Is Breathing Necessary?

Okay...I know I've said I'm not an outside summer runner but for some reason I'm really wanting to change this. Change is easy, right?? NOT!! Even getting up and out on the road by 6:00 a.m. still makes for a tough run in the summer...especially when the humidity is at its fiercest. I think I would do alright except my brain wants me to run as if it's cooler weather - carefree and fast. Again, NOT!! As far as I'm concerned, it's just not going to happen this time of the year.

With that in mind, the decision was made to toss the time and get out and run looking more at distance at a slower pace. So far, it worked last week. I had very enjoyable runs on the Reservoir going wherever I wanted to and running comfortably. I say comfortably because I wanted to be aware of my body and not get overheated and underhydrated. Yeah, even on runs as short as 5 miles you can lose all your fluids quickly.

When we got home, I thought I'd continue doing what I had been doing and go out on Thursday for an easy 7 miler. I had done 5 miles the last few times and decided if I continued the way I had, being safe, that I could throw in a 7 miler. This is really not distance, folks, and I know it but it's further than the usual for me this time of year. I met Frank at the Sportsplex and we started out early. I felt fine when we started but it wasn't long before something was going on. Something I'd not experienced before. Early in the run I began struggling with my breathing. Not the typical kind of breathing hard because you're running hard but the kind that you can't get enough air into your lungs to function. So we began to walk a little. No problems. Started running again. Can't breathe. Walking again. Can feel air getting into my lungs, started running again. It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest and I couldn't move. Okay...you get the point! This was scaring me because I've not had trouble getting air before. This continued until we finished. I refused to quit!!! Can you say stubborn?? What in the world was going on?? When I got home, I was totally exhausted and perplexed. How do you fix something you have no idea what it is? I was absolutely fine when I was not running. I do not have asthma and that is exactly how I felt trying to breathe. So I rested on the couch...ended up sleeping the rest of the day, getting up to go to bed and slept all night long. What's up with that, too?? The good thing was I felt really refreshed when I got up the next morning. But I was VERY leery of this happening again so I took the day off. As a matter of fact, I was pretty down about it and couldn't make myself do anything else for a while.

After some time, I evaluated the situation and decided I was learning just how much my body goes through this time of year. I took it for what it was worth, got my rest, and began fresh on Monday.

I am dying to put in longer distances but it's not happening now. Patience is like an annoying gnat flying around my head trying to get my attention but I can't catch or swat it. It's a hard thing to grab hold to. I watch as others seem to experience no difference in their running with great paces and it puzzles me. Why can't I do this? I never knew running was so complicated. I'm learning more and more about MY body than ever before. I am thankful for it and will treat it good as best as I can.

Lessons learned:
Toss out everything you know about running in the summer.
Listen to my body.
Do my best with intentional slower paces.
If longer distance woos me, be aware that though I may try it I am okay if it doesn't come to pass.
Respect my efforts and do NOT get down.
Step back, evaluate if there is something that needs my attention and do it; if not, take it easy.
Do NOT stop exercising unless injured.
And, finally, keep hydrated more than usual.

I can hardly wait until cooler temps and fall weather are here. Come on, Sweet Thang! I'm anxiously waiting your arrival!

Until next time...
Run4It