Alright, first of all I have to say Please don't make fun.
So - I have asthma. Exercise induced asthma. Which makes exercising complicated. My face gets bright red and sometimes I wheeze... its not fun. It also doesn't help that I HATE my inhaler. I hate that it makes my heart race and I only use it after a run if I get a coughing fit (which is probably 99% of the time). I know I should use it more often, but I'm really NOT a fan.
Due to the wheezing, and more importantly the BRIGHT red face, I would much rather exercise in the privacy of my own home / neighborhood then go to a gym. I know its irrational, but I feel like everyone who is in shape at the gym is staring at me and laughing at the out of shape girl. Going to a gym is out of the question.
But, I recently decided I was tired of being out of shape. I'm not so concerned about loosing weight, I'd just like to get my heart/lungs in better condition. Considering running is very little investment, running is it. I've never been a good runner, but running is the only exercise I sort of enjoy, aside from horseback riding. And Horseback Riding is a HUGE investment.
A few weeks ago, when I started running, I came up with a set of goals for my running. The first goal was to run around the block 1 time without stopping. Our block is about 0.4 miles, and yesterday, I ran around the block ... and then some! GOAL 1 Accomplished!!! All in all it was about 0.43 miles without stopping. :) I wish I could explain to you how huge that is. A few weeks ago, I could barely run half way around the block without stopping. I'd reach the end of the street and be wheezing. I'd have to walk 2 block lengths to catch my breath before I was able to run again.
I know so many people are going to say you are pushing yourself too hard. I know all the rules. "You should be able to hold a conversation while running, if you can't talk your running too fast" I know. I get it. But I feel most comfortable at a specific pace. So I run in short lengths that I think I can accomplish without killing myself.
I have several other goals.
Goal 2 - Run twice around the block without stopping
Goal 3 - Run a mile without stopping
Goal 4 - Run a 5k under 40 minutes (Shhhhh I know that's still really slow)
Goal 5 - Run a 5k under 30 minutes
Goal 6 - Run a 5k without stopping
Goal 7 - Finish a 10k
Goal 8 - Finish a Half Marathon
So, I'll keep posting on my progress. Not sure when I'll accomplish Goal 2, but I don't plan on stopping running any time soon.
:)
