Asthma Sucks...

10/6/2017

Asthma may indeed suck but it also shows me what I can do when I put my mind to it. I have a love/hate relationship with my asthma. Without my struggles with it I wouldn’t be where I am at today. I wouldn't appreciate the things I do today. But I also do get tired of the struggle and always trying to get my goals accomplished around it. I get frustrated when trying to finish a race, hike or just going to work and it acts up. This summer has been one of my hardest summers dealing with it. I have been trapped in my house and not able to exercise because of it. I am on more drugs to keep me going. My major trigger with my asthma is forest fire smoke, second is outside temperature (heat or extreme cold) when trying to run/exercise and thirdly is stress. This summer has been all three. I am one of those people that are super in tune with their body and can tell when something is off. I have been good about resting when I have needed it but the challenges arise with my races. All the races I have done this summer have be major challenges to overcome. Nothing came easy and I fought to the bitter end to cross that finish line. With all the environmental problems out there I was forced to not work out and train as much as I wanted. Thru this all, I do in fact know that I am one mentally strong chick! I also know that if I talk to a bear stalking me he will get tired of me calling him Bob and will wonder away and harass other racers. I for sure thought that would have caused him to want to eat me just to shut me up. He also wasn’t inclined to giving me a piggy back to the finish line either. Bob isn't all that cool. Haha

I feel really proud though that I was able to finish every race and didn't have to stop and walk away. I just want to get back on track, I want to workout more like I used to and be able to go running when I want. I miss it sooo much. I need to get back to doing it. I feel lost without it, not completely lost but feeling very offside.

I completed my Spartan Trifecta on September 16th in Seattle with the Beast. It was a fun race with my US friends but a hard one. I got to the bucket carry and at that point I was seriously considering stopping and walking away. The forest fire smoke and the heat were getting to me along with some dusty conditions. I posted a pic of me on FB at that moment and I almost broke down in tears waiting for the guys and my son to finish the bucket carry. I took two of my drugs and was able to carry on but a lot slower and missing some obstacles. At that point it was about survival and finishing it. Some people gave me looks for not doing an obstacle but I don't care. They had no idea what I was going thru and how hard it was to keep breathing to keep going. I am in the open heat, not going for time or money, I was running my own race. I wasn't about to make my health worse to complete an obstacle when I was waiting for my friends to complete it. The first half of my race was awesome and I was doing great... time went on and things got worse. I had a few people come up and offer to help me and that was super awesome... people like that is what kept me doing these races. They are all about helping each other. I get it if you want to play by the rules... they have heats for that.. elites and competitive. I run open so I can keep challenging myself and get better on my own but also have the help when I need it.

My trip to Seattle for the Spartan Beast with my son was a really great trip. He and I had a great time and ended up getting some great deals on clothes for his new school year. We raced, had a great dinner with friends and went to the car races. Sunday we slept in (I was a little hung over lol), we checked into our hotel near Sea-Tac and then spent time in downtown Seattle. We took in the underground tour finally and hung out at Pikes Market and the Pier with our friend Tim. Had an amazing Birthday seafood dinner and eventually made our way back into the hotel. Monday we flew back home and relaxed. Last two birthdays have been pretty good I gotta say. I did miss having one person with us in Seattle but next time we head down I hope he will be able to make it and it won't be for a race so we can have more time seeing more things there. :)

Had a great weekend in September. I got to spend lots of time with my new guy. We went on this awesome hike out in the mountains, had a great dinner and drinks and then a nice soak in the hot tub. Sunday relaxed and got some things cleaned up at the house outside. Nice having some projects done and less things to have to worry about. Now I just have to keep tackling the indoor projects but first need this cold I have had a week to leave and go away. lol

Reading all the posts about the Spartan Beast race in Sun Peaks BC has had me wondering what my future races will look like. I was sad to be missing out as I love the location but after hearing how bad it was I was glad I wasn't there. I think that would have turned me off Spartan races officially. I missed the people and being there but not the race. That thought alone had be thinking about what I want to do next year for races. Will have to do some pondering and think about what goals I want.

On October 1st I ran the Gorilla Run in YYC. I put together a 4 person relay team called The Stubborn Warriors. We each ran a 4km leg of the race. It was great but we could have done without the wind. Ran my fastest 4k in a long time, had a awesome running partner along the way and my relay was fantastic. In the mixed team category we came in 23rd place with a time of 1:45:43. Dale ran his leg in 20:57 (he ran a half marathon the day before too), Ty ran his in 23:26, Melodie and I were in the 30 and under minutes. I would do this race again for sure. Was neat running thru the Zoo too.

Next up is the X Run in Calgary and in Edmonton. If you haven't signed up you really should. They also have virtual heat as well so you can still be apart of it if you can't make either location. Check out http://xwarriorchallenge.com/events/ Join my team Stubborn Warriors!!!

Will leave you with a few pictures from the races and fun times.

Until next time...