? Just kidding, I’ll do at least a few 10 kms before stepping it up that much.
SO, I’m going to take a few days to decide because it sounds a bit ludicrous, but I think I’m going to do it. And if I do… my goal will be to run the whole way, no matter how slow.
What would I do if I didn’t have a crazy ball of fire for an aunt??
I know, I know, not every workout is supposed to be a good workout. Nobody ever breezes through every run, but it’s how we respond to the tougher workouts that counts.
Today was my first run in subzero temperatures. I wore a bandana over my face to protect my lungs from the air, which helped tremendously. Early on, I was bubbling and sputtering and I was just generally congested. It’s very hard to keep running when you’re trying to clear all this stuff. The cold was hurting a little bit and at first I really didn’t feel like carrying on; I slowed right down to pretty much as slow as you can jog. However, just before my halfway point everything clicked a little bit and I was able to pick it up. My breathing even got better. I’m so glad I kept going, because even though I’m coughing, I’m still enjoying the zen feeling that follows a run.
And my shin is feeling much better! I made sure to stretch both legs thoroughly this time.
Winter is fast approaching, and the cold temperatures are already here; I am going to have to figure out the logistics of winter running in a hurry because I cannot stand running on a treadmill. I’m well equipped with bandanas and balaclavas to cover my nose and mouth, because without these it’s nearly impossible for me to even step outside, never mind run! I’m going to have to start hitting the warmest time of day, and days when the humidity is relatively high. This will take experimenting and possibly shortening of my runs but I’m determined to try everything! I am eager to swim indoors when the weather gets tooo cold, but I refuse to run on a treadmill. If anyone does any outdoor winter sports and has suggestions for me, I would be very grateful!!
I am holing myself up in the library as of….now! I will get through all these cell phys notes no matter how silly they seem!!
I’m not sure what to think. Am I sick/getting sick, adjusting to the weather, or do I just have plain old weird lungs? I don’t really know. They (the lungs) feel sort of staticky inside (I’m sure you totally know what I’m talking about) and it sort of hurts just below my armpit when I breathe. And yet, I don’t feel sick or malaise-y, just tired, but heck I’ve been tired since school started.
Also, I’ve cooled it on the running this week because I’m concerned about my shin health. Ie, one of my shins has been hurting me. Now that I think of it, going from highland dancing one day a week to running five days a week plus the dancing probably has put some major stress on my legs. So I gave myself a little rest and will reassess the shin situation by running tomorrow, barring any lung catastrophes. This week I swam one day and did the bike at the gym for some cross-training. I really enjoyed my swim and may do more of it…
Must work to get myself back in ship-shape! Also, it’s really time I got my flu shot!
Many many thanks to Kerri, who designed and created this header for me. I never would have been able to do something like that myself :p. It suits me perfectly, don’t you think?? I specifically asked to have a runner on there, because for the past month, and hopefully for many months (years) to come, running and my breathing have become sort of one integrated factor. I do one so that I can do the other, you know? Run to hopefully breathe better. Breathe better so that I can go running! Expect to hear a lot more about it 
Yesterday, I probably had one of my best runs yet. I decided that I would extend my route by a few kilometers. I’ve been building up to 5 km, and I’d estimate yesterday I did about 7 km. I took it at a very slow and controlled pace, of course, and I was able to get into that “zone” fairly quickly. In the zone, I don’t even think, I just breathe. What made the run extra special is that the SUN was shining, something we have not seen in weeks. The fall colours are at their peak so the side of the river where I run is just on fire. I happened to run past a football game, everything just felt SO Thanksgiving-y. Glorious!!
When I got home, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and do some serious cleaning. I dust my room frequently, but this time I decided to go over every square inch of the place. I moved all my furniture and dusted away and i was surprised at the number of dust bunnies I found. Of course this little activity produced an audible wheeze and inspired some pretty violent coughing fits which weren’t so nice but it really had do be done. I think I clean more than any university student I know, I must have a touch of the Monica Gellar in me.
I didn’t get such a great sleep last night because I was pretty breathless. I guess I could have predicted that one, with the extended run AND the mega cleaning. It’s funny how I’ll often pay for things I’ve done during the day at nighttime. Well, funny and weird and annoying. The asthma beast is like most other monsters, it prefers the dark!
I’ve almost digested my breakfast and my lungs have loosened up considerably so…. it’s time to go running again! I’m trying to decide if I’ll do the long route again or try a different route altogether. We shall see!
