Over a year later...

Ok, I swore I wasn't going to do this again!  I haven't posted in ages.  Luckily, I've run some, just not as much as I would like.  I'll go back later and add in my other runs for the last year, but for now, I'll write about today.  The weather here has been pretty hot (90s) but today was cooler.  It was overcast and a little humid.  I thought, great time to run.  And it was, but, my lungs decided today would be a rough day.  And of course, I didn't bring my inhaler.  I needed it twice today, so I had to resort to walking slowly and literally calming my breathing down.  I can't think too hard about it, because then I realize how far I am from home and my inhaler, and things just get worse.  

Luckily, it worked.  I was able to get myself under control enough to continue and make it home.  I ended up run/walking 5.4 miles, which was fabulous considering the lung issue.  I even posted on FB one day that "running would be easier without my asthmatic lungs, well...at least having lungs without asthma."  My daughter Sarah thought it was funny and replied with "ba-dum tish!"  But, it is a true statement.  So often my lungs are what keep me from running longer periods before walking.  And one day the humidity is great for my lungs, but today obviously, it wasn't.  I just never know what will set it off and rarely can stop it from happening.  

That is one of the most scary things about asthma.  Most of the time, I have no control over it.  If someone walks in front of me with a cigarette, it can set me off.  And I now search for things like that.  I used to try to hold the coughs in that often turn into an attack, now I just cough.  My air is being polluted and my health is being threatened.  It is so unfortunate that second hand smoke is worse than what the person smoking gets.  How unfair for the rest of us.  And smoke is just one trigger for me.  Perfume/colognes are horrible too.  I think people have no clue how much they put on, or their noses are numb to it.  And exhaust from trucks and other vehicles---yuck.  

That's why I love running out here in the boonies.  I rarely have much of those triggers.  The only one is dead animals or a passerby that is smoking with their windows down.  (to me that is always funny that they have to do that.  If smoking is so great, keep your windows up and enjoy the full force of the smoke!)  

Ok, I'll get off my bandwagon and just exclaim how happy I am that I was able to run today.  No matter how hard it was.  I got it done.  

Cloudy weather is the best running weather!

Well, I've been a little absent in my blogging about my running adventures.  I've continued to run, but not as often.  And I hate it.  Running is my stress relief, my exercise, and my prescription for my asthmatic lungs.  When I don't run as often, my triggers set me off more.  I feel worse.  I'm more stressed.  I need to run to keep myself healthy, alert, and sane.

Why have I drifted away?  Well, I could say lots of things.  Taking classes two nights a week and driving 1+ hours each way to get there.  Working 40 hours a week at my job.  Spending time with my husband.  Enjoying my daughter, son-in-law and grandson that now live with us.  Picking up sewing again for fun.  Visiting my other two daughters who live away from us.  I could go on and on and on. But in reality, I am the reason I slacked off.  I can't blame anyone or anything else for it.  It is so easy to say, "I'm too busy."  Or "I'm too tired."  

So I have to resort to the things that help me overcome these thoughts.  Here are some of those strategies: I plan a run ahead of time.  I put the clothes out and have them ready if I plan on running after work.  I schedule it in our calendar (my daughter, husband, and I now share calendars so we know who is taking care of my grandson and who is going where when).  I remind myself over and over that I'm going to run at such and such time.  I go no matter what the weather is.  Even if I go for only 2 miles, it is better than not going at all.  

Today, I got up after having a wonderful 9 hour sleep and ran.  I am a person who needs at least 8 hours sleep, but often keep myself awake with work and other stresses.  And if I run, I sleep better.  So  another reason to head out and run.  I ran 3.3 miles, and the weather was perfect for running.  Cloudy, and a slight breeze.  A little humidity also helps my lungs, so that was present too.  Plus, I even passed 3 bike riders who actually answered my greeting!  Some bikers are so intent on their ride that they either don't hear me or just don't want to respond.  I shouted out, "Good morning!" to which one of them responded, "Great morning!"  

One thing that I hate about taking a break from running every other day is how it affects my lungs.  They seem to lose their strength very quickly.  I could have run for longer stretches than I did today, but my lungs just couldn't keep going.  I stopped several times and walked because I was so winded that I just couldn't breath.  But I didn't stop.  I kept it up.  I used my inhaler before heading out luckily, but I do need to remember to bring it with me until my lungs are back in shape.  My legs and the rest of my body were willing and able to run more, but my lungs get to veto everyone else.  

