The Asthmatic Runner

She said, "I want to run a half marathon."

He said, "13.1 miles is a long way you know?"

She said, "Yes. I know."

He said, "Ok, then let's do it."

And that my friends is basically the conversation that went down when Aaron and I decided to run the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland in January. 

I can do this.  I can run 13.1 continuous miles.  I mean I think I can.  I'm pretty sure I can.  Wait, can I?!

I would completely understand if other people with asthma and allergies like mine thought I was insane.  Who knows, maybe I am but I'm also determined.  For those of you who live under a rock and think asthma is just an excuse for being out of shape or overweight, let me set the record straight. Things are about to get graphic so if you're reading this while eating breakfast I suggest you come back later.

Every winter I seem to end up with a cold.  In the essence of fairness I'll refrain from calling out the typical source of my colds workcoughwork .  A cold is not a huge deal for most, but for me and my asthma it turns into the knock you on your butt for at least a week, turns into bronchitis, kind of cold.  The kind of cold with a cough that leaves me gasping so hard for air that I end up throwing up in our bed.  Yes, 24 year old me, snot and tears running down my face because I'm home alone with a cold that triggered an asthma attack that resulted in me throwing up in our bed since my inhaler didn't rescue me in time. So yes, asthma is real.  It is not a term made up by people looking for excuses. 

End mini rant.

Fast forward almost a year from that incident and here I am training for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland with my asthma under pretty decent control.  Asthma aside, there is so much to think about when distance running.  When will you re-fuel? How often will you sip water?  Are you going to wear a pack with said fuel and water? How early should I eat breakfast before the race?  And the list goes on and on and on.  

The best news about all of this is that I wont be alone.  I'll be lucky enough to have two runners with me (one being my new husband!) on race day and I'm pretty confident we're all going to do great.

Wish us luck! I'll need it!