Team Asthma

No this is not a sponsored post, just something I have some really strong feelings about. So please read!!!

 

If you read my recap on the Scotiabank Half Marathon the other day, you would have read about my struggles with my asthma.

 

It's still something I'm coming to terms with and that I'm learning to deal with.

 

It started last December/January.

 

I actually started running in January 2013. However, my best friend and I were doing the Couch to 5K program. The running was not very intense and to be honest, the temperatures weren't brutal. Our goal was to finish the program in mid April to be ready for our first 5K in May. Therefore, we were doing two to three minutes of running with walking in between in January. The majority of the running was done in March when the weather was beginning to warm up.

 

Last December, I ran the Salvation Army Santa Run and found that I had a lot of trouble after the race. I could catch my breath, but I just couldn't stop coughing. Again, the trouble with coughing after having two kids is constant trips to the bathroom or very wet pants. I didn't think too much of it at that point though.

 

I started to pick up some more runs during the Christmas break since I was going to attempt to do the Chilly Half Marathon in February. Again, I couldn't stop coughing. It would get to the point where I'd be gagging and it would be almost 2-3 hours after I'd finish that the intense coughing would stop.

 

Every cold I caught turned into a chest infection of some sort and the coughing would continue. It got so bad that at one point, I bruised or fractured a rib. I couldn't take deep breathes or do any form of ab workout. The pain from that lasted for about 6 months. It was crazy.

 

I finally went to the doctor and she diagnosed me with asthma. I was given a prescription for a rescue puffer and the instructions to take the puffer about 5-10 minutes before going for a run in order to prevent any issues that might arise, but also to carry it with me.

 

I've found that I use it a whole lot more than I ever though I needed to. There are some mornings that  I need it before I even start my work day. My experience with Scotiabank really made me realize how important it is.

 

My scariest story with asthma actually took place Monday. I'm currently battling some cold that one of my little munchkins at school gave to me. As I mentioned, everything ends up in my chest. Monday night, the coughing just got worse and worse, to the point that I couldn't catch my breath. It felt as though there was a fist clutching my throat and I wasn't able to take a deep enough breath to calm myself down. I was honestly contemplating sending my husband next door to get our neighbour to stay with the boys while he drove me to the hospital. I took a couple puffs and my throat relaxed fairly quickly. I still coughed throughout the rest of the night, but nothing like that.

 

I never want to experience that again, nor do I want anyone else to, which is why I am sharing my story.

 

I'm never going to be an elite runner (or athlete at all) but I believe my asthma could definitely (and has already) hold me back from reaching goals.

 

At the end of the Scotiabank Half, I walked by the Team Asthma booth and immediately signed myself up. I'm now a part of Team Asthma. There are perks (free t-shirt, entrance fees to some races, etc.) but to me the more important thing is the education. It doesn't seem like a very serious condition, but the attacks, like I had on Monday, are the scariest things.

 

If you're looking to support and do some fundraising, any little bit can help!

 

Check out the Team Asthma website for more information! The best part is that you don't need to have asthma to join the team!