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Here is why my 12 km or 7.5 mile run this morning is the sweetest!  In college, I was diagnosed with asthma because my lung capacity was similar to that of a lady in her 70s.

Eleven months ago I was hospitalized because my asthma got so bad that my every breath was extremely shallow, a wheezing struggle that ached and strained all my muscles, mingled with panic of not getting enough oxygen, and constant coughing up of sputum. I briefly believed I might die.  Fast forward 10 months.

When I began running 24 days ago, even though I was medicated with albuterol, I ran 8 minutes until the wheezing convinced me to stop.  I walked the rest of the 1 mile I was attempting.

Maybe it’s because I am writing a novel with over 120,000 other writers in November through NaNoWriMo.org (National Novel Writing Month), but the term inciting incident seems the most appropriate for the ONE THING you can do today, that will get you on track to success.  Mine was running, because it was tough.

I know I can do anything. That is, over time, if I learn what I need and constantly keep up with it. Will I do it? That’s the question. Anything you consistently do over time will grow to become a monumental tribute to your countless, unseen daily efforts.

To start, we must make it simple. For example, today is the only day that counts. Now you must decide just one thing that if you do everyday, will mean amazing things for you.  Twenty-four days ago, I simply decided (that is, excised myself from all other options) that I must run every morning. I made it meaningful.  If I can do it, then I can do anything.

This morning I ran 12 km, cleanly, with no medication, and no pain. Running has meant a whole lot more than just overcoming something—it has meant I can do all the other things I can but haven’t been. Like my blogs, drawing, and writing!

 

Tags:  asthma, inciting incident, Motivational, nanowrimo, running

:-)

If you followed my running blog part 1 and part 2, you would know that consistency is an issue with me.  It is my biggest challenge.

I proudly announce that I have been running consistently for officially 3 weeks, where I ran 5-6 days/week. Getting up at 6 has never been easier. The time change over Halloween helped. Now my runs are not in the pitch dark.

Here are some unexpected benefits I am getting from running.

• It is so beautiful early in the morning. I am more aware of the weather and feel closer to nature. I have now run in the rain, in a severe fog, in the snow, and when it was pretty windy.
• Running when I’m visiting another city totally built up my belief in my commitment to running.
• Meeting with local runners and their dogs
• I run the water distillation for my roommate early in the morning daily as a routine which is appreciated.
• Time for full breakfast and tea
• Taking mineral waters daily (doing something daily will always be magical to me, because I am so averse to routine.) The mineral waters I take are from my roommate’s company–phenomenal stuff.  For more info, you can read up on it here.
• More aware of my footing
• Pretty impervious to hot and cold (I used to get cold easily.)
• Accepting myself without makeup
• I really enjoy it and it’s not a question of whether I want to run, anymore.

Happy running!

 

Tags:  running