But I will be back out there tomorrow to strengthen them up again.  

December 2014 runs

December.  Beautiful fall foliage turns into colder days with snow flurries and frosty grass.  The worst thing about winter is the cold while running.  Sometimes just cold, cold, cold.

December 1, 2014--What a bummer.  I tried to head out, but waited too late.  It not only started getting dark, but it started raining.  Instead of chancing getting run over and soaking wet, I just headed home and only made it 1.5 miles.  Oh well.

December 6, 2014--3.37 miles.  A nice little run.  A bit slow with my pace, but oh well.  It was COLD.  32 degree, but felt like 24 with the windchill.  I ran bundled up with my Buff over my face to warm my breath.  I was in Massachusetts visiting Sarah at college, so it was a bit colder than I am used to.  

December 7, 2014--I really wanted to run, but I just couldn't do the extreme cold again.  Instead, I rode the elliptical for 25 minutes.  What a different type of exercise than I am used to.  It took quite a bit for me to get the rhythm and get the hang of it.  I guess anything new takes a little effort to make it second nature.  I can remember when I started running again, it took a while to run without worrying about where my hands were, how I held my arms, what part of my foot I landed on, and so forth and so forth.  

December 17, 2014--Another day where the GPS wouldn't find the signal.  Another bad weather day.  I need to start picking better days with better weather to run.  I only ran for 19 minutes.  

December 20, 2014--A great day to run 5 miles.  Not a fast pace, but I ran.   The first day I was able to use my Garmin watch again since the strap broke.  Chris gave me a new strap a few days ago, so I got it on and charged it up.  Running on Saturday is an excellent way to give my brain a break from all my studies.  

December 27, 2014--What a month.  Sarah had a tonsillectomy, Laura and Ethan and grandbaby went to Williamsburg, andI hopped on a quick trip to Paris with Chris while he was working.  What a great month.  Today I ran 3.3 miles.  Not a long distance, but a nice pace and it felt great.  

December 29, 2014--Today I got to run with a few snow flurries.  I love that.  It is so quiet and so peaceful.  Even thought it is cold and wet, it is so nice.  4.4 miles.  My pace was good--I think the nice flurries make me run a little faster!  :-)

November 2014 runs

November--the month of falling leaves, raking leaves, burning leaves...ok...let's leave the leaves theme!  I love November with the cooler weather and the beautiful change in seasons.  Virginia is one of the best places to be to enjoy the fall foliage.  I also love it for great weather for running.  It isn't too hot and it isn't too cold.  Perfect for running.  Here are the runs:

November 7, 2014--I only got to run 2 miles.  I got home from work and quickly changed and ran.  When I got home I was on baby duty for the night.  Laura and Ethan had already planned a night out and I volunteered for baby duty.  They got to go paint and I got to take selfies with my favorite boy.  It was win-win!

November 9, 2014--Today was a good 3 mile run.  My pace was about 12:45, which is a little slower than other times, but that is ok. 

November 11, 2014--Veteran's Day.    Today Chris and I just decided out to walk and talk. We went 2 miles.  Sometimes this is the one of the best things to do.  We get to talk and enjoy each other's company and move our muscles.  

November 16, 2014--What a great day.  I cleaned some of my closet, bought groceries, and started the day out with a wonderful run.  I ran 4.42 miles and it felt great. It was a gorgeous fall day with wonderful temperatures--about 50 degrees.  Got to keep it up!

November 28, 2014--Thanksgiving was Thursday.  Friday we went to Green Valley Book Fair--what a fun Black Friday shopping day!  Today I ran 4.1 miles.  It felt great.  Sarah and I also built a behind the sofa table to help hold drinks and such.  

Ok.  five runs in the month. Not great.  I need to average about 3 per week in order to be ready for the Disney Half Marathon in February.  Hopefully I can be ready in time.   

October 2014 runs

Here is a run-down (pun intended) of my runs in October.  

October 3, 2014--Laura, Ethan, and my grandson and I tried to head out and run. Unfortunately, It started to rain and then just got harder.  I took the stroller and ran home with him as fast as I could.  Poor baby was pretty wet on the face even though I had to canopy up.  But he was a trooper!  We only made it eight tenths of a mile!  Better luck next time.

