” Joy, you will never ever be able to run 1 mile without stopping”.  “Joy, just work with what you can do”. “Joy, medically is not possible, it’s too detrimental on your lungs”. They told me my lungs can not take that kind of pressure. You see, I have asthma, allergies, but also a deviated septum. It’s so bad, even the structure of my nasal cavities are small. Most people have round holes on their nose that lets air in. I have small slits, plus a deviated septum, which for those who don’t catch my drift: BLOWS! (I made a funny!)

Sporting my favorite running skirt

Flash-forward to 2011. I started running. Warwick City Park offered a nice paved shaded 5k path perfect for walking/running with a stroller. I would walk- then run-then walk- then jog the whole thing. It would take me 1 hour 24 minutes. And I was pushing through it all, using almost 1/2 of my inhaler in the process. About 3 months after I started that, I decided to register for an official 5K. I chose the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer 5k because that year I had a scare with the disease. PSA- please do self exams each month. I ran/walked that 5K on October 11th 2011 with a time of: 47 min 45 seconds …….. Much practice and self-discipline as well as understanding my body, I now run at least 2x a week.

My longest run- Feeling Strong!

I am here to tell you, don’t let someone tell you what you can and can not do. I understand that I was NOT supposed to be able to run. I get it. Medically, I am not supposed to run 1 mile, let alone a 5k. Running & breathing through your mouth are not conducive with each other. I ran yesterday as a Mother’s Day gift to myself. It was the longest I have ever run. 4.13 miles. My time was 45 minutes and 6 seconds. It was hard. I needed my inhaler like most runs, but nothing compared to 2011. The humidity didn’t help. But I didn’t stop. Don’t just push boundaries, break through them. I am a girl who is NOT supposed to be able to run 1 mile- and I just ran 4!

~Namaste~