Blame it on Asthma

In the past year, both kids were diagnosed with asthma. Then, the doctor wanted me to be tested, too since there is a strong connection between maternal/child asthma. So, I got tested and found out I also have asthma, and not just a mild version like the kids! To use one of my favorite BBC words- I was gobsmacked! (I just love British expressions! I'm going to start using them in everyday speech just to humor myself)

How did I not realize I had asthma all these years? Then it occured to me that I've never had much endurance in sports and I do cough a lot. So I guess that's asthma-not the wheezing and inability to breathe that I once thought it was. The doctor gave the kids and I daily inhalers which should help over time. Wait and see if you feel better and cough less he said.

I have NEVER liked running. I've always said it's pointless unless someone was chasing me with a knife. I've made all sorts of excuses to avoid running. But, I know it's one of the best forms of exercise. Last year, I forced myself to run a 5K. I trained for weeks to do this silly little race and hated every stinking minute of it. I finished it (barely and painfully), then refused to run again because I hated it so much. But today, at the gym, I ran on the treadmill because I was late for the class I wanted to do.

I thought to myself "I'll just do 20 minutes and see how much of it I can jog". At the 17 minute mark, I realized I wasn't even breathing hard. I kept running because I could. After a bit longer, I realized I could make it 5 K's, so I kept going. I wasn't breathless or miserable or tired at all! In fact, I actually thought the machine might be broken-it wasn't possible I'd been on that long! But sure enough, I ran the entire 5K! I could've even kept going, but decided that was enough for the first time running in almost a year. I am so proud of myself! I think the medication has really improved my endurance!

Maybe all these years I wasn't just lazy and/or out of shape...I just had asthma!

Maybe I'll end up liking running now. (Or, at least not hate it with every ounce of my being!)