October 5, 2014--Back out to try it again.  Today I was able to get out and run!  Woohoo!  5.5 miles.  My average pace was 11:19, better!  What a nice activity to do for an hour.  

October 26, 2014--What a long time between my runs.  Life interrupted my plans.  We worked on putting a floor in the basement apartment, attended a wedding, hosted a week-long book fair.  There just was no time to actually get outside and run.  Today's run was 3.4 miles.  It felt great to get out and hit the pavement.  So great.  

September 2014 runs

Ok, since I'm having problems not only running, but blogging, I've decided to fill in my missing runs by the month.  Then hopefully I can get back to blogging each run daily.  

September 19, 2014--I ran/walked about 3 miles.  My watch didn't work well (it sometimes won't find GPS out here) and didn't track the mileage well.  I went for about 36 minutes with Chris, Laura, Ethan, and my grandson.  

September 23, 2014--Today I went 3.1 miles My average pace was about 12:00 per mile, which is ok.  I just need to get out and move more than once a week.  :-)

September 26, 2014--Today I walked 2 miles with Laura, Ethan, and my grandson.  While it isn't running, sometimes it is just nice to get out and move and walk.  I have learned to not get too wrapped up in whether I am running or walking, since they are both exercise.  So just get out and move.

4.4 miles--Gorgeous day!

After working all day, I came home and Chris and my daughter were ready to head out and get some fresh air and exercise.  I quickly changed and my daughter strapped her son (my grandson) in the stroller.  We walked for a bit, then I took the stroller and ran for a little bit.  Boy it is definitely harder to run pushing a stroller--even a running stroller---than it is to run alone!  But I needed the extra umph while I run.  We've been so busy at home with the basement finishing, my daughter and grandson arriving, homework, work, and well--just life--that running has taken a back burner.  It felt absolutely fabulous to get out.  I did some sprints while running to really push myself.  I could tell that my lungs were a little stressed and I should have taken my inhaler before heading out.  Luckily, I was able to control it and continue on.  Now, to just get out again on Friday!  

3.53--a little slow...

Today was a little slow, but I logged 3.53 miles.  I had hoped to get more miles in, but it just didn't happen.  Today is Chris' and my 29th anniversary, so instead of going out to dinner, we headed out for fresh air and some walking/running.  We walked for a little bit and had a nice chat and then we ran for a while.  After 29 years together, it was the best night out!  I miss running every other day, so it feels really good when I can get out and run.  

4.2 miles~~out again!

Well, it has been a while since I've run.  For the last several weeks, Chris and I have been cleaning out half of our basement.  We have gone through boxes that we haven't opened in over 9+ years, and some haven't been looked at in over 15+ years!  It was a huge job, but it is done.  We now have purged, dumped, and stored all the stuff on the other side of the basement.  There was so much dust and grime and gross stuff, along with cute and memorable things like the girls' American Girl dolls, and My Little Ponys that were such a part of their lives. 

But doing this took a toll on me.  I was unable to run as much, and all the dust and stuff affected my asthma.  I have spent the last few weeks taking my inhaler more than I have taken it in years.  I think not being able to run also had an affect.  I believe that by running several times a week, I am able to keep my asthma in check.  Somehow, it strengthens my lungs or bronchial tubes, pushes out allergans, and just helps me breathe better.  Sounds weird, and of course I am not in the medical field, so who knows if that is right.  I do know I feel so much better when I run regularly.

So today was my new start (again).  After 2.5 weeks with no running, I went out today and got in 4.2 miles.  My watch wouldn't find the GPS, but that is ok.  I ran with my Skoras, my new favorite shoes.  I don't feel the rocks and such as I run, my feet are padded, and the stretchy outer just feels great.  My heel pain has disappeared since I've changed shoes too!  I plan on running tomorrow or Wednesday--I will not drop it again.

2 miles--walking

Chris and I have felt so blah without our running, so today we just hit the road and walked 2 miles.  We had things to talk about and figure out, so getting out in the fresh air and moving our legs was the way to do it.  I felt so good getting out and moving.  While we've been busy and moving things in the basement and such, it isn't the same as exercising and moving.  Now to run!