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.