There’s something you don’t know about me. If you’ve been reading along these past few years, you’ve probably seen me cross a few marathon finish lines and post about my favorite intense cardio workouts. But you might not know that I have asthma. And it can be pretty severe and uncontrolled sometimes. You might not know that I was diagnosed as an adult. And there are days where I struggle to breathe. Fighting for oxygen with the help of a little red life saver. Just trying to catch my breath.
Someone once told me I was crazy for even trying to run at all. They questioned why I would risk my life on something so silly. I shrugged and said I’ve got it under control. I never push my body too far. And I haven’t.
But the worst part about having everything under control means taking weeks off from running at a time. A measly cold can take me out of commission for weeks. It means relying on inhalers and steroid pills to open up my airways. Avoiding the outdoors and any sort of allergen. Sitting on the sidelines and watching everyone else participate.
I stopped running for speed a long time ago. It’s just not worth the risk in my eyes. I run because I love it. The time I spend outdoors, taking life one stride at a time is like therapy. I make most of life’s important decisions after thinking through them on a run. It’s one of the only things that helps me clear my head from all the chaos. Step step breathe. Step step breathe. It’s a rhythm my body is in tune with.
And maybe that’s what makes running so great. It’s so simple. It transports you in more ways than one.
Asthma has a way of putting things into perspective. I won’t be the best runner. I don’t know if I’ll ever qualify for Boston. Or compete among the best for a top spot in the marathon. I signed up for the Chicago Marathon again this year. I’m just lucky to be moving and running at all.
And after weeks of feeling horrible and taking my inhaler every four hours on the dot, I think it’s time for a run. That’s my big win for the day. And I’m grateful for it.
